bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Agricultural Production and Income in Bangladesh
Authors: Das Susmita , Mondal Paritosh
Published: September 2021

The study assessed some factors that determine agricultural production and income in Bangladesh. The factors that were addressed in the study were land, labour, capital, ethnicity, gender etc. It aimed to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers in Bangladesh, to investigate the level of agricultural production activities and to identify the agricultural production problems in Bangladesh. The target population was the farmers of eight divisions in Bangladesh.  The data were obtained from structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and FGD. Multiple linear regression of model fourteen explanatory variables was used to analyze the characteristics of the factors mentioned above in context of farm production and income. The result of data analysis showed that the variables such as gender, age, years of schooling, service area, operational farm size, cow-shed, electricity, radio, mobile phone, television, computer, bicycle, motorcycle etc. affect farmers’ production and income. The research also found gender parity and small farm holding in farming. There should be provision of effective agricultural information dissemination services by using ICT tools in farming. Special emphasis should be given to eliminate gender disparity and resolve small farm holding problem to ensure farm production and income generation.
Efisiensi Saluran Pemasaran Bunga Pacar Air (Impatiens Balsamina L.) di Desa Dukuh Klopo Kecamatan Peterongan Kabupaten Jombang
Authors: Winarti Winarti , Hartanti Dyah Ayu Sri , Qomariyah Siti Nur
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the marketing channel for water henna flowers. The marketing margin, the price received by the farmer or farmer's share, profit, and cost all contribute to the henna plant's marketing efficiency. The second purpose is to determine the price transmission elasticity. The study was conducted in the village of Dukuh Klopo, Peterongan District, Jombang Regency. The survey was place between February and April 2021 and included a total of 34 participants: 21 farmers, three collectors, and ten retailers. The survey method was employed for the investigation. Cost analysis, marketing margin and profit, marketing efficiency, and price transmission elasticity are all used in data analysis. In Dukuh Klopo Village, Peterongan District, Jombang Regency, there are two marketing channels for water henna flowers. The first channel comprises of farmers, retailers, and consumers. The second channel consists of farmers, collectors, retailers, and consumers. According to the findings of the research on the efficiency of the water henna flower marketing channel, the second marketing channel is the most efficient, with a value of 0.02 percent.
Risiko Pendapatan Usahatani Padi Sawah (Kasus Desa Noelbaki, Kecamatan Kupang Tengah, Kabupaten Kupang, NTT)
Authors: Hakim Shesy A. , Pellokila Marthen R. , Nampa I Wayan
Published: September 2021

Farming is one of the industries most susceptible to risk and unpredictability in terms of results and profitability. In Noelbaki Village, Central Kupang, Kupang. This study intends to examine income, income risk, and factors that influence lowland rice farming income risk. To identify 46 respondents, the sample was determined using a basic random sampling procedure. Primary data was acquired through interviews and a questionnaire for this study. The income function model's input-output methodology, coefficient of variation (CV), and residual squared are used in data analysis. The average value of income in lowland rice cultivation per hectare each growing season was Rp. 28,374,581,-/ha/MT, according to the findings. The CV score of 3.26 percent indicates the average amount of income risk in lowland rice growing. Land area, fertilizers, insecticides, and UPT are elements that minimize income risk, whereas seeds raise income risk. Because seeds dictate the quality of plant development, whereas other production elements may be regulated by farmers, this suggests that seeds are a determinant of income risk. Farmers must pay attention to seed quality if rice growing is to stay risk-free.
Analisis Rantai Pasok Komoditas Cengkih Hutan di Maluku
Authors: Kembauw Esther , Mahulette Asri Subkhan , Wattimena Anna Yuliana , Senewe Rein Estefanus
Published: September 2021

The Maluku Islands are renowned as the world's clove origin. Maluku is home to one of the indigenous clove germplasms known as Forest cloves. Forest Cloves are wild-type cloves found on Ambon Island, Maluku. The study's objective was to conduct an analysis of the supply chain for forest clove commodities. The investigation was conducted in the villages of Hitulama, Hitumesing, and Pulau Seram in Maluku Province, as well as in the villages of Latu and Hualoi. Primary data were collected from a sample of 25 forest clove farmers. The data analysis reveals that several parties are involved in the supply chain of Maluku's forest clove commodities, including farmers/suppliers, village-level middlemen, large collectors in the Regency City and provincial capital, Ambon City, as well as large companies in Surabaya that use forest cloves as raw material. Efforts to conserve forest cloves must be made in order to expand local potential and farmers' revenue. As a result, the wealth of Forest clove germplasm in Maluku province can be increased.
The Influence of Brand Image and Product Quality on Customer Loyalty in Petik Madu Lawang Agro tourism
Authors: Gultom Yoel Crhistony , Sa’diyah Ana Arifatus , Khoirunnisa Ninin
Published: September 2021

This study aims to analyze the effect of brand image and product quality on customer loyalty in Petik Madu Lawang Agrotourism. This study uses primary data with sampling techniques using non-systematic sampling techniques, namely accidental sampling technique. The study was conducted for 2 months, and it was determined that there were 119 samples. The sample was analyzed using path analysis. The results of the analysis show that the variables of brand image and product quality have a significant effect on customer loyalty positively in Petik Madu Lawang Agrotourism
Inheritance of Special Productivity Characters by Hybrids F1 of Spring Triticale in the Conditions of the Vladimir Region
Authors: Zuev D. , Tyslenko A.
Published: September 2021

The main method of breeding spring hexaploid Triticale is intravariety hybridization. At the same time, the effectiveness of breeding work depends on the correct selection of parental forms for crosses. However, the parental forms show different combining ability according to selective characteristics. In this regard, selection is more effective if it is based on information about their inheritance obtained through genetic analysis. The purpose of the research is to study the nature of inheritance of the main characteristics of productivity of the main ear (number of spikelets per ear, number of grains per ear, weight of grain per ear, weight of 1000 grains) hybrids of spring triticale F1 in agroecological conditions of the Vladimir region. The material of the study was 20 reciprocal hybrid combinations of spring triticale in comparison with the parental forms. To create hybrids of the first generation, four varieties of domestic selection and one Belarusian with high indicators of economically valuable traits were involved in hybridization. A different degree of phenotypic dominance has been established, which determines the type of inheritance of quantitative signs of productivity of the main ear. Reciprocal F1 hybrids differed in the degree of dominance from depression (negative overdominance) to heterosis (positive overdominance). The heterosis effect depended on which parental form was taken for the maternal, and which for the paternal. Hybrid F1 combinations with a high degree of overdominance of the main characteristics of the productivity of the main ear are identified: Lotas × Norman, Norman × Lotas, Norman × Grebeschok, Amigo × Grebeschok, Amigo × Norman.
Agrotechnical Measures With Complex Application of Inorganic Fertilizers and Micro-fertilizers in the Sunflower Cultivation
Authors: Ivanova O. , Makarov M. , Erofeev S.
Published: September 2021

The article provides information on sunflower in Russia. Digital data on the areas occupied by culture by region are given. The issue of the importance of sunflower seeds in the production of food and industrial goods was also touched upon. There is a description of agrotechnical measures for the cultivation of sunflower in the Tambov region. Digital data on the results of experiments on the use of inorganic fertilizers in combination with micro-fertilizers are given.
Functional Pectin Containing Beverages Tomato Juice Based
Authors: Аdigozalova S.
Published: September 2021

The majority of the population suffers from diseases caused by malnutrition, but also a number of structures characterized by negative trends: low and vegetable oils and a decrease in energy consumption per capita due to eating disorders. Diseases of Civilization include high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerosis, obesity, overwork, etc. To solve this problem, natural plant materials should be used in the diet. Due to objective and subjective conditions, people do not have time to consume enough water, which is called Big City Syndrome or Always in a Hurry. Water is a key ingredient in most foods and has a strong effect on many quality parameters. In addition to the digestible products in food, there are ballast, carbohydrates and substances close to the, which do not provide energy, but perform important physiological functions. Pectin-based substances are one of the components that determine the functional direction of food. In addition to its well-known properties such as complex formation ability, pectin also has the ability to retain water. It should be noted that the functional properties of fiber, including pectin-based substances, are primarily related to the work of the gastrointestinal tract. High fiber foods have a positive effect on digestion and are digested for a long time, which increases the feeling of satiety. Satisfying hunger prevents obesity related eating disorders. Functional tomato juice, which has a high biological value, has been developed, evaluated and optimized with turmeric (Curcuma longa), which is an antioxidant.
Biomarkers of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Yusupov F. , Yuldashev A.
Published: September 2021

The proportion of neurodegenerative diseases among all neurological disorders is growing year after year. This is explained by the duration of the latency period and the manifestation of signs after the death of about 40–60% of neurons. According to WHO forecasts, neurodegenerative diseases will be the biggest problem in the healthcare system of the XXI century. Among them, the most acute can be considered Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Specific biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases (diseases: Alzheimer’s; Parkinson’s; Huntington’s) are discussed. Currently, the highest priority in neurology is the identification of specific biomarkers in the blood serum for each nosology. In medicine, less invasive, atraumatic methods are always encouraged, therefore, the detection of biomarkers in the blood has advantages over the detection in the cerebrospinal fluid, the production of which is more invasive. The review examines the biomarkers of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases.
Network Security Issues and Effective Protection Against Network Attacks
Authors: Arzieva J. , Nukusbaev N.
Published: September 2021

This article defines a VPN as a virtual private network. This technology is based on the formation of an internal network within another network to exchange all information between users in order to provide reliable protection.
Features of Personnel Management in Humanitarian Universities
Authors: Osmonbaeva K. , Dootaliev A.
Published: September 2021

At present, when education has become a goods in the service market, it is necessary to competently approach the issue of managing the human resources of universities. The value of a university is determined by the value of its human resources. Today, there is a shortage of competent specialists in the humanitarian universities of the Kyrgyz Republic. The main task of the university's human resources management is to attract the most valuable employees to the university who are able to bring educational services to a new level. The article describes the features of human resources management of a humanitarian university, considers the classification of university human resources, studies the elements of university personnel management, such as planning, organization, motivation and control.
Features of Using Information and Communicative Technologies in Preschool and Primary Education
Authors: Balasanian M.
Published: September 2021

Besides the problems, related to the Teaching of Information Technologies at an early age, there is often expressed one point of view about the problem: Should we use computer in junior and elementary schools? We think, that computer could be used with kids of mentioned ages, but only by the specific methods of teaching, taking into consideration their health care and protection. We have indicated how to explain to the kids the ideas of “famous people” on the plain language and various aspects of computer teaching. We have also discussed the essential three reasons for the integrated course of informatics in junior and elementary schools. Finely, we underlined the fact, that during the teaching of elements of Information Technologies in aforementioned children, the circumstances, teaching and upbringing methods may promote and accelerate the logical development of mentality with the help of computer, or vice versa, hinder this process with prolonged negative results.
Terrorism in Time and Space
Authors: Golitsyna S.
Published: September 2021

The development of the capitalist mode of production, modern technological structures replacing each other, increasing social inequality and the gap in the standard of living of economically advanced and developing countries, the existing cultural and religious country differences revived to life at the beginning of the 21st century. At a new stage in developing the ideology of terrorism, which was popular at the second stage of developing the national liberation movement both in the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th century and foreign countries in the first half of the 20th century. An analysis of the reasons for the spread of this ideology is required. We raise the question of the main problems in the fight against terrorism in the modern world of globalization, leading to its failure.
Comparative analysis of technical and economic indicators of farms
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, SAI V. , VYNARCHYK L. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, HULKO O. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University
Published: September 2021

The purpose of the research of this scientific work is to assess the possibilities of development of farms in modern conditions, as well as to find out the problems and prospects of farms in Ukraine. Method. Farming is a form of entrepreneurial activity of citizens with or without the creation of a legal entity who have expressed a desire to produce marketable agricultural products, process and sell them in order to make a profit on land provided for family farming. An important role in the production of agricultural products is now given to farms that have actually become full-fledged entities in the agrarian diversified economy, have passed their first stage of formation and formation. The presence of a large number of large producers, problems of organization and location of wholesale markets, insufficient population of rural areas, inadequate level of resource supply – all this determines the specifics of the competitive environment in which farms operate. The task of development of farms in Ukraine requires the study of the peculiarities of their activities, analysis of the current stage of functioning of farms, identifying obstacles to their development and outlining areas for improvement of their activities. This is what determines the relevance of this article. Results. The scales and tendencies of development of farms in Ukraine, their place among other agricultural producers, including in the context of regions of Ukraine are analyzed. The main indicators of their activity are described. It is confirmed that despite the large number of farms, their place in the agricultural economy of Ukraine still remains insignificant. The main organizational and economic problems of farm development in Ukraine have been identified, which are related to the lack of equity, conditions for free access to credit, as well as the inadequate ratio between prices for technical equipment and agricultural products. The position of farms in the world is revealed. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The development of farming as a priority form of agricultural farms is shown. A number of measures for the development of farms are proposed. The advantages of farms over personal farms and over agricultural enterprises are given. Problems and prospects of farming in Ukraine are revealed.
Construction of STHA-model of geometric geoid on the Lviv region area
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, ZABLOTSKYI F. , DZHUMAN B. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University
Published: September 2021

Nowadays there is a need to modernize the high system of Ukraine, which requires its integration in the European Vertical Reference System EVRS. In this regard there is also a need to build a regional model of the geoid on the territory of our country, which would be well consistent with the model of the European geoid EGG2015. To obtain the optimal model, it is necessary to use both gravimetric and geometric data. In this case, the model is called gravimetric-geometric. This approach is used both when building a model of the European geoid and when building geoid models on the territory of different European countries. Aim. The purpose of this work is to build a regional geometric STHA-model of the geoid on the Lviv region area and assess its accuracy. In the future it is planned to build a gravimetric STHA-model of the geoid in the same area and compare the results. Methods. To build a geometric STHA-model of the geoid on the Lviv region area, the heights of the geometric geoid, obtained from GNSS-observations at the points of SGN of I, II and III classes, were used. RMS error of determination of geodetic heights , obtained from GNSS leveling in static mode, did not exceed 15 mm. 205 values of the calculated heights of the geoid were used to build the geoid model. 8 values were not involved in the construction of the model, because they were used for an independent assessment of model accuracy. Results. The regional model of geoid within the “Remove–Compute–Restore” procedure with introduction of regularization parameter is obteined. RMS error of the obtained model, calculated on the basis of the data used in its construction, is 12 mm, and on other independent data is 25 mm. Scientific novelty and practical significance. For the first time STHA-functions were tested to build a regional geoid model. The geometric model of the geoid on the Lviv region are is calculated and the accuracy of the obtained model is estimated on the basis of dependent and independent data. The RMS error of the obtained model was about 2 cm, which corresponds to the accuracy of GNSS-measurements. The obtained model can be used as a transformation field on the Lviv region area.
The Origin of Silica of Marine Shale in the Upper Ordovician Wulalike Formation, Northwestern Ordos Basin, North China
Authors: Zhang Yanni , Li Rongxi , Huang Hexin , Gao Tian , Chen Lei , Zhao Bangsheng , Wu Xiaoli , Khaled Ahmed
Published: September 2021

The shale of the Wulalike Formation developed in the northwestern Ordos Basin is considered to be an effective marine hydrocarbon source rock. One of the key factors for successful shale gas exploration in the Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin is the high content of biogenic silica. However, few people have studied the siliceous origin of the Wulalike shale. In this study, we used petrographic observation and element geochemistry to analyze the origin of silica in the Wulalike shale. The results show that the siliceous minerals are not affected by hydrothermal silica and mainly consist of biogenic and detrital silica. A large number of siliceous organisms, such as sponge spicules, radiolarians, and algae, are found under the microscope. It has been demonstrated that total organic carbon has a positive correlation with biogenic silica and a negative correlation with detrital silica, and biogenic silica is one of the effective indicators of paleoproductivity. Therefore, the enrichment of organic matter may be related to paleoproductivity. Through the calculation of element logging data in well A, it is found that biogenic silica is mainly distributed in the bottom of the Wulalike Formation, and the content of biogenic silica decreases, while the content of detrital silica increases upward of the Wulalike Formation. Biogenic silica mainly exists in the form of microcrystalline quartz, which can form an interconnected rigid framework to improve the hardness and brittleness of shale. Meanwhile, biogenic microcrystalline quartz can protect organic pores from mechanical compaction. Therefore, it may be easier to fracture the shale gas at the bottom of the Wulalike Formation in well A.
Slowdown in the Decay of Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclones Making Landfall on the Asian Continent
Authors: Song Jinjie , Klotzbach Philip J. , Zhao Haikun , Duan Yihong
Published: September 2021

This study finds an increasing trend in the decay timescale (τ) of western North Pacific (WNP) tropical cyclone (TCs) making landfall on the Asian continent from 1966–2018. Statistical analysis of individual landfalling TCs shows that τ is significantly positively linked to soil wetness, 850-hPa relative vorticity and 200-hPa divergence, whereas it is weakly correlated with 700–500-hPa relative humidity and 850–200-hPa vertical wind shear. For TCs hitting southeastern China, the observed increasing τ is likely caused by enhanced 850-hPa vorticity and 200-hPa divergence. For TCs hitting southern China, increasing τ is likely driven by increased 850-hPa vorticity. By comparison, there are no significant trends in environmental variables over the eastern Indo-China Peninsula, and τ has not significantly changed in this region. Our results imply that the increasing τ of WNP landfalling TCs on the Asian continent are more likely caused by changes in dynamic variables than changes in thermodynamic variables.
Tracking the Domestic Carbon Emission Intensity of China’s Construction Industry: A Global Value Chain Perspective
Authors: Li Xiaoping , Yu Yuan , Shi Xunpeng , Hu Xin
Published: September 2021

China is the largest producer of carbon in the world. China’s construction industry has received widespread attention in recent years due to its environmental issues. However, little research has been conducted to investigate the environmental efficiency of the domestic part of this industry. As the foreign contribution is beyond China’s control, identification of domestic carbon emissions is necessary to formulate effective policy interventions. Based on a multi-regional input‐output model, this study attempts to reduce the statistical bias associated with international trade, thereby obtaining a more accurate indicator of domestic carbon emission intensity. This study aims to reveal the change in the domestic carbon emission intensity of China’s construction industry during 2000–2014 and analyze the reason behind it. The results show that, first, both the constructed intensity indicator and commonly used measures of carbon emission intensity have exhibited a decreasing trend over the study period. However, the former has been consistently larger than the latter. Moreover, this difference first increased and then suddenly decreased after a particular year. Second, although the domestic carbon emission intensity shows a gradually declining trend, it has moved from second to first in global rankings, implying that China’s domestic construction industry’s carbon emission efficiency, while falling, lags behind other major economies. Third, the structural decomposition results reveal that changes in direct production emission intensity are the leading causes of the decline in domestic carbon emission intensity. In contrast, a change in the intermediate input structure led to an increase in the emission intensity in China’s construction industry. In addition, the enormous gaps of domestic carbon emission intensity in the construction industry between China and the selected countries are mainly attributable to the difference in the intermediate input structure. The study suggests that China’s construction industry needs to promote high value-added output, optimize intermediate input structure, and improve energy and emission efficiency.
A Retrospective Observational Study of Adverse Reactions Associated With Intravenous Immunoglobulin Infusion
Authors: Kato Hidefumi , Hayashi Megumi , Ohashi Wataru , Yamaguchi Takamasa , Tanaka Satomi , Kozono Ayumi , Gao Siqiang , Katai Akiko , Niwa Reiko , Matsuo Tomohito , Ishiyama Kazuki , Ando Takanori , Ogawa Mika , Nakayama Takayuki
Published: September 2021

Background

Although intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is generally safe and well tolerated, adverse reactions (ARs) do occur. The majority of these ARs are mild and transient. Risk factors for ARs associate with IVIG infusions are not well established. This study investigated possible risk factors influencing the occurrence of IVIG-associated ARs.

Study Design and Methods

This was a retrospective observational analysis of data accumulated over 5 years, including patient demographics, clinical condition, IVIG dosing regimens, number of IVIG infusions, and any ARs.

Results

ARs were associated with IVIG in 4.9% of patients and 2.5% of infusions. By univariate analyses, ARs correlated with female sex, adult age, high dose IVIG, and autoimmune disease. Multivariate logistic regression identified three statistically significant of risk factors: on a per-patient basis, being female (p=0.0018), having neuromuscular disease (p=0.0002), and receiving higher doses of IVIG per patient body weight (p<0.001), on a per-infusion basis, being female (p < 0.001), being adolescents to middle age (p < 0.001), and having neuromuscular disease (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Neuromuscular disease emerged as one of the significant factors for ARs to IVIG.
Learning Grasp Configuration Through Object-Specific Hand Primitives for Posture Planning of Anthropomorphic Hands
Authors: Liu Bingchen , Jiang Li , Fan Shaowei , Dai Jinghui
Published: September 2021

The proposal of postural synergy theory has provided a new approach to solve the problem of controlling anthropomorphic hands with multiple degrees of freedom. However, generating the grasp configuration for new tasks in this context remains challenging. This study proposes a method to learn grasp configuration according to the shape of the object by using postural synergy theory. By referring to past research, an experimental paradigm is first designed that enables the grasping of 50 typical objects in grasping and operational tasks. The angles of the finger joints of 10 subjects were then recorded when performing these tasks. Following this, four hand primitives were extracted by using principal component analysis, and a low-dimensional synergy subspace was established. The problem of planning the trajectories of the joints was thus transformed into that of determining the synergy input for trajectory planning in low-dimensional space. The average synergy inputs for the trajectories of each task were obtained through the Gaussian mixture regression, and several Gaussian processes were trained to infer the inputs trajectories of a given shape descriptor for similar tasks. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed method was verified by simulations involving the generation of grasp configurations for a prosthetic hand control. The error in the reconstructed posture was compared with those obtained by using postural synergies in past work. The results show that the proposed method can realize movements similar to those of the human hand during grasping actions, and its range of use can be extended from simple grasping tasks to complex operational tasks.
Dopaminergic Inhibition of Na+ Currents in Vestibular Inner Ear Afferents
Authors: Meredith Frances L. , Rennie Katherine J.
Published: September 2021

Inner ear hair cells form synapses with afferent terminals and afferent neurons carry signals as action potentials to the central nervous system. Efferent neurons have their origins in the brainstem and some make synaptic contact with afferent dendrites beneath hair cells. Several neurotransmitters have been identified that may be released from efferent terminals to modulate afferent activity. Dopamine is a candidate efferent neurotransmitter in both the vestibular and auditory systems. Within the cochlea, activation of dopamine receptors may reduce excitotoxicity at the inner hair cell synapse via a direct effect of dopamine on afferent terminals. Here we investigated the effect of dopamine on sodium currents in acutely dissociated vestibular afferent calyces to determine if dopaminergic signaling could also modulate vestibular responses. Calyx terminals were isolated along with their accompanying type I hair cells from the cristae of gerbils (P15-33) and whole cell patch clamp recordings performed. Large transient sodium currents were present in all isolated calyces; compared to data from crista slices, resurgent Na+ currents were rare. Perfusion of dopamine (100 μM) in the extracellular solution significantly reduced peak transient Na+ currents by approximately 20% of control. A decrease in Na+ current amplitude was also seen with extracellular application of the D2 dopamine receptor agonist quinpirole, whereas the D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride largely abolished the response to dopamine. Inclusion of the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid in the patch electrode solution occluded the response to dopamine. The reduction in calyx sodium current in response to dopamine suggests efferent signaling through D2 dopaminergic receptors may occur via common mechanisms to decrease excitability in inner ear afferents.
Exploration of Potential Diagnostic Value of Protein Content in Serum Small Extracellular Vesicles for Early-Stage Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Li Pu , Bai Yuezong , Shan Boer , Zhang Wei , Liu Zhanjie , Zhu Yingjie , Xu Xiaoya , Chen Qian , Sheng Xiujie , Deng Xiaoyang , Guo Zhengchen , Zhang Dadong , Wang Huaying , Zhang Yanan , Hu Yuanjing
Published: September 2021

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies with a high mortality rate. Serum biomarkers and imaging approaches are insufficient in identifying EOC patients at an early stage. This study is to set up a combination of proteins from serum small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) for the diagnosis of early-stage EOC and to determine its performance. A biomarker for early-stage ovarian cancer (BESOC) cohort was used as a Chinese multi-center population-based biomarker study and registered as a Chinese Clinical Trial ChiCTR2000040136. The sEV protein levels of CA125, HE4, and C5a were measured in 299 subjects. Logistic regression was exploited to calculate the odds ratio and to create the sEV protein model for the predicted probability and subsequently receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The combined sEV marker panel of CA125, HE4, and C5a as a sEV model obtained an area under curve (AUC) of 0.912, which was greater than the serum model (0.809), by ROC analysis to identify EOC patients from the whole cohort. With the cutoff of 0.370, the sensitivity and specificity of the sEV model were 0.80 and 0.89, which were much better performance than the serum markers (sensitivity: 0.55~0.66; specificity: 0.59~0.68) and the risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) index approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (sensitivity: 0.65; specificity: 0.61), to identify EOC patients from patients with benign ovarian diseases or other controls. The sEV levels of CA125 significantly differed among early-stage and late-stage EOC (p < 0.001). Moreover, the AUC of ROC to identify early-stage EOC patients was 0.888. Further investigation revealed that the sEV levels of these 3 proteins significantly decreased after cytoreductive surgery (CA125, p = 0.008; HE4, p = 0.025; C5a, p = 0.044). In summary, our study showed that CA125, HE4, and C5a levels in serum sEVs can identify EOC patients at the early stage, elucidating the possibility of using a sEV model for the diagnosis of early-stage EOC.
Deep Inguinal Lymph Node Metastases Can Predict Pelvic Lymph Node Metastases and Prognosis in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Tan Xingliang , Wang Yanjun , Zou Yuantao , Chen Dong , Wu Zhiming , Liu Zhuowei , Li Yonghong , Qin Zike , Han Hui , Zhou Fangjian , Yao Kai
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the relationship between deep inguinal lymph node metastasis (ILNM) and pelvic lymph node metastasis (PLNM) and explore the prognostic value of deep ILNM in penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC).

Materials and Methods

The records of 189 patients with ILNM treated for PSCC were analysed retrospectively. Logistic regression models were used to test for predictors of PLNM. Cox regression was performed in univariable and multivariable analyses of cancer-specific survival (CSS). CSS was compared using Kaplan-Meier analyses and log rank tests.

Results

PLNM were observed in 53 cases (28.0%). According to logistic regression models, only deep ILNM (OR 9.72, p<0.001) and number (≥3) of metastatic inguinal lymph nodes (ILNs) (OR 2.36, p=0.03) were independent predictors of PLNM. The incidences of PLNM were 18% and 19% with negative deep ILNM and extranodal extension (ENE); and 76% and 42% with positive deep ILNM and ENE, respectively. The accuracy of deep ILNM, ENE, bilateral involvement and number (≥3) of ILNMs for predicting PLNM were 81.0%, 65.6%, 63.5% and 67.2%, respectively. The CSS was significantly different in patients with positive and negative deep ILNM (median 1.7 years vs not reached, p<0.01). Patients who presented with deep ILNM had worse CSS (median 3.8 years vs not reached, p<0.01) in those with negative PLNs.

Conclusions

Deep ILNM is the most accurate factor for predicting PLNM in PSCC according to our data. We recommend that patients with deep ILNM should be referred for pelvic lymph node dissection. Involvement of deep ILNs indicates poor prognosis. We propose that patients with metastases of deep ILNs may be staged as pN3.
Surgical Resection Is Still Better Than Endoscopic Resection for Patients With 2-5 cm Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Wu Hao , Li Han , Xu Qinfeng , Shang Liang , Zhang Ronghua , Li Chen , Fu Mengdi , Xu Wandi , Chen Jianfeng , Liu Jin , Li Leping
Published: September 2021

Background

The management of 2-5 cm gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) is still debated between surgeons and endoscopists. We aimed to investigate short-term and long-term outcomes between surgical resection (SR) and endoscopic resection (ER).

Methods

This study included 67 and 215 patients between 2010 and 2020 who underwent ER and SR, respectively. After propensity score matching, the clinical outcomes were compared. Individual patient information that requires special instructions is also summarized.

Results

After matching, the operation time (P=0.005) and postoperative hospital stay (P=0.005) were significantly longer in the SR group than in the ER group. However, there were no significant differences in blood loss (P=0.741), resection margin (P=1.000) or time to liquid diet (P=0.055). Statistical differences were also seen in en bloc resection (P<0.001) and adverse events (P=0.027). The recurrence rate did not differ significantly between the two techniques, and the mitotic index and ulceration were identified as independent prognostic factors of progression-free survival.

Conclusions

ER might be comparable to SR for the treatment of 2-3 cm gastric GISTs. SR is still considered the standard treatment for 3-5 cm gastric GISTs, while the intraoperative and postoperative information of ER should be recorded in detail and closely evaluated. Surgical resection is recommended if the tumour has a high mitotic index or mucosal ulceration.
Treatment Outcome of Different Chemotherapy in Patients With Relapsed or Metastatic Malignant Urachal Tumor
Authors: Chen Meiting , Xue Cong , Huang Ri-qing , Ni Meng-qian , Li Lu , Li Hai-feng , Yang Wei , Hu An-qi , Zheng Zhou-san , An Xin , Shi Yanxia
Published: September 2021

Background

Malignant urachal tumor is a rare subtype of genitourinary cancer. Our aim was to explore the optimal chemotherapy regimens for relapsed or metastatic urachal carcinoma.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 24 adult patients with relapsed or metastatic urachal carcinoma from January 2014 to September 2020 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. We summarized the chemotherapy regimens and classified them as fluorouracil based, platinum based, and paclitaxel based. Nine patients received XELOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) regimens, seven patients received TX (paclitaxel and capecitabine) regimens, and eight of them received chemotherapy including GP (gemcitabine and cisplatin), TP (paclitaxel and cisplatin), TN (paclitaxel and nedaplatin), and tislelizumab.

Results

The disease control rate was 75%. Among all patients, one patient treated with XELOX achieved partial remission (PR), while 17 patients showed stable disease. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in all treated patients was 7.43 and 29.7 months, respectively. The patients receiving first-line platinum-based chemotherapy presented better PFS than those without platinum (median PFS 8.23 vs. 3.80 months, p = 0.032), but not significant for OS between two groups. There is no significant difference in PFS and OS for fluorouracil-based and paclitaxel-based groups as first-line regimen. Next-generation gene sequencing revealed TP53 mutation and low tumor mutational burden in five out of seven cases.

Conclusion

The platinum-based chemotherapy regimen is effective for relapsed or metastatic urachal carcinoma.
Deep Learning Model to Predict Serious Infection Among Children With Central Venous Lines
Authors: Tabaie Azade , Orenstein Evan W. , Nemati Shamim , Basu Rajit K. , Clifford Gari D. , Kamaleswaran Rishikesan
Published: September 2021

Objective: Predict the onset of presumed serious infection, defined as a positive blood culture drawn and new antibiotic course of at least 4 days (PSI*), among pediatric patients with Central Venous Lines (CVLs).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Single academic children's hospital.

Patients: All hospital encounters from January 2013 to December 2018, excluding the ones without a CVL or with a length-of-stay shorter than 24 h.

Measurements and Main Results: Clinical features including demographics, laboratory results, vital signs, characteristics of the CVLs and medications used were extracted retrospectively from electronic medical records. Data were aggregated across all hospitals within a single pediatric health system and used to train a deep learning model to predict the occurrence of PSI* during the next 48 h of hospitalization. The proposed model prediction was compared to prediction of PSI* by a marker of illness severity (PELOD-2). The baseline prevalence of line infections was 0.34% over all segmented 48-h time windows. Events were identified among cases using onset time. All data from admission till the onset was used for cases and among controls we used all data from admission till discharge. The benchmarks were aggregated over all 48 h time windows [N=748,380 associated with 27,137 patient encounters]. The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.993 (95% CI = [0.990, 0.996]), the enriched positive predictive value (PPV) was 23 times greater than the base prevalence. Conversely, prediction by PELOD-2 achieved a lower PPV of 1.5% [0.9%, 2.1%] which was 5 times the baseline prevalence.

Conclusion: A deep learning model that employs common clinical features in the electronic health record can help predict the onset of CLABSI in hospitalized children with central venous line 48 hours prior to the time of specimen collection.
Erythropoietin Non-hematopoietic Tissue Response and Regulation of Metabolism During Diet Induced Obesity
Authors: Dey Soumyadeep , Lee Jeeyoung , Noguchi Constance T.
Published: September 2021

Erythropoietin (EPO) receptor (EPOR) determines EPO response. High level EPOR on erythroid progenitor cells gives rise to EPO regulated production of red blood cells. Animal models provide evidence for EPO activity in non-hematopoietic tissue mediated by EPOR expression. Beyond erythropoiesis, EPO activity includes neuroprotection in brain ischemia and trauma, endothelial nitric oxide production and cardioprotection, skeletal muscle wound healing, and context dependent bone remodeling affecting bone repair or bone loss. This review highlights examples of EPO protective activity in select non-hematopoietic tissue with emphasis on metabolic response mediated by EPOR expression in fat and brain and sex-specific regulation of fat mass and inflammation associated with diet induced obesity. Endogenous EPO maintains glucose and insulin tolerance and protects against fat mass accumulation and inflammation. Accompanying the increase in erythropoiesis with EPO treatment is improved glucose tolerance and insulin response. During high fat diet feeding, EPO also decreases fat mass accumulation in male mice. The increased white adipose tissue inflammation and macrophage infiltration associated with diet induced obesity are also reduced with EPO treatment with a shift toward an anti-inflammatory state and decreased inflammatory cytokine production. In female mice the protective effect of estrogen against obesity supersedes EPO regulation of fat mass and inflammation, and requires estrogen receptor alpha activity. In brain, EPOR expression in the hypothalamus localizes to proopiomelanocortin neurons in the arcuate nucleus that promotes a lean phenotype. EPO stimulation of proopiomelanocortin neurons increases STAT3 signaling and production of proopiomelanocortin. Cerebral EPO contributes to metabolic response, and elevated brain EPO reduces fat mass and hypothalamus inflammation during diet induced obesity in male mice without affecting EPO stimulated erythropoiesis. Ovariectomy abrogates the sex-specific metabolic response of brain EPO. The sex-dimorphic EPO metabolic response associated with fat mass accumulation and inflammation during diet induced obesity provide evidence for crosstalk between estrogen and EPO in their anti-obesity potential in female mice mediated in part via tissue specific response in brain and white adipose tissue. Endogenous and exogenous EPO response in non-hematopoietic tissue demonstrated in animal models suggests additional activity by which EPO treatment may affect human health beyond increased erythropoiesis.
Restoration of Rangelands Invaded by Amelichloa clandestina (Hack.) Arriaga & Barkworth after 12 Years of Agriculture Abandonment (Coahuila, Mexico)
Authors: Arévalo José R. , Encina-Domínguez Juan A. , Juanes-Márquez Sait , Álvarez-Vázquez Perpetuo , Nuñez-Colima Juan A. , Mellado Miguel
Published: September 2021

Abandonment of agricultural land is currently one of the main land use changes in developed countries. This change has an impact at the economic level and from the point of view of conservation. Therefore, recovering these areas after abandonment is, in many cases, necessary for ecological restoration, especially as they can be invaded by exotic or dominant species, preventing recovery of the original plant species community. The objective of this study is to examine changes in plant species richness and composition after the application of different treatments to eliminate Amelichloa clandestina, a species that dominates pastures abandoned 12 years ago in an area located in northern Mexico. The area is a semi-desert grassland dominated by buffalo grass Bouteloua dactyloides. We used different eradication techniques such as burning, herbicides, and clipping. Although the treatments had significant effects on species richness and composition and resulted in a relative reduction of the target species, the abundance of Amelichloa clandestina was still substantial. Burning is effective, favoring the increase of species richness and provoking a lower presence of A. clandestine but with a dominance of annuals. The most important impact on the total cover of A. clandestina is shown by the herbicide treatment. However, monitoring of these areas will still be required to consider the long-term impact and success of treatments.
Yield Response, Quality Traits, and Nitrogen-Use Efficiency of a Burley Tobacco Crop Grown in Mediterranean Areas (Southern Italy) as Affected by Intensive N Management
Authors: Sifola Maria Isabella , Di Mola Ida , Cozzolino Eugenio , Ottaiano Lucia , Piccirillo Gennaro , del Piano Luisa , Mori Mauro
Published: September 2021

Tobacco is an annual cash crop widely cultivated over the world, which generally needs great amounts (N) of nitrogen to achieve the best yield and quality. However, with a view to sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, also for this crop, the reduction in N fertilization is a priority, but without negatively affecting the yield and quality of the cured product. Therefore, field experiments were conducted during 2002 and 2003 on light air-cured (Burley) tobacco at three different locations of the Campania region (Southern Italy) where high-quality light air-cured (Burley) tobacco is traditionally cultivated. At each location, the following six N fertilization treatments were compared with four replications (blocks): (i) a not fertilized control (N0); (ii) 50 kg N ha−1 (N50); 90 kg N ha−1 (N90); 130 kg N ha−1 (N130); 170 kg N ha−1 (N170); 210 kg N ha−1 (N210). The yield of cured leaves appeared positively influenced by N fertilization but not at a rate higher than 170 kg ha−1. N fertilization directly influenced nitrates and the total N content of cured leaves at all locations. The greater values of both parameters were reached at N130 or N90, respectively, at Vitulazio (CE), N170 at Bellizzi (SA), and N90 at San Giorgio del Sannio (BN). The fire holding capacity increased with N fertilization up to N170 treatment (12–13 s at CE and BN but just 8 s at SA). L* (brightness) decreased with increasing N fertilization giving cured leaves less bright and opaquer. The a/b ratio (a*, green/red; b*, blue/yellow) increased with N treatments producing cured leaves of dark hazelnut. The best scores were assigned to cured products obtained by plants fertilized with 170 kg N ha−1. N-use efficiencies were negatively influenced by N fertilization. The best NUE and N-uptake efficiency was recorded in 2002 at Vitulazio (CE), in spite of a higher NO3-N before N fertilization than other locations.