bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transgenic Forsythia plants expressing sesame cytochrome P450 produce beneficial lignans
Authors: Koyama Tomotsugu , Matsumoto Erika , Okuda Toshimi , Murata Jun , Horikawa Manabu , Hata Naoki , Okazawa Atsushi , Ono Eiichiro , SATAKE HONOO
Published: January 2022

Lignans are widely distributed plant secondary metabolites that have received attention for their benefits to human health. Sesamin is a furofran lignan that is conventionally extracted from Sesamum seeds and shows anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in the human liver. Sesamin is biosynthesized by the Sesamum-specific enzyme CYP81Q1, and the natural sources of sesamin are annual plants that are at risk from climate change. In contrast, Forsythia species are widely distributed perennial woody plants that highly accumulate the precursor lignan pinoresinol. To sustainably supply sesamin, we developed a transformation method for Forsythia leaf explants and generated transgenic Forsythia plants that heterologously expressed the CYP81Q1 gene. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and LC-mass spectrometry analyses detected sesamin and its intermediate piperitol in the leaves of two independent transgenic lines of F. intermedia and F. koreana. We also detected the accumulation of sesamin and piperitol in their vegetatively propagated descendants, demonstrating the stable and efficient production of these lignans. These results indicate that CYP81Q1-transgenic Forsythia plants are promising platforms to produce diverse lignans and provide an important strategy for the cost-effective and scalable production of lignans.
Clematis Genetic Diversity and Hybrid Identification using ISSR Markers
Authors: Wang Xin , Mingyang LI , Lin Tian , Dongyun LIU
Published: January 2022

Background Clematis taxa are diverse, with high ornamental value. However, these plants have a complicated genetic background and a long growth period. Thus, molecular identifications are necessary to shorten the breeding cycle. Result Here, the genetic diversity of 17 parental taxa (five wild species and 12 Texas cultivars) were analyzed using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. We obtained 108 alleles using 12 ISSR primers (an average of 9 alleles per primer). Genetic parameters, including the number of alleles (Na), the effective number of alleles (Ne), Nei's genetic diversity (H), and Shannon's diversity (I), suggested that these 17 taxa were highly diverse. Phylogenetic analysis recovered the 17 taxa in two large clades: one cluster included all of the cultivars, as well as Clematis pinnata, C. brevicaudata, and C. tubulosa; the second cluster included C. fusca and C. reticulata . The pairwise genetic distances between all cultivars were 0.421–2.368, suggesting that these cultivars may have derived from closely related species. We next performed five crosses between parental taxa and used ISSR markers to validate the authenticity of the 15 hybrid offspring. ISSR primers amplified bands specific to the male parents of each cross. Male parent-specific bands were identified in 11 of the 15 offspring; these 11 offspring were identified as true hybrids. The remaining progeny were considered self-hybrids due to the absence of male parent-specific bands. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that ISSR molecular markers may be useful tools for the verification of true Clematis hybrids. ISSR-based genetic diversity analyses, early hybrid identification, and marker assisted selection of Clematis taxa may improve breeding efficiency, excavate key genes associated with important traits, promote the development of new varieties, and shorten the breeding cycle
Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Organ Donation Among Medical Students in Hong Kong - A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Chu Steven Tsun-Wai , Chung Phoebe Pui Wun , Lam Hiu Wai , Hui Yau Long , Choi Hing Chung , Sin Ling Ling , Law Chui Shan , Yan Nga Ying , Choi Ka Yung , Wan Eric Yuk Fai
Published: January 2022

Introduction: The rate of organ donation in Hong Kong is among the lowest in developed regions. Since medical students will play an important role in counselling patients for organ donation and identifying potential donors in the future, their knowledge, attitudes and action for organ donation are important. Therefore, this study aimed to understand knowledge, attitudes and actions with regard to organ donation among medical students and investigate the factors determining the knowledge and attitudes.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, medical students in Hong Kong were invited to complete an online questionnaire that assessed their attitudes, knowledge, action of organ donation, belief and perception on death and organ donation, commitment towards organ donation, perceived confidence and competence on discussing organ donation, exposure to registered organ donors and potential organ recipients, and self-competence in death work. Linear regression analyses and logistic regression were performed to analyse the effect of the variables on knowledge, attitudes and action for organ donation.Results: 377 medical students participated in the study. Almost all medical students (99.5%) held a positive attitude towards organ donation, but only 28.1% have signed up as organ donors. Determinants of knowledge of organ donation included belief in preservation of intact body after death (β = –.135, 95% CI = –.235 - –.036) and perceived confidence and competence of organ donation discussion (β = –.120, 95% CI = –.221 - –.018). Predictors of organ donor registration status included knowledge of organ donation (OR = 1.031, 95% CI = 1.006 - 1.060), perceived convenience of organ donation registration (OR = 3.751, 95% CI = 1.616 - 8.710), commitment to organ donation (OR = 3.810, 95% CI = 2.012 - 7.210), and exposure to organ donation (OR = 4.283, 95% CI = 2.370 - 7.740).Conclusions and Relevance: Knowledge is positively associated with organ donation action. The above determinants of knowledge of organ donation in medical education and health promotion could be emphasized in medical education. Future research may evaluate the effectiveness of different education programmes in improving the knowledge and actions of medical students.
Precise Genetic Mapping of Rf18(t), A New Fertility Restorer Gene From ‘Nipponbare’ for Wild Abortive Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)
Authors: zhang honggen , Li Xixu , Xu Zuopeng , Wang Ruixuan , Zhao Xiangqiang , Tu Geliang , Liang Guohua , Gu Minghong , Tang Shuzhu
Published: January 2022

Three-line hybrid rice obtained through cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has helped increase the yield of rice globally, and the wild abortive (WA)-type cytoplasm from wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) is used widely in three-line indica hybrids. The identification and mapping of the Restorer-of-fertility (Rf) genes in maintainer lines aided in uncovering the genetic basis of fertility restoration of WA-type CMS and the development of WA-type hybrids. In this study we identified a new Rf gene, Rf18(t), for WA-type CMS from the japonica maintainer line ‘Nipponbare’ using a chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL) population derived from a cross between the indica line 9311 and ‘Nipponbare’. Using a substitution mapping strategy, Rf18(t) was delimited to a 48-kb chromosomal region flanked by molecular marker loci ID01M28791 and ID01M28845 on chromosome 1. By comparative sequence analyses, we propose that LOC_Os01g71320 is the most likely candidate gene for Rf18(t), and it is predicted to encode hexokinase. Furthermore, Rf18(t) was found to function in fertility restoration probably by a posttranscriptional mechanism and its function is dependent on the genetic background of 9311. These results broaden our knowledge on the mechanism of fertility restoration of WA-type CMS lines and will facilitate the development of WA-type rice hybrids.
Therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium derived from suspension cultivation or Silymarin on liver failure mice
Authors: Amiri Fatemeh , Molaei Sedigheh , Salimi Rasoul , Ferdowsi Shirin , Bahadori Marzie
Published: January 2022

Background: Common treatments of liver disease failed to meet all the needs in this important medical field. It results in an urgent need for proper some new adjuvant therapies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their derivatives are promising tools in this regard. We aimed to compare the Silymarin, as traditional treatment with mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (MSC-CM), as a novel strategy, both with therapeutic potentialities in term of liver failure (LF) treatment.Methods and Results: Mice models with liver failure were induced with CCl4 and were treated in the groups as follows: normal mice receiving DMEM-LG medium as control, LF-mice receiving DMEM-LG medium as sham, LF-mice receiving Silymarin as LF-SM, and LF-mice receiving Sph-MSC-CM as LF-MSC-CM. Biochemical, histopathological, molecular and protein level parameters were evaluated using blood and liver samples. Liver enzymes, MicroRNA-122 values as well as necrotic score were significantly lower in the LF-SM and LF-MSC-CM groups compared to sham. LF-SM showed significantly higher level of total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde than that of LF-MSC-CM groups. Sph-MSC-CM not only induced more down-regulated expression of fibrinogen-like protein 1 and receptor interacting protein kinases1 but also led to higher expression level of keratinocyte growth factor. LF-MSC-CM showed less mortality rate compared to other groups.Conclusions: Hepato-protective potentialities of Sph-MSC-CM are comparable to those of Silymarin. More Inhibition of necroptosis/ necrosis and inflammation might result in rapid liver repair in case of MSC-CM administration.
Irisin enhances chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells via Rap1/PI3K/AKT axis.
Authors: Chen Taiqiu , Peng Yan , Hu Wenjun , Shi Huihong , Li Pengfei , Que Yichen , Qiu Jincheng , Qiu Xianjian , Gao Bo , Zhou Hang , Chen Yanbo , Zhu Yuanxin , Li Shaoguang , Liang Anjing , Gao Wenjie , Huang Dongsheng
Published: January 2022

BackgroundHuman mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have been proven to have inherent chondrogenic differentiation potential, which appears to be used in cartilage regeneration. Increasing evidence suggests that irisin enhances osteoblast differentiation of MSCs, but little is known about its potential on chondrogenic differentiation. MethodsIn our study, we investigated the effects of irisin on chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs, and detected the underlying mechanism using RNA-seq.ResultsCompared with the controls, irisin treatment could significantly enhance chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs. RNA-seq results prompted that irisin treatment activated the Rap1 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Further studies demonstrated that irisin treatment could up-regulate the expression level of miR-125b-5p, targeting SIPA1L2, consequently activating the Rap1/PI3K/AKT axis. ConclusionsCollectively, our study reveals that irisin can enhance chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs via the Rap1/PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting that irisin possesses prospects in cartilage regeneration.
Nonlinear SDOF Analytical Model of Mass-Timber Building with Post-Tensioned Rocking Walls
Authors: ALOISIO ANGELO , Rosso Marco Martino , Huang Da , Iqbal Asif , Fragiacomo Massimo , Pei Shiling
Published: January 2022

The dynamic response of post-tensioned rocking walls in a mass timber building can be reduced to a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model. In this model, the rocking wall panel is simplified as a rigid block, while the base rotation represents the degree of freedom of the entire structure. The paper presents an analytical approach to develop and calibrate this nonlinear model using shake table tests of a full-scale two-story building with CLT rocking walls. The experimental data are used to estimate the parameters of the governing equation using least-squares optimization. The correlation between the obtained parameters and the cumulative dissipated energy led to a nonlinear model with degradation behavior captured. After that, the calibrated model was used to assess the fragility functions of the structure under repetitive seismic events.
Biosynthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activities of zinc oxide nanoparticles from leaf & seed extracts of Malva neglecta Wallr.
Authors: Cheperli Abdol-Majid , Mokaber-Esfahani Majid , Taleghani Akram , bahalkeh Farhad
Published: January 2022

Plant-based nanoparticles have a number of benefits over traditional physicochemical approaches, and they may be used in a variety of medical and biological applications. In recent study, a green synthesis approach for zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Malva neglecta Wallr. leaf (MWL) and seed (MWS) aqueous extracts were reported. MWL mediated ZnO NPs (MWL-ZnO-NPs) and MWS mediated ZnO NPs (MWS-ZnO-NPs) were synthesized using an environmentally friendly and simple technique with minimal reaction time and calcination temperature. The structural and chemical characterization of the biosynthesized ZnO NPs was performed using UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, TGA, TEM, and EDX. Synthesized nanoparticles showed the UV–Visible spectroscopy absorption peak at 372 and 376 nm for MWL and MWS-ZnO-NPs, respectively, which confirm the synthesis of ZnO NPs. Furthermore, the FTIR spectrum indicated bioactive functional groups and metal-oxygen groups. The TEM analysis displayed that two different synthesized ZnO NPs, exhibited a somewhat spherical structure with an average particle size between 40 and 50 nm, regardless of the type of extract. EDX analysis approved the Zn and O in the synthesized ZnO NPs. The XRD results revealed that MWL-ZnO-NPs had a similar crystal structure to MWS-ZnO-NPs. The dose-dependent free radical scavenging capability of zinc oxide nanoparticles was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) test. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs was investigated using the paper disc diffusion technique against two clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using the zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).
Patterns of human social contact and mask wearing in representative high-risk groups in China
Authors: Zheng Bo , Zhu Wenlong , Pan Jinhua , Wang Wei-bing
Published: January 2022

Background: The pandemic of COVID-19 has changed human behavior in areas such as contact patterns and mask-wearing frequency. Exploring human-human contact patterns and mask-wearing habits in high-risk groups is an essential step in fully understanding the transmission of respiratory infection-based diseases. Methods: Delivery workers, medical workers, preschoolers, and students. from Qinghai, Shanghai, and Zhejiang were recruited to complete an online questionnaire that queried general information, logged contacts, and assessed the willingness to wear a mask in different settings. The numbers of contacts across different characteristics were assessed and age-specific contact matrices were established. A generalized additive mixed model was used to analyze the associations between the number of individual contacts and several characteristics. The factors influencing the frequency of mask wearing were evaluated with a logistic regression model.Results: A total of 611,287 contacts were reported by 15,635 participants. The frequency of daily individual contacts averaged 3.14 (95%CI: 3.13-3.15) people per day, while that of group contacts was 37.90 (95%CI: 37.20-38.70). Skin-to-skin contact and long-duration contact were more likely to occur at home or among family members. The contact matrices of students were the most assortative (all contacts q-index = 0.899, 95%CI: 0.894-0.904). Participants with larger household sizes reported having more contacts. A higher household income per capita was significantly associated with a greater number of contacts among preschoolers and students. In each of the public places, the frequency of mask wearing was highest in delivery workers. For preschoolers and students with more contacts, the proportion of those who reported always wearing masks was lower (P<0.05) in schools/workplaces and public transportation than preschoolers and students with less contacts.Conclusions: The rate of mask wearing must be improved among preschoolers and students, considering their susceptibility and lower mask-wearing rates. Contact screening efforts should be concentrated in the home, school, and workplace after an outbreak of an epidemic, as more than 75% of all contacts, on average, will be found in such places. Age-stratified and occupation-specific social contact research in high-risk groups could help inform policy-making decisions during the post-relaxation period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transcriptional Level of Cumulus-Associated GJA1, PTX3, PRSS35, and SERPINE2 Genes with Oocytes and Embryonic Development in Water Buffalo
Authors: Jeena Lalit , Singh D.K. , Rahangdale Sandeep , Singh Ajit Pratap , Sarkhel B.C. Chandra
Published: January 2022

Background: In the present study, the potential of different groups of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC’s) for in-vitro maturation (IVM) and embryonic development was assessed in two groups of COC’s of water buffalo. Further, the association of the expression pattern of cumulus-associated GJA1, PTX3, PRSS35, and SERPINE2 genes and their effects on embryonic development was analyzed. Slaughterhouse-derived buffalo oocytes were graded into group A and B based on surrounding cumulus rings. Out of 1000 ovaries, an equal number of 410 COC’s were taken in both the A and B groups. In-vitro maturation (IVM) was carried out using Slaughterhouse-derived buffalo epididymis. A remarkable degree of cumulus expansion was noticed in group A (92.68%) as compared to group B (81.25%) oocytes. On IVF and embryo culture, group A COC’s produced a significantly higher rate of cleavage and blastocyst (92.682±0.7179% and 42.682±0.9683%) as compared to group B COC’s (85.365±0.7608% and 31.707±0.9688%), respectively. The transcriptional analysis of cumulus-associated GJA1, PTX3, PRSS35, and SERPINE2 genes expression by quantitative Real Time-PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed a significantly higher expression in group A as compared to group B COC’s. Result: It was revealed that oocytes having good cumulus mass had a higher developmental potential. Based on differential gene expression of cumulus-associated genes, different quality of COC’s, and the resultant embryos after IVF, it was concluded that these genes could be used as a marker for predicting the developmental competence of the oocytes. Conclusion: It concluded from the study that morphologically good quality of COC’s had a higher developmental competence. Also, the differential expressions of cumulus-associated genes in cumulus cells and embryos, we can conclude that these genes could be used as marker genes for predicting the developmental competence of buffalo’s oocytes.
Novel TUBB1 Mutation Related To Thyroid Dysgenesis In 289 Chinese Patients
Authors: Wang Fang , Sun Chunhui , Li Miaomiao , Ren Yubao , Wang Fengqi , Wang Yangang , Liu Shiguo
Published: January 2022

Objective: We aimed to study the types and characteristics of TUBB1 mutations in a large Chinese cohort with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and thyroid dysgenesis (TD). Methods: Mutation of the entire coding region of TUBB1 was analysed by Sanger sequencing in 289 children with CH and TD from China. Functional studies were further used to identify the effect of novel mutations on thyroid cells. Results: Among the 289 children with CH and TD, 4 (1.4%) had a c.952C>T(p.R318W) heterozygous mutation in TUBB1, resulting in a change from tryptophan to arginine at codon 318 of the TUBB1 protein. Functional studies indicated that the p.R318W mutant decreased TUBB1 expression and inhibited cell proliferation in a human thyroid cell line. Conclusions: A novel heterozygous missense mutation of TUBB1 in children with CH and TD was identified first in China, laying the foundations to expand the genotype-phenotype spectrum of TD.
Characteristics and Perioperative Complications of Hip Fracture in the Elderly With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zhang Yaqian , Fu Mingming , Guo Junfei , Zhao Yuqi , Wang Zhiqian , Hou Zhiyong
Published: January 2022

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after hip fracture in the elderly have worse prognosis. We aimed to describe the characteristics and complications of hip fracture with AIS in the elderly. Methods: This cross-sectional study selected patients with hip fracture (age ≥65 years) from January 2018 to September 2020. The collected data included age, sex, fracture types, comorbidities. In above screened patients, we further collected cerebral infarction related information of AIS patients. Risk factors for AIS after hip fracture were identified.Results: 60 patients (mean age 79.7 years; female 56.7%) occurred AIS after hip fracture in 1577 cases. Among 60 AIS patients, the most common cause of fall was limb weakness or instability(46.7%). The most common infarction type was PACI (70.0%). The majority of these infarction lesions were single (76.7%) and most infarction lesions(65.0%) were located in the left side. 81.7% of AIS patients had mild (NIHSS 0-4) AIS. Older patients with AIS after hip fracture were more frequently complicated by hypertension(73.3%), prior stroke (46.7%), diabetes(35.0%) and were more likely to have hypoproteinemia(68.3%), electrolyte disorders (66.7%), anemia (65.0%), deep vein thrombosis (51.6%), pneumonia (46.6%),cardiac complications (45.0%). Combined with hypertension (OR 2.743, 95%CI 1.471-5.115) and male sex(OR 1.946, 95%CI 1.146-3.304) were independent risk factors of AIS after hip fracture. Conclusions: Older patients combined with hypertension are more likely to have AIS after hip fracture. For these patients, early preventions should be administered. AIS patients after hip fracture are prone to have multiple complications under traumatic stress, and we should enhance the management of these patients to reduce the stress and avoid occurrence of complications.
Fertility costs of cryptic viral infections in a model social insect
Authors: Chapman Abigail , Amiri Esmaeil , Han Bin , McDermott Erin , Rueppell Olav , Tarpy David , Foster Leonard J , McAfee Alison
Published: January 2022

Declining insect populations emphasize the importance of understanding the drivers underlying reductions in insect fitness. Here, we investigated viruses as a threat to social insect reproduction, using honey bees as a model species. We report that in a sample of N = 93 honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens from nine beekeeping operations across a wide geographic range, high levels of natural viral infection are associated with decreased ovary mass. We confirmed this finding in an independent sample of N = 54 queens. Failed (poor quality) queens displayed higher levels of viral infection, reduced sperm viability, smaller ovaries, and altered ovary protein composition compared to healthy queens. We experimentally infected queens with Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) and found that the ovary masses of IAPV-injected queens were significantly smaller than control queens, demonstrating a causal relationship between viral infection and ovary size. Queens injected with IAPV also had significantly lower expression of vitellogenin, the main source of nutrition deposited into developing oocytes, and higher levels of heat-shock proteins (HSPs), which are part of the honey bee’s antiviral response. This work together shows that viral infections occurring naturally in the field are compromising queen reproductive success.
Amlodipine and Carvedilol Exhibits Cardioprotective Effect on Cyclophosphomide Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats.
Authors: N Akshata , KP Shivalinge Gowda
Published: January 2022

Cardiotoxicity is a well-known side effect of several cytotoxic drugs, especially of the anthracyclines and can lead to long term morbidity. The mechanism of anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity seems to involve the formation of free radicals leading to oxidative stress. This may cause apoptosis of cardiac cells or immunologic reactions.CYP has been recorded to be carditoxic. Amlodipine and carvedilol has been exploited to test its cardioprotective activityvon CYP induced cardiotoxicity. Objective: the aim of this study was assessment of cardioprotective effect of Amlodipine and carvedilol on CYP induced cardiotoxicity in albino wistar rats by measuring the enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidant levels, serum enzyme levels and study of ECG alteration. Materials Methods: Albino wistar rats were allotted in to 4 groups (6 rats/group), normal control: (i.p. injection with normal saline), CYP group (200 mg/kg ip), Alodipine and CYP group (Amlo-10 mg/kg oral & CYP- 200 mg/kg ip), carvediol and CYP group (Carve-3mg/kg oral & CYP- 200 mg/kg ip) for 10 days of duration and ECG was measured using power lab software. Results: cardioprotects of amlodipine and carvediol significantly reduced the elevated levels of serum biomarkers like CK, CK-MB, LDH, calcium when compare to CYP induced cardiotoxicity. Amlodipine and carvediol has shown significant increase in the levels of tissue biomarkers such as SOD, GSH, catalase when compare to CYP induced cardiotoxicity. In Histopathological studies, the group treated with amlodipine + CYP and carvediol + CYP has shown intact arrangement of cardiac muscle fibres, intact integrity of myocardial cell membrane, myofibrillar structure with striations and continuity with adjacent myofibrils. Considering improvement in the serum biomarker levels and tissue biomarker levels amlodipine and carvediol showed cardioprotective activity. Finally it concluded that amlodipine and carvediol has cardio protective effect on cyclophosphamide induced rats.
Dynamics of Immune Responses are Inconsistent When Trauma Patients are Grouped by Injury Severity Score and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Yang Yawen , Wu Che-Hsiung , Tsai Huei-Ting , Chen Ying-Ru , Chang Yu-Ping , Han Yin- Yi , Wu Tiffany E. , Hu Ray-Heng
Published: January 2022

Background: The injury severity score (ISS) is used in daily practice to evaluate the severity of trauma patients; however, the score is not always consistent with the prognosis. After injury, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome (CARS) are related to the prognosis of trauma patients. Methods: Patients who admitted to the Trauma Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were eligible. Whole blood samples were collected at admission, and then 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after admission. Natural killer (NK) cells, lymphocyte subset population and cytokines release were identified using flow cytometry. We grouped patients by their ISS (≤ 25 and > 25 as very severe injury) and ICU stay (≤ 10 days as a short ICU stay and >10 days as a long ICU stay) for evaluation. Results: Fifty-three patients were enrolled. ICU stay but not ISS was close correlated with activity daily living (ADL) at discharge. Patients with a long ICU stay had an immediate increase in NK cells followed by lymphopenia which persisted for 48 hours. Immediate activation of CD8 + T cells and then exhaustion with a higher programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) expression and suppression of CD4 + T cells with a shift to an anti-inflammatory Th2 phenotype were also observed in the patients with a long ICU stay. When the patients were grouped by ISS, the dynamics of immune responses were inconsistent to those when the patients were grouped by ICU stay. Conclusion: Immune responses are associated with the prognosis of trauma patients, however the currently used clinical parameters may not accurately reflect immune responses. Further investigations are needed to identify accurate predictors of prognosis in trauma patients.
Microcystic Meningioma Has A Worse Outcome Than Other WHO Grade 1 Subtypes
Authors: Ren Leihao , Hua Lingyang , Bao Zhongyuan , Deng Jiaojiao , Wang Daijun , Chen Jiawei , Chen Hong , Juratli Tareq A. , Wakimoto Hiroaki , Gong Ye
Published: January 2022

Objective: The aim is to evaluate the clinical, radiological features and long-term outcomes of microcystic meningiomas (MM) in a single neurosurgical center.Methods: A total of 87 consecutive patients underwent surgical resection of MM between 2005 to 2016 were enrolled for analysis. Clinical, pathological, radiological and prognostic information was collected and analyzed; Univariate and multivariate COX analysis was conducted to select factors affected the progression-free survival (PFS). PFS was compared among other Grade 1 subtypes in our center as well.Results: 56 females and 31 males were identified. 12 patients (13.8%) experienced tumor progression. The median PFS was unavailable, and the 5-, 10-, and 15-year PFS rates were 96.9%, 84.0%, and 73.9%, respectively. Peri-tumor brain edema (PTBE) was frequent in MMs (85%). Univariate COX analysis demonstrated that skull base location, STR, and higher Ki-67 were significant negative prognostic factors for PFS (P < 0.05), while tumor location and Ki-67 were independent factors (P < 0.01). MM had a worse prognosis when compared to other WHO Grade 1 subtypes diagnosed in our neurosurgical center during the same time period (P = 0.0087).Conclusions: MM is a rare subtype of grade 1 meningioma, PTBE and reticular enhancement were characteristic in MMs. skull base location and higher Ki-67 labeling index were independent negative prognostic factors. MMs had a shorter PFS than the other WHO Grade 1 subtypes.
Hemostatic Radiotherapy for Gastric Cancer: Relationship Between Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Images and Tumor Markers
Authors: Tanaka Osamu , Yagi Nobuaki , Tawada Masahiro , Taniguchi Takuya , Ono Kousei , Nakaya Shuto , Makita Chiyoko , Matsuo Masayuki
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Pretreatment diagnosis by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) is useful to determine the effect of chemotherapy. Here we investigated the relationship among DW-MRI, endoscopy, and tumor markers. Patients: Eight included patients underwent hemostatic radiotherapy (RT) for gastric cancer in this prospective study from 2019 to 2021. The patients completed MRI, endoscopy, and blood tests before RT; MRI, endoscopy, and blood tests 1 month after RT; and MRI and blood tests 3 months after RT. Correlations between changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) derived from DW-MRI and the tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were investigated. Results: Univariate analysis of overall survival showed that sex and chemotherapy treatment were statistically significant factors. The CEA values before and 1 month after RT decreased significantly. There was no statistical difference between the CEA value 1 and 3 months after RT. The ADC value before and 1 month after RT increased significantly but not between 1 and 3 months after RT. Comparing the ratio of ADC before RT to 1 (or 3) month(s) after RT with that of CEA before RT to 1 (or 3) month(s) after RT, we found an inverse relationship between the two ratios. Conclusions: Therefore, changes in ADC and CEA are correlated. Additionally, 3 months after RT, the decrease in ADC appeared earlier than the decrease in CEA. ADC may indicate a biological change earlier than CEA, and the ratios of ADC and CEA may be important factors. These aspects warrant further confirmation in a larger sample population.
Bias of the Mock Community Composed of Common Strains Isolated from Clinical Specimens
Authors: Shin Jeong Hwan , Kim Eun-Young , Kim Si Hyun , Yang Jaewook
Published: January 2022

Background: The mock communities (MCs) bias of common species from clinical specimens should be considered when we use a microbiome in the clinical microbiology laboratory. The aims of this study were to MCs using clinically important common species and to investigate the bias of MC use in the clinical laboratory.Results: Five MCs incorporating 32 bacterial strains isolated from clinical specimens were included. We analyzed the diversity of operational taxonomic units (OTU), the relative abundance, and the taxonomic assignment using paired-end sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3−V4 region. The Shannon index revealed the best correlation with the actual number of MC species for diversity. We determined that the OTU with relative abundance (log) of 0.001 is most appropriate to explain the community. The relative abundance was higher in Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria; however, low relative abundance was shown in Aeromonas caviae, Burkholderia cepacia, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Clostridioides difficile. It is suggested that the relative abundance was low in gram-positive bacteria and those with 60%−70% GC content but was not related to genome size or 16S rRNA copy number.Conclusions: We investigated the characteristics of MC composed as common clinical isolates and confirmed the bias of MC. These data could be used for microbiome research on clinical specimens.
Clinical utility of circulating pneumoproteins as diagnostic biomarkers in COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ke Yani , Zhu Yuqing , Hu Jie , Chen Shuaihang , Liu Shan
Published: January 2022

This study explored circulating pneumoproteins in the diagnosis, severity, and prognosis of COVID-19 by meta-analysis. We searched six English databases until December 16, 2021. Standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were the overall outcomes. RevMan 5.3, Stata 16, and Meta-DiSc 1.4 were utilised for pooled analyses. Totally, 2902 subjects from 29 studies were included. COVID-19 patients had higher circulating KL-6, SP-D, and SP-A levels (SMD=1.34, 95% CI [0.60, 2.08]; SMD=1.74, 95% CI [0.64, 2.84]; SMD=3.42, 95% CI [1.31, 5.53], respectively) than healthy individuals. Circulating KL-6 levels were lower in survivors than in non-survivors (SMD=-1.09, 95% CI [-1.63, -0.55]). Circulating KL-6, SP-D, and RAGEs levels in mild to moderate patients were significantly lower (SMD=-0.93, 95% CI [-1.22, -0.65]; SMD=-1.67, 95% CI [-2.82, -0.52]; SMD=-1.17, 95% CI [-2.06, -0.28], respectively) than severe patients. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression suggested that age may be responsible for the heterogeneity (P=0.071) when analysing KL-6 in mild to moderate vs. severe patients. The meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy including KL-6 for severity and mortality, and SP-D for severity demonstrated that they all had limited diagnostic values. Therefore, circulating pneumoproteins (KL-6, SP-D, and RAGEs) may reflect the diagnosis, severity, and prognosis of COVID-19 to some extent.
Trapeznikova O.N. Paradoksy severnogo zemledeliya: Istoriya i geografiya agrolandshaftov lesnoy zony Vostochno-Yevropeyskoy zony ischeznoveniya. M.: GEOS, 2019. 256 p. Review
Authors: Фролов А.А.
Published: January 2022

рецензия на монографию О.Н. Трапезниковой

review of the monograph by O.N. Trapeznikova
Forgotten hearts of Russia: Azonal areas in the historical and cultural landscape of European Russia
Authors: Каганский В.Л.
Published: January 2022

В статье дана характеристика распространенной (основной) картины пространства России, преимущественно Европейской России. Картина скорректирована и дополнена в аспекте историко-культурного ландшафта. Рассмотрены нетривиальные аспекты соотношения зональных и азональных компонентов культурного ландшафта Европейской России на материале преимущественно ополий. Ополья трактуются как особый тип историко-культурного ландшафта на специфичной природной основе. Рассмотрены иные существенные азональные компоненты ландшафта — ополиеподобные ландшафты, степные боры и т.п. Показано, что такие азональные компоненты культурного ландшафта куда более существенны, нежели обычно представляется на основе преимущественно зональной картины культурного ландшафта. Именно такие азональные ареалы закономерно исторически, генетически и структурно оказываются ядрами культурного ландшафта. Обращено внимание на соотношение зональности / азональности в картине ландшафта в зависимости от масштаба рассмотрения. Указано на неоднозначное соотношение ополий и пригородных зон. Подчеркнут культурный смысл трансформации ополий от руин исторического ландшафта к полноценному современному ландшафту.

The article characterizes the widespread (main) picture of space in Russia, mainly its European part. The picture is corrected and supplemented from the point of view of historical and cultural landscape. To consider non-trivial aspects of the correlation between zonal and azonal components of the cultural landscape of European Russia, the author focuses on opol’e. which is treated as a special type of historical and cultural landscape with a specific natural foundation. Other significant azonal components of the landscape, such as opol’e-like landscapes, steppe pine forests (bor), etc., are considered. Such azonal components of the cultural landscape are much more significant than predominantly zonal pictures of the cultural landscape usually demonstrate. It is these azonal areas that naturally, historically, genetically and structurally, turn out to be the cores of the cultural landscape. Attention is drawn to the ratio of zoning / azonality in the landscape picture, depending on the scale of consideration. An ambiguous relationship between opol’e and suburban areas is indicated. The cultural meaning of the transformation of the opol’e from the ruins of a historical landscape to a full-fledged modern landscape is underlined.
“City” as an assemblage point of social space and a center of resource concentration in archaic societies
Authors: Щавелев А.С.
Published: January 2022

В статье предлагается отказаться от попыток выделить «объективные» количественные и качественные критерии «настоящего города». Главная отличительная черта поселений, которые можно условно обозначить как «города», — концентрация демографических, материальных и виртуальных (власти, сакральности, знаний и т.п.) ресурсов. Статус «город» для любого стационарного поселения людей определяется только его доминирующим положением в социально-политическом пространстве относительно других поселений, которое позволяет ему аккумулировать ресурсы. Следовательно, «город» — категория условная и относительная. Иными словами, поселение, которое в одном регионе по своему масштабу, сложности планиграфии и архитектуры и геоэкономическому потенциалу является центром и может считаться городом, в других условиях было очевидной периферией, заурядной деревней (селом). Задачей истории, археологии, антропологии, социологии и исторической географии является не поиск условных критериев города, а реконструкция многоуровневой структуры урбанизации территорий и анализ систем описания и номинации поселений в документах и нарративах без их принудительного перевода в современную систему терминов и обиходных лексем.

The article proposes to abandon attempts to identify “objective” quantitative and qualitative criteria for a “real city”. The main distinguishing feature of settlements, which can be conventionally designated as “cities,” is the concentration of demographic, material, and virtual (power, sacredness, knowledge, & etc.) resources. The status of a “city” for any stationary settlement of people is determined only by its dominant position in the socio-political space relative to other settlements, which allows it to accumulate resources. Consequently, “city” is a conditional and relative category. In other words, a settlement, which in one region in terms of its scale, complexity of planning and architecture, and geo-economic potential can be considered as a “city”, in other circumstances would be an obvious periphery, an ordinary village (town). The task of history, archeology, anthropology, sociology, and historical geography is not to search for conventional criteria of a “city”, but to reconstruct the multi-level structure of urbanization of territories and analyze systems for describing and nominating settlements in documents and narratives without their forced translation into the modern system of terms and everyday lexemes.
PENGARUH RISIKO PERUSAHAAN, KEPEMILIKAN INSTITUSIONAL, DAN STRATEGI BISNIS TERHADAP TAX AVOIDANCE
Authors: Ayem Sri , Tarang Teresa Molasita Daradian
Published: January 2022

ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji apakah risiko perusahaan, kepemilikan institusional, dan strategi bisnis berpengaruh terhadap penghindaran pajak. Teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah teori keagenan. Penelitian ini menggunakan sampel perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) selama periode 2016-2018. Jumlah sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah 19 perusahaan dengan pengamatan 3 tahun menggunakan metode purposive sampling. Pengolahan data menggunakan SPSS versi 17 dengan regresi linier berganda. Hasil yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahwa risiko perusahaan berpengaruh negatif signifikan terhadap penghindaran pajak dan kepemilikan institusional tidak berpengaruh signifikan dan negatif terhadap penghindaran pajak dan strategi bisnis berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap penghindaran pajak.. . Kata kunci : risiko perusahaan, kepemilikan institusional, strategi bisnis dan penghindaran pajak ABSTRACT This study aims to examine whether corporate risk, institutional ownership, and business strategy affect tax avoidance. The theory used in research is agency theory. The study used a sample of manufacturing companies listed on  Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) during the 2016-2018 period. The number of samples used in this study were 19 companies with 3-year observations using purposive sampling method. Data processing using SPSS version 17 with multiple linear regression. The results obtained indicate that corporate risk has a significant negative effect on tax avoidance and institutional ownership have no significant dan negative effect on tax avoidance and business strategy has a significant positive effect on tax avoidance. Keywords : corporate risk, institutional ownership, business strategy and tax avoidance.
PENGARUH PERSEPSI KEMUDAHAN PENGGUNAAN DAN PERSEPSI MANFAAT TERHADAP MINAT UNTUK MENGGUNAKAN UANG ELEKTRONIK (SHOPEEPAY)
Authors: Sulfina Sulfina , Yuliniar Yuliniar , Aziz Alfida
Published: January 2022

ABSTRAK Penelitiann ini merupakann penelitian kuantitatif yangg bertujuanln untukl mengetahuili pengaruh persepsi kemudahan penggunaan dan persepsi manfaat terhadap minat untuk menggunakan uang elektronik (ShopeePay). Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah masyarakat yang berada di daerah JABODETABEK.  Sampell yang diambil dalam penelitiann inii berjumlah 100 dengan menggunakan teknik non-probability samplingg dan metode purposive sampling. Pengumpulanl datal dilakukanl denganl cara menyebarkanln kuisioner melalui google form, dan olah data menggunakan SmartPLS. Hasil dari pengujian diperoleh bahwa pada variabel persepsi kemudahan penggunaan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap minat penggunaan sebesarl 0.507, variabel persepsi manfaat berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap minat penggunaan sebesar 0.444 dan memperoleh nilai koefisien determinan sebesar 86.9%. Kata kunci: persepsi kemudahan penggunaan, persepsi manfaat, minat penggunaan, shopeepay, jabodetabek. ABSTRACT This study iss a quantitativeee studyyy thattt aimss to determineee the effect of perceived ease of use and perceived benefits on interest in using electronic money (ShopeePay). The population in thiss studyy are peoplee who are in the JABODETABEK area. The samplee taken in thiss studyy amounted to 100 using non-probability samplingg techniquee and purposive samplingg method. Datai collectionin is donei by distributingi questionnaires through google forms, and processing the data using SmartPLS. The resultss of the test showedd that the perceived ease of use variable had a positive and significant effect on interest in use of 0.507, the perceived benefit variable had a positive and significant effect on interest in use of 0.444 and obtained a determinant coefficient value of 86.9%. Keywords: perceived ease of use, perceived benefits, interest in use, shopeepay, jabodetabek.
Fertilizing model for Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) using mixture design approaches
Authors: Chiu Chien-Chang , Peng Hung-Sheng , Liao Ching-Ying , Chen Yu-Chu , Wang Chong-Ho
Published: January 2022

Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.), a cereal plant native to Taiwan, was used for wine making, insect repellant, and health promotion. Therefore, using appropriate experimental design and modeling approach is of importance to predict the effect of the interaction among nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) on djulis yields. In this study, a mixture design approach was applied to investigate the effects of interactions among nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the grain yields of djulis plants. Based on a three-variable including N, P, and K with each maximum of them was of 200 g (6 m2)-1, a mixture design approach was employed by 42 experiments in 14 study plots to obtain an optimal combination of N : P : K= 100 : 200 : 100 (g / 6 m2)-1) to predict an optimal dry djulis yield of 52.80 g / plant in this study. This study revealed that the linear mixture of N, P, and K and the interaction of P and K had marked effects on the yields of djulis. Moreover, the results were fitted to a quadratic polynomial equation using a multiple regression analysis. Our data showed this mixture design is a reliable approach to develop a model that can be used to predict the djulis yields
The Role Professional Accountant Firms play within the Liberian Market in Terms of Strategic Implementation of Financial Statement Audit
Authors: Kesselly Jerome M.
Published: January 2022

The study has evaluated the role Professional Accountant Firms play in the Liberian market and to understand the strategic tools used in implementing financial statement Audits [1]. A deductive approach was adopted, and information was collected from thirty respondents via Unstructured face-to-face interviews. Purposive sampling was engaged as this technique aided the cognizant arrangement of targeted respondents (Audit Associates, Staff Auditors, Semi Senior Auditors, Senior Auditors, Asst. Audit managers, Audit Managers, and Audit Partners). The findings show that Professional Accountant Firms in Liberia play a positive and significant role in the Liberian market. Professional Accountant Firms make great contributions in keeping Liberian businesses at full compliant with international financial reporting standards, legal and regulatory requirements, and their own policies and procedures. It is recommended that to be more efficient, Liberian businesses should embrace the role Professional Accountant Firms play within the Liberian market. It is concluded that the Liberia Institute of certified Public Accountants (LICPA) should strengthen, trained, and Licensed all Professional Accountant Firms to meet the growing need of the Professional Accounting industry in the Country.
Construction and benchmark of an autonomous tracked mobile robot system
Authors: Ahluwalia Vaibhav , Arents Janis , Oraby Aly , Greitans Modris
Published: January 2022

Robots require a certain set of skills to perceive and analyse the environment and act accordingly. For tracked mobile robots getting good odometry data from sensory information is a challenging key prerequisite to perform in an unstructured dynamic environment, thus an essential issue in the tracked mobile robotics domain. In this article, we construct a ROS-based tracked mobile robot system taking the Jaguar V4 mobile robot as the base platform. On which several visual odometry solutions based on different cameras and methods (Intel RealSense T265, Zed camera, RTAB-Map RGBD) are integrated and benchmark comparison is performed. Analysis of new challenges faced by different methods while applied on a tracked vehicle as well as recommendations and conclusions are presented. Intel RealSense T265 solution proved to perform well in uncertain conditions which involves bounded vibrations and low lighting conditions with low latency, which result in good map generation. Further evaluations with a path planning algorithm and Intel RealSense T265 were conducted to test the effect of the robot’s motion profiles on odometry data accuracy.