bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gut microbes predominantly act as symbiotic partners rather than raw nutrients
Authors: Soares Nuno Felipe da Silva , Quagliariello Andrea , Yigitturk Seren , Martino Maria Elena
Published: February 2023

Animals and their gut microbes mutually benefit their health. In this frame, nutrition has a central role by directly affecting both host and microbes’ fitness and their effects. This makes nutritional symbioses a complex and dynamic tri-system of diet-microbiota-host. Despite recent discoveries on this field, full control over the interplay among these partners is challenging and hinders the resolution of fundamental questions, such as how to parse the gut microbes’ effect as raw nutrition or as symbiotic partners? To tackle this, we made use of the well-characterized Drosophila melanogaster/Lactiplantibacillus plantarum experimental model of nutritional symbiosis to generate a quantitative framework of gut microbes’ effect on the host. We show that the beneficial effect of L. plantarum strains primarily results from the active relationship as symbionts rather than raw nutrients, regardless of the bacterial strain. Metabolomic analysis of both active and inactive bacterial cells further demonstrated the crucial role of the production of beneficial bacterial metabolites, such as N-acetylated-amino-acids, as result of active bacterial growth and function. Altogether, our results provide a ranking and quantification of the main bacterial features contributing to sustain animal growth. We demonstrate that viability is the predominant and necessary variable involved in bacteria-mediated benefit, followed by strain-specific properties and the nutritional potential of the bacterial cells as direct energy source. This contributes to elucidate the role of beneficial bacteria and probiotics, creating a broad quantitative framework for host-gut microbiome that can be expanded to other model systems.
Enabling low-drift flexible perovskite photodetectors by electrical modulation for wearable health monitoring and weak light imaging
Authors: Tang Yingjie , Jin Peng , Wang Yan , Li Dingwei , Chen Yitong , Ran Peng , Fan Wei , Liang Kun , Ren Huihui , Xu Xuehui , Wang Rui , Yang Yang , Zhu Bowen
Published: February 2023

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) are promising for next-generation flexible photodetectors (FPDs) owing to their low-temperature solution processability, mechanical flexibility, and excellent photoelectric properties. However, the defects and notorious ion migration in polycrystalline MHPs often lead to high and unstable dark current, thus deteriorating their detection limit and long-term operations. Here, we propose an electrical field modulation strategy to significantly reduce the dark current of MHPs-based FPD more than 1000 times (from ~ 5 nA to ~ 5 pA). Meanwhile, ion migration in MHPs was effectively suppressed, and the MHPs-based FPD shows a long-term continuous operational stability (~ 8000 s) with low signal drift (~ 4.2 × 10− 4 pA per second) and ultralow dark current drift (~ 1.3 × 10− 5 pA per second). Benefitting from the electrical modulation strategy, a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) wearable photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor and an active-matrix photodetector array for weak light imaging are successfully demonstrated. This work offers a universal strategy to improve the performance of MHPs for wearable FPD and flexible image sensor applications.
Ucp4 deficiency of cerebellar Purkinje cells induces bradykinesia
Authors: Wang Ya-Yun , Liu Hui , Li Shu-Jiao , Feng Ban , Huang Yun-Qiang , Liu Shui-Bing , Yang Yan-Ling
Published: February 2023

Although uncoupling protein 4 (UCP4) is the most abundant protein reported in the brain, the biological function of UCP4 in cerebellum and pathological outcome of UCP4 deficiency in cerebellum remain obscure. To evaluate the role of Ucp4 in the cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), we generated conditional knock-out of Ucp4 in PCs (Pcp2cre;Ucp4fl/fl mice) by breeding Ucp4fl/fl mice with Pcp2cre mice. PCR, western blot, double immunofluorescent staining and triple RNAscope in situ hybridization confirmed the specific ablation of Ucp4 in PCs in Pcp2cre;Ucp4fl/fl mice, and the reservation of Ucp2, the analog of Ucp4. Open field test, CatWalk analysis, rotarod and elevated plus-maze tests showed that Pcp2cre;Ucp4fl/fl mice displayed a characteristic bradykinesia in the spontaneous movements, and such bradykinesia disorder was not deteriorated in harmaline-induced tremor application. The electromyogram recordings detection on gastrocnemius muscle excluded the possibility of hypotonia in Pcp2cre;Ucp4fl/fl mice. And the electrical patch clamp recordings showed the altered properties of both spontaneous and evoked firings in PCs of Pcp2cre;Ucp4fl/fl mice. Also, the knockdown of Ucp4 significantly increased reactive oxygen species generation in the cerebellum. The present study is the first to report a close relationship between UCP4 deletion with PCs impairment, and suggests the importance of UCP4 in the substantial support of mitochondrial function homeostasis in bradykinesia. UCP4 might be a therapeutic target for the cerebela-related movement disorder.
Relationship of Anxiety and Depression with Psychological Flexibility and Sleep Quality in Women with Breast and Gynecologic Cancer: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis
Authors: Kiyak Sibel , Polat Hilal Türkben
Published: February 2023

Objective
Being diagnosed with cancer and receiving long-term cancer treatments can affect the mental health of the patients. The current study aimed to evaluate psychological flexibility and sleep quality as markers of anxiety and depression in patients with breast and gynecologic cancer.
Methods
A descriptive-relational study. This study was conducted with 212 patients with breast and gynecological cancers in the day treatment unit of an oncology department of a medical facility of a state university. Data were collected with participant information form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Psychological Flexibility Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.
Results
Of the studied patients, 36.3% and 55.3% were in the risk group for anxiety and depression, respectively. Furthermore, 75.3% of participants had poor sleep quality and medium–high psychological flexibility. While psychological flexibility has a positive effect on anxiety and depression, poor sleep quality and high body mass index have a negative effect. Psychological flexibility, sleep quality, and body mass index explained 27% variance in anxiety and depression levels.
Conclusions
Poor sleep quality, low psychological flexibility, and high body mass index negatively affected anxiety and depression levels in patients.
A Study on the Nostalgia effect of Dance for All Participants during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: An Jung-Hun , Lim Sun-Young , Lee Ji-Seol
Published: February 2023

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of participants' nostalgia for the before COVID-19 DFA experience on their future participation continuation intention. To achieve this purpose, nostalgia, cognitive emotion regulation (CER), coping flexibility (CF), resilience, and participation continuance intention (PCI) were set as major variables and the structural influence relationship between them was explored.
Methods: A survey was con-ducted on 557 “dance for all” participants (DFAP’s) who joined public sports facilities, academies, and clubs in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province in South Korea. Data analysis was performed on Windows PC/SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0 ver. frequency analysis, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the survey results.
Results: First, all sub-factors of the nostalgia of DFAP’s has a statistically significant effect on CER. Second, CER of DFAP's has a statistically significant effect on CF. Third, CER of DFAP's does not have a statistically significant effect on resilience. Fourth, CF and resilience of DFAP's has a statistically significant effect on PCI.
Conclusions: Therefore, this study’s novelty is that it provides practical implications for the application of nostalgia as an alternative to satisfying the desire to participate in physical activities such as DFA during the “post COVID-19”era.
Palliative Care Needs Among Jordanian Women Living with Stroke: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
Authors: Alhalabi Marwa Nayef , Khalaf Inaam Abdulla , Zeilani Ruqayya Sayed , Bawadi Hala Ahmad , Musa Ahmad S. , Nashwan Abdulqadir J.
Published: February 2023

Background: Stroke is a common neurological disease. Women with stroke suffer many physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. Consequently, women living with stroke may have many marginalized palliative care needs as perceived by health care providers. However, the experience of women living with stroke and palliative care needs is understudied in Jordan.
Aim: This study aimed to explore the palliative care needs among women living with stroke in Jordan.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach was employed with a purposive sample recruited from twelve women living with stroke Data were collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The Colaizzi (1978) method was used for data analysis.
Results: The study revealed three main emerging themes that reflected the palliative care needs of women living with stroke, which are: living with bothersome symptoms, receiving bad news, and spiritual practices, beliefs, and needs.
Discussion: This study sheds light on the aspects of Jordanian women with a comprehensive view of all aspects of life after suffering a stroke. The findings suggest that the burden of stroke has far-reaching consequences for women's lives. They have many unmet palliative needs that must be considered in the treatment plan.
Conclusion: This study provides insight into the palliative care needs of women. Women's health care needs included physical, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects. In line with these needs, integrating the palliative care approach with the rehabilitation program should be considered to improve the quality of life and alleviate the pain and further complications after stroke.
Trust of patients and families in mental healthcare providers and institutions: A cross-cultural study in Chennai, India and Montreal, Canada
Authors: Xavier Salome M. , Malla Ashok , Mohan Greeshma , Mustafa Sally , Padmavati Ramachandran , Rangaswamy Thara , Joober Ridha , Schmitz Norbert , Margolese Howard C. , Iyer Srividya N.
Published: February 2023

Purpose: Cross-cultural psychosis research has typically focused on a limited number of outcomes (generally symptom-related). It is unknown if the purported superior outcomes for psychosis in some low- and middle-income countries extend to fundamental treatment processes like trust. Addressing this gap, we studied two similar first-episode psychosis programs in Montreal, Canada and Chennai, India. We hypothesized higher trust in healthcare institutions and providers among patients and families in Chennai at baseline and over follow-up.
Methods: Upon treatment entry and at months 3, 12 and 24, trust in healthcare providers was measured using the Wake Forest Trust scale and trust in the healthcare and mental healthcare systems using two single items. Non-parametric tests were performed to compare trust levels across sites and mixed-effects linear regression models to investigate predictors of trust in healthcare providers.
Results: The study included 333 patients (Montreal=165, Chennai=168) and 324 family members (Montreal=128, Chennai=168). Across all timepoints, Chennai patients and families had higher trust in healthcare providers and the healthcare and mental healthcare systems. The effect of site on trust in healthcare providers was significant after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics known to impact trust. Patients' trust in doctors increased over follow-up.
Conclusion: This study uniquely focuses on trust as an outcome in psychosis, via a comparative longitudinal analysis of different trust dimensions and predictors, across two geographical settings. The consistent differences in trust levels between sites may be attributable to local cultural values and institutional structures and processes and underpin cross-cultural variations in treatment engagement and outcomes.
Complex Kraenkel-Manna-Merle system in a ferrite: N-fold Darboux transformation, generalized Darboux transformations and solitons
Authors: Shen Yuan , Tian Bo , Zhou Tian-Yu , Cheng Chong-Dong
Published: February 2023

Ferromagnetic materials such as the ferrites are used in the electronic and energy industries. Here, we concentrate on a complex Kraenkel-Manna-Merle system for the ultra-short waves in a ferrite. An N-fold Darboux transformation of that system is presented via an existing Lax pair, where N is a positive integer. A generalized (1, N − 1)- fold Darboux transformation, which admits one spectral parameter, and a generalized (m, N − m)-fold Darboux transformation, which admits m spectral parameters, are proposed based on that N-fold Darboux transformation, where m is a positive integer. One-, two- and three-soliton solutions of that system are determined via that N-fold Darboux transformation. Double-pole and triple-pole soliton solutions of that system are derived via that (1, N − 1)-fold Darboux transformation. Those solitons are graph- ically represented for the magnetization and external magnetic field related to a ferrite.
Potential impact of obesity on the aggressiveness of low-to intermediate-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: results from a MASTER cohort study
Authors: Kim Mijin , Kang Yae Eun , Park Young Joo , Koo Bon Seok , Ku Eu Jeong , Choi June Young , Lee Eun Kyung , Kim Bo Hyun
Published: February 2023

Purpose: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Evidence of the impact of obesity on PTC aggressiveness is scarce. We aimed to evaluate the association between the body mass index (BMI) and the presence of aggressive features of low- to intermediate-risk PTC in a prospective cohort.
Methods: A total of 1,088 patients with low- to intermediate-risk PTC who underwent lobectomy at 22 hospitals in Korea were prospectively enrolled and divided into three groups according to BMI, as follows: normal/underweight (<23 kg/m2), overweight (23–24.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥25 kg/m2). Clinicopathological features of PTC at diagnosis were evaluated.
Results: Obese patients had a larger primary tumor size, higher rate of macro-PTC (>1 cm), and greater incidence of extra-thyroidal extension (ETE) and vascular invasion than those who were not classified as obese. Increased BMI was positively associated with the incidence of macro-PTC (p for trend = 0.019), ETE (p for trend = 0.013), and vascular invasion (p for trend = 0.021). After adjusting for age, sex, pathological features, metabolic syndrome, and thyroid function test, obesity was a risk factor for ETE (odds ratio = 1.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.1–2.3, p = 0.007) in women. This association was significant regardless of whether or not the women had metabolic syndrome. There was no significant association between obesity and aggressive PTC features in men.
Conclusion: These results suggest that BMI at the time of thyroid cancer diagnosis may affect the aggressiveness of low- to intermediate-risk PTC, especially in women.
Relationship between caffeine intake and thyroid function: results from NHANES 2007-2012
Authors: Zheng Jiaping , Zhu Xinyan , Xu Guiqing , Wang Xingchen , Cao Mengyang , Zhu Shusen , Huang Rui , Zhou Yu
Published: February 2023

Backgrounds: Moderate caffeine intake decreases the risk of metabolic disorders and all-cause mortality, and the mechanism may be related to its ergogenic actions. Thyroid hormones are vital in metabolic homeostasis; however, their associationwith caffeine intake has rarely been explored.
Objective: To investigate the association between caffeine intake and thyroid function.
Methods: We collected data on demographic background, medical conditions, dietary intake, and thyroid function from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)2007-2012. Subgroups were classified using two-step cluster analysis, and sex, age, body mass index (BMI), hyperglycemia, hypertension, and cardio-cerebral vascular disease (CVD) were used for clustering. Restrictive cubic spline analysis was employed to investigate potential nonlinear correlations, and multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate the association between caffeine consumption and thyroid function.
Results: A total of 2,582 participants were included, and three subgroups with different metabolic features were clustered. In the most metabolically unhealthy group, with the oldest age, highest BMI, and more cases of hypertension, hyperglycemia, and CVD, there was a non-linear relationship between caffeine intake and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. After adjusting for age, sex, race, drinking, smoking, medical conditions, micronutrient and macronutrient intake, caffeine intake less than 9.97 mg/d was positively related to serum TSH (p = 0.035, standardized β = 0.155); however, moderate caffeine consumption (9.97-264.97 mg/d) showed a negative association (p = 0.001, standardized β = - 0.152).
Conclusions: Caffeine consumption has a non-linear relationship with serum TSH in people with metabolic disorders, and moderate caffeine intake (9.97~264.97 mg/d) was positively related with serum TSH.
Cost-Effective and Environmentally Friendly Flexible Magnetic EPDM rubber Composites Based on Ground Waste Tires (GRW) and Waste Iron Powder
Authors: Shafik E. S. , Labeeb A. M. , Wissa D. A. , Abd-El-Messieh S. L. , Ward A. A.
Published: February 2023

One of the main issues facing environmental and human health protection is managing and further use of waste tires. Upcycling is a successful recycling strategy that aims to incorporate shredded discarded tires into polymer blends to create products with added value for different uses. Two-roll mill laboratories mixer were used to prepare low-cost, flexible magnetic composites based on an EPDM rubber/ground waste tyres (GRW) blend as a host matrix and waste iron powders (WIP) as dispersed filler. Tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness (shore A) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used to evaluate the physico-mechanical properties of the produced blends. The thermal properties of the produced blends were also tested using thermo gravimetric analysis, and the morphology of the blends was observed using a scan electron microscope. The electrical and magnetic properties of the mixtures were also tested. The elemental analysis of the WIP sample showed that it contains about 2.19% SiO2, 76.57% Fe2O3 and 21.24% O2, respectively. Mainly, the investigated mechanical parameters (elongation at break & hardness) increased with increasing the WIP content. A notable decrease of tensile strength upon reaching 50phr WIP is noticed. Enhancement in the thermal stability of EPDM/WIP composites is noticed by increasing WIP content. SEM micrographs detect agglomerates at higher WIP content, resulting in mechanical properties' failure. Moreover, the values ε'& ε' improved by rising WIP content. Also, the electrical conductivity "σ" reaches 10− 4 S/cm for 60 phr WIP. Further, the EPDM/WIP composites may be appropriate for creating soft magnetic materials, which have several applications.
Effects of cage fish (Oreochromis niloticus L. 1758) farming on the water quality in selected bays of the Bukavu basin, Lake Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Baguma Gabriel , Cocquyt Christine , Kabagale Alfred Cubaka , Nshombo Venant Muderhwa , Alicet Irenge Bwana Mudogo , Nakangu Nelly Furaha , Kadjunga Jean-Claude Balungwe , Akonkwa Désiré Balagizi , Mbalassa Muloingaibalu
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to assess the impact of the cage fish farming on the water quality in two selected bays of the Bukavu basin, Lake Kivu; from February to December 2021. Physicochemical parameters including pH, Temperature, EC, TDS, Salinity, DO, Transparency were sampled in situ using a COMBO HI 98129 multi-parameter probe, PCE-PHD1 probe and a Black & White Secchi disk; water at different depths was collected with the aid of a Van-Dorn Sampler; nutrients namely PO43−, NH4+, NO2−, SiO2, and Chl_a were analysed using the UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The results revealed that water pH, temperature, TDS, salinity and transparency significantly (p ≤ 0.05) varied between the selected sites. Water at the cage sites contained significantly (p ≤ 0.05) much higher concentrations of PO3 − 4, NH4+, NO2−, SiO2 and Chl_a than in control site. In overall, these results suggest that cage fish farming changed water quality in the selected bays. Therefore, the study recommends that measures should be taken to regulate cage fish farming and related activities and deforestation around Bukavu basin to avoid advert conditions.
Thermoplastic starch/bentonite clay nanocomposite reinforced with vitamin B2: Physicochemical characteristics and release behavior
Authors: Heydari Abolfazl , KhajeHassani Milad , Daneshafruz Haniyeh , Hamedi Sepideh , Dorchei Faeze , Kazeminava Fahimeh , Sadjadi Samahe , Doostan Farideh , Chodak Ivan , Sheibani Hassan
Published: February 2023

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) attracted great interest in the biopolymer industry due to its obvious advantages, such as biodegradability and renewable resources, as substitutes for petroleum-based materials. This study is focused on designing TPS/bentonite clay (BC) nanocomposite (TPS/BC) reinforced with vitamin B2 (VB). The TPS nanocomposites loaded with various contents of BC were prepared using regular cornstarch/clay plasticized with glycerol. Subsequently, the various content of VB was encapsulated into TPS/BC. The effects of VB were investigated on the physicochemical properties of the TPS/BC films including mechanical and thermal properties, water uptake, and weight loss in water. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of TPS/BC/VB films were found to increase significantly with adding and rising the VB content. The highest tensile and Young’s modulus values were observed for the nanocomposites containing 5 php of VB and 3 php of BC which indicates their synergistic effects on the mechanical properties of TPS. TPS reinforced with 1 php and 5 php VB showed an increase in water uptake compared to the TPS. The release of VB was evaluated from the nanocomposite films. Our findings show that higher BC content leads to lower VB release, which indicates the control of VB release by BC content.
Left ventricular structural abnormalities in the assessment of diastolic function in the elderly: source of discrepancies between the 2009 and 2016 criteria
Authors: Gonzalez Vinícius Leite , Santos Angela Barreto Santiago , Rohde Luis Eduardo Paim , Foppa Murilo
Published: February 2023

Purpose
Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is routinely evaluated in echocardiography to support diagnosis, prognostication, and management of heart failure, a condition highly prevalent in elderly patients. Clinical guidelines were published in 2009, and updated in 2016, pursuing to standardize and improve DD categorization. We aimed to assess the concordance of DD between these two documents in an elderly population and to investigate how left ventricular structural abnormalities (LVSA) impact the reclassification.
Methods
We analyzed the 308 consecutive transthoracic echocardiograms in patients older than 60 years (70.4 ± 7.7 years-old, 59% women) that fulfilled the inclusion criteria out of the 1438 echocardiograms performed in a tertiary hospital.
Results
The prevalence of DD was lower according to the 2016 criteria (64% vs. 91%; p < 0.001), with 207 (67.2%) patients changing category, indicating poor agreement between the guidelines (kappa = 0.21). There were 188 (61%) patients with LVSA, which drove most of the reclassifications in 2016 Grade I DD cases. The prevalence of elevated filling pressures by Doppler halved in this elderly population using the updated recommendations (20.9% vs. 39.2%; p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The prevalence of DD was lower applying the 2016 guidelines, with a poor agreement with 2009 guidelines in all DD grades. The role of LVSA in reclassifications was particularly evident in Grade I DD, while Doppler parameters drove reclassifications among the more severe grades. If not properly addressed, these discrepancies may undermine the reliance on DD as a diagnostic and prognostic tool, particularly in an elderly population at a higher risk of heart failure.
Outcome Improvement Over Time in Reduced Intensity Conditioning Hematopoietic Transplantation: A 20 Years Experience
Authors: Esqu Albert , García-Cadenas Irene , Novelli Silvana , Garrido Ana , Caballero Ana Carolina , Oñate Guadalupe , López-Pardo Jordi , Redondo Sara , Arquello-Tomas Miguel , Gerosa Silvanna Saavedra , Moreno Carol , Briones Javier , Sierra Jorge , Martino Rodrigo
Published: February 2023

Background: RIC-alloHSCT had been our standard of care for patients more than 50, with comorbidities or previously transplanted.
Methods: 484 consecutive RIC-alloHSCT were included. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of CsA-MTX(147), CsA-MMF(124), tacro-siro(145) and PTCy-tacro(68).
Results: The median time of overall follow-up in survivors was 8-years (with at least 3-years in all four GVHD prophylaxis groups).Neutrophil and platelet engraftment was longer for PTCy-tacro (p0.0001). CumInc of grade III-IV aGVHD was 17% at 200 days and of moderate-severe cGvHD was 36% at 8-years. GVHD prophylaxis was the only prognostic factor in the MVA(p0.0001). NRM and relapse were 29% and 30%; OS and PFS were 43% and 39% at 8-years. At 3-years, OS was highest in the PTCy-tacro (68%) than in the tacro-siro (61%) and CsA+MTX/MMF (49%) cohorts (P<0.01). In the three groups respectively, the 200-days incidence of grade III-IV aGvHD (6%vs.12%vs.23%) and 3-year moderate-severe cGVHD (8%vs.40%vs.38%) were lower in the PTCY cohort.
Conclusion: This large single institution experience shows the improvement of RIC-alloHSCT over time, mainly due to a better prevention of acute and chronic GVHD. Based on our recent results we strongly support PTCy as the current standard of care since in our hands associates to the best 3-year survival.
Comparison of the cytokine adsorption ability in continuous renal replacement therapy using polyethyleneimine-coated or polymethylmethacrylate hemofilters: a pilot single-center open-label randomized control trial
Authors: Nakamura Yoshihiko , Hatomoto Hiroki , Yamasaki Shintaro , Yamauchi Kazuya , Kiyomi Fumiaki , Hoshino Kota , Kawano Yasumasa , Nakano Takafumi , Hasegawa Takehiro , Ishikura Hiroyasu
Published: February 2023

Background

Sepsis occurs as a result of dysregulated host response to infection. However, cytokine adsorption therapy may restore the balance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediator responses in patients with sepsis. This study aimed to determine the cytokine adsorption ability of two different types of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) hemofilters for polyethyleneimine-coated polyacrylonitrile (AN69ST) (surface-treated) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) CRRT.

Methods

We performed a randomized controlled trial among sepsis patients undergoing CRRT, who were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either AN69ST or PMMA-CRRT. The primary outcome was cytokine clearance of hemofilter adsorption (CHA). The secondary endpoints were the intensive care unit (ICU) and 28-day mortalities.

Results

We randomly selected 52 patients. Primary outcome data were available for 26 patients each in the AN69ST-CRRT and PMMA-CRRT arms. The CHA of high-mobility group box 1, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)-8, monokine induced by interferon-γ, and macrophage inflammatory protein were significantly higher in the AN69ST-CRRT group than in the PMMA-CRRT group (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, the CHA of IL-6 was significantly higher in the PMMA-CRRT group than in the AN69ST-CRRT group (P < 0.001). In addition, the 28-day mortality was not significantly different between the two groups (50% in AN69ST-CRRT vs. 30.8% in PMMA-CRRT, P = 0.26).

Conclusion

AN69ST and PMMA membranes have different cytokine CHA in patients with sepsis. Therefore, these two hemofilters may have to be used depending on the target cytokine.

Trial registration

This study was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network on November 1, 2017 (Trial No: UMIN000029450, https://center6.umin.ac.jp).
Dynamic atlas of histone modifications and gene regulatory networks in endosperm of bread wheat
Authors: He Chao , Bi Siteng , Li Yuqi , Song Chengxiang , Li Qiang , Saeed Sulaiman , Chen Wei , Zhao Chunjie , Xu Xintong , Lan Caixia , Su Handong , Mao Hailiang , Yan Wenhao
Published: February 2023

Dissecting the genetic basis of seed traits in wheat is impeded by limited genetic polymorphisms and significant variations caused by environmental conditions and seed position in a spikelet. Seed performance is largely determined by endosperm development controlled by spatiotemporal variation in gene activities, which is greatly affected by chromatin status. Here, we mapped genome-wide dynamic distributions of H3K27me3, H3K4me3 and H3K9ac modifications and profiled gene transcription across wheat endosperm development. The combinatorial effects of active and repressive marks ensure spatiotemporal dynamic gene expression, especially for starch biosynthesis. By scanning the transcription factor binding motifs in the H3K9ac peaks, hub regulators were identified from the regulatory network. Strikingly, significant correlations were detected between sequence polymorphisms of hub regulators and variation in seed traits in a germplasm population. Thus, the analysis of genomic regulatory activities together with genetic variation provides a robust approach to dissect seed traits in bread wheat.
Geological Characterization of the Bir Djeneb’s Sinkhole (Boukadir, Algeria)
Authors: Mahdjoub Abdalhak , Zeghari Ahmed , Bradai Mohammed El Amine , Benessalah Ismail , Ainouche Ahmed
Published: February 2023

Bir Djeneb is one of the remarkable structures found in the Messinian Kef Formation, a vast outcrop of white Lithothamnium limestone south of the city of Boukadir. This construction remained unknown for many years. Using field research and literature analysis, we examine this phenomenon in this work. According to the most recent classifications of sinkholes, Bir Djeneb is classified as a bedrock collapse sinkhole as a result of the geological characterization. The sedimentary fill of the sinkhole allows us to distinguish between two subsidence episodes. By linking this sinkhole with a major collapse that occurred in 1988 in the midst of Boukadir's Fourth National Road, the dangerous aspect of this sinkhole was brought to light.
Solar Power Ramps in the Future: Assessing Australia's Potential with Climate Projections
Authors: Poddar Shukla
Published: February 2023

Increasing levels of photovoltaic (PV) penetration to the electricity grid brings challenges to both design and operation of the grid due to its vulnerability to climate change. A crucial aspect of PV operation is power ramps leading to variability and instability in the grid. With notable large-scale PV deployment planned, including the world’s largest planned solar energy infrastructure in Powell Creek Australia, characterising future ramps is crucial for ensuring stable power generation to support large-scale economic development. Using CORDEX-Australasia projections under RCP8.5 and RCP4.5 emission scenarios, future solar ramps across Australia have been characterised up to 2100. Results predict a reduction in ramp magnitude across Australia, with changes in frequency and period length varying with the location. This work highlights the importance of considering future changes in climate when designing large-scale solar farms to ensure the incorporation of frequency control devices and storage plans for a reliable power supply.
Microbial identification through multispectral infrared imaging of colonies: combining chemical and morphotype analysis
Authors: Galudec Joël Le , Dupoy Mathieu , Rebuffel Véronique , Marcoux Pierre R.
Published: February 2023

Most of optical methods for the identification of microorganisms rely either on vibrational spectroscopies, such as Raman and infrared spectroscopy, or on morphotype imaging within the visible range. With the most recent developments of quantum cascade lasers, a fast imaging system able to collect both of these information, vibrational (composition-based) and morphotype, is now within reach. However, the potential of such system to be more precise than conventional imaging or spectroscopy has yet to be demonstrated. Here, we report a practical protocol for microbial colonies identification by means of QCL-based multispectral infrared imaging, as well as the acquisition of a first database for performance evaluation. To this end, optical fingerprints of 2253 colonies belonging to 8 microbial species were recorded at 9 different wavelengths in the mid-infrared range. Image descriptors and machine learning approaches allowed for classification with a 94.4% correct identification rate. Strain on three strains of S. epidermidis appeared feasible and as effective as species-level classification. Therefore, multispectral imaging in the mid-infrared has the potential to offer a powerful label-free and non-destructive technology for microbial identification, and could be used for strain typing.
Pivmecillinam with Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid as Step Down Oral Therapy in Febrile Urinary Tract Infections Caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacterales (PACUTI)
Authors: Tverring Jonas , Månsson Emeli , Andrews Vigith , Ljungquist Oskar
Published: February 2023

· Background: Oral treatment alternatives for febrile urinary tract infections are limited in the era of increasing antimicrobial resistance. We aim to evaluate if the combination of pivmecillinam and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid is non-inferior to current alternatives for step-down therapy in adult patients with febrile urinary tract infection.
· Methods: We plan to perform an investigator-initiated non-inferiority trial. Adult hospitalised patients treated with 1-5 days of intravenous antibiotics for acute febrile urinary tract infection caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacterales will be randomised 1:1 to either control (7-10 days of either oral ciprofloxacin 500mg twice daily or oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 800mg/160mg twice daily or intravenous ertapenem 1g once daily, depending on sex, drug allergy, glomerular filtration rate and susceptibility testing) or intervention (10 days of pivmecillinam 400mg three times daily and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 500/125mg three times daily). The primary outcome will be clinical cure 10 days (+/- 2 days) after antibiotic treatment completion. Clinical cure is defined as being alive with absence of fever and return to non-infected baseline of urinary tract symptoms without additional antibiotic treatment or re-hospitalisation based on a centralised allocation-blinded structured telephone interview. We plan to recruit 330 patients to achieve 90% power based on a sample size simulation analysis using a one-sided alpha of 2.5%, an absolute noninferiority margin of 10% and expecting 93% clinical cure rate and 10% loss to follow-up. The primary endpoint will be analysed using generalized estimated equations and reported as risk difference for both intention-to-treat and per protocol populations. Patients are planned to be recruited from at least 10 centres in Sweden from 2023 to 2026.
· Discussion: If the combination of pivmecillinam and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid is found to be non-inferior to the control drugs there are potential benefits in terms of tolerability, frequency of interactions, out-patient treatment, side effects, nosocomial infections and drive for further antimicrobial resistance compared to existing drugs.
· Trial registration: NCT05224401
A precise TIN clipping algorithm for the digital mining design of the opencast coal mine
Authors: Zhao Jingchang , Wang Xiangbo , Wang Dong , Liu Guangwei
Published: February 2023

The triangulated irregular network (TIN) clipping algorithm is one of the vital algorithms for the digital mining design of opencast coal mines based on the geological digital elevation model (DEM) described by TIN. This paper gives a precise TIN clipping algorithm applied in the digital mining design of the opencast coal mine. To improve the algorithm’s efficiency, a spatial grid index is built and utilized to embed the Clipping Polygon (CP) into the Clipped TIN (CTIN) by interpolating the CP's vertices’ elevation and solving the intersections of the CP and the CTIN. After that, the topology of the triangles situated within (outside of) the CP is reconstructed, and then the boundary polygon of those triangles is obtained based on the reconstructed topology. Finally, a new boundary TIN between the CP and the boundary polygon of the triangles situated within (outside of) the CP is generated by applying the one-time edge-prior constrained Delaunay triangulation (CDT) growth algorithm, and the TIN to be clipped out is separated from the CTIN by topology modification. At that point, CTIN clipping is accomplished with the local details remaining. The algorithm has been programmed in C# and .NET. Additionally, it is also applied to the opencast coal mine digital mining design practice, and it is robust and highly efficient.
MODELS OF DESCRIPTION OF INDICATORS OF DIGITAL PROGRESS ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATIONS
Authors: Barchenko N. , Lubchak V. , Karintseva O. , Kovalov B. , Ponomarenko I.
Published: February 2023

The study of aspects of the digital economy and indicators of the assessment of the state of the economy and society is relevant for the development of transformation policies in accordance with the goals of sustainable development. The progress of technologies and new possibilities of digitalization of the economy give impetus to the improvement of evaluation methods and the system of indicators. In Ukraine, at the state level, considerable attention is paid to the development of the digital economy and society. Digitization is defined as a mechanism of economic growth due to the ability of technologies to positively influence the efficiency, effectiveness, cost and quality of economic, public and personal activities. The concept of the development of the digital economy and society of Ukraine for 2018-2020 was adopted, and in 2021 the law “On stimulating the development of the digital economy in Ukraine” was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada.
Further development tasks are defined in the Digitalization Strategy of Ukraine until 2030. The purpose of this work is to develop a complex of formal mathematical models that provide a description of the task of determining the level of digital development of the country (a description of the task of determining the indicators of the progress of digital transformation in achieving the goals of sustainable development) from the standpoint of system analysis. The scientific studies and recommendations presented in the work are sufficiently substantiated and reliable. They are based on the analysis of the methods and systems of influential international institutions, on the review of the works of domestic and foreign specialists. To achieve the goal of the research, general scientific methods were used: content analysis, grouping and systematization, systems theory and system approach, abstract-logical methods – for theoretical generalizations and conclusions. A literature review was conducted and a nomenclature of indicators of the progress of digital transformation in achieving the goals of sustainable development was determined. On its basis, the structure of a complex of models of system analysis of the subject area of digital transformation progress indicators was formed.
For the first time, the structures of component models were developed, which describe the necessary elements of the subject area of ​​the task of determining indicators of the progress of digital transformation.
Mikro ve Akıllı Şebekelere Geçiş Sürecinde Binaya Entegre Düşey Rüzgâr Türbini ve Güneş Hibrit Enerji Sistemi (DRTG-HES)’in İncelenmesi
Authors: GÜÇYETMEZ Mehmet
Published: February 2023

Elektrik şebekesi, yeterli yatırımların yapılamaması, yaşlı alt yapı, hat kayıpları, düşük verimlilik ve enerji kalitesi sorunlarıyla karşı karşıyadır. Bu nedenle, birçok gelişmiş ülkede bir bölge içerisinde üretim, tüketim ve depolamanın yoğunlaştığı mikro ve akıllı şebeke yapılarına geçiş yapılmaya başlanmıştır. Bu süreçte, yerel enerji üretim kaynaklarının mikro-akıllı şebekelere entegre edilmesi enerji tedarikine yardımcı olacaktır. Yenilenebilir enerji kaynakları içerisinde rüzgâr ve güneş enerjisi yaygın ve uygulama potansiyeli yüksektir. Yerel uygulama açısından düşey rüzgâr türbinleri kule gerektirmezler, bakım maliyetleri düşüktür ve dümen sistemine ihtiyaç duymazlar. Güneş enerjisi ile hibrit sistem haline geldiğinde bu avantajlar artmaktadır. Özellikle tüketimin sürekli olduğu binalarda bu sistemlerin gelecekte belirli bir oranda olsa dahi enerji üretiminde çeşitliliğe katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir. Bu çalışmada, binaya entegre düşey rüzgâr türbini-güneş enerjisi hibrit enerji sistemleri (DRTG-HES) incelenmiş, elektrik yükünü karşılayabilecek en uygun yenilenebilir enerjili hibrit sistemi belirlemek için, HOMER PRO programı ile verilerin teknik ve ekonomik analizi yapılmış, bu doğrultuda önerilerde bulunulmuştur. Bu sonuçlara göre incelenen üç DRTG-HES içerisinde Aktürk DRTG-HES kurulumunun 4 kişilik bir ailenin aylık ortalama elektrik tüketimi olan 7 kW güç için en düşük maliyetli ve en kısa amortisman süresine sahip DRTG-HES olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır. Günümüz koşullarında tüketicilerin güç sistemine üreten tüketici olarak katkıda bulunabilmeleri ve mikro-akıllı şebeke yapılarının gelişebilmesi için tüketicilerin bir araya gelerek binaya entegre DRTG-HES’lerine yönelebilecekleri ve bu şekilde elektrik enerjisinde üretim çeşitliliğine katkı sağlayabilecekleri görülmüştür.
Organik Tarım Pazarlama İşletmelerinin Sermaye Yapıları ve Finansal Analizleri
Authors: AĞIZAN Kemalettin , BAYRAMOĞLU Zeki
Published: February 2023

Çalışmanın temel amacı organik tarım pazarlama işletmelerinin sermaye ve finansal yapılarını incelemektir. Bu amaca yönelik olarak Konya, Ankara, İzmir ve İstanbul illerinde bulunan tüccar (30), kooperatif (5), sanayi (77), dağıtıcı (20), pazar (20), market (20), mağaza (20) ve e-pazar (20) işletmeleriyle görüşülerek toplamda 212 anket yapılmıştır. Yapılan anketler sonucunda pazarlama işletmelerinin sermaye yapıları likidite analizleri ve finansal performansları oran analizleri yöntemiyle belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre likidite ve mali yapı itibariyle işletmelerin güçlü ve rekabetçi oldukları belirlenirken karlılık açısından işletmelerin yeterli düzeyde olmadıkları ve dolayısıyla dağıtılacak kar oranının ve otofinansmanın düşük olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca işletmelerin toplam sermaye verimliliğinin ve organik tarım ürünlerinde ürün alış fiyatları ile satış fiyatları arasında kar marjının oldukça düşük olduğu, bu ürünlerin niş pazara sahip olması nedeniyle fiyat talep elastikiyetlerinin yüksek olduğu saptanmıştır. Dolayısıyla ürün alış-satış fiyatları arasında marj oldukça düşük tutularak düşük birim fiyatlardan çok miktarda satış yaparak işletme faaliyetlerine devam ettikleri belirlenmiştir.
Gümüşhane İli Torul İlçesi Süt Sığırcılığı İşletmelerinde Buzağı Yetiştirme İle İlgili Yönetimsel Uygulamalar
Authors: KAYGISIZ Ali , AYDIN Recep , ÖZDEMİR Celil Yaşar
Published: February 2023

Bu çalışma Gümüşhane ili Torul ilçesinde kayıtlı süt sığırcılığı çiftliklerinde buzağı yetiştirme uygulamalarını irdelemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Bu amaçla İlçede 100 işletme sahibi ile yüz yüze anket yapılmıştır. Torul ilçesinde anket yapılan işletmelerin %26’sında buzağı ölümleri olduğu ve yıllık buzağı ölüm oranının %5.1 olduğu belirlenmiştir. İşletmelerin %94’ünde doğumdan sonra buzağıların anneden ayrıldığı, işletmelerin %53’ünde göbek kordonu bakımı yapıldığı, yetiştiricilerin %90’ının buzağılara kolostrumu ilk 2 saat içerisinde verdiği, buzağıların kolostrumu anneden aldıkları (%86) belirlenmiştir. Yetiştiricilerin büyük çoğunluğunun buzağılara brucella, şap ve çiçek aşılarının tümünü (%90) yaptırdığı ve buzağılarda en sık görülen hastalığın ishal vakası (%95) olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak birçok çiftçinin uygun buzağı yetiştirmenin öneminin farkında olduğu, ancak diğerlerinin buzağı yönetimini iyileştirmek için daha fazla bilgiye ihtiyacı olduğu gözlenmiştir. Bu amaçla eğitim yoluyla elde edilecek olumlu sonuçlar, çiftçilerin tutumlarını ve geleneksel inançlarını değiştirebilir ve onları daha iyi yetiştirme uygulamalarını benimsemeye yönlendirebilir.
Mikro Çoğaltılan Dişi buttum (Pistacia khinjuk Stocks) Ağacında ISSR Belirteci ile Somaklonal Varyasyonun Belirlenmesi
Authors: ERSALI Yusuf , ÖZEN Hasan Çetin , TİLKAT Engin , ONAY Ahmet
Published: February 2023

Bitkilerde, biyotik ve abiyotik streslere karşı direnç istenenilen karakterler olup, mikroçoğaltım teknikleri ile elde edilen klonlarda bu genetik özelliklerin kaybolması istenmez. Mikroçoğaltım teknikleri ile klonlanmış bitkilerin genetik kararlılığını bilmek, ticari üretimde güvenli kullanımları hakkında önemli bir bilgi vermektedir. Bu çalışmada buttum (Pisatacia khinjuk Stoks ) dişi ağaçlarından (Ağaç1 ve Ağaç2) alınan sürgünler 5., 10., 15., 20. ve 24. alt kültürlerde anaç olarak kullanılmıştır. Donör bitkilerde (Ağaç 1 ve Ağaç 2) ve bunlardan alınan örneklerin rejeneresayon yoluyla elde edilen klonlarında somaklonal varyasyonun belirlenmesi için basit dizi tekrarı (ISSR) moleküler markörleri kullanılmıştır. Sürgün çoğalması, 2 mg/L 6-benziladenin (BA) içeren Murashige ve Skoog (MS) ortamında sağlanmıştır. Sürgünler, 2 mg/L 1-Naftalinasetik asit (NAA) içeren MS ortamında köklendirilmiştir. Seçilen 20 adet primer kullanılarak 675'i polimorfik (%72) olmak üzere toplam 925 bant elde edilmiştir. Polimorfizm oranı %36 (UBC841) ile %98 (UBC855) arasında değişmiştir. Benzerlik oranı, Ağaç 1 ile mikro-çoğaltılmış klonları arasında %74-79, Ağaç 2 ile mikro-çoğaltılmış klonları arasında %78-82 aralığında bulunmuştur.
Pedagogika lasu i pierwsze ścieżki jej teoretycznych konceptualizacji
Authors: Paluch Michał
Published: February 2023

Treść artykułu stanowi próbę otwarcia perspektywy badań pedagogicznych, w której dziecko i dorosły nie stanowią centrum poznawczego, ale stają wobec wyrażania się Natury, a dosłowniej Lasu jako medium pedagogicznego. Zapis wielką literą pojawia się również w zaproponowanej koncepcji przyrodo-Słowia, która stanowić może kulturowo-rodzime nawiązanie do anglosaskiego przyrodopisarstwa (ang. nature-writing). O ile to ostatnie eksponuje estetyczny i artystyczny walor świadectwa kontaktu z naturą w postaci osobistej eseistyki, o tyle estetyką przyrodo-Słowia, z jej etycznym i pragmatycznym uzasadnieniem, jest umiejętnością milczenia, słuchania własnego słuchania, szeptu, zająknięcia i ogólnie ujmując – zrównoważonego sposobu mówienia. Propozycja ta stanowi próbę wskazania na możliwe teoretyczne i praktyczne fundamentum pedagogii i pedagogiki lasu, nie podejmując jeszcze pogłębionych refleksji nad metodologią własnego przedmiotu. Dlatego w artykule wyeksponowano przede wszystkim dokonania współczesnej myśli humanistycznej w Polsce (dwoistość versus od-uczanie się, kompetencje głębokie, pedagogika akuologiczna), które stanowić mogą pierwsze ścieżki konceptualizacji, inicjujące podłoże definicyjne, semantyczne i w przyszłości metodologiczne dla inter- i transdyscyplinarnej inicjatywy nazwanej pedagogiką lasu.