bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of main mineral fertilizers application and plants nutrition area on the quality of thyme raw plant materials (Thymus vulgaris L.) under irrigation conditions
Authors: Pryvedeniuk N. , Kutsyk T. , Hlushchenko L.
Published: September 2021

The impact of nutrition area on Thymus vulgaris L. accumulation of essential oils in dry raw materials (Thymiherba) was studied and described in the article. Four schemes of cultivation were chosen to be studied: 45×40 cm — 56 thousand plants/ha, 45×30 cm — 74 thousand plants/ha, 45×20 cm — 111 thousand plants/ ha, 45×10 cm — 222 thousand plants/ha. It was shown that the increase of nutrition area helped to increase the content of essential oils in dry raw materials. Dry thyme grass with the highest content of essential oil 21.3 ml/kg was obtained when variants with the largest plant nutrition area were applied (the schemes of cultivation 45×40 cm — 56 thousand plants/ha). Reduction of the nutrition area decreased the essential oil content. According to the scheme of cultivation 45×30 cm (74 thousand plants/ha) content decreased to 20.8 ml/kg, and for the minimal nutrition area 45×10 cm (222 thousand plants/ha) the content of essential oil was 18.5 ml/kg. It was confirmed that main part of the essential oil in the raw thyme is contained in leaves, flowers and small sprouts. At the same time the woody stems contain essential oil only in trace amounts. According to the cultivation scheme 45x10 cm (222 thousand plants/ha) the leaves contained 34.2 ml/kg of essential oil, when the stems only 2.1 ml/kg. When the area of plant nutrition was increased the quality of raw materials slightly improved — for the scheme of cultivation 45x30 cm (74 thousand plants/ha) leaves contained 35.9 ml/kg, stems — 2.1 ml/kg of essential oil. The content of essential oil in the leaves was the highest — 36.2 ml/kg while using the scheme with maximum researched plant nutrition area 45×40 cm (56 thousand plants / ha). The efficiency of four norms of basic mineral fertilizers application was investigated: N0P0K0, N60P60K60, N120P120K120 and N180P180K180. It was found that increasing the rate of fertilizer application increased the yield of dry raw thyme and the content of essential oil. The most effective rate of fertilizer application is N180P180K180, which provided a dry leaves yield of 2.48 t/ha with an essential oil content of 38.2 ml/ha.The results showed that with the increase of the number of plants per unit area, the share of leaves in the total mass of raw materials decreased from 52.3% to 45.1%, but due to a significant increase in plantation productivity, dry leaf yields increased. The highest productivity was recorded for the variant of cultivation schemes 45×10 cm with a planting density of 222 thousand plants/ha, where the yield of dried thyme leaves was 1.52 t/ha.
POLÍTICAS DE FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA PARA PROFESSORES INICIANTES EM SOBRAL/CE
Authors: Zamoner Zuleika , Anorozo Nunes Lilian Flávia , Rocha Amaro Thiago , Ortiz Monteiro Patrícia
Published: September 2021

O município de Sobral/CE vem protagonizando um espetacular caso de melhora de desempenho dos estudantes no Ensino Fundamental, a despeito do preocupante estado da educação no Brasil. Este estudo tem por objetivos: conhecer as políticas de formação continuada para os professores iniciantes deste município; analisar os dados oficiais das avaliações externas e; discutir a possibilidade de modelização dessa organização educacional. Estrutura-se como de natureza aplicada e descritiva, de levantamento bibliográfico, com abordagem qualitativa. Foram utilizados como instrumentos para a coleta de dados a entrevista e os formulários elaborados pelas autoras nas suas teses de doutoramento sobre o tema. Para análise dos dados coletados utilizou-se a técnica de análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados demonstram que a cultura organizacional e sedimentada em políticas públicas nesse município já está formalizada na legislação, apoia todo o sistema educacional e direciona os trabalhos diários nas escolas com o público-alvo, que são professores e alunos. Verificou-se a continuidade dessa política, diferentemente do que se observa em outras regiões e municípios. As políticas públicas de formação inicial de Sobral repercutiram na vida do professor e do aluno, já que a ampliação do repertório cultural de um amplia a do outro. O incentivo a cada dia e a busca pelo melhor que se pode oferecer para os alunos fez parte desse projeto.
CONCEPÇÃO DE CIÊNCIA PARA JOVENS DE DUAS INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO DO RIO DE JANEIRO
Authors: De Oliveira Sordillo Claudia Maria , Braz Ramos Margareth , Querido de Oliveira Chamon Edna Maria
Published: September 2021

No cenário pandêmico atual as questões sobre a Ciência e sua importância na sociedade tornaram-se mais visíveis e urgentes. Por outro lado, o isolamento social causado pela COVID-19, tem intensificado as relações virtuais através das redes sociais digitais, por onde tem circulado grande número de informações, cuja veracidade nem sempre é verificada, podendo gerar insegurança e desinformação. Com o objetivo de realizar um estudo preliminar sobre as representações sociais de Ciência, e sobre as fontes de informação para o tema, entre jovens concluintes do ensino médio e outros em formação profissional, foram disponibilizados questionários em ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem de duas instituições de educação localizadas no Rio de Janeiro, uma delas de Ensino Médio Regular e outra de formação profissional. As respostas foram organizadas em planilhas, com o auxílio do editor de planilhas Excel, e apresentadas em gráficos sobre os quais se fez uma análise à luz do referencial teórico utilizado. Os resultados apontam que os estudantes das duas Instituições utilizam, com maior frequência, canais digitais do YouTube para obter informações sobre Ciência e que a maioria dos sujeitos a relaciona à produção de conhecimento e reconhece sua importância para a compreensão do mundo que os cerca.
A Linkage-specific Sialic Acid Labeling Strategy Reveals Different Site-specific Glycosylation Patterns in SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Produced in CHO and HEK Cell Substrates
Authors: Wang Qiong , Wang Yan , Yang Shuang , Lin Changyi , Aliyu Lateef , Chen Yiqun , Parsons Lisa , Tian Yuan , Jia Hongpeng , Pekosz Andrew , Betenbaugh Michael J. , Cipollo John F.
Published: September 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus utilizes the extensively glycosylated spike (S) protein protruding from the viral envelope to bind to angiotensin-converting enzyme-related carboxypeptidase (ACE2) as its primary receptor to mediate host-cell entry. Currently, the main recombinant S protein production hosts are Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. In this study, a recombinant S protein truncated at the transmembrane domain and engineered to express a C-terminal trimerization motif was transiently produced in CHO and HEK cell suspensions. To further evaluate the sialic acid linkages presenting on S protein, a two-step amidation process, employing dimethylamine and ammonium hydroxide reactions in a solid support system, was developed to differentially modify the sialic acid linkages on the glycans and glycopeptides from the S protein. The process also adds a charge to Asp and Glu which aids in ionization. We used MALDI-TOF and LC-MS/MS with electron-transfer/higher-energy collision dissociation (EThcD) fragmentation to determine global and site-specific N-linked glycosylation patterns. We identified 21 and 19 out of the 22 predicted N-glycosites of the SARS-CoV-2 S proteins produced in CHO and HEK, respectively. It was found that the N-glycosite at 1,158 position (N1158) and at 122, 282 and 1,158 positions (N122, N282 and N1158) were absent on S from CHO and HEK cells, respectively. The structural mapping of glycans of recombinant human S proteins reveals that CHO-Spike exhibits more complex and higher sialylation (α2,3-linked) content while HEK-Spike exhibits more high-mannose and a small amount of α2,3- and α2,6-linked sialic acids. The N74 site represents the most abundant glycosite on both spike proteins. The relatively higher amount of high-mannose abundant sites (N17, N234, N343, N616, N709, N717, N801, and N1134) on HEK-Spike suggests that glycan-shielding may differ among the two constructs. HEK-Spike can also provide different host immune system interaction profiles based on known immune system active lectins. Collectively, these data underscore the importance of characterizing the site-specific glycosylation of recombinant human spike proteins from HEK and CHO cells in order to better understand the impact of the production host on this complex and important protein used in research, diagnostics and vaccines.
Robust and Fast Lithium Storage Enabled by Polypyrrole-Coated Nitrogen and Phosphorus Co-Doped Hollow Carbon Nanospheres for Lithium-Ion Capacitors
Authors: Zhang Mengdi , Zheng Xuan , Mu Jiawei , Liu Pengfei , Yuan Wenhan , Li Shuli , Wang Xiaobo , Fang Haiqiu , Liu Haiyan , Xing Tao , Hu Han , Wu Mingbo
Published: September 2021

Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) have been proposed as an emerging technological innovation that integrates the advantages of lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. However, the high-power output of LICs still suffers from intractable challenges due to the sluggish reaction kinetics of battery-type anodes. Herein, polypyrrole-coated nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped hollow carbon nanospheres (NPHCS@PPy) were synthesized by a facile method and employed as anode materials for LICs. The unique hybrid architecture composed of porous hollow carbon nanospheres and PPy coating layer can expedite the mass/charge transport and enhance the structural stability during repetitive lithiation/delithiation process. The N and P dual doping plays a significant role on expanding the carbon layer spacing, enhancing electrode wettability, and increasing active sites for pseudocapacitive reactions. Benefiting from these merits, the NPHCS@PPy composite exhibits excellent lithium-storage performances including high rate capability and good cycling stability. Furthermore, a novel LIC device based on the NPHCS@PPy anode and the nitrogen-doped porous carbon cathode delivers a high energy density of 149 Wh kg−1 and a high power density of 22,500 W kg−1 as well as decent cycling stability with a capacity retention rate of 92% after 7,500 cycles. This work offers an applicable and alternative way for the development of high-performance LICs.
Can Machine Learning be Applied to Carbon Emissions Analysis: An Application to the CO2 Emissions Analysis Using Gaussian Process Regression
Authors: Ma Ning , Shum Wai Yan , Han Tingting , Lai Fujun
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a nonparametric kernel prediction algorithm in machine learning is applied to predict CO2 emissions. A literature review has been conducted so that proper independent variables can be identified. Traditional parametric modeling approaches and the Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) algorithms were introduced, and their prediction performance was summarized. The reliability and efficiency of the proposed algorithms were then demonstrated through the comparison of the actual and the predicted results. The results showed that the GPR method can give the most accurate predictions on CO2 emissions.
Isolation of Skin Leukocytes Uncovers Phagocyte Inflammatory Responses During Induction and Resolution of Cutaneous Inflammation in Fish
Authors: Soliman Amro M. , Yoon Taekwan , Wang Jiahui , Stafford James L. , Barreda Daniel R.
Published: September 2021

Leukocytes offer a critical layer of protection to the host following skin infections. Delineating the kinetics of cutaneous leukocyte recruitment as well as their anti-microbial and regulatory profiles is challenging since it requires the isolation of adequate cell numbers and maintenance of their functional properties. Herein, we took advantage of a modified procedure to gain insights into the contributions of fish phagocytes through induction and resolution phases of acute cutaneous inflammation in goldfish (Carassius auratus). Our data shows early upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which was paired with neutrophil-dominant leukocyte migration of neutrophils from circulation to the injury site. Recruited neutrophils were associated with high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Following pathogen elimination, a reduction in ROS levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression preceded the resolution of inflammation. These results provide a better understanding of the cutaneous immune responses in fish. Moreover, the increased viability and functionality of isolated skin leukocytes opens the door to better understand a range of additional skin diseases.
Impoverished Inhibitory Control Exacerbates Multisensory Impairments in Older Fallers
Authors: Scurry Alexandra N. , Lovelady Zachary , Lemus Daniela M. , Jiang Fang
Published: September 2021

Impaired temporal perception of multisensory cues is a common phenomenon observed in older adults that can lead to unreliable percepts of the external world. For instance, the sound induced flash illusion (SIFI) can induce an illusory percept of a second flash by presenting a beep close in time to an initial flash-beep pair. Older adults that have enhanced susceptibility to a fall demonstrate significantly stronger illusion percepts during the SIFI task compared to those older adults without any history of falling. We hypothesize that a global inhibitory deficit may be driving the impairments across both postural stability and multisensory function in older adults with a fall history (FH). We investigated oscillatory activity and perceptual performance during the SIFI task, to understand how active sensory processing, measured by gamma (30–80 Hz) power, was regulated by alpha activity (8–13 Hz), oscillations that reflect inhibitory control. Compared to young adults (YA), the FH and non-faller (NF) groups demonstrated enhanced susceptibility to the SIFI. Further, the FH group had significantly greater illusion strength compared to the NF group. The FH group also showed significantly impaired performance relative to YA during congruent trials (2 flash-beep pairs resulting in veridical perception of 2 flashes). In illusion compared to non-illusion trials, the NF group demonstrated reduced alpha power (or diminished inhibitory control). Relative to YA and NF, the FH group showed reduced phase-amplitude coupling between alpha and gamma activity in non-illusion trials. This loss of inhibitory capacity over sensory processing in FH compared to NF suggests a more severe change than that consequent of natural aging.
Prognostic Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Wenxia , Hou Miaomiao , Ding Zhibin , Liu Xiaolei , Shao Yuan , Li Xinyi
Published: September 2021

Background: Stroke has become a major problem around the world, which is one of the main causes of long-term disability. Therefore, it is important to seek a biomarker to predict the prognosis of patients with stroke. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the prognosis of stroke patients.

Methods: This study was pre-registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020186544). We performed systematic research in PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases for studies investigating the prognostic value of NLR. Based on the enrolled studies, patients were divided into the low-NLR cohort and the high-NLR cohort. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and analyzed by the Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 12.0 software. Heterogeneity was estimated by using Cochran's Q test and I2 value. Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were also performed to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed with funnel plots and assessed by Egger's tests.

Results: Forty-one studies with 27,124 patients were included. In the overall analysis, elevated NLR was associated with an increased mortality in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.07–1.16) and in acute hemorrhagic stroke (AHS) patients (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.09–1.39), poorer outcomes in AIS patients (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.16–1.44), and in AHS patients (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03–1.20). While in terms of hemorrhagic transformation (HT), elevated NLR was associated with an increased incidence of HT in AIS patients (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.08–1.23).

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that elevated NLR was significantly associated with poor prognosis of stroke patients. High NLR is associated with a 1.1- to 1.3-fold increased risk of poor outcomes of AIS/AHS patients. NLR could be helpful as a potential prognostic biomarker to guide clinical decision making.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020186544.
Palliative Care Challenges of Patients With Progressive Bulbar Palsy: A Retrospective Case Series of 14 Patients
Authors: Bublitz Sarah K. , Weck Christiane , Egger-Rainer Andrea , Lex Katharina , Paal Piret , Lorenzl Stefan
Published: September 2021

Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) is a form of motoneuron disease and is widely classified as a subtype of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with a shorter time of survival and female predominance. In this retrospective case series of 14 patients with PBP, we focus on challenges in palliative care for this patient cohort, including symptom control, gastrostomy, non-invasive ventilation, and end-of-life phase. We show that rapid physical decline at the end of life is associated with bronchopulmonary infection and excessive oral secretion leading to a high level of symptom burden. Early and regular advance care planning discussions with a focus on oral secretion management with patients and caregivers are crucial.
Chip Protein U-Box Domain Truncation Affects Purkinje Neuron Morphology and Leads to Behavioral Changes in Zebrafish
Authors: Pakdaman Yasaman , Denker Elsa , Austad Eirik , Norton William H. J. , Rolfsnes Hans O. , Bindoff Laurence A. , Tzoulis Charalampos , Aukrust Ingvild , Knappskog Per M. , Johansson Stefan , Ellingsen Ståle
Published: September 2021

The ubiquitin ligase CHIP (C-terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein) is encoded by STUB1 and promotes ubiquitination of misfolded and damaged proteins. CHIP deficiency has been linked to several diseases, and mutations in the human STUB1 gene are associated with recessive and dominant forms of spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAR16/SCA48). Here, we examine the effects of impaired CHIP ubiquitin ligase activity in zebrafish (Danio rerio). We characterized the zebrafish stub1 gene and Chip protein, and generated and characterized a zebrafish mutant causing truncation of the Chip functional U-box domain. Zebrafish stub1 has a high degree of conservation with mammalian orthologs and was detected in a wide range of tissues in adult stages, with highest expression in brain, eggs, and testes. In the brain, stub1 mRNA was predominantly detected in the cerebellum, including the Purkinje cell layer and granular layer. Recombinant wild-type zebrafish Chip showed ubiquitin ligase activity highly comparable to human CHIP, while the mutant Chip protein showed impaired ubiquitination of the Hsc70 substrate and Chip itself. In contrast to SCAR16/SCA48 patients, no gross cerebellar atrophy was evident in mutant fish, however, these fish displayed reduced numbers and sizes of Purkinje cell bodies and abnormal organization of Purkinje cell dendrites. Mutant fish also had decreased total 26S proteasome activity in the brain and showed behavioral changes. In conclusion, truncation of the Chip U-box domain leads to impaired ubiquitin ligase activity and behavioral and anatomical changes in zebrafish, illustrating the potential of zebrafish to study STUB1-mediated diseases.
Antidiabetic DPP-4 Inhibitors Reprogram Tumor Microenvironment That Facilitates Murine Breast Cancer Metastasis Through Interaction With Cancer Cells via a ROS–NF-кB–NLRP3 Axis
Authors: Li Rui , Zeng Xin , Yang Meihua , Feng Jinmei , Xu Xiaohui , Bao Liming , Ye Tingbo , Wang Xin , Xue Bingqian , Huang Yi
Published: September 2021

Improvement of understanding of the safety profile and biological significance of antidiabetic agents in breast cancer (BC) progression may shed new light on minimizing the unexpected side effect of antidiabetic reagents in diabetic patients with BC. Our recent finding showed that Saxagliptin (Sax) and Sitagliptin (Sit), two common antidiabetic dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) compounds, promoted murine BC 4T1 metastasis via a ROS–NRF2–HO-1 axis in nonobese diabetic–severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD-SCID) mice. However, the potential role of DPP-4i in BC progression under immune-competent status remains largely unknown. Herein, we extended our investigation and revealed that Sax and Sit also accelerated murine BC 4T1 metastasis in orthotopic, syngeneic, and immune-competent BALB/c mice. Mechanically, we found that DPP-4i not only activated ROS–NRF2–HO-1 axis but also triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation and its downstream metastasis-associated gene levels in vitro and in vivo, while NF-кB inhibition significantly abrogated DPP-4i-driven BC metastasis in vitro. Meanwhile, inhibition of NRF2–HO-1 activation attenuated DPP-4i-driven NF-кB activation, while NRF2 activator ALA enhanced NF-кB activation, indicating an essential role of ROS–NRF2–HO-1 axis in DPP-4i-driven NF-кB activation. Furthermore, we also found that DPP-4i increased tumor-infiltrating CD45, MPO, F4/80, CD4, and Foxp3-positive cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and decreased CD8-positive lymphocytes in metastatic sites, but did not significantly alter cell viability, apoptosis, differentiation, and suppressive activation of 4T1-induced splenic MDSCs. Moreover, we revealed that DPP-4i triggered ROS-NF-κB-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation in BC cells, leading to increase in inflammation cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), IL-1β and IL-33, and MDSCs inductors granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), G-CSF, and M-CSF, which play a crucial role in the remodeling of tumor immune-suppressive microenvironment. Thus, our findings suggest that antidiabetic DPP-4i reprograms tumor microenvironment that facilitates murine BC metastasis by interaction with BC cells via a ROS–NRF2–HO-1–NF-κB–NLRP3 axis. This finding not only provides a mechanistic insight into the oncogenic ROS–NRF2–HO-1 in DPP-4i-driven BC progression but also offers novel insights relevant for the improvement of tumor microenvironment to alleviate DPP-4i-induced BC metastasis.
Jujuboside B Inhibits the Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cell Lines by Inducing Apoptosis and Autophagy
Authors: Guo Lin , Liang Yupei , Wang Shiwen , Li Lihui , Cai Lili , Heng Yongqing , Yang Jing , Jin Xing , Zhang Junqian , Yuan Shuying , Xu Tong , Jia Lijun
Published: September 2021

Jujuboside B (JB) is one of the main biologically active ingredients extracted from Zizyphi Spinosi Semen (ZSS), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine for treating insomnia and anxiety. Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. The purpose of this study was to examine whether JB could prevent breast cancer and its underlying mechanism. First, we reported that JB induced apoptosis and autophagy in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines. Further mechanistic studies have revealed that JB-induced apoptosis was mediated by NOXA in both two cell lines. Moreover, the AMPK signaling pathway plays an important role in JB-induced autophagy in MCF-7. To confirm the anti-breast cancer effect of JB, the interaction of JB-induced apoptosis and autophagy was investigated by both pharmacological and genetic approaches. Results indicated that autophagy played a pro-survival role in attenuating apoptosis. Further in vivo study showed that JB significantly suppressed the growth of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 xenografts. In conclusion, our findings indicate that JB exerts its anti-breast cancer effect in association with the induction of apoptosis and autophagy.
Propofol-Based Total Intravenous Anesthesia is Associated with Better Survival than Desflurane Anesthesia in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Tseng Wei-Cheng , Lee Meei-Shyuan , Lin Ying-Chih , Lai Hou-Chuan , Yu Mu-Hsien , Wu Ke-Li , Wu Zhi-Fu
Published: September 2021

Background: Previous studies have shown that anesthetic techniques can affect outcomes of cancer surgery. We investigated the association between anesthetic techniques and patient outcomes after elective epithelial ovarian cancer surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who received elective open surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer between January 2009 and December 2014. Patients were grouped according to the administration of propofol or desflurane anesthesia. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed, and survival curves were constructed from the date of surgery to death. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to compare hazard ratios for death after propensity matching. Subgroup analyses were performed for age, body mass index, preoperative carbohydrate antigen-125 level, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging, and operation and anesthesia time.

Results: In total, 165 patients (76 deaths, 46.1%) who received desflurane anesthesia and 119 (30 deaths, 25.2%) who received propofol anesthesia were eligible for analysis. After propensity matching, 104 patients were included in each group. In the matched analysis, patients who received propofol anesthesia had better survival with a hazard ratio of 0.52 (95% confidence interval, 0.33–0.81; p = 0.005). Subgroup analyses also showed significantly better survival with old age, high body mass index, elevated carbohydrate antigen-125 level, advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, and prolonged operation and anesthesia time in the matched propofol group. In addition, patients administered with propofol anesthesia had less postoperative recurrence and metastasis than those administered with desflurane anesthesia in the matched analysis.

Conclusion: Propofol anesthesia was associated with better survival in patients who underwent elective epithelial ovarian cancer open surgery. Prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the effects of propofol anesthesia on oncological outcomes in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.
Bifidobacterium Strains Present Distinct Effects on the Control of Alveolar Bone Loss in a Periodontitis Experimental Model
Authors: Shimabukuro Natali , Cataruci Amália C. de S. , Ishikawa Karin H. , Oliveira Bruna E. de , Kawamoto Dione , Ando-Suguimoto Ellen S. , Albuquerque-Souza Emmanuel , Nicoli Jacques R. , Ferreira Caroline M. , de Lima Jean , Bueno Manuela R. , da Silva Leandro B. R. , Silva Pedro H. F. , Messora Michel R. , Camara Niels O. S. , Simionato Maria Regina L. , Mayer Marcia P. A.
Published: September 2021

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease induced by a dysbiotic oral microbiome. Probiotics of the genus Bifidobacterium may restore the symbiotic microbiome and modulate the immune response, leading to periodontitis control. We evaluated the effect of two strains of Bifidobacterium able to inhibit Porphyromonas gingivalis interaction with host cells and biofilm formation, but with distinct immunomodulatory properties, in a mice periodontitis model. Experimental periodontitis (P+) was induced in C57Bl/6 mice by a microbial consortium of human oral organisms. B. bifidum 1622A [B+ (1622)] and B. breve 1101A [B+ (1101)] were orally inoculated for 45 days. Alveolar bone loss and inflammatory response in gingival tissues were determined. The microbial consortium induced alveolar bone loss in positive control (P + B-), as demonstrated by microtomography analysis, although P. gingivalis was undetected in oral biofilms at the end of the experimental period. TNF-α and IL-10 serum levels, and Treg and Th17 populations in gingiva of SHAM and P + B- groups did not differ. B. bifidum 1622A, but not B. breve 1101A, controlled bone destruction in P+ mice. B. breve 1101A upregulated transcription of Il-1β, Tnf-α, Tlr2, Tlr4, and Nlrp3 in P-B+(1101), which was attenuated by the microbial consortium [P + B+(1101)]. All treatments downregulated transcription of Il-17, although treatment with B. breve 1101A did not yield such low levels of transcripts as seen for the other groups. B. breve 1101A increased Th17 population in gingival tissues [P-B+ (1101) and P + B+ (1101)] compared to SHAM and P + B-. Administration of both bifidobacteria resulted in serum IL-10 decreased levels. Our data indicated that the beneficial effect of Bifidobacterium is not a common trait of this genus, since B. breve 1101A induced an inflammatory profile in gingival tissues and did not prevent alveolar bone loss. However, the properties of B. bifidum 1622A suggest its potential to control periodontitis.
Preliminary Investigations Into the Effect of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage on Systemic Extracellular Vesicle Release in Trained Younger and Older Men
Authors: Kyriakidou Yvoni , Cooper Isabella , Kraev Igor , Lange Sigrun , Elliott Bradley T.
Published: September 2021

Background: Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results in transient muscle inflammation, strength loss, and muscle soreness and may cause subsequent exercise avoidance. Research has recently proven that skeletal muscle can also release extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the circulation following a bout of exercise. However, EV’s potential role, including as a biomarker, in the response to eccentric resistance exercise stimulus remains unclear.

Methods: Twelve (younger, n=7, 27.0±1.5years and older, n=5, 63.0±1.0years) healthy, physically active males, undertaking moderate, regular physical activity (3–5 times per week) performed a unilateral high intensity eccentric exercise protocol. Venous plasma was collected for assessment of EVs and creatine kinase (CK) prior to EIMD, immediately after EIMD, and 1–72h post-EIMD, and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were assessed at all time points, except 1 and 2h post-EIMD.

Results: A significant effect of both time (p=0.005) and group (p<0.001) was noted for MVIC, with younger participants’ MVIC being higher throughout. Whilst a significant increase was observed in DOMS in the younger group (p=0.014) and in the older group (p=0.034) following EIMD, no significant differences were observed between groups. CK was not different between age groups but was altered following the EIMD (main effect of time p=0.026), with increased CK seen immediately post-, at 1 and 2h post-EIMD. EV count tended to be lower in older participants at rest, relative to younger participants (p=0.056), whilst EV modal size did not differ between younger and older participants pre-EIMD. EIMD did not substantially alter EV modal size or EV count in younger or older participants; however, the alteration in EV concentration (ΔCount) and EV modal size (ΔMode) between post-EIMD and pre-EIMD negatively associated with CK activity. No significant associations were noted between MVIC or DOMS and either ΔCount or ΔMode of EVs at any time point.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that profile of EV release, immediately following exercise, may predict later CK release and play a role in the EIMD response. Exercise-induced EV release profiles may therefore serve as an indicator for subsequent muscle damage.
Effect of Radiation Emitted by Wireless Devices on Male Reproductive Hormones: A Systematic Review
Authors: Maluin Sofwatul Mokhtarah , Osman Khairul , Jaffar Farah Hanan Fathihah , Ibrahim Siti Fatimah
Published: September 2021

Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from various wireless devices has increased dramatically with the advancement of technology. One of the most vulnerable organs to the RF-EMR is the testes. This is due to the fact that testicular tissues are more susceptible to oxidative stress due to a high rate of cell division and mitochondrial oxygen consumption. As a result of extensive cell proliferation, replication errors occur, resulting in DNA fragmentation in the sperm. While high oxygen consumption increases the level of oxidative phosphorylation by-products (free radicals) in the mitochondria. Furthermore, due to its inability to effectively dissipate excess heat, testes are also susceptible to thermal effects from RF-EMR exposure. As a result, people are concerned about its impact on male reproductive function. The aim of this article was to conduct a review of literature on the effects of RF-EMR emitted by wireless devices on male reproductive hormones in experimental animals and humans. According to the findings of the studies, RF-EMR emitted by mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices can cause testosterone reduction. However, the effect on gonadotrophic hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) is inconclusive. These findings were influenced by several factors, which can influence energy absorption and the biological effect of RF-EMR. The effect of RF-EMR in the majority of animal and human studies appeared to be related to the duration of mobile phone use. Thus, limiting the use of wireless devices is recommended.
Multi-Omics Analyses Reveal the Regulatory Network and the Function of ZmUGTs in Maize Defense Response
Authors: Ge Chunxia , Wang Yi-Ge , Lu Shouping , Zhao Xiang Yu , Hou Bing-Kai , Balint-Kurti Peter J. , Wang Guan-Feng
Published: September 2021

Maize is one of the major crops in the world; however, diseases caused by various pathogens seriously affect its yield and quality. The maize Rp1-D21 mutant (mt) caused by the intragenic recombination between two nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins, exhibits autoactive hypersensitive response (HR). In this study, we integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) in Rp1-D21 mt compared to the wild type (WT). Genes involved in pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) were enriched among the DEGs. The salicylic acid (SA) pathway and the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway were induced at both the transcriptional and metabolic levels. The DAMs identified included lipids, flavones, and phenolic acids, including 2,5-DHBA O-hexoside, the production of which is catalyzed by uridinediphosphate (UDP)-dependent glycosyltransferase (UGT). Four maize UGTs (ZmUGTs) homologous genes were among the DEGs. Functional analysis by transient co-expression in Nicotiana benthamiana showed that ZmUGT9250 and ZmUGT5174, but not ZmUGT9256 and ZmUGT8707, partially suppressed the HR triggered by Rp1-D21 or its N-terminal coiled-coil signaling domain (CCD21). None of the four ZmUGTs interacted physically with CCD21 in yeast two-hybrid or co-immunoprecipitation assays. We discuss the possibility that ZmUGTs might be involved in defense response by regulating SA homeostasis.
Social Support Experiences of Spousally Bereaved Individuals in a South African Township Community: The Botho/Ubuntu Perspective
Authors: Thomas Tsholofelo Angela
Published: September 2021

Bereavement is a deeply personal experience that is also shaped by one’s socio-cultural context. This qualitative study explored the social support experiences and needs of spousally bereaved individuals in a South African township. The botho/ubuntu philosophical framework was used to interpret participants’ experiences in this regard. Six ethnically diverse, bereaved spouses aged 55–67years, residing in a predominantly Setswana-speaking township in the North West Province of South Africa, were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. An indigenous knowledge consultant was interviewed to situate participant experiences pertaining to mourning rites and traditions within the indigenous socio-historical and contemporary cultural context. The following themes were identified: (i) Sources of social support during bereavement; (ii) Inadequate social support after spousal death; (iii) The need for grief counseling; and (iv) Social restrictions and systematic isolation during the traditional mourning period: “It is as if you smell.” Broadly, bereaved spouses drew on their support networks at various stages of their bereavement, which included family members, in-laws, friends, burial societies, their surrounding communities, and religious communities and figures. However, some experienced ostracization and stigmatization during the mourning period, which was invariably longer for the widows in this study, in line with conventions across Black South African cultures. Some participants reported withdrawal of support by their in-laws and harmful attitudes and assumptions rooted in patriarchal ideology by family members and in-laws. As pertaining to botho/ubuntu, the study also showed that communality or relationality entailed both positive and negative aspects, including support, co-operation, care, lack of support, stigmatization, and ostracization. Unlike conventional conceptualizations of botho/ubuntu, the study findings illustrate the human experience as comprising varying dimensions of relationality, ranging from harmony to disharmony. Findings regarding the negative aspects of communality are compatible with those relating to relational interdependence in African and East Asian settings. The findings also expand our understanding of the nature of disharmony alongside harmony in interdependent socio-cultural contexts.
Quality of Life and Factors Affecting It: A Study Among People Living Near a Solid Waste Management Facility
Authors: Phan Long Thanh , Nguyen Gia Thanh , Nguyen Quynh Anh Dac , Nguyen Hieu Song , Nguyen Tin Trung , Watanabe Toru
Published: September 2021

Background: The amount of waste generated has been increasing over the years. Meanwhile, the capacity of solid waste management facilities (SWMFs) for waste disposal does not meet the needs, resulting in adverse consequences on the natural environment and health of residents living near these plants, which can significantly degrade their quality of life (QoL). This study aims to evaluate the QoL of residents living near an SWMF and the potential impacts it has on the residents.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted involving 801 subjects, aged 18 and above, who live near the SWMF of Hue City, Vietnam. The QoL of the subjects was quantitatively assessed using the WHO QoL assessment scale (WHOQOL-BREF). The general, health, and environmental factors influencing QoL were identified using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: About 22.6% of the subjects had a good QoL. In particular, the proportions for good psychological health (6.9%) and environment (13.6%) were low, indicating an influence of the SWMF. Significant factors that degraded the QoL of residents were less education defined by not graduating from high school (odds ratio, OR = 2.78; 95% CI = 1.09–7.06), poor health status (OR = 2.50; 95% CI: 1.56–4.01), dissatisfaction with water quality (OR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.10–5.25), and unacceptance of the SWMF presence (OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.11–2.60). Moreover, subjects living within 2 km of the plant had dermatological diseases and digestive disorders more frequently than those who lived away from the plant. They also reported more complaints regarding water, air, and soil quality, which were likely due to the operation of the SWMF.

Conclusions: Burying and disposing of solid waste at the SWMF might lead to the degradation of the surrounding water and soil environments, and its collection and transportation are considered to cause odor and dust. The efforts of responsible authorities to strictly supervise and inspect these activities at the SWMF are essential, not only to protect the surrounding environment but also to improve the QoL of those who live nearby these plants.
Balanced Lethal Systems: An Evolutionary Mystery
Authors: Meilink Willem R. M. , France James , de Visser Manon C. , Wielstra Ben
Published: September 2021

When a female crested newt lays her clutch of about three-hundred eggs, half of these will never hatch. What an incredible waste! It turns out that these newts suffer from a deadly hereditary disease called a balanced lethal system. Here is how it works: in a balanced lethal system, there are two distinct versions of a particular chromosome. Newts need both to live. However, which version a fertilized newt egg gets from its father and mother is random. Therefore, there is a 50% chance that it receives the same version twice—and misses the other half of the critical pair. Hence, half of the eggs end up with the wrong chromosome combination and die. The newts are not the only example; balanced lethal systems are found in some plants and insects as well. Why something so disadvantageous as a balanced lethal system would ever evolve is still a big, evolutionary mystery!
Ion Source—Mathematical Simulation Results versus Experimental Data
Authors: Svotina Victoria V. , Cherkasova Maria V. , Mogulkin Andrey I. , Melnikov Andrey V. , Peysakhovich Oleg D.
Published: September 2021

To develop elements of a system for contact-free transportation of objects in space has now become an urgent task for the contemporary space-related activities. The purpose of work that is presented hereinafter was to conduct ground tests of the ion source, which is a key element of the above-mentioned system, and to compare the obtained experimental data with the mathematical simulation results in order to build a refined physical and mathematical model of the ion source. Such model was built on the basis of the classical problem regarding the motion of charged particles in an electrostatic field. Parameters of the ion source have been determined experimentally for several operating modes using various structural designs of the ion source electrodes. Two types of ion optics were tested—with slit and round apertures. Good correlation between simulation results and experimental data has been demonstrated. The optimum ion source operation modes have been identified to ensure minimum divergence angles for the plasma beam exiting from the ion source, which in its turn maximizes the pulse transmitted to the transported object.
Transcriptome Analysis Provides Insights into Hepatic Responses to Trichloroisocyanuric Acid Exposure in Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Authors: Zhou Shun , Dong Jing , Liu Yongtao , Yang Qiuhong , Xu Ning , Yang Yibin , Ai Xiaohui
Published: September 2021

In this study, goldfish (Carassius auratus) were exposed to 0 (control group) and 0.81 mg/L TCCA for four consecutive days. The liver transcriptome, the molecular indices of oxidative stress, and gills histopathology were investigated. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that energy metabolism-related pathways such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis were significantly enriched, suggesting their perturbation in the liver of goldfish. Additionally, TCCA exposure also caused pathological damage in gills, which compromised physiological function and decreased oxygen intake capacity of gills, thus leading to the enhancement of anaerobic metabolism. This finding was confirmed by the significant upregulation of lactate dehydrogenase in the liver of goldfish. Moreover, many phase I and phase II metabolic enzymes might be activated to alleviate TCCA-induced toxicity in goldfish, and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and cytochrome P450s (CYPs) play a crucial role in the metabolism of TCCA in the liver of goldfish. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzyme analysis showed that TCCA exposure induced oxidative damage in the liver and partially impaired the antioxidant defense system of goldfish, evidenced by decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level. In summary, this study will improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the TCCA-induced toxicity in goldfish.
Wearable Wireless Biosensor Technology for Monitoring Cattle: A Review
Authors: Lee Mingyung , Seo Seongwon
Published: September 2021

The review aimed to collect information about the wearable wireless sensor system (WWSS) for cattle and to conduct a systematic literature review on the accuracy of predicting the physiological parameters of these systems. The WWSS was categorized as an ear tag, halter, neck collar, rumen bolus, leg tag, tail-mounted, and vaginal mounted types. Information was collected from a web-based search on Google, then manually curated. We found about 60 WWSSs available in the market; most sensors included an accelerometer. The literature evaluating the WWSS performance was collected through a keyword search in Scopus. Among the 1875 articles identified, 46 documents that met our criteria were selected for further meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was conducted on the performance values (e.g., correlation, sensitivity, and specificity) for physiological parameters (e.g., feeding, activity, and rumen conditions). The WWSS showed high performance in most parameters, although some parameters (e.g., drinking time) need to be improved, and considerable heterogeneity of performance levels was observed under various conditions (average I2 = 76%). Nevertheless, some of the literature provided insufficient information on evaluation criteria, including experimental conditions and gold standards, to confirm the reliability of the reported performance. Therefore, guidelines for the evaluation criteria for studies evaluating WWSS performance should be drawn up.
Effectiveness of Pharmacist-Led Brief Educational Intervention for Adherence to the Antibiotics for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (EATSA) in Post-Conflict Rural Areas of Pakistan: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Khan Faiz Ullah , Fang Yu
Published: September 2021

Globally, lower respiratory infections (LRTIs) are one of the most common infectious diseases whichaffect majority of the population and as a result of inappropriate antibiotics practices lead to antibiotic resistance (AR). An individual randomized control trial will be conducted in the post-conflict areas of Swat, Pakistan, through a random sampling method. Patients aged > 18 years will be recruited from five community pharmacies and assigned to equally sized groups to receive either pharmacist-led education interventions or usual care with no intervention. A total of 400 (control = 200, study = 200) patients will be included, with prescriptions comprised of antibiotics for LRTIs. The outcomes measured in both groups will be a combination of treatment cure rate and adherence, which will be assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and pill count. The trial comprises pharmacist-led educational interventions to improve treatment outcomes for patients with LRTIs. This study might establish the groundwork for pharmaceutical care of LRTIs patients with antibacterial therapy and the future delivery of a care strategy for the improvement of LRTIs treatment outcomes in post-conflict, remote areas of the third world and LMICs.