bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of urine proteomes from tumor-bearing mice with those from tumor-resected mice
Authors: Heng Ziqi , Zhao Chenyang , Gao Youhe
Published: January 2023

Objective

This study aimed to address on the most important concern of surgeons—whether to completely resect tumor. Urine can indicate early changes associated with physiological or pathophysiological processes. Based on these ideas, we conducted experiments to explore changes in the urine proteome between tumor-bearing mice and tumor-resected mice.

Method

The tumor-bearing mouse model was established with MC38 mouse colon cancer cells, and the mice were divided into the control group, tumor-resected group, and tumor-bearing group. Urine was collected 7 and 30 days after tumor resection. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was used to identify the urine proteome, which was analyzed for differentially expressed proteins and functional annotation.

Results

(1) Seven days after tumor resection, 20 differentially expressed proteins distinguished the tumor-resected group and the tumor-bearing group. The identified biological processes included circadian rhythm, Notch signaling pathway, leukocyte cell–cell adhesion, and heterophilic cell–cell adhesion via plasma membrane cell adhesion molecules. (2) Thirty days after tumor resection, 33 differentially expressed proteins distinguished the tumor-resected group and the tumor-bearing group. The identified biological processes included cell adhesion; complement activation, the alternative pathway; the immune system process; and angiogenesis. (3) The difference in the urine proteome between the tumor-resected group and the healthy control group was smaller 30 days after tumor resection.

Conclusion

Changes in the urinary proteome can reflect the complete resection of MC38 tumors.
Inferring fish behaviour at the trawl mouth from escape location
Authors: Nguyen Vang Y. , Bayse Shannon M. , Einarsson Haraldur Arnar , Ingólfsson Ólafur Arnar
Published: January 2023

In this study, we used escape location underneath the trawl to understand groundfish herding behaviour at the trawl mouth. Three collecting bags (port, center, starboard) were mounted under the trawl and behind the footgear to collect escapees. The escape-at-length of species that escaped into the center bag were compared to the two wing bags to infer fish response behaviour, herding behaviour, and swimming capacity at the trawl mouth. For roundfish, smaller-sized individuals escaped more in the center for both Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), <20 and 11 cm, respectively, indicating that larger-sized fish were to a greater extent seeking to escape under the trawl at the wings, vs small fish being herded to the center and likely overrun due to reduced swimming capacity. For flatfish and monkfish (Lophius piscatorius), results varied. European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), and monkfish were caught most often in the wings, though not significantly for American plaice. Catches of dab (Limanda limanda) between 18 and 27 cm were significantly higher in the center, with no difference for smaller and larger individuals. The differences between fish escape location likely result from a combination of varying herding behaviour, size, and swimming capacity. Here, we were able to show how these size-dependent behaviours relate to fish response behaviour, escape behaviour, size, and likely swimming capacity.
Construction of a ceRNA network of regulated ferroptosis in doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury
Authors: Ye Hongwei , Li Yuping , Li Lu , Huang Yuhui , Wang Jiahui , Gao Qin
Published: January 2023

Background

Ferroptosis and long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial injury (DIMI). Nevertheless, there is no research to construct competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) network between lncRNAs and ferroptosis-related key gene. So our research was designed to screen ferroptosis-related genes from differentially expressed mRNAs in DIMI and construct lncRNAs regulated ferroptosis-related key gene ceRNAs network.

Methods

The male mice were injected with DOX intraperitoneally to induce myocardial injury, myocardial injury was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and ferroptosis-related protein-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) protein expression was detected. The differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were detected by microarray, and the ferroptosis-related genes were screened to construct a protein-protein associations (PPA) network, the highest maximal clique centrality (MCC) score gene were identified by Cytoscape software, miRNAs bound to key genes and lncRNAs bound to miRNAs were predicted; then, the obtained lncRNAs were intersected with differentially expressed lncRNAs detected by microarray. Finally, the lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA ceRNA network of the highest MCC score gene regulating ferroptosis in DIMI was constructed. The expressions of the key components in ceRNA network were detected by qRT-PCR.

Results

Compared with the control group, in the DOX group, myocardial enzymes and HE staining showed that myocardium structure was changed, and GPx4 protein expression was decreased. The differentially expressed 10,265 lncRNAs and 6,610 mRNAs in the DOX group were detected via microarray. Among them, 114 ferroptosis-related genes were obtained to construct PPA networks, and Becn1 was identified as the key gene. Finally, the ceRNA network including Becn1, three miRNAs and four lncRNAs was constructed by predicting data of the Starbase database. The relative expressions of these components in ceRNA net were up-regulated and consistent with microarray results.

Conclusions

Based on the microarray detection results and bioinformatics analysis, we screened ferroptosis-related gene Becn1 and constructed the lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA ceRNA network of regulated ferroptosis in DIMI.
Prosodic distances between different survey sites in Romance-speaking Europe
Authors:   Universitat de Barcelona, Elvira-García Wendy , Turculet Adrian ,   Universitatea Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Bibiri Anca-Diana ,   Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Iasi, Baker Campbell Annie ,   Universitat de Barcelona, Cerdà Massó Ramon ,   Universitat de Barcelona, Fernández Planas Ana M.a ,   Universitat de Barcelona, Roseano Paolo ,   Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia & University of South Africa
Published: January 2023

The aim of this paper is to classify Romanian dialects from a prosodic point of view within the European Romance-speaking area. The data is part of the Multimedia Atlas of Romance Prosody - AMPER (Contini, 1992) and is analysed dialectometrically by means of ProDis (Elvira-García et al., 2015; Fernández Planas, 2016). The database includes more than 17,000 utterances produced by 48 speakers from 26 survey sites of 15 varieties of 6 Romance languages (Catalan, Spanish, Italian, Sardinian, Friulian and Romanian). The results show that the two main prosodic areas of Romanian (see Roseano, 2016b) remain separate when they are dialectometrized with data from other Romance languages. In addition, if one analyses questions and statements separately, it can be seen that questions allow us to distinguish geoprosodic areas more effectively than statements do (as suggested by previous studies such as Fernández Planas et al., 2015).
A dialectometric approach to Romanian intonation
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia & University of South Africa, Roseano Paolo , Turculet Adrian ,   Universitatea Alexandru Ioan Cuza din Iasi, Bibiri Anca-Diana ,   Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Iasi, Cerdà Massó Ramon ,   Universitat de Barcelona, Fernández Planas Ana M.a ,   Universitat de Barcelona, Elvira-García Wendy ,   Universitat de Barcelona
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the first dialectometric analysis of intonational variation of standard spoken Romanian. The data analysed (26,680 sentences) were gathered within the AMPER-ROM project and the dialectometrical analysis has been carried out with ProDis. The results are consistent with the geolinguistic descriptions of Romanian varieties. ProDis identified two major areas for yes-no questions: a central-eastern one (Moldo-Walachian), with rising contours, and a central-western one (Transylvanian, discontinuously continuing over Bukovina to Bessarabia—the Republic of Moldova—), which presents also falling contours. The study suggests that intonational areas are somehow more conservative of and (relatively) independent from segmental dialectal areas.
ASSY-I Screening: A Suicidality Scale for Argentinean Young Students
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Galarza Aixa , Fernández Liporace Mercedes ,   Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina, Castañeiras Claudia ,   Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Freiberg-Hoffmann Agustín ,   Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina
Published: January 2023

This study aimed at deepening into the internal structure's analysis of the Argentinean Scale of Suicidality, Youth version—ASSY-I Screening—. The 6-factor model obtained in a previous exploratory factor study was tested via confirmatory factor analysis, and further compared with an alternative second-order model. The factorial invariance was examined using the self-perceived gender as a splitting variable. The factors' internal consistency was analysed in the whole sample and in two subsamples comprising exclusively men and women. The scores' stability-reliability was examined using a test-retest analysis. The sample was composed of 632 students with ages between 13 and 21 years old (M = 17.88, SD = 2.16; 64.08% women, 35.92% men). Results showed evidence favouring the robustness of the ASSY-I model as well as the likelihood of generalising it across groups in the local population of young students. Findings are discussed regarding further uses of the scale in the professional field.
Mitos de Violación en YouTube: Comentarios en el Caso de Antonia Barra
Authors:   Universidad Católica del Norte, Murray Carol , Mercado Guerra Javier ,   Escuela de Educación Universidad Católica del Norte, Calderón Carlos ,   Escuela de Educación Universidad Católica del Norte, Bahamondes Joaquín ,   Escuela de Educación Universidad Católica del Norte
Published: January 2023

Las redes sociales forman parte fundamental de la comunicación actual, permitiendo la participación de las personas en la construcción de las noticias mediante la expresión de sus opiniones. Este estudio explora la presencia de los mitos de violación en redes sociales en el caso de denuncia de violación y suicidio de Antonia Barra Parra, joven chilena de 21 años. Se utilizó el análisis temático en el marco de la fenomenología social para analizar comentarios publicados en cuatro videos de noticias, producidos por los canales de televisión abierta chilenos disponibles en la plataforma de YouTube. Se identificaron cuatro temas generales: relativo a ella, relativo a la violación, estereotipos y relativos al suicidio, los tres primeros se refieren a los mitos de violación y el cuarto al suicidio de la víctima. Este estudio evidencia que los mitos de violación descritos en la literatura están presentes en los discursos de la red social, mostrando una fuerte carga misógina y descalificatoria hacia la mujer. Además, emergen mitos de violación particulares, los que se relacionan con estereotipos asociados a la belleza hegemónica y al estatus social de la víctima y del agresor. Los contenidos relativos al suicidio muestran dos temas: comentarios que refuerzan los mitos de violación y comentarios que interpretan el suicidio como un acto que devela la agresión sexual. Los resultados sugieren que las redes sociales son un recurso valioso para estudiar cómo los individuos (re)producen la cultura de la violación en el análisis de casos de violencia sexual.
Idiossincrasias associadas aos cancelamentos de despesas inscritas em restos a pagar
Authors: Barbosa Madson Euzébio Freitas , Rodrigues Evaldo Cesar Cavalcante
Published: January 2023

Este estudo foi concebido como consequência do reconhecimento da importância que o volume de recursos do orçamento público federal não empregado em função do cancelamento de despesas inscritas em restos a pagar exerce na atual conjuntura, na qual a redução da capacidade de financiamento do setor público é uma realidade a ser confrontada, bem como da percepção que a incompletude do ciclo de execução da despesa pública encerra por impor o transporte de saldos significativos de obrigações entre os exercícios financeiros. Com o objetivo geral de identificar o nível de influência que os fatores liberação de limites de movimentação e empenho próximos ao encerramento do exercício financeiro, bem como a inscrição de despesas em restos a pagar exercem sobre o cancelamento de despesas inscritas em restos a pagar, foi estabelecido um apanhado documental e bibliográfico, concomitantemente com a extração de dados da base de informações orçamentária, financeira e contábil do governamental federal, a partir de um recorte longitudinal que considerou o período compreendido entre os anos de 2008 a 2020. Foi empregada uma regressão linear múltipla, que identificou significativa relação entre o volume de saldo inscrito em restos a pagar e o cancelamento destas despesas, bem como com os descontingenciamentos ocorridos próximos ao encerramento dos exercícios e os montantes cancelados, contudo, para estas variáveis foi identificada uma relação negativa. Identificou-se que os fatores pesquisados tendem a afetar tanto a qualidade dos serviços prestados pelo setor público, quanto sua implicação no setor privado e por consequência, na economia em geral.
Prevalence, Clinical Correlates and Explanatory Models of Substance Use among Patients with Schizophrenia: A Cross-sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital, Southern India
Authors: Kolloju Naveen , Gopalakrishnan Rajesh , Kuruvilla Anju
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Prevalence rates of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in patients with schizophrenia are reported to be about twice of that of the general population. Co-morbid SUDs in these patients can affect the natural course of the illness, quality of life and treatment compliance. Increased rates of hospital admissions, longer duration of inpatient stay, more severe psychopathology, increased rates of criminal activity and violent behaviour have also been reported in this group of patients. Data from the region on substance use in patients with schizophrenia is sparse. Aim: To study the prevalence of SUD’s in patients with schizophrenia and the risk factors associated with SUD’s and patient Explanatory Models (EM) regarding the same. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic at Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, from November 2016 to May 2017 in 103 consecutive patients with schizophrenia. Symptom severity was assessed using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), substance use patterns with the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Fagerstrom’s Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and patient EMs for substance use with a semistructured questionnaire. Socio-demographic and clinical details were also recorded. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.0.1. Chi-square test and the student’s t-test were used to assess the significance of association for categorical and continuous variables respectively. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient was employed to assess the statistical significance of the association between two continuous variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.54 years. The majority of the participants were males (n=60, 58.3%), 62 (60.2%) were married, 97 (94.2%) were literates and 54 (52.4%) participants were employed. The prevalence of substance use was seen in 30 (29.1%) participants. Nicotine was the most common substance of abuse (n=21, 20.4%) followed by alcohol (n=19, 18.4%). Male gender, being employed and a family history of substance use were factors significantly associated with any substance use with p-values 0.001, 0.001 and 0.01, respectively. Patient’s explanations for the use of the nicotine included the feeling of relaxation it produced (n=13, 61.9%), and feeling more energetic and active (n=12, 57.1%). Making one more relaxed and social (n=14, 73.7%) was the most common patient explanation for alcohol use. Conclusion: Alcohol and nicotine were common substances of abuse among the participants in this study. It is useful to understand patient’s explanations for substance use in order to develop effective intervention programmes tailored to the individual patient’s beliefs.
Abdominal Ectopic Pregnancy: Challenging Obstetrical Paradox in Series of Three Cases
Authors: Naskar Animesh , Ghosh Abantika , Mandi Bharat Chandra , Mandal Suchita , Show Pritilata
Published: January 2023

Abdominal Ectopic Pregnancy (AEP), a rare life-threatening obstetrical complication, is defined as ectopic implantation within the peritoneal cavity outside the uterus, tubes, ovaries, or intra-ligamentous locations. A series of three rare cases of early AEP is presented: (First case: a 32-year-old, gravida 2, para 1; Second case: a 31-year-old, gravida 3, para 2; and Third case: a 39-year-old gravida 4, para 2). All the cases were of early (<20 weeks) primary AEP and they all presented with acute abdomen, unstable vitals, and haemoperitoneum. The first case had omental implantation with a gestational sac of (3×3) cm and was diagnosed by strong clinical suspicion with intraoperative confirmation for the same, whereas the second and third cases had implantation on Pouch of Douglas (POD) and sigmoid colon respectively; and was diagnosed by sonography with intraoperative confirmation during laparotomy. All three cases were successfully managed by a multidisciplinary team approach, blood transfusions, and emergency laparotomy with complete removal of the placenta. They had a good postoperative recovery. The reports of histopathology of tissues retrieved peroperatively from the implantation sites showed chorionic villi which confirmed the product of conceptions. Presentation of this case series provides an opportunity to illustrate a rare variant of ectopic pregnancy with a challenging obstetric dilemma and to discuss the importance of strong clinical suspicion for such a grave maternal condition, on the part of the attending obstetrician, to make an early diagnosis and prompt treatment, so that maternal morbidity and mortality can be avoided.
Detection of a Case of Cysticercosis of the Breast: A Case Report
Authors: Bhat Rakshita Ramesh , Gangoli Aparna , Kumar Hemanth
Published: January 2023

Aims: Cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease caused by encysted larvae of the nematode Taenia solium. It can have variable clinical presentations, neurocysticercosis being the most common among them. Extraneural cysticercosis is relatively rare. Among them, isolated cysticercosis of the breast is extremely rare and medical literature in its entirety describes but a few cases of isolated cysticercosis of the breast. They can be easily mistaken for a fibroadenoma or breast malignancy. This may lead to an undue psychological burden on patients. Hence, properly diagnosing cysticercosis of the breast is essential in alleviating this burden to some extent. We encountered one such case when a patient presented with multiple painless lumps in the right breast.

Presentation of Case: A 57-year-old female presented with multiple painless lumps in the right breast. On clinical examination, she was suspected to have numerous small fibroadenomas. She was sent for mammography in which two lesions showed features suggestive of fibroadenoma and the third, of an inflammatory abscess or inflammatory malignancy. She subsequently underwent a core biopsy and the histopathology report revealed that she had cysticercosis of breast.

Discussion: Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the pork tapeworm.This case highlights the rarity and significance of properly diagnosing cysticercosis of breast. Mammography, high-resolution ultrasound or MRI can aid in the diagnosis. Definitive diagnosis is established by histopathological examination.

Conclusion: Cysticercosis is a major public health problem, especially in the developing world. It must be given due consideration as a possible differential diagnosis in patients presenting with breast lumps in areas of high prevalence.
Regular Elements and Von-Neumann Inverses of a Class of Zero Symmetric Local Near-Rings Admitting Frobenius Derivations
Authors: Abuga Joseph Motanya , Ojiema Michael Onyango , Kivunge Benard Muthiani
Published: January 2023

Let N be a zero-symmetric local near-ring. An element \({x}\) \(\in\) N is either regular, zero or a zero divisor. In this paper, we construct a class of zero symmetric local near-ring of characteristic pk; k \(\ge\) 3 admitting an identity frobenius derivation, characterize the structures and orders of the set R(N), the regular compartment with an aim of advancing the classication problem of algebraic structures. The number theoretic notions relating the number of regular elements to Euler's phi-function and the arithmetic functions of Galois near-rings are adopted. Using the Fundamental Theorem of nitely generated Abelian groups, the structures of R(N) are proved to be isomorphic to cyclic groups of various orders. The study also extends to the automorphism groups Aut(R(N)) of the regular elements.
Physico-chemical Properties in Rhizosphere of Some Field Crops at Different Growth Stages in a Sandy Clay Loam Soil in Sourthern Nigeria
Authors: Nengi-Benwari A. O. , Udom B. E. , Akpan E.
Published: January 2023

The effects of different cultivated crops and their growth periods on some hydraulic and chemical properties of a sandy clay loam soil at the University of Port Harcourt, Teaching and Research Farm, in Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria was studied. The objective was to understand the changes in soil physical and chemical properties near the plant environment during the growing period for optimum management. Four (4) crops: Maize (Zea mays L.), Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), Pepper (Capsicum annuum), and Garden egg (Solanum melongena F.) were planted to native fallowed soil and the soil properties measured at three (3) growth stages of the crops viz: Establishment, Flowering, and Maturity. Results revealed that the plants did not modify the soil textural class. Significant changes in bulk densities and saturated hydraulic conductivity were found during the flowering stage of the crops. Bulk density of 1.36 and 1.34 g cm-3 were significantly (p<0.05) low at during flowering and maturity stages, respectively, in Garden egg soils. The highest saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) values of 22.9 and 27 cm h-1, respectively, were significant (p<0.05) during the same periods for garden egg, followed by Maize and Okra. Results also revealed that Okra, Pepper and Garden egg significantly (p<0.05) reduced the soil acidity at flowering growth period. Maize contributed significant additions of soil organic matter to the soil at flowering and maturity periods. Maximum removal of available plant nutrients was at flowering stage for maize when more than 80% of the plant had shown tasselling and cob formation. Therefore, monitoring the growth stages of specific plant could help in nutrient and soil management and changes in soil physical and chemical properties.
Risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes by maternal occupational status: A national population-based study in South Korea
Authors: Kim Chae-Bong , Choe Seung-Ah , Kim Taemi , Kim Myoung-Hee , Ryu Jia , Oh Jeong-Won , Yoon Jung-won
Published: January 2023

Objective

This study examined the association between maternal occupational status and adverse pregnancy outcomes in the general South Korean population.

Methods

We analyzed 1 825 845 employed and non-employed women with a diagnostic code for pregnancy in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database (2010–2019) of South Korea. Based on their employment status and type of occupation, we calculated risk ratios for three adverse outcomes: early abortive outcomes (miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and molar pregnancy), stillbirth, and no live birth (diagnosis of pregnancy with no record of live birth thereafter, which include early abortive outcomes and stillbirth) with adjusting for covariates.

Results

Overall, 18.0%, 0.7%, and 39.8% ended in early abortive outcomes, stillbirths, and no live births, respectively. The risk of early abortive outcomes and stillbirths was higher in non-employed women than in employed women, while no live births were more frequent in employed women. Those in the health and social work industry showed the highest risk of no live births. Manufacturing jobs (1.030, 95% CI: 1.013, 1.047) and health/social work (1.029, 95% CI: 1.012, 1.046) were associated with an increased risk of early abortive outcomes compared with financial and insurance jobs. Consistently higher risks of no live births were observed in the manufacturing, wholesale/retail trade, education, health/social work, and public/social/personal service occupation.

Conclusion

Employment during pregnancy and several occupation types were associated with a higher risk of pregnancy loss. Additional research using detailed job activity data is needed to determine specific occupational causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Preclinical patient‐derived modeling of castration‐resistant prostate cancer facilitates individualized assessment of homologous recombination repair deficient disease
Authors: Elsesy Mohamed E. , Oh‐Hohenhorst Su Jung , Oing Christoph , Eckhardt Alicia , Burdak‐Rothkamm Susanne , Alawi Malik , Müller Christian , Schüller Ulrich , Maurer Tobias , von Amsberg Gunhild , Petersen Cordula , Rothkamm Kai , Mansour Wael Y.
Published: January 2023

The use of mutation analysis of homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes to estimate PARP‐inhibition response may miss a larger proportion of responding patients. Here, we provide preclinical models for castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) that can be used to functionally predict HRR defects. In vitro, CRPC LNCaP sublines revealed an HRR defect and enhanced sensitivity to olaparib and cisplatin due to impaired RAD51 expression and recruitment. Ex vivo‐induced castration‐resistant tumor slice cultures or tumor slice cultures derived directly from CRPC patients showed increased olaparib‐ or cisplatin‐associated enhancement of residual radiation‐induced γH2AX/53BP1 foci. We established patient‐derived tumor organoids (PDOs) from CRPC patients. These PDOs are morphologically similar to their primary tumors and genetically clustered with prostate cancer but not with normal prostate or other tumor entities. Using these PDOs, we functionally confirmed the enhanced sensitivity of CRPC patients to olaparib and cisplatin. Moreover, olaparib but not cisplatin significantly decreased the migration rate in CRPC cells. Collectively, we present robust patient‐derived preclinical models for CRPC that recapitulate the features of their primary tumors and enable individualized drug screening, allowing translation of treatment sensitivities into tailored clinical therapy recommendations.
Evaluation thermal degradation kinetics of ionic liquid assisted polyetheretherketone‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites
Authors: Ahmad Aqeel , Mansor Nurlidia , Mahmood Hamayoun , Sharif Faiza , Safdar Rizwan , Moniruzzaman Muhammad
Published: January 2023

The incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) into polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing the thermomechanical characteristics of PEEK composite materials. This study investigates the thermal behavior and kinetics prediction of PEEK/MWCNT composites comprising different ionic liquids (ILs), namely 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([BMIM]HSO4), 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([BMIM]Ac), 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]Ac) and 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([EMIM]HSO4). Three non‐isothermal methods Coats‐Redfern, Broido, and Horowitz‐Metzger, were employed to model the thermal decomposition profiles of fabricated composites to calculate the activation energy. The highest decomposition temperature (580°C) was obtained for [BMIM]HSO4‐based PEEK/MWCNT composites. Moreover, a 3%–8% increase in the activation energy was obtained compared to PEEK/MWCNT manufactured without ILs. The Coats‐Redfern model was superior to Broido and Horowitz‐Metzger models in modeling the thermal degradation of developed composites, as evidenced from the higher value of the coefficient of determination (R2 ≥ 0.9899). By determining the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and R2 for the thermal degradation kinetics data, the artificial neural network (ANN) model was employed. The ANN model accurately predicted the mass loss curves, exhibiting R2 ≥ 0.9815 for the designed model. These findings can assist in establishing an IL‐assisted benign approach for PEEK/MWCNT/IL composites with superior thermal characteristics.
New records of Spotted Bass, Micropterus punctulatus, within the Mississippi River Basin, Illinois
Authors: Whitten Andrya L. , Harris Brandon S. , DeBoer Jason A. , McClelland Nerissa N. , Lamer James T.
Published: January 2023

Spotted Bass Micropterus punctulatus, like many sport fishes, have experienced range expansion through intentional introductions (i.e., legal stocking and illegal transfers) and migration across the United States. In Illinois, USA, native populations of Spotted Bass occur along the eastern and southern border of the state. We report new records of Spotted Bass in their non‐native range of the Illinois Waterway and the Illinois portion of the Upper Mississippi River in addition to collections in their native range in the Illinois sections of the Ohio and Wabash rivers to better understand their current distribution. Continuous, collaborative efforts to track the distribution and expansion of non‐native fishes are important for maintaining and establishing native and non‐native fisheries management objectives and education, as non‐native fishes can influence native species population distribution and dynamics.
Transcriptomic profiles‐based approach to decode the role of miR‐122 in triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Flores Fortis Mauricio , Perez Añorve Isidro X. , del Moral Hernandez Oscar , Villegas Nicolas , Arechaga Ocampo Elena
Published: January 2023

miR‐122 has been considered both as tumor suppressor miRNA and oncomiR in breast tumor phenotypes. However, the role of miR‐122 in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still unknown. In this study, the clinical value of miR‐122 was used to describe the transcriptomic landscape of TNBC tumors obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Low expression levels of miR‐122 were associated with poor overall survival (OS) of TNBC patients than those with higher expression levels of miR‐122. We identified gene expression profiles in TNBC tumors expressed lower or higher miR‐122. Gene coexpression networks analysis revealed gene modules and hub genes specific to TNBC tumors with low or high miR‐122 levels. Gene ontology and KEGG pathways analysis revealed that gene modules in TNBC with gain of miR‐122 were related to cell cycle and DNA repair, while in TNBC with loss of miR‐122 were enriched in cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis and activation of cell migration and invasion. The expression of hub genes distinguished TNBC tumors with gain or loss of miR‐122 from normal breast tissues. Furthermore, high levels of hub genes were associated with better OS in TNBC patients. Interestingly, the gene coexpression network related to loss of miR‐122 were enriched with target genes of miR‐122, but this did not observed in those with gain of miR‐122. Target genes of miR‐122 are oncogenes mainly associated with cell differentiation‐related processes. Finally, 75 genes were identified exclusively associated to loss of miR‐122, which are also implicated in cell differentiation. In conclusion, miR‐122 could act as tumor suppressor by controlling oncogenes in TNBC.
Hollow wire corrosion of stainless steel ropes in a marine mooring system and its relation to microstructure
Authors: Linhardt Paul , Biezma Maria V. , Haubner Roland , Schuster Roman , Wojcik Tomasz
Published: January 2023

Indications of corrosion were observed on ropes made of stainless steel type 316 in mooring systems of floating platforms in shallow tropical ocean water and doubts about the material quality came up. Routine investigations could confirm the type of alloy and the absence of sensitization, but the corrosion pattern was found unusual: individual wires of the ropes were found as hollow tubes many centimeters in length, which we refer to as hollow wire corrosion (HWC). Comparative investigations with a rope of the same specification from an arbitrarily chosen alternative producer revealed very similar susceptibility to chloride‐induced pitting but a significant difference in repassivation behavior of the two products. An electrochemical test was designed which could reproduce HWC under realistic conditions with one product while the other repassivated readily. By electron backscattered diffraction, the different susceptibility to HWC could be related to the very different textures of the wire materials of the two products, resulting from different manufacturing technologies.
Build Teams and Staff Buy‐In, One Pilot Project at a Time
Authors: Blanchard Renard , Wynes Ashley , Franzen Marlee
Published: January 2023

At the heart of any water distribution system lies more than pipes, pumps, valves, and tanks. It's the people who operate these assets. In many utilities, staff have worked in the same department for decades, yet many feel like they don't have a voice or their opinion doesn't matter. How can a department change this mentality?
Mean‐weight diameter of aggregation as affected by initial screen size of two fine‐textured soils
Authors: Franzluebbers Alan J. , Tanaka Katiuça Sueko , Momesso Letusa , Calonego Juliano Carlos , Crusciol Carlos Alexandre Costa
Published: January 2023

Soil aggregation is considered a key indicator of soil health to protect soil against erosion, enhance organic C storage, and offer habitat for soil organisms. Various methods to assess aggregation may change interpretations of management, and therefore should be cross‐calibrated. We assessed the impact of initial sieve opening size (8 or 4.75 mm) prior to determination of dry‐stable and water‐stable mean‐weight diameter (MWD) from two fine‐textured soils—a Rhodic Hapludox from São Paulo, Brazil and a Rhodic Kanhapludult from North Carolina, United States. Both soils were subjected to management expected to alter surface soil conditions. As expected, initial sieving through 8 mm led to greater dry‐stable MWD (3.37 ± 0.60 mm) than initial sieving through 4.75 mm (1.94 ± 0.28 mm). However, soil stability index (water‐stable MWD/dry‐stable MWD) was not affected by initial sieve size opening (0.56 ± 0.13 mm mm−1 under both initial sieve openings). Management interpretations were consistent with both approaches as well, and in particular to detect the strong depth effect on water‐stable MWD (i.e., declining with depth). Water‐stable macroaggregates had 32% ± 25% greater C concentration than microaggregates; similarly under both initial sieving conditions. Soil stability index when initially sieved through 4.75 mm was highly associated with aggregate stability of 1–2‐mm sized dry aggregates, which is a more common procedure. We conclude that passing soil through a screen with 4.75‐mm openings to conduct a diversity of soil analyses can be appropriate for obtaining reasonable estimates of and interpretations about surface soil aggregation.
A Combined Numerical–Experimental Approach for the Critical Hydrogen Diffusion Depth in Steel
Authors: Vander Vennet Simon , Verbeken Kim , Depover Tom
Published: January 2023

Herein, a numerical solution of Fick's second law in one dimension with experimentally determined diffusion coefficients at different constant loads is combined with slow strain rate tensile tests and subsequent fractography on dual‐phase steel. From the latter, the depth of the hydrogen embrittled region is determined and correlated to concentration profiles determined by the numerical model. The concentration profiles indicate that incorporating stress dependency of the diffusion coefficient results in different concentration profiles compared to using a constant diffusivity. Additionally, these allow to more accurately determine a critical local hydrogen concentration based on the total diffusible hydrogen concentration at saturation.
Web tools support predicting protein–nucleic acid complexes stability with affinity changes
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Mei Long‐Can , Gao Yang‐Yang , Hao Ge‐Fei , Song Bao‐An
Published: January 2023

Numerous biological processes, such as transcription, replication, and translation, rely on protein–nucleic acid interactions (PNIs). Demonstrating the binding stability of protein–nucleic acid complexes is vital to deciphering the code for PNIs. Numerous web‐based tools have been developed to attach importance to protein–nucleic acid stability, facilitating the prediction of PNIs characteristics rapidly. However, the data and tools are dispersed and lack comprehensive integration to understand the stability of PNIs better. In this review, we first summarize existing databases for evaluating the stability of protein–nucleic acid binding. Then, we compare and evaluate the pros and cons of web tools for forecasting the interaction energies of protein–nucleic acid complexes. Finally, we discuss the application of combining models and capabilities of PNIs. We may hope these web‐based tools will facilitate the discovery of recognition mechanisms for protein–nucleic acid binding stability.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Recognition

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA‐Protein Complexes

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Interactions: Functional Implications
Reproductive Phenology of the Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1791), Along a Temperate Estuarine Salinity Gradient
Authors: Gregory Kaili M. , McFarland Katherine , Hare Matthew P.
Published: January 2023

Low salinity can negatively affect reproduction in estuarine bivalves. The spatial and temporal extents of these effects are important to inform models of population dynamics, environmental risk assessments, restoration efforts, and predictions of climate change effects. A hypothesis of delayed gametogenesis for oysters at low salinity sites was tested relative to their higher salinity counterparts in downstream experimental cages. In 2018, the timing of gametogenesis and spawning was observed June–August for 2-year-old oysters from three distinct ancestries (native, hatchery, aquaculture), outplanted at age 1 month along the salinity gradient (3–30 psu) of a temperate estuary. A second season of data was collected in 2019 from a 3-year-old aquaculture line and mixed-age native adult oysters dredged and transplanted 1 year prior. Dermo was tested in 2019 and prevalence was 1.3% (n = 240). Gametogenesis and spawning were retarded for all ancestries at low salinity relative to higher salinity sites during July and August. The reverse pattern was found in June, with low salinity sites having more advanced gonad index than at a high salinity site. This difference in average gonad index was 2.65 vs 1.46, respectively, for the native line and 2.62 vs 2.08 for aquaculture. Low salinity seemed to not only induce earlier gametogenesis in June, but also extended the reproductive season relative to higher salinity sites. Among oyster ancestries, the aquaculture line stood out as having 30–48% lower gametogenic synchrony within sites, but only in 2018. Because the native oysters used in this study have been restricted to low salinity conditions for many generations, demonstration of their reproductive plasticity across salinities is notable and broadens the range of potential future restoration strategies.
Dose-response of pests to ethanedinitrile dose-response of weed seeds, soil borne pathogens, and plant-parasitic nematodes to ethanedinitrile
Authors: Thalavaiasundaram Swaminathan , Ajwa Husein , Stevens Mary C.
Published: January 2023

Ethanedinitrile is a chemical soil fumigant with promising efficacy against several key pests including weeds, nematodes, and soil-borne pathogens. The efficacy of 12 concentrations of ethanedinitrile, ranging from 8.7 to 1,751 mg kg− 1 soil, to control seeds and tubers of five weed species (Cyperus esculentus, C. rotundus, Malva parviflora, Portulaca oleracea, and Stellaria media), two nematode species (Globodera rostochiennsis and Tylenchulus semipenetrans), and four pathogenic fungal species (Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Pythium ultimum, and Verticillium dahlia) were evaluated in acidic sand (pH: 5.6) and alkaline sandy loam (pH: 7.5–7.6), under controlled laboratory conditions. These pathogens and weeds are common in strawberry and vegetable fields and have been targeted by soil fumigants. Ethanedinitrile was injected into microcosms for 24 h. Lower doses of ethanedinitrile controlled fungal pathogens and nematodes better in acidic sand than in alkaline sandy loam. However, the reverse tended to be true for weed control as higher doses of ethanedinitrile in the acidic sand were required to control weeds than in the alkaline sandy loam. Results showed that ethanedinitrile can provide excellent control of soil-borne nematodes, pathogenic fungi, and key weed species in acidic sand and alkaline sandy loam.
Using inorganic acids to stop purple phototrophic bacteria metabolism improves PHA recovery at a large scale
Authors: Srivastava Pratiksha , Villamil John A. , Melero Juan A. , Martínez Fernando , Puyol Daniel
Published: January 2023

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production at a large scale by purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) is hindered due to high production costs and limited recovery due to its consumption during starvation periods. The present study identified cost-effective inorganic acids as inactivation methods for PPB to obtain higher PHA recovery. The study was performed on reactors of different scales (10 L and 0.5 L) to grow PPB and recover PHA subsequently. The permanent feast strategy was adopted to obtain higher PHA in an anaerobic environment. As a result, the study achieved 33% (dry weight) PHA recovery using inorganic acid inactivation, while formaldehyde inactivation (traditional method) achieved significantly lower PHA recovery (20% only). The results from inorganic acid inactivation were further examined for their stability. The samples were stable even after day 14, and the PHA recovery was the same as on day 0. This pioneering study shows that inorganic acids can be used to inactivate the PPB metabolism to obtain higher PHA recovery; inorganic acid inactivation could be economical for large-scale PHA production.

Graphical Abstract
Ketogenic Diet as Medical Prescription in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Authors: Barrea Luigi , Verde Ludovica , Camajani Elisabetta , Cernea Simona , Frias-Toral Evelyn , Lamabadusuriya Dilusha , Ceriani Florencia , Savastano Silvia , Colao Annamaria , Muscogiuri Giovanna
Published: January 2023

Purpose of Review

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine dysfunction associated with a myriad of metabolic disorders and high rate of infertility. In order to aid its management, several lifestyle/dietary interventions have been evaluated. Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) is rapidly showing promising benefits not only in obesity but also in the treatment of other metabolic diseases. The main objective of this review is to assess the scientific evidence in support of this dietary pattern as an effective measure for treating PCOS and the metabolic disorders associated with it.

Recent Findings

Preliminary data suggested significant improvements in body weight and composition, metabolic profile (glucose, serum insulin, triglycerides, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and insulin resistance following VLCKD. However, the evidence is still scarce and needs to be more substantiated.

Weight reduction in women with PCOS has been shown to improve metabolic derangements and body composition, but there is no consensus on the ideal dietary pattern or macronutrient composition. There is some evidence supporting the possible role of the Mediterranean diet in improving infertility (along with other well-known metabolic benefits) in women with PCOS. Of note, VLCKD might be considered a potential intervention for the short-term treatment of PCOS, but it must be prescribed and carefully guided by professionals.
Caloric Effects Induced by Uniform and Non-uniform Stress in Shape-Memory Materials
Authors: Porta Marcel , Castán Teresa , Saxena Avadh , Planes Antoni
Published: January 2023

A Ginzburg–Landau model is developed that is adequate to describe a square-to-rectangle martensitic transition with associated shape-memory and superelastic properties. Using this model we study caloric effects in the vicinity of the martensitic transition induced by stress and we compare the case of a uniform uniaxial stress and the case of a non-uniform continuous distribution of stresses that produce bending of the material. The former case corresponds to an elastocaloric effect and the latter corresponds to a flexocaloric effect. The aim of the work is to quantitatively compare both cases, which we show must be accomplished in terms of equal amounts of exchanged mechanical work. It is then obtained that the flexocaloric effect is more efficient for low exchanged work but less efficient for large exchanged work.
Embedded in Contexts: A Systematic Review of the Longitudinal Associations Between Contextual Factors and Sleep
Authors: Bobba Beatrice , Bacaro Valeria , Crocetti Elisabetta
Published: January 2023

Dramatic changes in sleep duration, schedules, and quality put adolescents at higher risk of negative outcomes, such as poorer physical and psychosocial adjustment. While significant attention has been paid to the role of proximal contexts (e.g., family), less is known about the longitudinal interplay between exo- (e.g., neighborhood characteristics) and macro-contextual (e.g., ethnic/racial discrimination) influences and adolescents’ sleep quality. Therefore, this review aimed to summarize findings from available longitudinal research to understand the role of structural factors and experiences in the distal contexts of development in influencing sleep quality in adolescence. A total of 10 studies were included in this systematic review. The results highlighted the detrimental consequences of structural factors and experiences at the exo- and macro-systems for adolescents’ sleep duration, quality, and disturbances. Specifically, neighborhood economic deprivation, ethnic/racial minority status, community violence and victimization, and ethnic/racial discrimination were all linked to significantly lower sleep quality. Overall, this review highlighted the need for more longitudinal and multi-method studies addressing sleep quality as embedded in contexts and the reciprocal influences among the multiple layers of adolescents’ development.