bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence and factors influencing neck shortening after screw fixation of femoral neck fractures with the femoral neck system
Authors: kai Wang , Fengfei Lin
Published: February 2023

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of postoperative femoral neck shortening in patients with femoral neck fractures fixed with femoral neck system screws (FNS) and to explore the factors influencing femoral neck shortening.

Method

To retrospectively analyze the data of 113 patients with femoral neck fractures admitted to the Second Hospital of Fuzhou City, affiliated to Xiamen University, between December 2019 and January 2022, Of these, 87 patients were followed up for more than 12 months, 49 men and 38 women. 36 cases of Garden I and II fractures and 51 cases of Garden III and IV fractures., to record the patient's hip Harris score at 12 months postoperatively. Patients were divided into femoral neck shortening group and femoral neck no shortening group according to their regular postoperative follow-up radiographic measurements, to count the incidence of femoral neck shortening, comparison of postoperative complication rates and hip Harris scores between the two groups, Statistical comparison of the two groups, a multifactorial logistic regression analysis was also performed to analyze the factors affecting femoral neck shortening.

Results

All 87 patients were followed up for more than 12 months after surgery, In 34 of these cases, neck shortening occurred, The incidence rate was 39.1%. 15 cases of severe shortening, incidence of 17.2%; fracture healing 84 cases, fracture healing rate of 96.5%. The hip Harris score was 83.99 (81.95,89.20) in the neck shortening group at 12 months postoperatively, 90.87 (87.95,94.80) for the group without neck shortening, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). 32 cases of fracture healing in the neck shortening group at 12 months after surgery, fracture healing rate of 94.1%; 52 cases healed without neck shortening group, fracture healing rate of 98.1%; The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.337). High incidence of neck shortening after FNS fixation of femoral neck fractures, cortical comminution of the severed end, fracture fractionation and quality of reduction were significantly correlated with neck shortening.

Conclusion

High incidence of postoperative neck shortening after internal fixation of femoral neck fractures with the femoral neck system, the patient's cortical comminution, the type of fracture, and the quality of fracture reduction are the influencing factors, femoral neck shortening can affect postoperative hip function, but does not affect fracture healing.
Fund project: Project of Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center for First Aid and Rehabilitation in Orthopaedic Trauma (2020Y2014); Project of Fuzhou Trauma Medical Center (2018080303)
Construction of a Risk Model and Prediction of prognosis and immunotherapy Based on Cuproptosis-Related LncRNAs in the Urinary System Pan-Cancer
Authors: Ma Zhihui , Liang Haining , Cui Rongjun , Ji Jinli , Liu Hongfeng , Liu Xiaoxue , Shen Ping , Wang Huan , Wang Xingyun , Song Zheyao , Jiang Ying
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND: Urinary pan-cancer system is a general term for tumors of the urinary system including renal cell carcinoma (RCC), prostate cancer (PRAD), and bladder cancer (BLCA). Their location, physiological functions, and metabolism are closely related, making the occurrence and outcome of these tumors highly similar. Cuproptosis is a new type of cell death that is different from apoptosis and plays an essential role in tumors. Therefore, it is necessary to study the molecular mechanism of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs to urinary system pan-cancer for the prognosis, clinical diagnosis, and treatment of urinary tumors.
METHOD: In our study, we identiﬁed 35 co-expression cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRLs) from the urinary pan-cancer system. 28 CRLs were identified as prognostic-related CRLs by univariate Cox regression analysis. Then 11 CRLs were obtained using lasso regression and multivariate cox analysis to construct a prognostic model. We divided patients into high and low-risk groups based on the median risk scores. Next, Kaplan-Meier analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), functional rich annotations, and nomogram were used to compare the differences between the high and low-risk groups. Finally, the prediction of tumor immune dysfunction and rejection, gene mutation, and drug sensitivity were discussed.
CONCLUSION: Finally, the candidate molecules of the urinary system pan-cancer were identified. This CRLs risk model may be promising for clinical prediction of prognosis and immunotherapy response in urinary system pan-cancer patients.
Survival and prognostic factors of pediatric brainstem gliomas: a single institution experience of 96 cases
Authors: Li Keke , Wang Xu , Wang Ruimin , Zhu Chuanying , Li Yiyuan , Chen Shuxian , Jiang Mawei
Published: February 2023

Purpose
Brainstem gliomas (BSGs) have a poor prognosis, especially in children. The clinical manifestations of pediatric brainstem gliomas (pBSGs) are atypical, and systematic studies in this population are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the comprehensive features of pBSGs and prognostic factors associated with survival.
Methods
Data from primarily diagnosed BSGs were collected, including clinical, radiological, treatment, and molecular characteristics. Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox regression method.
Results
96 BSG patients were included, and the median overall survival (OS) was 11.23 months. Primary symptoms included gait instability in 73 cases, choking on water in 49 cases, limb weakness in 48 cases, and personality changes in 27 cases. Univariate regression analysis showed that ring enhancement, Lansky score, H3K27M, TP53, and EZH2 protein expression might affect the survival of patients with BSG (P < 0.05). Multifactorial Cox regression analysis showed that the patients with H3K27M wild-type, Lansky score ≥ 60, and MRI without noticeable ring enhancement had a more extended survival period (P < 0.05). In patients with H3K27M mutation, the median OS of the EZH2 mutant patients was shorter (P = 0.025).
Conclusion
PBSGs have a poor prognosis and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children who present clinically with unexplained behavioral changes. An accurate pathological biopsy is essential for prognosis.
Cohomology of Quaternionic Foliations and Orbifolds
Authors: Mohseni Rouzbeh , Wolak Robert A.
Published: February 2023

Starting with a concise review of quaternionic geometry and quaternion K{\"a}hler manifolds, we define a transversely quaternion K{\"a}hler foliation. Then we formulate and prove the foliated versions of the now classical results of V.Y. Kraines and A Fujiki on the cohomology of quaternion K{\"a}hler manifolds. Finally, as any orbifold can be realized as the leaf space of a suitably defined Riemannian foliation we reformulate our results for quaternion orbifolds.
MSC Classification: 53C12 , 53C28 , 57R30
The composition characteristics of endophytic communities and their relationship with metabolites profile in Ephedra sinica under wild and cultivated conditions
Authors: zhang hui , Xia Ye , Cui Jin-Long , Ji Xin , Liu Xi , Miao Shuang-Man , Wang Meng-Liang , Wang Jun-Hong
Published: February 2023

Ephedra sinica is one of the most famous Chinese medicinal plants. The insufficient supply of wild resources has led to the increased use of cultivated products. However, the related medicinal quality differs significantly. Although the influence of external environment on the quality of E. sinica has been studied, the impact of endophytic microbes on it remains vague. This study characterized differential metabolites and microbial community compositions in the wild and cultivated E. sinica by combining metabolomics with microbiomics, and explored the effect of endophytes on the formation of differential metabolites further. The results showed that the difference in quality between wild and cultivated E. sinica was mainly in the productions of alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. The associated endophytes had special compositional characteristics. For instance, the distribution and abundance of dominant endophytes varied between the wild and cultivated E. sinica. Several endophytes had significant, or highly significant correlations with the formations of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, D-cathinone, methcathinone, coumarin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, or phenylacetic acid. This study will deepen our understanding of the plant-endophyte interactions and provide a strategy for the quality control of E. sinica products.
Anatomical study of type classification and surface area of attachment sites for tibialis anterior tendon
Authors: Hirai Tomoki , Edama Mutsuaki , Togashi Ryoya , Osanami Haruki , Saito Rina , Kato Koyo , Shagawa Mayuu , Sekine Chie , Yokota Hirotake , Hirabayashi Ryo , Ishigaki Tomonobu , Akuzawa Hiroshi , Yamada Yuki , Toriumi Taku , Kageyama Ikuo
Published: February 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify the attachment types of the tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) in Japanese fixed cadavers and to determine the attachment site area in three dimensions.
Methods: We examined 100 feet from 50 Japanese cadavers. The TAT was classified according to differences in the number of fiber bundles as: Type I, with one fiber bundle; Type II, with two fiber bundles; and Type III, with three fiber bundles. The attachment site area of the TAT was measured using a three-dimensional scanner.
Results: Cases were Type II in 95% and Type III in 5%, with no cases of Type I identified. In Type II, mean attachment site areas were 85.2 ± 18.2 mm2 for the medial cuneiform bone (MCB) and 72.4 ± 19.0 mm2 for the first metatarsal bone (1MB), showing a significantly larger area for MCB than for 1MB.
Conclusions: These findings suggest the possibility of ethnic differences in TAT attachment types and suggest that TAT attachments in Japanese individuals are highly likely to be Type II, with rare cases of Type III. Accurate measurement of attachment site areas is possible with appropriate three-dimensional measurements.
Simulation and experimental study on Leakage characteristics of clearance seal in Hydro-viscous clutch
Authors: Li Bin , Guo Liuyang , Li Qiang , Hao Muming , Ren Baojie , Liu Zhaozeng
Published: February 2023

The stable operation of the sealing assembly plays a vital role in the performance of the hydraulic viscous clutch. In order to research the leakage characteristics of the clearance seal of the hydraulic viscous clutch, a clearance seal model is established based on the computational fluid dynamics. The validity of the model is proved by comparing the leakage of the experience in a self-build sealed test-bench, and the effects of seal clearance and oil temperature on the flow velocity, leakage and friction torque are analyzed by numerically simulating. The calculation results show that the decrease of clearance leads to the decrease of outlet area and leakage. Although the variation of rotational speed has little effect on leakage, it can effectively alter the friction torque especially in the case of small seal clearance. By comparing the leakage of each outlet at different temperatures, it is found that the leakage increases drastically when the oil temperature is larger than 70℃.
Hydrogen defects in feldspars: Alkali-supported dehydrogenation of sanidine
Authors: Behrens Harald
Published: February 2023

In the first two papers of this series (Behrens 2022a,b), incorporation of hydrogen in the feldspar structure, partitioning of hydrogen between feldspars and gases/fluids and self diffusion of hydrogen in feldspars has been discussed, with particular focus on sanidine. Here, the results of reactions between sanidine containing strongly bonded hydrogen defects and (Na,K)Cl are presented. Experiments were performed at ambient pressure at temperatures of 605–1000°C and hydrogen profiles were measured by IR microspectroscopy. Profiles can be interpreted by an incomplete dehydrogenation at the crystal surface or a strong concentration dependence of hydrogen diffusivity. Both is consistent with hydrogen located on interstitial sites and difficult to substitute by the larger alkali ions. Chemical diffusivities of hydrogen derived from fitting of the profiles or Boltzmann-Matano analysis are similar to self diffusivities determined by D/H exchange experiments. Activation energies are also comparable. Comparison to sodium and potassium diffusion data for sanidine (Wilangowski et al 2015, Hergemöller et al. 2017) support a mechanism of proton diffusion charge-compensated by Na+ diffusion for hydrogen removal in the sanidines under dry conditions.
Native Metarhizium strains: kinetics of adhesion to the cuticle and their virulence against mosquitoes
Authors: SARE Issiaka , BALDINI Francesco , VIANA Mafalda , Athanase BADOLO , DJIGMA Florencia , DIABATE Abdoulaye , BILGO Etienne
Published: February 2023

Background: Malaria is a major public health concern in Burkina Faso, with over 90% of the country at risk of the disease. While malaria burden has declined in recent years, some fear it may be on the rise again due to resistance from the vector and parasite to existing control methods. Therefore, to stop malaria transmission in Burkina Faso and more broadly in endemic countries, it is necessary to implement new and complementary control tools, including the use of entomopathogenic fungi to control malaria vectors.
Methods: Fungal strains were isolated from 201 insects and 1399 rhizosphere, and 4 strains of Metarhizium fungi were isolated. The fungal suspensions were used to infect 3-day old female Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes at three different concentrations (106, 107, 108 conidia / mL). The survival of the mosquitoes was measured over 14 days and quantifying fungal growth after 1 and 24 hours assessed adhesion of the fungal strains on the mosquito cuticle..
Results: All four fungi strains increased mosquito mortality compared to control (p < 2.2-16). Adhesion of the fungal strains was observed on the mosquito cuticle after 24 hours at high concentrations, with one strain showing adhesion after just 1 hour and having the highest virulence.
Conclusion: These results show that native Metarhizium spp. fungi are a promising tool for controlling malaria vectors. Some strains were effective enough to adhere to the mosquito cuticle at low concentration and showed high virulence. Further studies should screen additional native strains to establish the link between adhesion and virulence
Antifungal activity of a trypsin inhibitor from Salvia hispanica L.(chia) seeds against fluconazole-resistant strains of Candida spp. and evaluation of its toxicity in vitro
Authors: Nogueira Francisca Cristiane , de Souza Adson Ávila , Araújo Nadine Monteiro Salgueiro , de Souza Larissa Alves Lopes , Silva Rafael Guimarães Gomes , de Sousa Daniele de Oliveira Bezerra , Cavalcanti Bruno Coêlho , Filho Manoel Odorico de Moraes , Sá Lívia Gurgel do Amaral Valente , Júnior Hélio Vitoriano Nobre , de Oliveira Hermógenes David
Published: February 2023

The incidence of Candida species resistance to traditional antifungals is increasing globally. This issue significantly impacts patients' lives and raises healthcare expenses, confirming the need for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Recently, a thermostable trypsin inhibitor was isolated from Salvia hispanica L. (chia) seeds – named ShTI (MM 11.558 kDa) with an antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus species. This work aimed to assess the antifungal effect of ShTI against Candida species and its synergism with fluconazole and to evaluate its mode of action. Moreover, preliminary toxicological studies using mouse fibroblast cells were performed. ShTI displayed an anticandidal effect alone against C. parapsilosis (ATCC® 22019), C. krusei (ATCC® 6258), and six clinical fluconazole-resistant strains of C. albicans (2), C. parapsilosis (2), and C. tropicalis (2) (MIC 50: 4.1 µM and MIC 100: 8.2 µM) and exhibited a synergistic effect when combined with fluconazole against C. albicans with complete alteration of the morphological structure of the yeast. The mode of action of ShTI against C. krusei (ATCC® 6258™) and C. albicans species involves cell membrane damage due to increased membrane permeabilization, overproduction of reactive oxygen species, formation of pseudohyphae, injury of cells and pore formation and consequently cell death. In addition, ShTI (8.65 and 17.3 µM) showed a noncytotoxic and nongenotoxic effect in L929 mouse fibroblast cells. These findings make it plausible to assume that ShTI is a promising antimicrobial candidate, but new assays are required to progress the application of ShTI's potential usage as a novel antifungal.
The Difference-of-Log-Normals Distribution is Fundamental in Nature
Authors: Parham Robert
Published: February 2023

The growth of many natural and social phenomena including pandemics1, firms,2 cities,3 and various economic indices,4,5 is known to be heavy-tailed. Most growth is modest, but we often observe explosive growth rates, such as firms doubling or halving in size within a short period. Neither a simple explanation nor a well-fitting distri10 butional form for these growth phenomena is known. Here we show that a hitherto obscure statistical distribution — the Difference-of-Log-Normals (DLN) — describes a plethora of growth phenomena remarkably well, and discuss why it arises as a natural consequence of the Central Limit Theorem (CLT). Our results demonstrate how growth phenomena subject to opposing random exponential forces are likely to distribute DLN. This provides both a framework for scientifically modeling these phenomena and a simple distributional form to be used when empirically modeling observed heavy-tailed growth. We hence posit that the DLN is a fundamental distribution in nature, in the sense that it emerges in many disparate natural phenomena, especially growth phe19 nomena, similar to the repeated disparate emergence of the Normal and log-Normal distributions.
Study on morphological, structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Fe60Al35Mg5 alloy fabricated by high energy ball milling
Authors: hafs ali , hafs toufik , Berdjane Djamel , Yandjah Louardi , hasnaoui nesrine
Published: February 2023

The mechanical alloying process has been used to synthesise the nanocrystalline Fe60Al35Mg5 ( wt % )powders in a high energy planetary ball-mill Retsch PM 400. The evolution structural, microstructural, morphological and magnetic properties of ball-milled powders at different milling times (t variation from 0 to 32 h) were investigated by X-ray diffraction using the MAUD program which is based on the Rietveld method, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The XRD results reveal the formation of a bcc-Fe (Al, Mg) solid solution after 8 h of milling possessing a lattice parameter of 0,2895nm after 32 h of milling. It is also observed a refinement of the grain size which reaches 18,75 nm, and an increase in the microstrain after 32 hours of milling. Morphological evolution of the powder particles of the preceding mixture with the increase of the milling time, shows the coexistence of larger and fine particles at the beginning of the milling process linked to the competition of the phenomena of fractures and welding. A more or less homogeneous distribution of the particle shape is observed after 32 hours of milling. The elemental maps of Fe , Al and Mg done with EDX experiments confirmed the results found by XRD about the evolution of the alloy formation. Magnetic measurements of the milled Fe60Al35Mg5 ( wt % ) powder mixture exhibit a soft ferromagnetic character where the magnetic parameters are found to be very sensitive to the milling time mainly due to the particle size refinement as well as the formation of the solid solutions. After 32 hours of milling, the evolution of the saturation magnetisation (MS), coercive field (HC) remanent magnetisation (Mr) and squareness ratio (Mr/Ms) derived from the hysteresis curves are discussed as a function of milling time.
Identification of adulteration of Qinghai flaxseed oil based on phytosterol composition and chemometrics
Authors: Yang Furong , Wang Jinying , Han Yuze , Li Yingxia , Wang Shuzhen
Published: February 2023

In the present study, phytosterol profiles were used to identify adulterations of flaxseed oils from different varieties and producing areas in Qinghai Province. A combination of similarity evaluation and cluster analysis was used to distinguish pure flaxseed oil from flaxseed oil adulterated with rapeseed, peanut, sunflower, or sesame oil at concentrations between 10%-50% and discriminant analyses were used to identify the types of adulterating oils. The results showed that similarity evaluation combined with cluster analysis can distinguish pure and adulterated flaxseed oil when the concentration of the adulterant was greater than 10%. Discriminant analysis models accurately identified the types of adulterating oil in flaxseed oil when the concentration of rapeseed, peanut, or sunflower oil was greater than 20%, and that of sesame oil was greater than 30%. This study shows that the determination of the phytosterol composition and chemometrics is a valuable tool to evaluate the purity of flaxseed oil.
Preliminary investigations into the synthesis of lipase cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEA) for hydrolysis of lipid-rich wastewater
Authors: Zainab Ayinla , Nelson Ademakinwa Adedeji
Published: February 2023

Cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEA) from Rhizopus oryzae lipase (RoL) was prepared using ammonium sulphate and glutaraldehyde as the precipitant and cross-linker respectively. The lipase CLEA was characterized via scanning electron microscopy. Thereafter, the CLEA was utilized in the hydrolysis of lipid-rich wastewater. The purified CLEA could be reused up to five cycles and its catalysis increased free fatty acid levels in wastewater by 84.8% and 142.1% at 0.5% and 1% (w/v) CLEA respectively. RoL CLEA is a unique biocatalyst in treatment of oil-contaminated wastewater. Hence, the possible large-scale remediation of oil-contaminated water bodies using this immobilized enzyme could be exploited.
Can Coenzyme Q10 alleviate the toxic effect of fenofibrate on skeletal muscle?
Authors: El-Bassouny Dalia R. , Mansour Alyaa A. , EL-Lakany Amany S. , Ayuob Nasra N. , AbdElfattah Amany A.
Published: February 2023

Fenofibrate is an antilipidemic drug that increases the activity of the lipoprotein lipase enzyme thus enhancing lipolysis, however, it may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis in humans. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an endogenously synthesized compound that is found in most living cells and plays an important role in cellular metabolism. It acts as the electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This study aimed to elucidate FEN-induced skeletal muscle changes in rats and to evaluate CoQ10 efficacy in preventing or alleviating these changes. Forty adult male rats were divided equally into four groups: the negative control group that received saline, the positive control group that received CoQ10, the FEN-treated group received FEN, and the FEN+CoQ10 group, (received both FEN followed by CoQ10 daily for 4 weeks. Animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected to assess creatine kinase (CK). Soleus muscle samples were taken and processed for light and electron microscopic studies. This study showed that FEN increased CK levels and induced inflammatory cellular infiltration and disorganization of muscular architecture with lost striations. FEN increased the percentage of degenerated collagen fibers, and immune expression of caspase 3. Ultrastructurally, it caused degeneration of myofibrils with distorted cell organelles. Treatment with CoQ10 could markedly ameliorate these FEN-induced structural changes and mostly regain the normal architecture of muscle fibers due to its antifibrotic and antiapoptotic effects. In conclusion, treatment with CoQ10 improved muscular structure by suppressing oxidative stress, attenuating inflammation, and inhibiting apoptosis.
The role of angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and global DNA methylation in the negative associations between urine di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites and serum adiponectin in a young Taiwanese population
Authors: Lin Chien-Yu , Lee Hui-Ling , Chen Ching-Way , Wang Chikang , Sung Fung-Chang , Su Ta-Chen
Published: February 2023

Background
Adiponectin is a key protein produced in adipose tissue, with crucial involvement in multiple metabolic processes. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), one of the phthalate compounds used as a plasticizer, has been shown to decrease adiponectin levels in vitro and in vivo studies. However, the role of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and epigenetic changes in the relationship between DEHP exposure and adiponectin levels is not well understood.
Methods
This study examined the correlation between urine levels of DEHP metabolite, epigenetic marker 5mdC/dG, ACE gene phenotypes, and adiponectin levels in a sample of 699 individuals aged 12 to 30 from Taiwan.
Results
Results showed a positive relationship between mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) and 5mdC/dG, and a negative association between both MEHP and 5mdC/dG with adiponectin. The inverse relationship between MEHP and adiponectin was stronger when 5mdC/dG levels were above the median, as indicated by a smaller regression coefficient (-0.095 compared to -0.049). The structural equation model (SEM) analysis indicated that MEHP has a direct inverse effect on adiponectin and an indirect effect via 5mdC/dG. Subgroup analysis revealed a negative correlation between MEHP and adiponectin in individuals with the I/I ACE genotype, but not in others.
Conclusions
In this young Taiwanese population, our findings suggest that urine MEHP levels are negatively correlated with serum adiponectin levels and that ACE gene polymorphism and epigenetic modifications may play a role in this association. Further study is needed to validate these results and determine causality.
Modelling the future of energy security and decarbonisation in Morocco using OSeMOSYS
Authors: Harland Natasha
Published: February 2023

Morocco’s energy system is highly dependent on imported fossil fuels, making the country susceptible to fluctuating energy prices and supply issues. Expanding local energy production from renewable sources like wind and solar and reducing imported fuels may help the country to decrease its carbon emissions at the same time as improving its energy security. This study used the Open Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS) tool to determine the optimal pathway for Morocco to accomplish these goals at least cost. The modelling results suggest that diversifying the sources of imported natural gas while expanding renewable energy deployment is the best strategy for Morocco to improve its energy security and reduce carbon emissions at lowest cost. The following recommendations will help to achieve this:

Legally binding wind power and solar PV expansion plans would
ensure that renewable energy capacity increases quickly to meet
demand for the period of 2025–2065. These plans could be modelled
after the Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative and should be used in
negotiations with multilateral development banks to secure
international funding.
The legislative framework for feed-in tariffs proposed by
Morocco should be amended to include low-voltage power production
and introduced within the next two years. Tax-exemptions and
low-interest loans should be offered for installations of small
solar power systems.
A strategy for expanding energy storage capacity should be
developed using modelled pathways of the future energy system to
assess the storage needs. A regulatory framework for storage
providers should be included.
A time-based price system for energy consumption should be
implemented as soon as possible for electricity customers, starting
with medium to large corporate consumers first.
Investment in regasification and storage infrastructure will
help to prevent overreliance on Spain’s regasification plants.
Domestic natural gas exploration in the Tendrara and Gharb
regions and a national regulatory system for natural gas production
will stabilise its supply. Transparent financing regulations would
prevent gas production projects from halting.
The female upper reproductive tract harbors endogenous microbial profiles
Authors: Canha-Gouveia Analuce , Pérez-Prieto Inmaculada , Rodríguez Carmen Martínez , Escamez Teresa , Baños Irene Leonés , Salas-Espejo Eduardo , Prieto-Sánchez Maria Teresa , Sánchez-Ferrer Maria Luisa , Coy Pilar , Altmäe Signe
Published: February 2023

The female reproductive tract harbours its microbial communities (microbiota) and its composition has been associated with reproductive functions in health and disease. Endometrial microbiome (genomes of microbes) studies are in agreement that uterus possesses higher bacterial diversity and richness than the vagina (where Lactobacillus is dominating) but the knowledge of the Fallopian tubes (FT) microbiomal composition is lacking, especially in fertile women in disease-free conditions. Our study included 24 women with confirmed fertility having benign uterine pathology submitted to abdominal hysterectomy or opting for contraceptive method by tubal ligation at Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca de Murcia (HCUVA). The microbiome of FT and endometrial samples was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We detected distinct microbial community profiles in the endometrial and FT samples indicating that the upper reproductive tract harbors an endogenous microbiome and in big part these two sites share the microbial profile (69% of the detected taxa). Nevertheless, 17 bacterial taxa were exclusively detected in the FT that included Enhydrobacter, Granulicatella, Haemophilus, Rhizobium, Alistipes y Paracoccus, among others, while 10 were found only in the endometrium, including Klebsiella, Olsenella, Oscillibacter and Veillonella (FDR <0.05). Further, our study shows that the endometrial collection method influences the findings, where Lactobacillus dominated in the samples obtained transcervically (vaginal contamination is suspected), while Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter, Coprococcus, Methylobacterium, Prevotella, Roseburia, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus were more abundant when sampling was performed directly from the uterus at hysterescopy. Although the upper reproductive tract seems to be a low microbial biomass site, our results suggest that the endometrial and FT microbiome is unique for each individual. In fact, samples obtained from the same individual from the endometrium and FT demonstrated more microbial similarity than for the same tissue (endometrium or FT) from two different women. Unraveling the female upper reproductive microbiome helps to understand the natural microenvironment in the tissues where the first processes of oocyte fertilization and embryo development and implantation are taking place and could therefore be used for improving in vitro fertilization and embryo culture conditions in treating infertile patients.
Practical aspects of regulating the chromatic indices of rosé sparkling wine by expedition liqueur with the use of sulphiting agents
Authors: V.Taranenko
Published: February 2023

Chromaticity is a musical and colour synaesthesia, due to which the taster builds an associative row at the first meeting with the sparkling wine. The so-called "crunching" sound reproduced by the bursting bubbles on the surface of the sparkling wine poured into the glass presupposes a chromatic reference of the colour palette. A study of the effect of expedition liqueur on the colour change of rosé sparkling wine was carried out and it was found that the colour gradient is directly affected by expedition liqueur. Experimental samples of sparkling wine and expedition liqueur were prepared according to the classical production technology. The dosage technology involves the addition of sulphite components which protect the finished sparkling wine from oxidation. Sulphur dioxide, like tannins, are natural antiseptics. The highest levels of added sulphites are found in wines with the lowest tannin content. Correspondingly white and rosé wines have a high level of sulphites, as they are very delicate. The chromatic values of the test samples, in which sulphated forwarding liquor from 4 g/dm3 to 50 g/dm3 was added, had changes of colour from soft pink to honeydew. The pink overtones in these experimental samples are possible due to the binding of pigments with bisulphite. The chromatic values of the test samples, to which unsulphitised expedition liquor from 4 g/dm3 to 50 g/dm3 was added, had a clear shade gradient from the colour of the thigh of the frightened native nymph to the colour of the acaju. Without the addition of sulphiting agents, the colour palette changed consistently and homogeneously.
Subtype classification and prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on variable importance analysis
Authors: Gao Qian , Hao Ting , Zhang Huifang , Chen Shuting , Xi Yanfeng , Guan Hongwei , Wang Tong
Published: February 2023

Background: Gene expression profiling (GEP) is considered as gold standard for cell-of-origin (COO) classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the high dimensionality of GEP limits its application in clinical practice.
Methods: In this study, we aim to develop a parsimonious model based on GEP to accurately predict COO subtype of DLBCL for clinical applications. We first proposed a variable important measure to solve the instability of penalized regression methods in high-dimensional settings. Then this strategy was applied to six penalized methods to identify a small gene subset for DLBCL classification. Using a training dataset of 350 DLBCL patients, we developed a six-gene model for DLBCL classification. For training and validation datasets, model evaluations showed the six-gene model performed well in terms of discrimination, calibration and clinical usefulness. Subgroups of patients characterized by these six genes showed significantly different prognosis. Furthermore, model comparisons demonstrated that the six-gene model outperformed models constructed by typical penalized regression methods.
Results: In this study, we applied the above strategies for DLBCL classification analysis. Finally, six genes were identified as an optimal gene subset for both subtype classification and survival prediction in DLBCL. The predictive and prognostic performances of those six genes were further validated in the external dataset. What’s more, taking simplicity and predictability of clinical models into consideration, we found that the six-gene model outperformed the typically penalized regression models.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the six genes had considerable clinical usefulness in DLBCL classification and prognosis. The genes order based on their importance provided a priority for further functional and targeted drug research.
ASSOCIATION OF MMP-9 GENETIC POLYMORPHISM AND ММР-9 CONCENTRATION WITH ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS IN UKRAINIAN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Authors: Pogorielova Oksana , Korniienko Viktoriia , Chumachenko Yaroslav , Obukhova Olha , Martsovenko Igor , Grek Andrii , Prystupa Liudmila , Harbuzova Viktoriia
Published: February 2023

Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of reduced life expectancy, workability, and death among the people of Eastern Europe. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is known as one of the leading factors involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis and heart remodeling. The increasing sizes of the heart’s chambers lead to changes in the electrophysiological properties of the myocardium and to the subsequent occurrence of arrhythmias and conduction disorders.
Materials and methods. The study included 25 patients with intact coronary arteries (CA), 40 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 63 patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) to investigate the effect of MMP-9 polymorphism and its serum concentration on changes in echocardiographic parameters. Real-time PCR was carried out for genotyping on the rs17567-polymorphic locus and ELISA study was performed to measure the MMP-9 plasma concentration.
Results. Statistically significant differences were found in the thickness of the posterior wall of the heart among carriers of the G-allele and AA-homozygotes for the MMP-9 rs17576-single nucleotide polymorphism but only in patients with ACS. The size of the left ventricle posterior wall can be predicted for carriers of these genotypes.
Conclusions. The study revealed no statistically significant relationship between MMP-9 concentration and echocardiographic parameters in patients with ACS and CCS. However, there were statistically significant differences in the left atrium diameter and thickness of the posterior wall of the left ventricle depending on the genotype for MMP-9 rs17576-single nucleotide polymorphism only in patients with ACS. The size of the posterior wall of the left ventricle can be predicted for carriers of AG and GG genotypes.
THE EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANT THERAPY ON THE CHANGES OF CLINICAL AND LABORATORY PARAMETERS IN ALCOHOL DRINKERS WITH PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS
Authors: Hrek Ivan , Kochuieva Maryna , Psarova Valentyna , Kochuiev Hennady , Rohozhyn Anton
Published: February 2023

Objective. Determination of the effect of antioxidants on clinical and laboratory parameters in alcohol drinkers with infiltrative newly-diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).
Materials and Methods. 109 patients with newly-diagnosed PTB were examined. All patients underwent a comprehensive medical examination, immunological blood tests, determination of the parameters of the oxidative stress-antioxidant defense system. Patients were divided into three main groups, depending on the level of alcohol consumption. Patients in each of the three groups were further divided into two subgroups depending on the treatment regimen. Statistical analysis was performed using the STATISTICA program.
Results. In patients who received standard therapy, increased alcohol consumption was associated with a decrease in the positive changes of the majority of inflammation and immune status indicators. This trend, in particular, was observed with regard to the progress of the decay cavities closure, persistence of cough complaints, changes in indicators of the immune-inflammatory (CRP, CD8+, CD4/CD8, PAMW, IPC) and oxidative status (SOD, GPX) (p ≤ 0.05). After the antioxidants had been added, the best improvement of immune-inflammatory and oxidative status was observed in group 2 (p ≤ 0.05). Additional antioxidant therapy in patients with newly-diagnosed PTB, regardless of alcohol consumption, contributed to better positive dynamics of cellular immunity, oxidative stress, and endogenous intoxication.
Conclusions. The addition of antioxidant drugs to the standard therapy of patients with newly-diagnosed PTB was accompanied by improved clinical and radiological, oxidative and immune-inflammatory parameters. Antioxidant therapy in such patients, regardless of the initial level of alcohol consumption, promoted better positive dynamics of phagocytic and enzymatic activity of neutrophils, oxidative stress, and endogenous intoxication. The best changes in immune-inflammatory and oxidative status among patients taking antioxidants were observed in those who took alcohol at a health-threatening level.
The help of the ukrainian diaspora for Ukraine: the example of Bohdan Hawrylyshyn.
Authors: Gavrylyshyn P.M.
Published: February 2023

The purpose of the study is to understand how the representative of the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada and the diaspora, Bohdan Havrylyshyn, managed to incorporate into Ukrainian society and the state during the period of restoration of its statehood. The author analyzed the activities of the well-known representative of the diaspora, Bohdan Gavrylyshyn, in favor of independent Ukraine. The main milestones of his biography are presented. Since childhood, he wanted to become a sufficiently authoritative person to influence the development of Ukrainian society. The periods of his life in such countries as Poland, Canada, Switzerland and Ukraine are revealed. The factors influencing the formation of the outlook of the future scientist and public figure are described. The formation of Bohdan Gavrylyshyn’s professional career and his gaining authority in the world as an excellent lecturer, scientist and director of the Management Training Center in Geneva are considered. His first three visits to Ukraine were analyzed. His friendly contacts in Ukraine, the institutions he founded (International Institute of Management in Kyiv, International Foundation «Renaissance», International Center for Prospective Studies), their influence and significance for Ukrainian society are shown. The creation of the Advisory Council under the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is described. His actions in favor of Plast, in particular during the time when he headed it, are highlighted. In particular, assistance regarding Plast’s entry into the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The activity of the Bohdan Havrylyshyn Charitable Foundation was shown, which aimed to prepare projects and internship programs for a new generation of Ukrainians to teach them to work in teams and be able to play a leading role in Ukrainian society.
Online strategies of brands: A case of Portuguese luxury fashion designers
Authors: Teixeira Sandrina , Luís Reis José , Barbosa Belém , Ferreira Sofia
Published: February 2023

The assertive online strategies of Portuguese luxury fashion brands/designers (LFBDs) are essential for managers to succeed in the digital medium and establish long-lasting relationships with clients. This paper explores the challenges in digitizing all the distinctive elements of a luxury fashion brand: the product characteristics, the luxury atmosphere, the personalization of the service, and the services provided. Fourteen Portuguese brands/designers were selected for content analysis. According to Hansen’s framework, 43% of Portuguese LFBDs fail to share information about their companies on their websites, and only 43% include promotions. Only 36% have a community outside the websites, compared to 93% of the international luxury fashion brands. Moreover, Portuguese websites lack 360° technology and augmented reality. Considering the Digital Visual Merchandising – MVD Grid, Portuguese LFBDs do not allow multiple zooms and 2D F/T cursor change, while international brands feature these tools. Regarding the Social Media Performance Analysis Grid, the global average engagement rate of Portuguese LFBDs on Facebook is 0.19% and on Instagram – 0.89%. According to Social Media Content Analysis Grid, Portuguese brands bet a lot on sharing content in story format, mainly on Instagram; however, Facebook has a higher network value. Therefore, the findings show that Portuguese LFBDs should be present and market their products online. This online presence must be supported by a multi-channel strategy while maintaining luxury product characteristics and elements of differentiation.
AcknowledgmentThis study is partially financed by the Portuguese national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, under the project UIDB/05422/2020.
Retracted: Integrated modeling of food–water–energy nexus for maximizing water
productivity
Authors: Khayatnezhad Majid , Fataei Ebrahim , Imani Aliakbar
Published: February 2023

One of the needs of a sustainable decision-making system in agriculture is to determine the role of energy in the food production cycle. Wind energy turbines can be built in agricultural fields for groundwater exploitation and reduce the cost of energy supply for the pumping system. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of wind energy and economics on sustainable planning of agricultural water resources. A multiobjective framework was developed based on the nondominated sorting principle and water cycle optimizer. Maximization of benefit per cost ratio for the total cropping pattern and minimization of energy consumption for the growing season were addressed as the objectives of the nonlinear problem. The prediction of biomass production was made by simulating a hybrid structure between the soil moisture balance in the root zone area and the development of the canopy cover of each crop. The results showed that the objectives of the problem have been met by irrigation planning using climatic constraints and drought stresses. About 35% of the total water requirement of plants with a higher harvest index (watermelon, melon, etc.) is in the maturing stage of the shade cover.
Propagación clonal de líneas avanzadas de Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) en un sistema de Biorreactores de Inmersión Temporal
Authors: Tapia y Figueroa María de Lourdes , Gómez Pando Luz R.
Published: February 2023

La Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni), es una especie originaria de Paraguay y Brasil, la cual se utiliza como edulcorante natural con valor medicinal en la preparación de bebidas, dulces y otros. Su propagación a través de semillas sexuales está limitada por la mala calidad de las mismas, por lo que se promueve su propagación asexual mediante diferentes técnicas in vitro. En la presente investigación se estudió la respuesta de tres líneas avanzadas de stevia a la propagación en Biorreactores de Inmersión Temporal con cuatro tratamientos diferentes. El tratamiento M2 (MS + 1 mg/L BAP + 0.1 mg/L NAA + 30 g Sacarosa) dio los mejores resultados para todas las características evaluadas con excepción del número de raicillas/plántula y siendo el tratamiento M1 (MS sin reguladores de crecimiento + 30 g de Sacarosa) con la que se logró el mayor número, de raíces y buenos valores para las demás características. Se lograron plantas de alta calidad y el genotipo que mejor respondió fue IBT-1 y en la fase de aclimatación se obtuvo una alta tasa de supervivencia.
Research Progress in Small Molecules as Anti-vitiligo Agents
Authors: Wu Heng , Niu Chao , Aisa Haji Akber
Published: February 2023

Vitiligo is a disease characterized by skin discoloration, and no safe and effective drugs have been developed until now. New drug research and development are imminent. This article reviews the research on small-molecule drugs for vitiligo from 1990 to 2021 at home and abroad. They are classified according to their structures and mechanisms of action, including natural products and derivatives, anti-oxidative stress drugs, immunosuppressants, prostaglandins, etc. The research on their anti-vitiligo activity, structural modification, new dosage forms, clinical trials, and the development trend in new anti-vitiligo drugs are reviewed, which provides important references for the development of new drugs.