bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enzootic Activity of Chlamydia in Farms Located in a Hotspot Area for Zoonosis Emergence
Authors: Vanderhoeven Ezequiel Andres , Mosmann Jessica P. , Díaz Adrián , Cuffini Cecilia G.
Published: December 2021

Chlamydias are obligated intracellular Gram-negative bacteria, considered important zoonotic pathogens, broadly present in several bird species and responsible for economic losses in animal production. We analyzed the presence of Chlamydial species with zoonotic risk in farm animals in a highly biodiverse area and with great human circulation, the Argentine, Brazil and Paraguay tri-border area. We surveyed nine farms in an area and nasally swabbed a total of 62 animals. DNA was extracted and specific PCR was performed to identify chlamydial species. We detected Chlamydia spp . in 6.5% (4/62) of the animals tested, positive samples belonged to cattle and none of them showed symptoms of respiratory disease nor had been diagnose with reproductive diseases. Specific nested PCR confirmed two samples belonged to C. pecorum and two to C. psittaci . We report for the first time Chlamydia circulation with zoonotic risk in the region. Surveys in birds and wild mammals could give a better understanding to know what Chlamydial species are circulating in the wild interface. The zoonotic potential should be taking into account as farm workers and the surrounding population could be silent carriers or have respiratory diseases being underdiagnosed, and therefore should be considered in the differential diagnoses.
Smartphone Addiction and its Associated Factors Among Freshmen Medical Students in China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Liu Huan , Zhang Ming , Zhou Zhiqing , Zhu Ergang Zhu , Huang Long
Published: December 2021

Background With the widespread smartphone use worldwide, this has brought about addiction and smartphone addiction recognized as an emerging epidemic. The study aims to investigate the prevalence of smartphone addiction among freshmen medical students and explore its association with personal factors, mental health and professional identity.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 10th to November 10th, 2020 and included 2182 first-year college students at Wannan Medical College, China.The Smartphone Addiction Test, Professional identity, 12-item General Health Questionnaire were used in this cross-sectional survey. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the correlations between smartphone addiction with mental health and professional identity. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess examine the factors influencing smartphone addiction.Results Of the 2182 students, 866(39.7%) were identified as smartphone addiction. The logistic regression analysis shows that four factors (professional identity scale,poor mental health,whether or not smartphone use before sleep, and perceived study pressure) had a significantly associated with smartphone addiction.Conclusions This cross-sectional study showed that smartphone addiction was common among the chinese freshmen medical students. smartphone addiction was common among the freshmen medical students surveyed.The findings suggest that the promotion program aimed at enhancing the mental health and professional identity among freshmen medical students are beneficial to reducing their smartphone addiction.
Deep Cascade Networks for Single 2D US Slice to 3D CT/MRI Image Registration
Authors: Wei Wei , Haishan Xu , Rak Marko , Hansen Christian
Published: December 2021

Background and Objective: Ultrasound (US) devices are often used in percutanous interventions. Due to their low image quality, the US image slices are aligned with pre-operative Computed Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CT/MRI) images to enable better visibilities of anatomies during the intervention. This work aims at improving the deep learning one shot registration by using less loops through deep learning networks.Methods: We propose two cascade networks which aim at improving registration accuracy by less loops. The InitNet-Regression-LoopNet (IRL) network applies the plane regression method to detect the orientation of the predicted plane derived from the previous loop, then corrects input CT/MRI volume orientation and improves the prediction iteratively. The InitNet-LoopNet-MultiChannel (ILM) comprises two cascade networks, where an InitNet is trained with low resolution images toperform coarse registration. Then, a LoopNet wraps the high resolution images and result of the previous loop into a three channel input and trained to improve prediction accuracy in every loop. Results: We benchmark the two cascade networks on 1035 clinical images from 52 patients , yielding an improved registration accuracy with LoopNet. The IRL achieved an average angle error of 13.3° and an average distance error of 4.5 millimieter. It out-performs the ILM network with angle error 17.4° and distance error 4.9 millimeter and the InitNet with angle error 18.6° and distance error 4.9 millimeter. Our results show the efficiency of the proposed registration networks, which have the potential to improve the robustness and accuracy of intraoperative patient registration.
Genome Mining Revealed Polyhydroxybutyrate Biosynthesis by Ramlibacter Agri Sp. Nov., Isolated from Agriculture Soil in Korea
Authors: Dahal Ram Hari , Kim Jungmin , Chaudhary Dhiraj Kumar , Kim Dong-Uk , Jang Hyein , Kim Jaisoo
Published: December 2021

A white-colony-forming, aerobic, motile and Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated G-1-2-2T was isolated from soil of agriculture field near Kyonggi University, Republic of Korea. Strain G-1-2-2T synthesize the polyhydroxybutyrate and could grow at 10–35°C. The phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain G-1-2-2T formed a lineage within the family Comamonadaceae and clustered as a member of the genus Ramlibacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain G-1-2-2T showed high sequence similarities with Ramlibacter ginsenosidimutans BXN5-27T (97.9%), Ramlibacter monticola G-3-2T (97.9%) and Ramlibacter alkalitolerans CJ661T (97.4%). The sole respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and an unidentified phospholipid. The principal cellular fatty acids were C16:0, cyclo-C17:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c). The genome of strain G-1-2-2T was 7,200,642 bp long with 13 contigs, 6,647 protein-coding genes, and DNA G+C content of 68.9%. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain G-1-2-2T and closest members were ≤81.2 and 24.1%, respectively. The genome of strain G-1-2-2T showed eight putative biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for various secondary metabolites. Genome mining revealed the presence of atoB, atoB2, phaS, phbB, phbC, bhbD genes in the genome which are responsible for polyhydroxybutyrate biosynthesis. Based on these data, strain G-1-2-2T represents a novel species in the genus Ramlibacter, for which the name Ramlibacter agri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is G-1-2-2T (= KACC 21616T = NBRC 114389T).
Prenatal and Perinatal Factors Associated with Pediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder in East China
Authors: Li Yu , Han Lu , Ding Ning , Zhang Ziyi , Lin Yuan , Ke Xiaoyan
Published: December 2021

Background
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and interaction and restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities. An increasing number of studies have revealed that environmental exposure is a potential risk factor for ASD. The relationship between prenatal and perinatal risk factors and ASD has rarely been studied in large samples in China. Therefore, in this study, we compared children with ASD with typical developing (TD) children to assess the ASD-associated prenatal and perinatal risk factors and provide effective information for ASD prevention.
Methods
A case-control study of 709 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 709 gender-matched children with typical development was conducted to investigate the prenatal and perinatal risk factors of children with ASD compared with children with typical development ( TD). Through a self-developed general information questionnaire, the basic information (name, age, gender), prenatal factors (parents’ age at the child’s birth, parents’ education levels, use of assisted reproductive technology, history of miscarriage, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension), and perinatal factors (delivery mode, full-term birth, parity, birth weight) of the children in the two groups were examined.
Results
The prenatal and perinatal factors of the groups were submitted to univariate analysis, the parent’s age at childbirth, education level, history of miscarriage, use of ART, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and GDM differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05), and that among perinatal factors, infant parity and maturity also differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). These statistically significant factors were included in a binary logistic regression model. The results showed that the prenatal factors of young maternal age at the child’s birth (≤24 years vs 25-29 years, OR=2.408,95%CI:1.335~4.345), old paternal age at the childbirth(≥45years vs≤24years, OR=4.744, 95%CI:1.281~17.570 ), pregnancy induced hypertension (OR=6.178, 95%CI:2.311~16.517) and GDM(OR=0.220,95%CI:0.149~0.324), the perinatal factors of preterm birth(OR=4.434, 95%CI:2.872~6.846) and non-firstborn child(OR=1.387, 95%CI:1.029~1.869) are likely risk factors for ASD.
Conclusion
We show that some prenatal and perinatal factors are associated with a high prevalence of ASD in children.
Environmental Amelioration Through Nutrient Calibration: Maximizing Carbon Sequestration in Hydroponic Greenhouse Production of Lactuca Sativa in Lahore’s Spring
Authors: ANWAR MARIA , TAHIR ARIFA
Published: December 2021

This study explores the applicability of internationally prescribed nutrient recipes to greenhouse hydroponic production in Lahore. Lactuca sativa was hydroponically grown at different nutrient concentrations to uncover optimum nutrition for maximum foliage cover. Conclusions were based on visual analysis of foliage cover, as laboratory analysis of trial plants was beyond the scope of this environmental study. Nutrient levels that displayed the best foliage cover in Lahore-based greenhouse during spring weather were different from concentrations kept in US- or Europe-based hydroponic greenhouses. Plant trials conducted for this article explain the adjustments that must be made to hydroponic recipes discussed in international literature; if they are to be used in polyhouse hydroponic production in Lahore’s warmer climate.
Revisiting The Trapping of Noble Gases (He – Kr) By The Triatomic H3+ and Li3+ Species: A Density Functional Reactivity Theory Study
Authors: He Xin , Guo Chunna , Li Meng , Zhong Shujing , Wan Xinjie , Rong Chunying , Chattaraj Pratim K. , Zhao Dongbo
Published: December 2021

Small atomic clusters with exotic stability, bonding, aromaticity and reactivity properties can be made use of for various purposes. In this work, we revisit the trapping of noble gas atoms (He – Kr) by the triatomic H3+ and Li3+ species by using some analytical tools from density functional theory, conceptual density functional theory, and the information-theoretic approach. Our results showcase that though similar in geometry, H3+ and Li3+ exhibit markedly different behaviour in bonding, aromaticity, and reactivity properties after the addition of noble gas atoms. Moreover, the exchange-correlation interaction and steric effect are key energy components in stablizing the clusters. This study also finds that the origin of the molecular stability of these species is due to the spatial delocalization of the electron density distribution. Our work provides an additional arsenal towards better understanding of small atomic clusters capturing noble gases.
A dynamically reprogrammable metasurface with self-evolving shape morphing
Authors: Ni Xiaoyue , Bai Yun , Wang Heling , Xue Yeguang , Pan Yuxin , Kim Jin-Tae , Ni Xinchen , Liu Tzu-Li , Yang Yiyuan , Han Mengdi , Huang Yonggang , Rogers John
Published: December 2021

Dynamic shape-morphing soft materials systems are ubiquitous in living organisms; they are also of rapidly increasing relevance to emerging technologies in soft machines1–4, flexible electronics5–7, and smart medicines8,9. Soft matter equipped with responsive components can switch between designed shapes or structures, but cannot support the types of dynamic morphing capabilities needed to reproduce natural, continuous processes of interest for many applications10–27. Challenges lie in the development of schemes to reprogram target shapes post fabrication, especially when complexities associated with the operating physics and disturbances from the environment can prohibit the use of deterministic theoretical models to guide inverse design and control strategies3,28–32. Here, we present a mechanical metasurface constructed from a matrix of filamentary metal traces, driven by reprogrammable, distributed Lorentz forces that follow from passage of electrical currents in the presence of a static magnetic field. The resulting system demonstrates complex, dynamic morphing capabilities with response times within 0.1 s. Implementing an in-situ stereo-imaging feedback strategy with a digitally controlled actuation scheme guided by an optimization algorithm, yields surfaces that can self-evolve into a wide range of 3-dimensional (3D) target shapes with high precision, including an ability to morph against extrinsic or intrinsic perturbations. These concepts support a data-driven approach to the design of dynamic, soft matter, with many unique characteristics.
Silicon Mitigates Nutritional Stress of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Calcium Deficiency in Two Forages Plants
Authors: Araújo William Bruno Silva , Teixeira Gelza Carliane Marques , Prado Renato de Mello , Rocha Antonio Márcio Souza
Published: December 2021

Forages are one of the most cultivated crops in the world. However nutritional deficiency is common, specifically in N, P and Ca in many forages growing regions. Silicon (Si) can attenuate the stress caused by nutritional deficiency, but studies on the effects of Si supply on in forages plants are still scarce. This research was carried out to evaluate whether the Si supply can mitigate the effects of N, P and Ca deficiencies of two forages and the physiological and nutritional mechanisms involved. Two experiments were carried out with two forage species (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu and Megathyrsus maximum cv. Massai). Was used nutrient solution under balanced nutrition conditions and nutritional stress due to the lack of N, P and Ca combined with the -Si and +Si. The deficiencies of N, P and Ca in both forages cultivation caused damage to physiological and nutritional variables, hence decreasing the plant dry matter. However, in both species forages the addition of Si to the nutrient solution decreased the extravasation of cellular electrolytes and increased the content of phenolic compounds, the green color index, the quantum efficiency of photosystem II, the efficiencies of use of N, P and Ca and the production of shoot dry mass. The beneficial effects of Si were evidenced in stressed and non-stressed plants. The research emphasized the advantage of using Si for the growth of U. brizantha and M. maximum under N, P and Ca deficiency, contributing to their sustainable cultivation.
Adult Plant Stem Rust Resistance in Durum Wheat Glossy Huguenot – Mapping, Marker Development and Validation
Authors: Mago Rohit , Chen Chunhong , Xia Xiaodi , Whan Alex , Forrest Kerrie , Basnet Bhoja R. , Perera Geetha , Chandramohan Sutha , Randhawa Mandeep , Hayden Matthew , Bansal Urmil , Huerta-Espino Julio , Singh Ravi P. , Bariana Harbans , Lagudah Evans
Published: December 2021

An F3 population from a Glossy Huguenot (GH)/Bansi cross used in a previous Australian study was advanced to F6 for molecular mapping of adult plant stem rust resistance. Maturity differences among F6 lines confounded assessments of stem rust response. GH was crossed with a stem rust susceptible F6 recombinant inbred line (RIL), GHB14 (M14), with similar maturity and an F6:7 population was developed through single seed descent method. F7 and F8 RILs were tested along with the parents at different locations. The F6 individual plants and both parents were genotyped using the 90K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) wheat array. Stem rust resistance QTL on the long arms of chromosomes 1B (QSrGH.cs-1BL) and 2A (QSrGH.cs-2AL) were detected. QSrGH.cs-1BL and QSrGH.cs-2AL were both contributed by GH and explained 22% and 18% adult plant stem rust response variation, respectively, among GH/M14 RIL population. RILs carrying combinations of these QTL reduced more than 14% stem rust severity compared to those that possessed QSrGH.cs-1BL and QSrGH.cs-2AL individually. QSrGH.cs1BL was demonstrated to be the same as Sr58/Lr46/Yr29/Pm39 through marker genotyping. Lines lacking QSrGH.cs-1BL were used to Mendelise QSrGH.cs-2AL. Based on genomic locations of previously catalogued stem rust resistance genes and the QSrGH.cs-2AL map, it appeared to represent a new APR locus and was permanently named Sr63. SNP markers associated with Sr63 were converted to kompetetive allele specific PCR (KASP) assays and were validated on a set of durum cultivars.
Probiotic Characterization And Safety Assessment of Lactococcus Lactis Subsp. Lactis R7 Isolated From Ricotta Cheese
Authors: Cunha Charlene , Uecker Júlia Neitzel , Jaskulski Itiane Barcellos , Rosolen Michele Dutra , Bordini Fernanda Weber , Andreazza Robson , Hubner Silvia de Oliveira , Fiorentini Ângela Maria , Silva Wladimir Padilha da , Pieniz Simone
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to identify and characterize in vitro Lactococcus lactis R7 isolated from commercial ricotta cheese. The results from phenotypic characterization demonstrated that L. lactis R7 had growth potential in a wide temperature range (15 °C and 45 °C), ability to tolerate high osmotic concentrations (sodium chloride 4.0 %), ability to growth in acidic and alkaline condition (pH 2.0 and 9.6), and ability to sugar fermentation (glucose, maltose and ribose). The findings confirm that L. lactis R7 belong to the genus Lactococcus. The results from molecular identification by 16S RNA identified the isolate as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis R7. The phenotypic characteristics combined with the molecular identification, indicate that the isolate R7 belongs to the lactis subspecies. The isolate L. lactis R7 was tolerant to acidity and bile salts. In the intestinal tract, cell concentrations were higher than 7.98 log CFU.mL-1 in the presence and absence of bile salts. L. lactis R7 showed antioxidant and inhibitory capacity for lipid peroxidation. It also demonstrated capacity for self-aggregation (25.8%), coaggregation (18.3%) and hydrophobicity (11.1%). The antagonist activity of the isolate was greater against Staphylococcus aureus (12.2 mm), when compared to Escherichia coli (11.1 mm) and Salmonella enteritidis (9.5 mm). In the MTT assays, L. lactis R7 did not show cytotoxicity to VERO cells at the evaluated concentrations. In conclusion, L. lactis R7 isolated from ricotta cheese presented probiotic characteristics and compatible safety aspects for use as a food technology culture.
Diet, Physical Activity, and UV Protection Comprehensively Influenced Vitamin D Status: A Cross-Section Study of Chinese College Students
Authors: Luo Yingyi , Qu Chunbo , Zhang Rui , Zhang Jingyi , Han Dan , Zhang Qingwen , Li Jiaxing , Na Lixin
Published: December 2021

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health problem in China while there are seldom reports about vitamin D nutrition status in Chinese college students. The purpose of this study is to explore the vitamin D status of the college freshmen who came from different provinces of China and to comprehensive analyze the effects of diet, physical activity, and UV protection on serum vitamin D levels. Methods: Totally 1,667 freshmen who came from 26 provinces, autonomous districts or municipalities, were recruited into this study. An online questionnaire was used to collect the information including demographic status, diet habit, physical activity, and UV protection of the participants. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were measured using a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to explore the comprehensive influence of diet, physical activity, and UV protection on serum 25(OH)D3 levels. Results: The average age of the subjects was18.55±0.90 years, with 23.0% male and 77.0% female. The mean serum 25(OH)D3 was 18.06±6.34ng/mL and the proportion of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 67.5% and 27.8%, respectively. Multivariate linear regression indicated that milk and yogurt intake≥200mL/d, calcium or vitamin D supplements and average time of outdoor activity ≥60 min/day were positively linked to higher serum vitamin D while sweets intake ≥10g/d and higher UV protection index were negatively influenced serum vitamin D after adjusted for age, gender, students’ original residence, latitudes and longitude. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is an important health problem in Chinese college students. Milk and yogurt intake and outdoor activity should be encouraged while sweets intake should be limited for preventing vitamin D deficiency. Public health policies should consider well-balanced guidelines on UV protection and vitamin D food fortification or supplementation.
Development of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers of Loteprednol Etabonate: Physicochemical Characterization and Ex Vivo Permeation Studies
Authors: Üner Burcu , Özdemir Samet , Taş Çetin , Özsoy Yıldız , Üner Melike
Published: December 2021

Purpose Loteprednol etabonate (LE) is a new generation corticosteroid that is used for the treatment of inflammatory and allergic conditions of the eye, and management of seasonal allergic rhinitis nasally. LE which is a poorly soluble drug with insufficient bioavailability, has a high binding affinity to steroid receptors. Sophisticated colloidal drug delivery systems of LE could present an alternative for treatment of inflammatory and allergic conditions of the skin. For this purpose, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were attempted to improve for transdermal LE delivery for the first time. Methods SLN and NLC were produced by hot homogenization and ultrasonication technique. Formulations were characterized by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Their physical stability was monitored for 3 months of storage. Drug release profiles and permeation properties of SLN and NLC through the porcine skin were investigated. Results It was determined that SLN and NLC below 150 nm particle size had a homogeneous particle size distribution as well as high drug loading capacities. They were found to be stable both physically and chemically at room temperature for 90 days. In terms of release kinetics, it was determined that they released from SLN and NLC in accordance with Fickian diffusion release. Formulations prepared in this study were seen to significantly increase drug penetration through pig skin compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion SLN and NLC formulations of LE can be stated among the systems that can be an alternative to conventional systems with less side-effect profile in the treatment of inflammatory problems on the skin.
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)- A Safe and Effective Vasodilator for Stress Perfusion Cardiac Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Kong Huihui , An Jing , Cao Jiaxin , Tang Zhenchao , Tian Jinfan , Yong Jingwen , Song Xiantao , He Yi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a stress agent in a cohort of patients undergoing stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).
Methods

This retrospective study was conducted between December 2019 and October 2021 at the Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China. The study included 107 subjects (age range: 53±11 years; male: female, 62%:38%) with suspected non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) that underwent stress CMR. These patients showed typical symptoms such as chest pain (stable and unstable angina pectoris) and <50% epicardial coronary artery stenosis based on coronary angiography. Adverse effects and splenic switch‑off (SSO) phenomenon was evaluated in the patients undergoing stress CMR. Moreover, qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of inducible ischemia was performed by using stress CMR data.
Results

The qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of stress CMR data showed 82 patients with reversible myocardial ischemia. The hemodynamic response was quick and observed within 2 minutes after ATP infusion. Scanning was stopped in three patients because of atrioventricular block. CMR images of seven out of 104 patients were excluded from the final analysis because of inferior quality. During ATP infusion, 31/107 patients (29%) experienced mild adverse effects such as chest pain, flushing, dyspnea, headache, and atrioventricular block. Myocardial infarction and bronchospasms were not observed during ATP infusion. SSO, a marker of adequate stress, was observed in 91% (94/103) of the patients that underwent stress CMR.
Conclusion

ATP is highly effective and safe to use in stress CMR as a coronary vasodilator.The hemodynamic response is observed within 2 minutes after ATP infusion.The adverse effects during ATP infusion were mild. SSO was observed in 91% of the patients undergoing stress CMR.
Programming cell surface signaling via phase separation-controlled compartmentalization
Authors: Li Ru , Li Tiantian , Lu Genzhe , Cao Zhi , Chen Bowen , Wang Yalong , Du Juanjuan , Li Pilong
Published: December 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Prolylcarboxypeptidase Promotes IGF1R/HER3 Signaling and Is a Potential Target to Improve Endocrine Therapy Response in Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Duan Lei , Calhoun Sarah J , Perez Ricardo E , Macias Virgilia , Mir Fatima , Gattuso Paolo , Maki Carl G.
Published: December 2021

Background Prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) is a lysosomal serine protease that cleaves peptide substrates when the penultimate amino acid is proline. Previous studies have linked PRCP to blood-pressure and appetite control through its ability to cleave peptide substrates such as angiotensin II and a-MSH. A potential role for PRCP in cancer has to date not been widely appreciated. Endocrine therapy resistance in breast cancer is an enduring clinical problem mediated in part by aberrant receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling. We previously found PRCP overexpression promoted tamoxifen (TAM) resistance in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cells. Currently we tested the potential association between PRCP with breast cancer patient outcome and RTK signaling, and tumor responsiveness to endocrine therapy. Methods We analyzed PRCP protein expression by IHC staining of ER+ breast cancer samples and PRCP gene expression in clinical databases and used Kaplan-Meier survival curves to determine the significance of PRCP expression correlation with recurrence free survival and overall survival. We analyzed PRCP-regulated IGF1R/HER3 signaling using immunoblotting in the ER+ MCF7 cell line. We analyzed the therapeutic effect of a PRCP specific inhibitor (PRCPi) and/or endoxifen on tumor growth of ER+ PDX tumors and MCF7 tumors in immunocompromised mice. ResultsWe found high PRCP protein levels in tumors associates with worse outcome and earlier recurrence in breast cancer patients, including patients treated with TAM. Analyses of clinical databases showed that PRCP expression correlates with IGF1 and NRG1 expression and their target genes and earlier recurrence in endocrine-treated ER+/HER2- breast cancer patients. Overexpression of PRCP increased IGF1R/HER3 signaling. PRCPi blocked IGF1R/HER3 signaling and enhanced the response of ER+ breast cancer tumors in mice to endoxifen, the active metabolite of TAM. ConclusionsPRCP is an adverse prognostic marker in breast cancer and a potential target to improve endocrine therapy in ER+ breast cancers.
Safety and pharmacokinetic profile of pretomanid (PA-824) in healthy Chinese participants: Results of a phase I single dose escalation study
Authors: Liu Yue , Tan Yan , Wei Gang , Lu Zhifei , Liu Yazhou , Yang Bo , Hui Ai-Min , Li Kexin
Published: December 2021

We investigated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of pretomanid (formerly PA-824) in healthy Chinese volunteers. This was a single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase I dose escalation study, in which healthy volunteers were consecutively allocated to increasing pretomanid dose groups (50, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, or 1000 mg) and randomized to receive pretomanid or matching placebo. The primary objective was to evaluate the safety, tolerability and PK profile of pretomanid. In total, 306 volunteers were screened, and 60 were assigned to treatment (pretomanid: n=46, placebo: n=14) of whom 83.3% were male, age ranged from 19-39 years and BMI ranged from 19.2-25.9 kg/m2. At least one adverse event (AE) was reported by 67.4% of patients assigned to pretomanid and 50.0% of those who received placebo, there were no serious AEs or AEs leading to withdrawal. Drug-related events that occurred in ≥5% of participants assigned to pretomanid were proteinuria (26.1%), hematuria (15.2%), conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (6.5%), hyperbilirubinemia (6.5%) and elevated uric acid (6.5%). No relationship between pretomanid dose and AEs was observed. In the PK analysis (n=46), maximum pretomanid plasma concentration was reached in a mean of 4 hours in all dose groups except 800 mg (12 hours) and the plasma half-life ranged from 20.2-25.2 hours. No dose proportionality was observed for maximum plasma concentration, or area under the plasma concentration curve. In conclusion, single pretomanid doses from 50-1000 mg were well tolerated in healthy Chinese participants and the PK profile was generally consistent with findings in non-Chinese populations.
Identification of driver genes and biological signaling for alcoholic myopathy
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Letian , Gu Hanming
Published: December 2021

Long-term alcohol consumption contributes to muscle weakness and atrophy. However, the mechanism and biological functions are still not clear. In this study, we aim to identify the significantly changed genes and potential signaling pathways in the gastrocnemius and plantaris muscle from C57BL/6Hsd mice by analyzing RNA sequence. The GSE183665 dataset was created by using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 (Mus musculus). The KEGG and GO analyses showed that "cell migration", "cell adhesion", and "apoptosis" are major biological processes in the skeletal muscles. Moreover, we identified a number of genes including POSTN, GNAI2, MMP2, ELN, CCND1, CXCL12, COL6A1, COL6A2, SFRP2, and FSTL1 by using the PPI network and Reactome map. Thus, our study may shed light on the development of drugs on alcohol myopathy.
Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism of Astragaloside IV in the Recurrence of Asthma: Critical Role of Memory T Cells and OX40/OX40L Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yang Qingqing , Zhang Hongying , Sun Jing , Dong Jingcheng , Kong Lingwen
Published: December 2021

The recurrence of asthma is partly mediated by central memory CD4(+) T cells(TCM) that promote lung inflammation through the production of effector T cells. Targeting the expansion of pathogenic TCM(central memory CD4(+) T cells) is a promising therapeutic strategy to block production of effector T cells. The study aimed to evaluate the regulatory effects of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on TCMs and try to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of AS-IV in asthmatic mice. We developed a murine model of asthma by ovalbumin(OVA) challenge. Flow cytometry was used to determine the counts of CD4(+) memory T cells subgroups. Pulmonary tests, inflammatory cytokines in blood and inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,were measured to evaluate the inflammatory response level before and after AS-IV treatment. To further determine the role of TCM in the recurrence of inflammation, TCM were isolated by Magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) from spleens of asthma, control, AS-IV and dexamethasone treatment mice. The isolated cells were adoptive transferred into nude mice via tail intravenous injection, respectively, and the inflammatory response level of the lung was measured after OVA challenge. The effects of AS-IV on TCM viability, the number of the frequency (in percent) of CD44highCD62Lhigh cells, and the expression of OX40 and OX40L were measured before and after AS-IV treatment. In circulation blood, we demonstrated increased percentages of CCR7highCD62LlowCD4+ effector memory T cells(TEM) and decreased CCR7highCD62LhighCD4(+) TCM in asthma mice. On the contrary, the TEM subgroup percentage were decreased and the TCM phenotypes were increased in asthmatic spleen. AS-IV treatment significantly decreased CD4(+) T effector phenotypes in blood and inhibited the lung inflammatory response. Additionally, the inflammation of nude mice that adoptive transferred TCM from AS-IV treatment asthmatic mice had relieved inflammation compared with asthmatic group. In vitro, we successfully used spleen T lymphoid cells stimulated with IL-7 and OVA to induce a central memory T cell model. TCM co-cultured with DC cells had a significantly increased expression of OX40/OX40L. AS-IV pretreatment partially inhibited the expression of OX40 signal pathway. This study indicates that AS-IV can ameliorate asthma inflammation by inhibiting the production of TEM form TCM. The treatment mechanism maybe involved in the OX40/OX40L pathway.
FPGA Implementation of Eye Movement Detection Algorithm
Authors: GUNDUGONTI KISHORE KUMAR , Narayanam Balaji
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we propose an simple and efficient VLSI hardware architecture is implemented for eye movement detection. For Eye movement detection reading activity Electrooculography (EOG) signal is considered. Here, for denoising the noisy EOG signal efficient FIR filter and for decomposition of denoised EOG signal an efficient Haar wavelet transform architecture is used respectively. The modified VLSI hardware architecture method detected the saccade (left movement of eye and right movement of eye) and blink efficiently. The hardware architecture of the eye movement detection algorithm functionality is verified by using Xilinx System Generator hardware co-simulation tool. The eye movement detection algorithm is implemented on the ZedBoard FPGA using Xilinx Vivado design suite.
Understanding inter-tissue crosstalk during zebrafish cardiovascular development
Authors:   , Boezio Giulia L. M.
Published: December 2021

My PhD work employed genetic and pharmacological manipulations, coupled with highresolution live imaging, to understand intercellular communications during zebrafish cardiovascular development. The heart is the first organ to form, and it is composed of several tissues, among which interactions are crucial. I identified two important interactions between muscular and non-muscular tissues in poorly characterized contexts, and the molecules required for the signalling. First, I discovered an important cellular and molecular crosstalk orchestrating the development of the cardiac outflow tract (i.e., the aortic root in mammals). Endothelial-derived TGF-beta signalling controls the generation of the local extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM in turn affects endothelial proliferation as well as smooth muscle cell organization (Boezio et al, 2020; Bensimon-Brito*, Boezio* et al, 2020). In my second project, I investigated the crosstalk between the epicardial layer and the myocardial wall. By generating epicardial-impairment models, I identified a novel role for the epicardium in regulating cardiomyocyte volume during heart development (Boezio et al, 2021). Ultimately, this research contributed to our understanding of how paracrine signalling controls the multicellular interactions integral to organogenesis.
Utilitarian and cognitive aspects in the ethnotaxonomy of plants from the Caatinga in two rural communities in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Lucena Reinaldo Farias Paiva de , Medeiros Patrícia Muniz de , Araújo Elcida de Lima , Alves Ângelo G. Chaves , Bonifácio Kallyne Machado , Mourão José da Silva , Albuquerque Ulysses Paulino de
Published: December 2021

This research sought to contribute to plant ethnotaxonomic studies and aimed to describe cognitive and utilitarian aspects used in communities in the semi-arid region of Brazil. The question asked in the interview was: "What plants do you know?" The interviews were conducted with local specialists, using plant names written on cards randomly placed on a table. The informants were asked to organize the cards according to their understanding. Two hundred and one folk generics were recorded in Cachoeira and 185 in Barrocas, both communities located in the Municipality of Soledade (Paraíba). These generics were divided into 65 trees/shrubs, 138 herbs, 10 lianas/creepers, 7 cacti, and 4 bromeliads. A total of 146 monotypic and 24 polytypic folk generic were identified. The life forms were abundant; some of them had already been recorded in the literature but others were recorded for the first time. The morphological and utilitarian aspects were the most used classification criteria. The informants followed no consensus model to organize their classification.
A STUDY ON ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATES FROM EXTRA INTESTINAL INFECTIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors:   Department of Microbiology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai.-1,Tamil Nadu., Sudha N. , V. Dillirani ,   Department of Microbiology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai.-1,Tamil Nadu., V. Sheeba ,   Department of Microbiology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai.-1,Tamil Nadu., Affan Fahad ,   Department of Microbiology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai.-1,Tamil Nadu., a Hema ,   Department of Microbiology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai.-1,Tamil Nadu.
Published: December 2021

Escherichia coli (E.coli), a common human intestinal commensal causes infections in bodily sites outside the gastrointestinal tract and are called Extra-intestinal pathogenic E.coli. ExPEC causes Urinary tract infections, Blood stream infections, Pneumonia, meningitis,bone, skin, and soft tissue infections including both nosocomial and community acquired infections. The increasing trend of developing antibiotic resistance in ExPEC is of global treat which causes increasing morbidity and mortality.As there is no vaccination forExPEC so it is necessary to analyze the antibiotic susceptibility pattern for empirical treatment in emergency situations.Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) hydrolyze Î²-lactam antibiotics of third generation Cephalosporins, Penicillins and Monobactams. Since the ESBL enzyme genes are usually found in large plasmids, they also contain other antimicrobial resistant genes.AmpC production in E.coli is through plasmids and mutation in their porin structure. Carbapenems are the drug of choice for ESBL producing Ecoli but recent time development of resistance is increasingly reported due to production of Carbapenemase.The aim of this study is to test the Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Extra-intestinal Ecoli isolates. The study was conducted in the department of Microbiology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai during the period October 2018 to May 2019.The institutional ethical committee approval was obtained and clinical samples such as urine, blood, pus, sputum and sterile body fluids were received from 983 patients suspected of bacterial infections. The samples were processed and biochemical test identified 84 Ecoli Isolates. Antimicrobial testing, ESBL, AMPC screening and carbapenemase production were tested. E.coli isolates showed resistance to most of the beta lactam antibiotics such as Ampicillin, CefotaximeandCeftazidime and also to Ciprofloxacin &Cotrimoxazole.
REGULAÇÃO E ACCOUNTABILITY NA (RE)CONFIGURAÇÃO DAS POLÍTICAS PARA A EDUCAÇÃO
Authors: Santos Ana Lúcia Felix , Vilarinho Emília
Published: December 2021

Este estudo aborda a accountability enquanto elemento da política educacional. Entende que a accountability educacional consiste em ações de política que envolvem a interação entre avaliação, prestação de contas e responsabilização. Considera que as políticas de avaliação educacional, da forma como vêm sendo instituídos no nosso país, se apresentam como medidas de regulação da educação. Com base em pesquisa bibliográfica, problematiza o conceito de accountability e revela que ele vem sendo estudado de diferentes formas. Há textos puramente analíticos e há textos analíticos e propositivos. Nesses últimos, é possível encontrar uma perspectiva neoliberal de cunho gerencialista e uma perspectiva crítica.
Synthesis of Mackinawite (FeSm) and its heterogeneous Fenton-like catalytic degradation performance of rhodamine B
Authors: Zhang Kaili , Yang Yanli , Xu Miao , Cheng Tiexin , Zhou Guangdong
Published: December 2021

In this work, Mackinawite (FeSm) was synthesized by homogeneous precipitation method, and flower-like nanoparticles formed by the aggregation of nanosheets with a preferred orientation along the (001) plane. The heterogeneous Fenton-like degradation performance of FeSm on rhodamine B (RhB) was investigated, results illustrated that RhB degradation was the synergistic effect of adsorption, Fenton, and a heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction. In repeated experiments, the reduction of reactivity was attributed to the oxidation of FeSm into lepidocrocite, whereas lepidocrocite has relatively low hydroxyl radicals (•OH) production reactivity. Thus, it showed excellent degradation effects in long-time degradation of RhB. Photoluminescence technology and free radical capture experiments demonstrated that •OH produced on the surface of catalyst was the main active species to remove RhB. In addition, the Fe species on the surface of FeSm was the main active center for surface-mediated reactions. A total organic carbon test revealed that the degradation was not complete and degradation intermediates were formed. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology was used to identify the degradation intermediates. On this basis, possible degradation pathways were proposed.
The Internal Secularisation of Religion
Authors: Jasiński Karol
Published: December 2021

This paper analyses the issue of the internal secularisation of religion, which can occur on many different levels (privatization of religious life, change in the universe of meaning, the adaptation of religion to contemporary culture, lacking sensitivity to the "sacrum", the primacy of politics over religion). Three currently important manifestations of the internal secularisation of religion have been analysed. The first manifestation is the secularisation of the consciousness of believers, the second is the excessive institutionalisation and bureaucratisation of religion and the third is the domination of secular (auxiliary) functions over typically religious (essential) functions.
„Chętka mię napadła budować i pięknie mieszkać”. Stosunek Krzysztofa Opalińskiego (1611–1655) do architektury
Authors: Stankiewicz Aleksander
Published: December 2021

W artykule omówiono nieopracowany jak dotąd przez badaczy stosunek Krzysztofa Opalińskiego do architektury. Magnat zamawiał projekty swoich pałaców we Włoszakowicach oraz w Warszawie u Constantego Tencalli, który zapewne projektował też  kościół parafialny we Włoszakowicach. Swoje opinie na temat budownictwa Opaliński zawarł w pisanych przez siebie wierszach oraz w listach do swojego brata Łukasza, domniemanego autora pierwszego polskojęzycznego traktatu architektonicznego. Poglądy Opalińskiego, częściowo zbieżne z wyrażonymi w tym traktacie, były wynikiem lektury włoskich i  francuskich traktatów i wzorników architektonicznych, ale też dzieła Petera Paula Rubensa Palazzo di Genova, wydanego w 1622 roku.
Issues of education and upbringing in the pages of "Wielkopolanin" (1848-1850)
Authors: Kabacińska-Łuczak Katarzyna
Published: December 2021

The aim of the article is to attempt and show the “enlightenment” of the peasants of Greater Poland in the middle of the nineteenth century in the magazines addressed to them, especially in relation to matters of education and upbringing. The subject of the research is the information on educational issues raised in one of the magazines for the people – “Wielkopolanin,” which was published in the years 1848-1850. Among the educational issues raised, the most important was the promotion of national identity both at school and at home. Further, it covered such topics as the influence of teachers on patriotic activity (their attitudes, values, importance in the local community), the role of village nursery schools, and support for orphans.
Ojciec Święty Jan Paweł II oraz hierarchowie Kościoła rzymskokatolickiego i greckokatolickiego w procesie pojednania polsko-ukraińskiego
Authors: Drozd Roman
Published: December 2021

Poczucie wzajemnie wyrządzonej sobie krzywdy utrudnia proces pojednania między Polakami i Ukraińcami. Potrzebę zmiany tego stanu rzeczy dostrzegł papież Jan Paweł II, z którego inicjatywy doszło do dialogu między hierarchami Kościoła rzymskokatolickiego i greckokatolickiego. Wykonano gest i wydano dokumenty pojednawcze. Wzorując się na liście biskupów polskich do niemieckich z 1965 r., przyjęto w nich formułę „przebaczamy i prosimy o przebaczenie”. W ślad za hierarchami poszli polscy i ukraińscy mężowie stanu, niektórzy politycy, duchowieństwo i wierni. Zrobiono wiele, ale proces pojednania jeszcze się nie zakończył. Na przeszkodzie stoi niechęć części społeczeństwa polskiego i ukraińskiego, które dostrzega tylko własną krzywdę a nie widzi bólu zadanego drugiej stronie.
Nowy wizerunek klasztorów dominikańskich po Soborze Trydenckim w miastach śląskich w cesarstwie habsburskim
Authors: Ludwig Bogna
Published: December 2021

Artykuł podejmuje próbę scharakteryzowania przemian w architekturze klasztorów dominikańskich na Śląsku w okresie potrydenckim w odniesieniu do ich nowego stosunku do przestrzeni urbanistycznej. Opisując przebudowy klasztorów i ich świątyń z tych czasów, wskazuję sposób przyjęcia przez zakon zaleceń soborowych dotyczących projektowania i wyeksponowania w mieście fasad kościołów.
Barwny splendor sakralnych wnętrz jezuickich w Cusco (Peru) w świetle osiemnastowiecznych inwentarzy
Authors: Kubiak Ewa
Published: December 2021

W artykule zostały przedstawione osiemnastowieczne inwentarze jako źródła wiedzy na temat szczegółów wystroju jezuickich wnętrz sakralnych w Cusco. Autorka skupia się na zaprezentowaniu kolorystyki we wnętrzach kościoła i kaplic. W pierwszej części analizuje treść samych inwentarzy i denominacje kolorów, krótko charakteryzuje też same nazwy, użycie i znaczenie poszczególnych barwy. W drugiej części opracowania została opisana kolorystyka wybranych elementów wystroju, takich jak tabernakula, antependia oraz stroje rzeźb w ołtarzach. Problem został ukazany w kontekście kulturowym regionu, pod uwagę zostały wzięte zarówno elementy estetyki barokowej, jak i andyjskiej.