bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ОРГАНІЗАЦІЙНО-ПРАВОВІ ПЕРЕШКОДИ ФОРМУВАННЯ УКРАЇНСЬКОГО ПЕРЕЛІКУ ТЕРОРИСТІВ
Authors: Чвалюк А. М.
Published: July 2023

У статті проаналізовано чинники, які перешкоджають формуванню переліку осіб, пов’язаних із провадженням терористичної діяльності. Дослідження порядку формування українського «переліку терористів» та результатів роботи Служби безпеки України й Міністерства закордонних справ України показало, що ці органи, хоч і наділені відповідними функціями, формуванням переліку не займаються. Причини криються у відсутності необхідного нормативно-правового забезпечення, зокрема стандартів доказування та низькому рівні співробітництва СБУ й МЗС України з іншими державами та міжнародними організаціями. Сам перелік, своєю чергою, є копією складеного Радою Безпеки ООН міжнародного «переліку терористів», і містить лише терористів міжнародного рівня та на покращення ситуації із запобіганням тероризму в Україні не впливає. Встановлено, що включити до вітчизняного «переліку терористів» осіб (організації), що здійснюють терористичну діяльність на території України, зараз майже неможливо. Чинниками, які перешкоджають формуванню переліку осіб, котрі пов’язані з провадженням терористичної діяльності, є: місце РФ в Раді Безпеці ООН; пасивна позиція СБУ та МЗС України стосовно подання до інших держав, міждержавних утворень та міжнародних організацій пропозицій включити російських терористів до міжнародних «переліків терористів»; саботування Урядом України процесу прийняття постанови «Про затвердження доказових стандартів обґрунтованої підозри для включення/виключення до/з санкційних переліків Ради Безпеки ООН, санкційних переліків іноземних держав та переліку осіб, пов’язаних із провадженням терористичної діяльності або стосовно яких застосовано міжнародні санкції», через що жодну особу (організацію) не можна включити до «переліку терористів» в порядку адміністративного судочинства. Зроблено висновок, що усунення першого з цих чинників можливо шляхом скоординованої роботи світового співтовариства. Усунення інших потребує активізації діяльності вітчизняних виконавчих органів влади та правоохоронних органів.
ДЕРЖАВНА МІГРАЦІЙНА ПОЛІТИКА УКРАЇНИ В УМОВАХ ГЛОБАЛЬНИХ ВИКЛИКІВ: ПРАВОВІ ПИТАННЯ
Authors: Білан А. М. , Мельничук С. М.
Published: July 2023

Статтю присвячено правовим питанням державної міграційної політики сучасної України. Актуалізовано вплив глобальних викликів на формування правових механізмів державної міграційної політики. Наголошено, що міграційні процеси, зумовлені різними факторами, можуть мати для держави як позитивні (соціально-політично-економічний розвиток), так і негативні наслідки (деструктивний вплив на безпековий простір України), що зумовлює необхідність організації та контролю цих процесів за допомогою правових засобів і механізмів. У роботі звернено увагу на те, що поняття «державна міграційна політика» має міждисциплінарний характер і розглядається з позиції теорії управління, демографії, соціології, адміністративного права, економіки та інших галузевих наук, що витребовує методологію, відповідну до предмету дослідження. Встановлено, що державна міграційна політика є стратегічним планом щодо збалансованого впливу на міграційні процеси з метою забезпечення національної безпеки держави. Її зміст корелює з факторами (ризиками, реальними, потенційними чи гібридними загрозами національним інтересам), які виступають детермінантом реакції держави в тій чи іншій сфері. З’ясовано, що формування правового механізму забезпечення державної міграційної політики розпочалося фактично з прийняттям Декларації про державний суверенітет України, однак не набуло системного характеру. Аналіз Концепції державної міграційної політики виявив її декларативний характер і відсутність положень про інституційне забезпечення. Встановлено, що вдосконалення правових механізмів забезпечення державної міграційної політики України, зокрема й прийняття Стратегії державної міграційної політики України на період до 2025 року обумовлено ратифікацією Угоди про асоціацію з Європейським Союзом. Виявлено, що міграційні мотиви населення України пов’язані насамперед безпековими аспектами, а глобальні економічні процеси можуть відкрити нові можливості для нашої держави. Констатовано потребу в розробці адекватних кризовим міграційним ситуаціям правових механізмів, які дадуть змогу організовувати міграційні процеси в національних інтересах.
ПЕРВИННА ПРОФЕСІЙНА ПІДГОТОВКА ПОЛІЦЕЙСЬКИХ ПІДРОЗДІЛІВ ПОЛІЦІЇ НА ВОДІ
Authors: Веселов М. Ю. , Пилипенко Є. О.
Published: July 2023

Статтю присвячено дослідженню питання здійснення первинної професійної підготовки працівників підрозділів поліції на воді. Охарактеризовано визначення, окреслені характерні ознаки та складові елементи первинної професійної підготовки поліцейських водної поліції. Проаналізовано позиції українських науковців щодо визначення поняття первинної професійної підготовки поліцейських та її характерних ознак. З’ясовано, що первинна професійна підготовка є певним організованим процесом передачі необхідних знань, умінь, теоретичних та практичних навичок для ефективного виконання поліцейським на воді покладених на нього службових обов'язків. Проаналізовано складові елементи (освітні компоненти) навчально-тематичного плану навчальної програми первинної професійної підготовки поліцейських, за якою здійснюється підготовка поліцейських підрозділів поліції на воді. Під час проведення аналізу з’ясовано, що кожний із освітніх компонентів програми не пристосований до особливостей несення служби підрозділами поліції на воді та якісного й ефективного виконання поліцейськими водної поліції своїх функціональних обов'язків на водних об’єктах та об’єктах інфраструктури водного транспорту. У зв'язку із наявною проблемою недостатньої відповідності програми підготовки поліцейських до службових обов'язків у сфері забезпечення безпеки на водному транспорті та об’єктах інфраструктури водного транспорту, запропоновано доповнити кожний освітній компонент (зокрема, загальнопрофесійну підготовку, професійно-теоретичну, професійно-практичну підготовку, навчальні предмети підготовки поліцейських за спеціалізацією) навчальної програми підготовки поліцейських підрозділів поліції на воді вивченням додаткових тем щодо діяльності підрозділів поліції на воді у конкретних ситуаціях, які трапляються виключно в діяльності водної поліції під час несення служби на водних об’єктах та об’єктах інфраструктури водного транспорту, задля здобуття поліцейськими під час їх професійної підготовки певних навичок та вмінь, необхідних для ефективного та якісного виконання покладених на поліцейських підрозділів поліції на воді функціональних обов'язків.
Application of AllerCatPro 2.0 for protein safety assessments of consumer products
Authors: Krutz Nora L. , Kimber Ian , Winget Jason , Nguyen Minh N. , Limviphuvadh Vachiranee , Maurer-Stroh Sebastian , Mahony Catherine , Gerberick G. Frank
Published: July 2023

Foreign proteins are potentially immunogenic, and a proportion of these are able to induce immune responses that result in allergic sensitization. Subsequent exposure of sensitized subjects to the inducing protein can provoke a variety of allergic reactions that may be severe, or even fatal. It has therefore been recognized for some time that it is important to determine a priori whether a given protein has the potential to induce allergic responses in exposed subjects. For example, the need to assess whether transgene products expressed in genetically engineered crop plants have allergenic properties. This is not necessarily a straightforward exercise (as discussed elsewhere in this edition), but the task becomes even more challenging when there is a need to conduct an overall allergenicity safety assessment of complex mixtures of proteins in botanicals or other natural sources that are to be used in consumer products. This paper describes a new paradigm for the allergenicity safety assessment of proteins that is based on the use of AllerCatPro 2.0, a new version of a previously described web application model developed for the characterization of the allergenic potential of proteins. Operational aspects of AllerCatPro 2.0 are described with emphasis on the application of new features that provide improvements in the predictions of allergenic properties such as the identification of proteins with high allergenic concern. Furthermore, the paper provides a description of strategies of how AllerCatPro 2.0 can best be deployed as a screening tool for identifying suitable proteins as ingredients in consumer products as well as a tool, in conjunction with label-free proteomic analysis, for identifying and semiquantifying protein allergens in complex materials. Lastly, the paper discusses the steps that are recommended for formal allergenicity safety assessment of novel consumer products which contain proteins, including consideration and integration of predicted consumer exposure metrics. The article therefore provides a holistic perspective of the processes through which effective protein safety assessments can be made of potential allergenic hazards and risks associated with exposure to proteins in consumer products, with a particular focus on the use of AllerCatPro 2.0 for this purpose.
Study of the stability of a meshless generalized finite difference scheme applied to the wave equation
Authors: Tinoco-Guerrero Gerardo , Domínguez-Mota Francisco Javier , Guzmán-Torres José Alberto , Román-Gutiérrez Ricardo , Tinoco-Ruiz José Gerardo
Published: July 2023

When designing and implementing numerical schemes, it is imperative to consider the stability of the applied methods. Prior research has presented different results for the stability of generalized finite-difference methods applied to advection and diffusion equations. In recent years, research has explored a generalized finite-difference approach to the advection-diffusion equation solved on non-rectangular and highly irregular regions using convex, logically rectangular grids. This paper presents a study on the stability of generalized finite difference schemes applied to the numerical solution of the wave equation, solved on clouds of points for highly irregular domains. The stability analysis presented in this work provides significant insights into the proper discretizations needed to obtain stable and satisfactory results. The proposed explicit scheme is conditionally stable, while the implicit scheme is unconditionally stable. Notably, the stability analyses presented in this paper apply to any scheme which is at least second order in space, not just the proposed approach. The proposed scheme offers effective means of numerically solving the wave equation, particularly for highly irregular domains. By demonstrating the stability of the scheme, this study provides a foundation for further research in this area.
First reported Porrocaecum angusticolle infection in Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in China
Authors: Liu Gongzhen , Liu Qing , Zhang Wei , Shen Xuewen
Published: July 2023

This present study is the first case of a Porrocaecum angusticolle (P. angusticolle) infection reported in Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in China. This study aimed to identify the nematode species and explore the genetic evolution of worms infecting Gyps fulvus (G.fulvus). Clinical examination revealed several milky white parasites in the stomach and intestinal tract. Polymerase chain reaction and partial 18S gene sequencing analyses identified these worms to be P. angusticolle (SD isolates). Further phylogenetic analyses revealed that they shared the highest genetic identity (99.9%) with a P. angusticolle isolate (EU004820.1) from Germany. Our study is the first report on the identification and characterization of P. angusticolle infecting G.fulvus in China, based on clinical findings and molecular diagnosis. Therefore, our study provides novel insights for the diagnosis of P. angusticolle infections and the prevention of nematode transmission in wild and domestic animals.
Echocardiographic Global Longitudinal Strain Is Associated With Myocardial Fibrosis and Predicts Outcomes in Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Le Thu-Thao , Huang Weiting , Singh Gurpreet K. , Toh Desiree-Faye , Ewe See Hooi , Tang Hak Chaw , Loo Germaine , Bryant Jennifer A. , Ang Briana , Tay Edgar Lik-Wui , Soo Wern Miin , Yip James Wei-Luen , Oon Yen Yee , Gong Lingli , Lunaria Josephien B. , Yong Quek Wei , Lee Evelyn Min , Yeo Poh Shuan Daniel , Chai Siang Chew , Goh Ping Ping , Ling Lee Fong , Ong Hean Yee , Richards Arthur Mark , Delgado Victoria , Bax Jeroen J. , Ding Zee Pin , Ling Lieng-Hsi , Chin Calvin W. L.
Published: July 2023

Aims: Left ventricular ejection fraction is the conventional measure used to guide heart failure management, regardless of underlying etiology. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a more sensitive measure of intrinsic myocardial function. We aim to establish LV-GLS as a marker of replacement myocardial fibrosis on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and validate the prognostic value of LV-GLS thresholds associated with fibrosis.

Methods and results: LV-GLS thresholds of replacement fibrosis were established in the derivation cohort: 151 patients (57 ± 10 years; 58% males) with hypertension who underwent STE to measure LV-GLS and CMR. Prognostic value of the thresholds was validated in a separate outcome cohort: 261 patients with moderate-severe aortic stenosis (AS; 71 ± 12 years; 58% males; NYHA functional class I–II) and preserved LVEF ≥50%. Primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and myocardial infarction. In the derivation cohort, LV-GLS demonstrated good discrimination (c-statistics 0.74 [0.66–0.83]; P < 0.001) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 = 6.37; P = 0.605) for replacement fibrosis. In the outcome cohort, 47 events occurred over 16 [3.3, 42.2] months. Patients with LV-GLS > −15.0% (corresponding to 95% specificity to rule-in myocardial fibrosis) had the worst outcomes compared to patients with LV-GLS < −21.0% (corresponding to 95% sensitivity to rule-out myocardial fibrosis) and those between −21.0 and −15.0% (log-rank P < 0.001). LV-GLS offered independent prognostic value over clinical variables, AS severity and echocardiographic LV mass and E/e′.

Conclusion: LV-GLS thresholds associated with replacement myocardial fibrosis is a novel approach to risk-stratify patients with AS and preserved LVEF.
Pre-intervention child maltreatment risks, intervention engagement, and effects on child maltreatment risk within an RCT of MHealth and parenting intervention
Authors: Baggett Kathleen M. , Davis Betsy , Olwit Connie , Feil Edward G.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Evidence-based mental health and parenting support services for mothers postpartum can reduce risk for child maltreatment. However, women suffering economic and cultural stressors disproportionately shoulder the burden of infant caregiving while experiencing profound barriers to accessing mental health and parenting services. This article reports on an MHealth and parenting intervention targeting maternal mood and positive parent practices within a randomized controlled trial, which provided a unique opportunity to view pre-intervention child maltreatment risk, its relationship to subsequent intervention engagement, and intervention engagement effects on pre-post child maltreatment risk reduction.

Method

Principal component factor analysis was conducted to identify a modifiable pre-intervention child maltreatment risk construct within a combined MHealth and parenting intervention sample of 184 primarily Black mothers and their infants. An independent t-test was conducted to compare pre-intervention child maltreatment risk levels between mothers who went on to complete at least two-thirds of the intervention and those who did not. A GLM repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted to determine effects of intervention engagement on child maltreatment risk reduction.

Results

Pre-intervention child maltreatment risk did not differentiate subsequent maternal intervention completion patterns. Mothers who completed two-thirds of the intervention, compared to those who did not, demonstrated significant reductions in pre-post child maltreatment risk.

Discussion

Findings underscore the potential of MHealth parenting interventions to reduce substantial child maltreatment risk through service delivery addressing a range of positive parenting and behavioral health needs postpartum, a particularly vulnerable developmental period for maternal depression and child maltreatment risk.
Sustainability of bio-mediated and bio-inspired ground improvement techniques for geologic hazard mitigation: a systematic literature review
Authors: Faruqi Aisha , Hall Caitlyn A. , Kendall Alissa
Published: July 2023

This is a systematic literature review of quantitative sustainability assessments, focusing on life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA), of bio-mediated and bio-inspired ground improvement technologies applied to geologic hazard mitigation. The aims of the systematic review are to 1) compare the sustainability of various ground improvement techniques and, 2) to evaluate the rigor and consistency of sustainability assessment methods applied to these techniques. The literature review considers studies identified through keyword searches of bibliographic databases. After selection criteria were applied to ensure identified articles were within scope, a total of 8 articles were found which assessed bio-mediated and bio-inspired ground improvement technologies. The technologies represented in the literature include enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP), microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP), and microbially induced desaturation and carbonate precipitation (MIDP). While sustainability is typically conceived to include environmental, economic and social impacts, most studies examined only life cycle environmental impacts, three included life cycle cost accounting, and none included social impacts. Analysis of the studies’ system boundaries show inconsistencies across studies, making comparison of results inaccurate. The most common environmental impact categories included in the identified studies are global warming and eutrophication. Raw materials production and field emissions from the biogeochemical reactions that drive the technologies are the largest contributors to these impacts. Based on the review, it is clear that a set of LCSA guidelines is needed to produce high-quality LCSAs that can be used in comparative assessments and to confidently identify processes where the impacts of bio-mediated and bioinspired technologies can be reduced.
High-temperature graphitization characteristics of vitrinite and inertinite
Authors: Zhifei Liu , Daiyong Cao , Gaojian Chen , Qingtong Chen , Zhongwei Bi
Published: July 2023

In order to explore the graphitization characteristic differences between vitrinite and inertinite in coal, this study conducted high-temperature thermal simulation experiments (at five temperature points: 1800°C, 2100°C, 2400°C, 2700°C, and 3000°C) using inertinite-rich and vitrinite-rich samples as graphitization precursors. The quantitative comparison for the evolution characteristics of their graphite lattice was carried out using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy (Raman) techniques. HRTEM revealed that an evident increase in carbon layer numbers and degree of extension was observed with increasing treatment temperature, XRD showed the variation of lattice parameters (d002/La/Lc) with temperature, Raman data revealed the variation of lattice defects (R2/R3) with temperature. It was discussed about the differences of graphite lattice construction processes between inertinite and vitrinite, throughout the entire temperature range of the experiment, the d002 spacing of inertinite was always smaller than that of vitrinite, indicating a higher degree of graphitization. vitrinite exhibited a uniform and smooth evolution state throughout the entire heating process, while inertinite exhibited an “inert” state between 1800°C and 2100°C (d002 values stagnated near at 0.3440 nm). With increasing simulated temperature, the defect level (R2 and R3) of vitrinite rapidly decreased below that of inertinite, throughout the entire temperature range, vitrinite demonstrated superior defect healing ability in terms of both rate and capability compared to inertinite. Under high-temperature thermal simulation, the three-dimensional lattice construction and defect elimination of vitrinite exhibited synchronous evolution characteristics. On the other hand, the formation of the graphite lattice in inertinite showed an evolutionary trend of “first three-dimensional lattice construction, followed by gradual defect elimination”.
Phylogeography and demographic history of the cyprinid fish Barbodes semifasciolatus: implications for the history of landform changes in south mainland China, Hainan and Taiwan
Authors: Wang Junjie , Wu JinXian , Yang Jinquan , Chen Jiabo , Yang Jiemei , Li Chao , Lin Hung-Du , Zhao Jun
Published: July 2023

Hainan Island and Taiwan Island are adjacent to the southern margin of mainland China and Vietnam. During glacial periods, global sea levels dropped, allowing that the land bridges connected the continental island and mainland, connecting rivers and providing dispersal opportunities that shaped the origin and diversification of freshwater fishes. Barbodes semifasciolatus is distributed in various water systems of Vietnam, Hainan, Taiwan, and southern mainland China and is restricted to the southern region of the Min River. Our study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity and phylogeography of B. semifasciolatus using the mtDNA cyt b gene (1,141 bp). A total of 107 haplotypes were identified from 395 specimens in 23 populations, and high haplotype diversity (1.000) and low nucleotide diversity (0.0134) were detected. Mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis and haplotype network analyses revealed three major lineages according to geographical distribution. Lineage A was mainly distributed in Hainan Island, Vietnam and the southern region of the Pearl River in mainland China. Lineage B was distributed only in southeastern Hainan Island. Lineage C was distributed in the coastal rivers of mainland China and Taiwan. We suggest that the river in the Guangdong region is a colonization route in South Taiwan and that the populations distributed in the Pearl River region moved southward to Hainan Island and Vietnam based on the network and Bayesian binary MCMC (BBM) analysis. Our demographic history results indicated that the populations of B. semifasciolatus experienced a bottleneck event following a recent population expansion (DECINC model) supported by ABC analysis. We suggest that sea-level changes exerted pronounced effects on the demography of B. semifasciolatus on the continental island and in the mainland during the late Pleistocene glacial cycles.
Association between laboratory markers and Covid-19 disease severity and outcome: a retrospective cohort study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alamoudi Aliaa Amr , Eldakhakhny Sahar , Banjar Haneen , Ajabnoor Ghada , Aljohani Sama Badr , Basheer Rasha Ramadan , Eldakhakhny Basmah , Badawi Mazen , Elsamanoudy Ayman
Published: July 2023

Introduction

In Saudi Arabia, limited studies have evaluated factors including epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory findings that are associated with COVID-19 disease. The aim of this paper was to identify laboratory parameters used in King Abdulaziz University Hospital which show an association with disease severity and patient outcome in the form of mortality.

Methods

Age, gender, medical history, and laboratory parameters were all retrospectively assessed concerning disease severity and disease outcome in a total of 111 COVID-19 patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital between July 2020 and August 2020. Patients were categorized into mild disease if they did not require ward admission, moderate if they met the Ministry of Health criteria for isolation ward admition, and severe if they were admitted to the ICU.

Results

Age but not gender was associated with the disease severity X2 (4, N = 110) = 27.2, p <0.001. Of all laboratory parameters on admission, only the levels of Albumin appeared to be significantly associated X2 (2, N =70) = 6.6, p <0.05 with disease severity. Age but not gender was also significantly associated with disease outcome X2 (2, N = 110) = 12.8, p < 0.01. Interestingly, RBC count also showed a significant relation with disease outcome X2 (2, N = 71) = 6.1, p <0.05.

Discussion

This study provides more understanding of the laboratory characteristics in our part of the world to efficiently manage the disease.
A highly sensitive nanobody-based immunoassay detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein using all-recombinant reagents
Authors: Segovia-de los Santos Paula , Padula-Roca Carolina , Simon Ximena , Echaides Cesar , Lassabe Gabriel , Gonzalez-Sapienza Gualberto
Published: July 2023

Antigen tests have been crucial for managing the COVID-19 pandemic by identifying individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. This remains true even after immunity has been widely attained through natural infection and vaccination, since it only provides moderate protection against transmission and is highly permeable to the emergence of new virus variants. For this reason, the widespread availability of diagnostic methods is essential for health systems to manage outbreaks effectively. In this work, we generated nanobodies to the virus nucleocapsid protein (NP) and after an affinity-guided selection identified a nanobody pair that allowed the detection of NP at sub-ng/mL levels in a colorimetric two-site ELISA, demonstrating high diagnostic value with clinical samples. We further modified the assay by using a nanobody-NanoLuc luciferase chimeric tracer, resulting in increased sensitivity (detection limit = 61 pg/mL) and remarkable improvement in diagnostic performance. The luminescent assay was finally evaluated using 115 nasopharyngeal swab samples. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a sensitivity of 78.7% (95% confidence interval: 64.3%-89.3%) and specificity of 100.0% (95% confidence interval: 94.7%-100.0%). The test allows the parallel analysis of a large number of untreated samples, and fulfills our goal of producing a recombinant reagent-based test that can be reproduced at low cost by other laboratories with recombinant expression capabilities, aiding to build diagnostic capacity.
Development of conjugated secondary antibodies for wildlife disease surveillance
Authors: Ochai Sunday O. , Crafford Jan E. , Kamath Pauline L. , Turner Wendy C. , van Heerden Henriette
Published: July 2023

Disease monitoring in free-ranging wildlife is a challenge and often relies on passive surveillance. Alternatively, proactive surveillance that relies on the detection of specific antibodies could give more reliable and timely insight into disease presence and prevalence in a population, especially if the evidence of disease occurs below detection thresholds for passive surveillance. Primary binding assays, like the indirect ELISA for antibody detection in wildlife, are hampered by a lack of species-specific conjugates. In this study, we developed anti-kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and anti-impala (Aepyceros melampus) immunoglobulin-specific conjugates in chickens and compared them to the binding of commercially available protein-G and protein-AG conjugates, using an ELISA-based avidity index. The conjugates were evaluated for cross-reaction with sera from other wild herbivores to assess future use in ELISAs. The developed conjugates had a high avidity of >70% against kudu and impala sera. The commercial conjugates (protein-G and protein-AG) had significantly low relative avidity (<20%) against these species. Eighteen other wildlife species demonstrated cross-reactivity with a mean relative avidity of >50% with the impala and kudu conjugates and <40% with the commercial conjugates. These results demonstrate that species-specific conjugates are important tools for the development and validation of immunoassays in wildlife and for the surveillance of zoonotic agents along the livestock-wildlife-human interface.
Microenvironmental regulation of T-cells in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Plecitá-Hlavatá Lydie , Brázdová Andrea , Křivonosková Monika , Hu Cheng-Jun , Phang Tzu , Tauber Jan , Li Min , Zhang Hui , Hoetzenecker Konrad , Crnkovic Slaven , Kwapiszewska Grazyna , Stenmark Kurt R.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

In pulmonary hypertension (PH), pulmonary arterial remodeling is often accompanied by perivascular inflammation. The inflammation is characterized by the accumulation of activated macrophages and lymphocytes within the adventitial stroma, which is comprised primarily of fibroblasts. The well-known ability of fibroblasts to secrete interleukins and chemokines has previously been implicated as contributing to this tissue-specific inflammation in PH vessels. We were interested if pulmonary fibroblasts from PH arteries contribute to microenvironmental changes that could activate and polarize T-cells in PH.

Methods

We used single-cell RNA sequencing of intact bovine distal pulmonary arteries (dPAs) from PH and control animals and flow cytometry, mRNA expression analysis, and respirometry analysis of blood-derived bovine/human T-cells exposed to conditioned media obtained from pulmonary fibroblasts of PH/control animals and IPAH/control patients (CM-(h)PH Fibs vs CM-(h)CO Fibs).

Results

Single-cell RNA sequencing of intact bovine dPAs from PH and control animals revealed a pro-inflammatory phenotype of CD4+ T-cells and simultaneous absence of regulatory T-cells (FoxP3+ Tregs). By exposing T-cells to CM-(h)PH Fibs we stimulated their proinflammatory differentiation documented by increased IFNγ and decreased IL4, IL10, and TGFβ mRNA and protein expression. Interestingly, we demonstrated a reduction in the number of suppressive T-cell subsets, i.e., human/bovine Tregs and bovine γδ T-cells treated with CM-(h)PH-Fibs. We also noted inhibition of anti-inflammatory cytokine expression (IL10, TGFβ, IL4). Pro-inflammatory polarization of bovine T-cells exposed to CM-PH Fibs correlated with metabolic shift to glycolysis and lactate production with increased prooxidant intracellular status as well as increased proliferation of T-cells. To determine whether metabolic reprogramming of PH-Fibs was directly contributing to the effects of PH-Fibs conditioned media on T-cell polarization, we treated PH-Fibs with the HDAC inhibitor SAHA, which was previously shown to normalize metabolic status and examined the effects of the conditioned media. We observed significant suppression of inflammatory polarization associated with decreased T-cell proliferation and recovery of mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates how the pulmonary fibroblast-derived microenvironment can activate and differentiate T-cells to trigger local inflammation, which is part of the vascular wall remodeling process in PH.
Bringing function to the forefront of cell therapy: how do we demonstrate potency?
Authors: Lowdell Mark W. , Weil Ben
Published: July 2023

Unlike conventional pharmaceuticals, biologics and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) are required to meet a standard of “potency” as part of the final release criteria at completion of manufacture. During early phase clinical trials, most regulatory agencies have been willing to accept very immature potency assays with an expectation that these will be improved, qualified and validated during the clinical development of the drug to Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) or Biologics License Application (BLA) submission.This model of continuous development of potency assay in parallel with drug development has already led to at least two notable problem cases; namely Iovance and Mesoblast. Both companies completed successful phase III clinical trials but, in both cases, the initial BLA was rejected on the basis that their potency assay for drug product release was inadequate. Fortunately these issues appear to have been overcome in March of this year, with Mesoblast receiving acceptance of their BLA for Remestemcel and Iovance obtaining a rolling BLA approval for Lifileucel.
Determining drivers of phytoplankton carbon to chlorophyll ratio at Atlantic Basin scale
Authors: Smyth Timothy , Moffat David , Tarran Glen , Sathyendranath Shubha , Ribalet Francois , Casey John
Published: July 2023

We demonstrate the ability of flow cytometry to determine species specific cellular carbon and chlorophyll content in vivo by using laboratory cultures of phytoplankton encompassing a wide range of cell sizes. When applied to the large Atlantic Meridional Transect flow cytometry dataset, we reveal patterns in the species-specific phytoplankton carbon (C), chlorophyll (Chl) and C:Chl ratio. For Prochlorococcus the range of C:Chl is between 2 – 604; for Synechococcus 0.5 – 558. Using a Random Forest machine learning approach, we show that predictability of phytoplankton C:Chl, dominated by the prevalence of Prochlorococcus, is largely driven by silicate and nitrite concentration in the Atlantic Ocean.
Home range, space use, and vertical distribution of Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) during non-spawning times in Western Puerto Rico
Authors: Tuohy Evan , Schärer-Umpierre Michelle , Penrod Louis , Appeldoorn Richard
Published: July 2023

Understanding animal space use patterns is critical for ecological research and conservation efforts. An organism’s home range territory serves as the fundamental unit of space use and is the area repeatedly used for routine activities. Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus, once of high commercial fishery importance, are now on the IUCN’s Red List designated as Critically Endangered due to overexploitation. Known for the formation of large spawning aggregations, information on their movements and space use dynamics outside of the reproductive period are lacking. In this study, we used acoustic telemetry to quantify the non-spawning horizontal and vertical space use patterns of Nassau grouper at the Bajo de Sico seamount, a seasonally closed marine protected area (MPA) in Puerto Rico. Twenty-nine groupers were tagged with acoustic transmitters, of which, fourteen were tracked continuously over a three-year period. Tagged individuals displayed high site fidelity to home reef locations and individuals occupied home ranges of relatively small size that remained constant between years. There was a high degree of overlap of home range territories and in locations where multiple individuals occupied the same home reef, individuals maintained discrete vertical distributions. Nassau groupers were recorded making multiple forays to the spawning site outside of the reported spawning season, and two individuals underwent home reef site relocation. Results indicate relatively low contribution to ecological connectivity during the non-reproductive period, therefore high relative abundances of this species are needed to fulfill their ecological role at the community level. The results also highlight the importance of Bajo de Sico, an isolated seamount of relatively deeper depth, as critical habitat for primary home reef sites of Nassau grouper. These results provide a basis for adapting the current management strategy at this MPA to provide adequate protection to the non-spawning population of Nassau grouper.
Experience in prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of fetal microtia and associated abnormalities
Authors: Qiu Jing , Ru Yanhui , Gao Yang , Shen Jie
Published: July 2023

Objective

Prenatal ultrasound features, associated anomalies and genetic abnormalities of microtia cases were analyzed to explore the feasibility and value of prenatal ultrasound for the diagnosis of microtia.

Methods

The ultrasonographic features, associated anomalies, chromosome examination results and follow-up results of 81 fetuses with congenital microtia were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Among the 81 fetuses with microtia diagnosed after birth, 2 cases were missed diagnosis on prenatal ultrasound, and 1 case was diagnosed as unilateral microtia by prenatal ultrasound but was found to be bilateral microtia after birth. Microtia was accompanied by an accessory auricle in 4 cases (4.94%) and low-set ears in 7 cases (8.64%). 22 cases (27.16%) were complicated with other structural anomalies, including 11 cases (13.58%) of cardiac anomalies, 7 cases (8.64%) of ultrasonographic soft marker anomalies, 6 cases (7.41%) of facial anomalies, 6 cases (7.41%) of nervous system anomalies, 3 cases (3.70%) of urogenital system anomalies, 3 cases (3.70%) of digestive tract anomalies and 2 cases (2.47%) of limb anomalies. Chromosome karyotype analysis and gene detection were performed in 44 cases. Trisomy 18, trisomy 13, trisomy 21, pericentric inversion of chromosome 9, partial loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 14, 22q11 microdeletion and a normal karyotype were found in 2 cases, 2 cases, 3 cases, 1 case, 1 case, 1 case, and 34 cases, respectively.

Conclusion

In summary, microtia is often accompanied by congenital defects of other organs and structures, especially the heart and face, and prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of microtia and associated anomalies is of important clinical significance.
Enhanced Ethanol Production From Carbon Monoxide by Enriched Clostridium Bacteria
Authors: He Yaxue , Lens Piet N. L. , Veiga María C. , Kennes Christian
Published: July 2023

Carbon monoxide (CO)-metabolizing Clostridium spp. were enriched from the biomass of a butanol-producing reactor. After six successive biomass transfers, ethanol production reached as much as 11.8 g/L with minor accumulation of acetic acid, under intermittent gas feeding conditions and over a wide pH range of 6.45–4.95. The molar ratio of ethanol to acetic acid exceeded 1.7 after the lag phase of 11 days and reached its highest value of 8.6 during the fermentation process after 25 days. Although butanol production was not significantly enhanced in the enrichment, the biomass was able to convert exogenous butyric acid (3.2 g/L) into butanol with nearly 100% conversion efficiency using CO as reducing power. This suggested that inhibition of butanol production from CO was caused by the lack of natural butyric acid production, expectedly induced by unsuitable pH values due to initial acidification resulting from the acetic acid production. The enriched Clostridium population also converted glucose to formic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids in batch tests with daily pH adjustment to pH 6.0. The Clostridium genus was enriched with its relative abundance significantly increasing from 7% in the inoculum to 94% after five successive enrichment steps. Unidentified Clostridium species showed a very high relative abundance, reaching 73% of the Clostridium genus in the enriched sludge (6th transfer).
Can the Salivary Microbiome Predict Cardiovascular Diseases? Lessons Learned From the Qatari Population
Authors: Murugesan Selvasankar , Elanbari Mohammed , Bangarusamy Dhinoth Kumar , Terranegra Annalisa , Al Khodor Souhaila
Published: July 2023

Background: Many studies have linked dysbiosis of the gut microbiome to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, studies assessing the association between the salivary microbiome and CVD risk on a large cohort remain sparse. This study aims to identify whether a predictive salivary microbiome signature is associated with a high risk of developing CVD in the Qatari population.

Methods: Saliva samples from 2,974 Qatar Genome Project (QGP) participants were collected from Qatar Biobank (QBB). Based on the CVD score, subjects were classified into low-risk (LR < 10) (n = 2491), moderate-risk (MR = 10–20) (n = 320) and high-risk (HR > 30) (n = 163). To assess the salivary microbiome (SM) composition, 16S-rDNA libraries were sequenced and analyzed using QIIME-pipeline. Machine Learning (ML) strategies were used to identify SM-based predictors of CVD risk.

Results:Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the predominant phyla among all the subjects included. Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis revealed that Clostridiaceae and Capnocytophaga were the most significantly abundant genera in the LR group, while Lactobacillus and Rothia were significantly abundant in the HR group. ML based prediction models revealed that Desulfobulbus, Prevotella, and Tissierellaceae were the common predictors of increased risk to CVD.

Conclusion: This study identified significant differences in the SM composition in HR and LR CVD subjects. This is the first study to apply ML-based prediction modeling using the SM to predict CVD in an Arab population. More studies are required to better understand the mechanisms of how those microbes contribute to CVD.
Endosymbiosis allows Sitophilus oryzae to persist in dry conditions
Authors: Kanyile Sthandiwe Nomthandazo , Engl Tobias , Heddi Abdelaziz , Kaltenpoth Martin
Published: July 2023

Insects frequently associate with intracellular microbial symbionts (endosymbionts) that enhance their ability to cope with challenging environmental conditions. Endosymbioses with cuticle-enhancing microbes have been reported in several beetle families. However, the ecological relevance of these associations has seldom been demonstrated, particularly in the context of dry environments where high cuticle quality can reduce water loss. Thus, we investigated how cuticle-enhancing symbionts of the rice-weevil, Sitophilus oryzae contribute to desiccation resistance. We exposed symbiotic and symbiont-free (aposymbiotic) beetles to long-term stressful (47% RH) or relaxed (60% RH) humidity conditions and measured population growth. We found that symbiont presence benefits host fitness especially under dry conditions, enabling symbiotic beetles to increase their population size by over 33-fold within 3 months, while aposymbiotic beetles fail to increase in numbers beyond the starting population in the same conditions. To understand the mechanisms underlying this drastic effect, we compared beetle size and body water content and found that endosymbionts confer bigger body size and higher body water content. While chemical analyses revealed no significant differences in composition and quantity of cuticular hydrocarbons after long-term exposure to desiccation stress, symbiotic beetles lost water at a proportionally slower rate than did their aposymbiotic counterparts. We posit that the desiccation resistance and higher fitness observed in symbiotic beetles under dry conditions is due to their symbiont-enhanced thicker cuticle, which provides protection against cuticular transpiration. Thus, we demonstrate that the cuticle enhancing symbiosis of Sitophilus oryzae confers a fitness benefit under drought stress, an ecologically relevant condition for grain pest beetles. This benefit likely extends to many other systems where symbiont-mediated cuticle synthesis has been identified, including taxa spanning beetles and ants that occupy different ecological niches.
Effects of straw and plastic film mulching on microbial functional genes involved in soil nitrogen cycling
Authors: Dou Ying , Wen Mengmeng , Yang Caidi , Zhao Fazhu , Ren Chengjie , Zhang Nannan , Liang Yinyan , Wang Jun
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Microorganisms regulate soil nitrogen (N) cycling in cropping systems. However, how soil microbial functional genes involved in soil N cycling respond to mulching practices is not well known.

Methods

We collected soil samples from a spring maize field mulched with crop straw (SM) and plastic film (FM) for 10-year and with no mulching (CK) in the Loess Plateau. Microbial functional genes involved in soil N cycling were quantified using metagenomic sequencing. We collected soil samples from a spring maize field mulched with crop straw (SM) and plastic film (FM) for 10-year and with no mulching (CK) in the Loess Plateau. Microbial functional genes involved in soil N cycling were quantified using metagenomic sequencing.

Results

Compared to that in CK, the total abundance of genes involved in soil N cycling increased in SM but had no significant changes in FM. Specifically, SM increased the abundances of functional genes that involved in dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (nirB, napA, and nrfA), while FM decreased the abundances of functional genes that involved in ammonification (ureC and ureA) in comparison with CK. Other genes involved in assimilatory nitrate reduction, denitrification, and ammonia assimilation, however, were not significantly changed with mulching practices. The nirB and napA were derived from Proteobacteria (mainly Sorangium), and the ureC was derived from Actinobacteria (mainly Streptomyces). Mental test showed that the abundance of functional genes that involved in dissimilatory nitrate reduction was positively correlated with the contents of soil microbial biomass N, potential N mineralization, particulate organic N, and C fractions, while ammonification related gene abundance was positively correlated with soil pH, microbial biomass C and N, and mineral N contents.

Discussion

Overall, this study showed that SM could improve soil N availability and promote the soil N cycling by increasing the abundance of functional genes that involved in DNRA, while FM reduced the abundance of functional genes that involved in ammonification and inhibited soil N cycling.
Functional extreme learning machine
Authors: Liu Xianli , Zhou Guo , Zhou Yongquan , Luo Qifang
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Extreme learning machine (ELM) is a training algorithm for single hidden layer feedforward neural network (SLFN), which converges much faster than traditional methods and yields promising performance. However, the ELM also has some shortcomings, such as structure selection, overfitting and low generalization performance.

Methods

This article a new functional neuron (FN) model is proposed, we takes functional neurons as the basic unit, and uses functional equation solving theory to guide the modeling process of FELM, a new functional extreme learning machine (FELM) model theory is proposed.

Results

The FELM implements learning by adjusting the coefficients of the basis function in neurons. At the same time, a simple, iterative-free and high-precision fast parameter learning algorithm is proposed.

Discussion

The standard data sets UCI and StatLib are selected for regression problems, and compared with the ELM, support vector machine (SVM) and other algorithms, the experimental results show that the FELM achieves better performance.
Evaluation of hemodialysis vascular access. Perspective from Mexico
Authors: García-Yañez Juan C. , Serrano-Gavuzzo Carlos A. , Arvizu-Hernandez Mauricio , Moguel-González Bernardo , Bravo Erick
Published: July 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a global health problem. In 2019, it was related to 2.53% of general global mortality (2.35-2.66%); in the same year, in Latin America, mortality related to CKD reached 5.25% (4.92-5.49%), with an annual increase of 3.37%, proving increased mortality of 102% between 1990 and 2017. A nephrology specialty in Mexico recently fulfilled its first 50 years. Despite being relatively young, nephrologists are interested in “new” sub-specialties of nephrology and learning novel techniques and problem-solving skills. Our group is the first in our country to focus solely and exclusively on comprehensive VA care and we want to position ourselves as the first Mexican interdisciplinary group focused on vascular access (GIMEXAV).