bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Fungicides and Bioagents against Fusarium proliferatum under In vitro by Spore Germination Inhibition Technique
Authors: Soni Namita , Raj Kushal , Vijaykumar S.
Published: November 2021

Background: Bottle gourd is a cucurbitaceous vegetable of culinary and medicinal importance cultivated in various tropical and sub-tropical regions of world. This crop is exposed to a wide variety of seed and soil mycoflora, out of which Fusarium proliferatum is utmost important as far as seed germination, viability and seedling vigour are concerned. Methods: Study was taken up to evaluate different fungicides and bioagents for their efficacy against the fungus Fusarium proliferatum under in vitro through spore germination inhibition technique. Result: Spore germination inhibition of 86.00%, 85.00% and 81.33% was recorded with hexaconazole (5% SC) @ 0.2% (C3), mancozeb (75% WP) @ 0.3% (C3) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (1% WP) @ 2% (C3), respectively. The inhibition in spore germination by mancozeb (75% WP) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (1% WP) was upto 77.33% and it was 61.78% and 67.33% in treatments involving carbendazim (50% WP) and Trichoderma harzianum (1% WP) that could be exploited to devise integrated approach for disease management.
Facilitating person-centred leadership support during the Covid-19 crisis
Authors:   University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark, Hølge-Hazelton Bibi , Rosted Elizabeth ,   University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark, Borre Line Zacho ,   Zealand University Hospital,  Roskilde, Denmark, McCormack Brendan ,   Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland, Kjerholt Mette ,   Zealand University Hospital,  Roskilde, Denmark
Published: November 2021

Background: The Covid-19 crisis has created new and difficult working conditions for all frontline healthcare staff and leaders. Ward managers in particular have faced significant challenges. The practice development initiative described in this article began at a hospital in Denmark immediately after the country’s first Covid-19 wave. The hospital has person-centredness as its vision for care and research. Aim: The purpose of this article is to offer a reflection on the ways in which our research and its findings enabled us to learn from the experiences of ward managers so as to support them and strengthen their network during a difficult time, using principles of practice development. Conclusion and implications for practice: The evidence produced in the project was found to be relevant to leadership practice by the ward managers and led to a strengthened position at a time of crisis. This implies that: • It is possible to establish collaborative and useful evidence for clinical practice under difficult circumstances • By using principles of practice development it is possible to facilitate constructive dialogues between ward managers and executive managers • At a time of a major crisis, the role of ward managers should not be underestimated
Book Review: Towards the Compassionate University: From Golden Thread to Global Impact
Authors:   Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland, Dickson Caroline
Published: November 2021

Towards the Compassionate University: From Golden Thread to Global Impact Editor: Katherine Waddington Oxford: Routledge If you are not employed in, or have little engagement with, universities, you might wonder if this book is relevant to you. I’d agree with the authors – compassion is everybody’s business and the exploration of compassion as ‘love in action’ in this book has something to offer to learners, practitioners, educators, students and policymakers alike. The book is structured in three parts: context setting in Part 1: ‘The need and foundations for compassion’; Part 2: ‘Compassion in action’; and Part 3: ‘Towards the compassionate university’. I found the book theoretically dense, with a use of unfamiliar concepts that may seem a little inaccessible to some readers. There are several places where I believe more explanation would have been helpful and there is little consistency in the way the chapters are presented. However, where there are scenarios and ‘real’ examples, the theoretical content comes to life. I imagine the book will lend itself to ‘dipping in and out’; there is clear signposting within the chapters that will make this possible and, although the result is some repetition, this will not be a problem for the occasional visitor to the book.
Investigation of Activity Designs Prepared by Pre- Service Mathematics Teachers for Aspects of Entrepreneurship Education
Authors: AKKAŞ Elif Nur
Published: November 2021

The aim of this study is to examine examples of activities prepared by pre-service mathematics teachers for entrepreneurship education based on their knowledge of the aspects of entrepreneurship education and the achievements in this area in the secondary school mathematics curriculum. In the national and international literature, there are very few studies on entrepreneurship skills in mathematics education and on developing these skills. In addition, there are no secondary school mathematics curriculum acquisitions or application examples prepared in accordance with such acquisitions. The participants of this study included 20 pre-service teachers enrolled in the third-year undergraduate course “Connection in Mathematics Teaching” who volunteered to participate. Over the course of two weeks, four lessons of approximately 40 minutes, or 160 minutes in total, were taught to pre-service teachers addressing the following questions: “What are entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills? How are they related to mathematics? What can be done about the achievements in mathematics and the mathematics curriculum?” The subjects were explained and examples of applications from the researcher’s own work were given. After these explanations, the pre-service teachers were given an assignment. The data of the research consist of the completed assignments and audio recordings of individual interviews after homework analysis. The data were analyzed by content analysis.
Uma análise da refrigeração por absorção empregando uso de energia solar térmica e fluidos verdes como absorventes
Authors: Vazzoler Alex , C. C Aguiar Maria
Published: November 2021

A refrigeração solar por absorção é um campo de estudos de suma importância, em um contexto no qual ocorrem alterações climáticas alarmantes, devido ao seu potencial de redução de impactos ambientais em relação as fontes convencionais de energia. Um dos desafios de sua implementação é a substituição dos fluidos convencionais de refrigeração por fluidos mais ecológicos, como líquidos iônicos e nanofluidos. Vazamentos, além de consumo de eletricidade ou calor, geram impactos ao ambiente. Este artigo tem como objetivo explorar estas possibilidades discutindo as perspectivas atuais e futuras de fluidos não convencionais na refrigeração solar.
O Controle Oficial de Uso de Adjuntos em Cerveja no Brasil
Authors: V. Muller Carlos , P. Guimarães Bernardo , Ghesti Grace F.
Published: November 2021

A cerveja é legalmente definida como a bebida obtida pela fermentação do mosto cervejeiro obtido a partir do malte de cevada e adicionado de lúpulo, além disso adjuntos cervejeiros podem ser empregados na proporção de até 45% de seu extrato primitivo. Apesar do crescimento da produção cervejeira, a importação de malte ao Brasil se manteve praticamente inalterada. A metodologia empregada foi a exploratória a fim de avaliar os métodos e propor uma análise que possa auxiliar na fiscalização da proporção do uso de adjuntos na produção de cerveja. O controle da substituição pode ser realizado por análises laboratoriais, apesar de no momento, não haverem métodos desenvolvidos para tal fim. As diversas metodologias de espectrometria de massas se apresentam promissoras no controle laboratorial, podendo ser utilizadas em conjunto com outras técnicas.
Urban Canyon in the CBD of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil): Thermal Profile of Avenida Rio Branco during Summer
Authors: Lemos Lidiane de Oliveira , Oscar-Júnior Antonio Carlos , Mendonça Francisco
Published: November 2021

This study aims to evaluate the land surface temperature (LST) and the thermal characteristics of the Urban Canopy Layer (UCL) of the urban canyon in Avenida Rio Branco in the Central Business District (CBD) of Rio de Janeiro during summer. In order to conduct this evaluation, two methods were employed: 1) TIRS Landsat-8 sensor for data selection and processing (latest generation, 2011-2020); ; 2) field survey using nine sampling points — seven along two mobile transects, one fixed point, and one vertical measurement point, which required the use of a RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft). Three categories of analysis were established for the field survey based on the prevailing synoptic situations: stability, instability, and post-instability. The CBD is characterized by extensive areas with surface heat islands, in which temperatures were higher than 38.9°C; the areas with milder LSTs were Campo do Santana, Avenida Rio Branco, and one of the Mixed-Use Zones (Praça Mauá). With respect to Rio Branco Avenue, the LST niches of lowest elevation were derived through building shadowing; however, the orbital data diverged from the observation data of the ten field-study days. In situ data revealed that the characteristics urban morphology of Avenida Rio Branco is susceptible to the formation of heat islands, presenting heat islands of very strong magnitude (over 6.1°C) in atmospheric stability, strong magnitude (4.1-6.0°C) in atmospheric instability, and moderate magnitude (2.1°C-4.0°C) in post-atmospheric instability. Despite the synoptic situation, thermal cores were concentrated at 1 pm. The intersection between Avenida Rio Branco, Rua do Ouvidor, and Praça Mauá stored most of the solar energy received during the day due to the greater sky obstruction caused by the verticalization. Finally, vertical analysis demonstrated the formation of a thermal inversion on the night of the highest mean air temperature (29.5°C), probably, due to the roughness and number of buildings in the urban canyon.
DETERMINANTS AND STRATEGIES OF MEDICAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BY TAKING THE SERVICE INTEGRATION AND TOURISM DESTINATION COMPETITIVENESS APPROACH (A Case Study Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran)
Authors:   Iran National Science Foundation (INSF), HOSSEINI Sayedeh , TAGHVAEI Massoud ,   Isfahan University
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Considering the significant position of medical tourism industry in global economy as well as Iran’s capabilities in this industry, the present research was conducted so as to compile the determinants of medical tourism development and present its respective strategies taking the approach of health village expansion and integrated service provision in Health Region No. 9 (Razavi Khorasan province). Methodology: This research was conducted by combining the qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data collection was done by content analysis followed by an interview and a survey administered to a number of key experts. Data were analyzed by MAXQDA-18, Expert Choice11 and Excel software and SOWT, fuzzy DEMATEL and AHP techniques. Findings: In this study, a framework of indexes was compiled and evaluated selected from different aspects taking the approach of service integration and destination competitiveness in the form of health villages. In the next phase, the status quo of Mashhad was categorized into 38 internal and 31 external factors to be prioritized. In the end, considering the identified factors and their interrelationships, the most important strategies were extracted and prioritized. Conclusions: To create a sustainable competitive market and attract more medical tourists, revealed that the respective authorities need to pay due attention to this issue proportionate to the indexes and strategies envisaged in the compilation, designing and implementation of policies and plans related to Mashhad’s medical tourism development in moving towards the creation of competitive advantage in an integrated way and promotion of medical tourism by focusing on the prioritization performed for the healthcare system.
ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF AERODYNAMIC PARAMETERS OF AIR FLOWS FOR EFFECTIVE SELECTION OF AIR SUPPLY SCHEMES IN COAL MINES
Authors:   Moscow Polytechnic University, KLYUEV Roman , BOSIKOV Igor ,   North Caucasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (State Technological University), Aimbetova Indira ,   Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, MAKHOSHEVA Salima ,   Institute of Informatics and Problems of Regional Management - Branch of the Kabardin-Balkar Scientific Center of RAS
Published: November 2021

The article examines a complex technical system on the example of air supply of coal mines, characterized by: multicomponent, a large number of quantitative and qualitative parameters, nonlinearity of interdependencies between them; incompleteness of information, the complexity of experimental research, the risks of dangerous situations and the catastrophic nature of their consequences; the uniqueness of the modes and conditions of the systems functioning. The aim of the work is to develop a methodology for assessing and analyzing the aerodynamic parameters of air flows for the effective selection of air supply schemes in coal mines using the decomposition method. Research methodology: the solution of the set tasks is based on modern methods of mathematical statistics; graph theory; decision theory; apparatus of mathematical logic; factor analysis; mathematical modeling; set theory; reliability theory and systems analysis. Research results. A method for the analysis and analytical modeling of complex technical systems of variable structure (CTS VS) is developed, focused on the features of these systems and their processes in conditions of incomplete information, different quality data on their state and functioning, which differs from the known ones by a combination of the capabilities of analytical and statistical approaches to the construction of CTS VS models, which allows to adapt to changes in systemic and external factors, improve the accuracy of modeling, and also typify the presentation of fuzzy situational features for effective management of the CTS VS. Conclusion. A method has been developed for assessing the reliability of the parameters of the CTS VS based on the algorithms for analyzing and assessing the reliability of the CTS VS, the algorithm for the formation of the most complete subsets listing in the graph all possible compatible subsets of a given set of vertices differing in that they are based on the analysis of enlarged states and decomposition of the structural diagram, which allows analytical and statistical studies to significantly increase the accuracy of assessing the reliability of CTS VS and reduce the amount of calculations. Result: the proposed methods were used to solve the problems of air distribution control in coal mines.
OPTIMIZATION OF PARAMETERS OF FAN UNITS OF AIR COOLING DEVICES
Authors:   Ural State Mining University, MAKAROV Nikolay , MAKAROV Vladimir ,   Ural State Mining University, UGOLNIKOV Aleksandr ,   Ural State Mining University, NOSYREV Mikhail ,   Ural State Mining University
Published: November 2021

Purpose of the study. Optimization of the parameters of high speed fan units of air coolers, the combination of which achieves the highest economic efficiency of fan units and, accordingly, the most rational range of specific speed values for the modes of maximum efficiency of fan units in combination with the relative diameter of the sleeve. Development of a mathematical model for determining the local values of the parameters of the efficiency of highspeed fan installations. Sustainable development of territories with active subsoil use is closely related to solving the problems of improving industrial safety and the efficiency of cooling the compressed gas at compressor stations of main gas pipelines, which actualizes the problem of mathematical modeling of energy conversion processes in the impellers of fan units of gas air coolers (AVO) to increase the competitiveness of the oil and gas complex RF in the context of globalization. Research methods. To optimize and determine the limiting combination of calculated parameters, the mathematical method of searching for the area of local maxima of a multiparameter problem in this part was performed in two stages: a mathematical model was built for determining the local values of the parameters that ensure the highest efficiency of fan installations with high speed; the most rational limiting combination of design parameters was determined, at which the highest economic efficiency of fan installations is achieved. Research results. The possibility of increasing the economic efficiency of axial fan units of high speed, made according to aerodynamic schemes with one impeller for gas air cooling devices, has been established. Using the mathematical analysis of the basic laws of axial turbomachines, equations for the efficiency of a fan unit and a fan are obtained, depending on the specific speed. Formulas are obtained for the maximum values of the efficiency of the fan and the fan unit of various specific speed depending on the coefficient of the consumpconsumption speed and on the relative diameter of the impeller sleeve. A method is proposed for constructing aerodynamic schemes of axial fan units for air-cooled gas coolers of the "K" type with maximum maximum values of efficiency for given values of specific speed, relative diameter of the impeller sleeve, aerodynamic quality of the impeller profiles, coefficient of aerodynamic resistance of the flow path of the coefficient of flow velocity. The possibility of creating a fan installation with a speed of ny ≥ 400 with an efficiency of at least ηy=0,86. Application area. Enterprises of the oil and gas complex of the Russian Federation for cooling compressed gas using AVO compressor stations of main gas pipelines.
THE USE OF UNPOPULATED TECHNOLOGIES IN OPEN-PIT MINING
Authors:   Tula State University, EFIMOV Viktor , ABRAMKIN Nikolay ,   National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, EFIMOVA Natalia ,   MGIMO University
Published: November 2021

On the example of JSC SUEK, the expediency of using robotic technologies at open-pit mining enterprises in Russia is considered. The analysis of industrial safety, socio-economic factors and economic feasibility suggests the need for the use of robotic technologies in mining enterprises. The ideology and practical steps of digital transformation in mining were formed in stages. Positively influencing the efficiency of work and the level of industrial safety of mining enterprises, the processes of digital transformation at mining enterprises in Russia have passed the stages of development: The first stage is Sensors and autonomous GIS products, the equipment of which allowed optimizing the loading of mining equipment by an average of 8%, increasing tire mileage by 7–15%, practically preventing accidents, digitizing mining and geological systems; The second stage is monitoring and statistics, which, using the experience of the first stage, made it possible to achieve an average fuel economy of 10%, increase cargo transportation productivity by 15%, and increase the technical readiness coefficient (CTG) by 4%; The third stage - Optimization and integration” contributed to an increase in the productivity of mining equipment by 10-15% stabilization of the quality of coal (ore), an increase in the productivity of drilling rigs by 15-20% while reducing the cost of drilling by 2–7%; The fourth stage is Predictive analysis, where, based on the achievements of the three previous stages, the prediction of the risk of accidents is achieved and, taking into account the modeling of optimization of technical and economic processes, preliminary maintenance is carried out with a forecast of production from extraction to enrichment. The fifth stage - Robotics - is a “revolutionary” increase in productivity due to changes in the parameters of geotechnologies. Modern production based on digital technologies is exposed to three main drivers: changing demands of mining enterprises, technology development and increased competition. Digital transformation is the process of transition of an enterprise to new ways of thinking based on the need to improve industrial and environmental safety and work based on the use of social, mobile and other digital applications.
Surrogate-Assisted Multiobjective Optimization of a Hydraulically Fractured Well in a Naturally Fractured Shale Reservoir with Geological Uncertainty
Authors: Zhang Hao , Sheng James J.
Published: November 2021

Hydraulic fracturing is the most widely used technology for the commercial exploitation of shale-gas reservoirs, yet still faces high cost and development risk caused by many inestimable and uncertain geological parameters in shale reservoirs. Optimally designing the hydraulic fracturing considering the geological uncertainty is an essential topic, and also a computationally expensive problem, which still has not obtained enough investigation. Facing this urgent requirement, a novel surrogate-assisted multiobjective optimization (MOO) framework is proposed for the hydraulically fractured well optimization in shale-gas reservoirs with geological uncertainty. A shale-gas-production numerical model is illustrated using the embedded discrete-fracture model (EDFM), in which a set of stochastic power-law distributed natural-fracture (NF) models are generated to describe the geological uncertainty. To fully grasp the expected economical revenue and the development risk, the MOO strategy is applied, in which the expected value and standard deviation of the net present values (NPVs) are regarded as the objective functions; a Pareto-ranking scheme is adopted to search for the Pareto front (PF) that satisfies both objectives. In addition, a state-of-the-art hybrid multiobjective particle-swarm optimization (HMOPSO) algorithm is developed, which couples the synthetic advantages of multiobjective particle-swarm optimization (MOPSO) and the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) and presents a higher accuracy and efficiency than both of them. Furthermore, a Gaussian-process Kriging model is adopted as the surrogate model to replace the time-consuming numerical simulation caused by the geological uncertainty; it is then integrated with the HMOPSO to construct a surrogated-assisted HMOPSO, which helps to increase the optimization efficiency and accuracy of the computationally expensive problem. Finally, the superiority of the HMOPSO against the traditional algorithms is validated using several benchmark functions, and the surrogated-assisted HMOPSO is performed into a hydraulic-fracture (HF)-well MOO example in a shale-gas reservoir with geological uncertainty. The PF is obtained, which provides a set of tradeoff solutions for designers.
Paenibacillus Polymyxa MVY-024: Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria Which is Easy to Apply on an Industrial Scale
Authors: Kaziūnienė Justina , Mažylytė Raimonda , Krasauskas Aurimas , Toleikienė Monika , Gegeckas Audrius
Published: November 2021

In this study, thirteen isolates which were possibly expected to fix nitrogen, were isolated from the soil and pea root nodules and identified by gene analysis of 16S rDNA sequences. Two of these isolates which were able to form endospores and growth on nitrogen free media were selected for spring wheat development research. The isolate Paenibacillus sp. S7 identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa was found to significantly increased amount of ammonium and mineral N amounts in the soil. Furthermore, increased nitrogen accumulation in grain and a chlorophyll index were obtained after wheat treatment. Paenibacillus sp. S7 isolate was selected for further studies and accession number MT900581 and strain name MVY-024 in NCBI nucleotide bank for this isolate was assigned. During cultivation of Paenibacillus sp. MVY-024, sugarcane molasses and yeast extract were determined as the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources, optimal concentrations were 100 gL-1 and 10 gL-1, respectively. The optimal pH range for cells culturing was between 6.5 and 7.0, optimal air flow rate was 0.4 vvm. It was found that air flow has effect for biomass production and cells endospores formation. After Paenibacillus sp. MVY-024 biomass cultivation optimization, cultured cells number was on average 2.2 × 109 cfu mL-1.
Can Proximal Junctional Kyphosis After Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity Be Predicted by Preoperative Dynamic Sagittal Alignment Change With 3D Gait Analysis? A Case–control Study
Authors: Asada Tomoyuki , Miura Kousei , Koda Masao , Kadone Hideki , Funayama Toru , Takahashi Hiroshi , Noguchi Hiroshi , Shibao Yosuke , Sato Kosuke , Eto Fumihiko , Kono Mamoru , Mataki Kentaro , Yamazaki Masashi
Published: November 2021

PurposeTo investigate whether preoperative dynamic spinal alignment that worsened during gait as detected by three-dimensional (3D) gait analysis can be a predictive factor for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) after corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) with a minimum 1-year follow-up.MethodWe included 27 patients with ASD who underwent 3D gait analysis before corrective surgery and had >1-year follow-up. Dynamic spinal alignment parameters were obtained using a Nexus motion capture system (Vicon, Oxford, UK) with reflective markers. Spinal alignment was assessed in each region and pelvic alignment was assessed with surface markers. Patients were asked to walk for as long as possible around an oval walkway. We obtained the averaged dynamic parameters in the final lap and compared them between patients with PJK(+) and those with PJK(–).ResultsPJK occurred in 7 patients (26%). Preoperative angle between the thoracic spine and the pelvis was larger in patients with PJK(+) than in those with PJK(–) (32.3 ± 8.1 vs 18.7 ± 13.5, P = 0.020) with sufficient sample size. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the angle between the thoracic spine and pelvis as an independent risk for PJK.ConclusionPreoperative thoracic kyphosis exacerbated by gait as determined in 3D gait analysis is a preoperative independent risk factor of PJK in patients undergoing ASD corrective surgery.
Facile and Sustainable Modification for Improving the Adsorption Ability of Sugarcane Bagasse Towards Cationic Organic Pollutants
Authors: Luan Pengcheng , Liao Jianming , Chen Li , Kuang Yishan , Zhang Xi , Zhang Yuxiang , Zhu Yikui , Dai Yonghong , Mo Lihuan , Li Jun
Published: November 2021

Using low-cost agro-industrial wastes and by-products derived from lignocellulosic biomass for adsorption is believed to an affordable and sustainable way to tackle the burning issue of cationic pollution in the marine, while its relatively low adsorption capability limits its large-scale application. Chemical modifications to improve the adsorption abilities of lignocellulosic biomass usually has problems such as long reaction time, high operational cost, rigorous reaction conditions (high temperature and pressure) as well as the second pollution. In this study, a green, rapid, simple, and mild method was developed by using ozone to improve the adsorption abilities of sugarcane bagasse (SB). The effects of ozone modification on the SB and its related adsorption abilities towards cationic polymers were quantitatively investigated. Results showed that ozone modification under very low ozone consumption (~ 1.5 wt%) could efficiently increase the carboxyl groups, change the chemical compositions of SB, and does not significantly change its morphology, thereby ensuring the good recovery and adsorption performance of SB. The maximum adsorption rate and capacity of SB for positively charged methylene blue (MB) were increased about 33.3% and 11.3% than the original SB. Besides, ozone modified SB maintained its high adsorption capability even at high NaCl concentration (0.6 M). For cationic polymer with high charge densities, the adsorption capacity of milled SB increased about 125.4%.
Nomogram for Predicting Occurrence of Synchronous Liver Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer: A Single-center Retrospective Study Based on Pathological Factors
Authors: Liu Yunxiao , Wang Yuliuming , Zhang Hao , Zheng Mingyu , Wang Chunlin , Hu Zhiqiao , Wang Yang , Xiong Huan , Hu Hanqing , Tang Qingchao , Wang Guiyu
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors for liver metastasis (LM) of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to construct a nomogram for predicting the occurrence of synchronous LM based on baseline and pathological information.MethodsThe baseline and pathological information of 3190 CRC patients from the Department of Colorectal Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between 2012 and 2020 were included. All patients were divided into development and validation cohorts with the 1:1 ratio. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to identify the potential predictors of LM in CRC patients. Using the R tool to create a predictive nomogram. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was calculated to describe the discriminability of the nomogram. A calibration curve was plotted to compare the predicted and observed results of the nomogram. Decision-making curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical effect of nomogram.ResultsThe nomogram consisted of six features including tumor site, vascular invasion (VI), T stage, N stage, preoperative CEA and CA-199 level. ROC curves for the LM nomogram indicated good discrimination in the development cohort (AUC = 0.885, 95% CI 0.854-0.916) and the validation cohort (AUC = 0.857, 95% CI 0.821-0.893). The calibration curve showed that the prediction results of the nomogram was in good agreement with the actual observation results. Moreover, the DCA curves determined the clinical application value of predictive nomogram.ConclusionsThe pathologic-based nomogram could help clinicians to predict the occurrence of synchronous LM in postoperative CRC patients and provide a reference to perform appropriate metastatic screening plans and rational therapeutic options for the special population.
An Imbalance of IL-33/ST2-AXL-Efferocytosis Axis Induces Pregnancy Loss Through Metabolic Reprogramming of Decidual Macrophage
Authors: Sheng Yan-Ran , Hu Wen-Ting , Shen Hui-Hui , Wei Chun-Yan , Liu Yu-Kai , Ma Xiao-Qian , Li Ming-Qing , Zhu Xiao-Yong
Published: November 2021

During the implantation of embryo, apoptosis is inevitable. These apoptotic cells (AC) are removed by efferocytosis, which fills the macrophage with a metabolite load nearly equal to the phagocyte itself. A timely question pertains to the interrelationship between efferocytosis metabolism and the immune behavior of decidual macrophages (dMΦs) and its effect on pregnancy outcome. Here we report a positive feedback of IL-33/ST2-AXL-efferocytosis leading to pregnancy failure through metabolic reprogramming of dMΦs. We compared the serum level of IL-33, sST2, along with IL-33, ST2, efferocytosis and metabolism of dMΦs from both normal gravidas and unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) patients. And we revealed the disturbance of IL-33/ST2 axis, increased apoptotic cells and elevated efferocytosis of dMΦs from the patients with RPL. Afterwards the dMΦs swallowing so many apoptotic cells secreted more sST2 and less TGF-β, which polarized dMΦs towards M1 phenotype. Moreover, the elevated sST2 biased the efferocytosis metabolism of RPL dMΦs towards oxidative phosphorylation and exacerbated the disruption of IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway. The metabolic disorders also led to the dysfunction of efferocytosis, resulting in more uncleared apoptotic cells and the secondary necrosis occurred. We also screened efferocytotic molecule AXL regulated by IL-33/ST2. This positive feedback of IL-33/ST2-AXL-efferocytosis led to pregnancy failure. And the IL-33 knockout mice demonstrated poor pregnancy outcomes, and exogenous supplementation of mouse IL-33 could partially alleviate the fate of embryo losses. These findings highlight a new etiological mechanism whereby dMΦs leverage immunometabolism for the homeostasis of microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface.
Sensitivity of Some Sweet Cherry (Prunus Avium L.) Genotypes To Late Spring Frosts During Different Phenological Stages Following Bud Burst
Authors: Kaya Ozkan , KOSE Cafer
Published: November 2021

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is one of the economically important fruit crops worldwide. However, late spring frosts occurring in some years can significantly impact sweet cherry productivity through organ and tissue destruction caused by frost damage, and very little is known about frost tolerance or susceptibility of new cultivars. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was, therefore, used to examine the exothermic characteristics (temperatures at which 50% of the flower buds were killed - mLTE values) of the flower buds belonging to members of the genus Prunus - 6 Prunus avium cultivars ('Noir de Guben', 'Bigarreau Gaucher', 'Merton Late', 'Merton Bigarreau', 'Van' and wild genotype). In the study, mLTE values of flowers of six cherry cultivars were determined at different floral bud developmental stages such as side green, green tip, open cluster, first white and full bloom under laboratory-based freeze assays for consecutive two years. The mLTE values of flower buds changed according to both different floral bud developmental stages and sweet cherry cultivars. In our findings, the mLTE values of flower buds in all cultivars generally occurred at higher temperatures in the open cluster stage, whereas the mLTE values of the flower buds in the first white stage occurred at lower temperatures, and therefore, these results are not only controversial in terms of previous frost tolerance studies, but also the first findings to be reported in literature. Considering the two-year average, the temperatures causing mLTE values for flower buds was -1.58 to -3.74°C at the side green stage, -0.94 to -3.51°C at the green tip stage, -0.41 to -1.96°C at the open cluster stage, -2.30 to -11.52°C at the first white stage and -2.37 to -9.80°C at the full bloom stage in the range of six cultivars. In laboratory-based freezing experiments, the 'Van' cultivar were least affected by low temperatures, followed by 'Bigarreau Gaucher' cultivar and wild genotype. 'Merton Late' cultivar, on the contrary, was the most sensitive cultivar to low temperatures, followed by 'Noir de Guben' and 'Merton Bigarreau'. These results can be valuable in predicting possible frost damage at different developmental stages of the flower buds in sweet cherry.
Hepatitis B Virus Associated Hepatocarcinoma Activated Unique Metabolism Pathway to Gain Survival Advantages
Authors: Zhao Yingke , Ning Zhouyu , Deng Yong , Li Bing , Sun Yun , Meng Zhiqiang
Published: November 2021

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is considered as a “metabolic virus” and affects the hepatic metabolism homeostasis, while except for the anti-virus therapy the principle of HBV-negtive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HBV-positive HCC is exactly the same until now. Exploration of the unique characteristics of HBV-associated HCC will provide new metabolic targets against HBV-associated HCC to gain survial advantage, and finally inhibit cancer progression. Methods: To systematically assess the metabolic changes, we assessed the transcriptomic and proteomic data from public database, additionally verified the accordingly changes in our own test cohort on proteome and transcriptome level. Additionally, the tissue metabolomics profile, lipidomics and the activity of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway which play critical role in metabolism reprogramming, were analyzed to confirm the aforementioned changes. Results: By multi-omics approaches, we presented the metabolic dysfunction experienced during HBV-associated HCC, represented by upregulated the steroid hormone biosynthesis, primary bile acid, and sphingolipid metabolism which related to a poor prognosis. Metabolites in linoleic acid metabolism and primary bile acid metabolism were closely correlated with HBV replication in HBV-positive HCC patients. Further tissue metabolomics and lipidomics validate the serum metabolic changes, namely changing in lipid composition and unsaturated fatty acid accumulation. By antibody array, a hyperactive PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling transduction in HBV-positive biopsy compared with HBV-negative patients was observed, indicating a key role of this pathway in metabolic reprogramming of HBV-associate HCC. Conclusion: HBV plays a critical role in the metabolism of HBV-associated HCC and activated a unique metabolism pathway to gain survival advantages. HBV-positive HCC showed obviously difference compared to HBV-negative HCC in metabolism at least and should be treated according to its characteristics in the clinic.
Do Gut Microbiota Correlate with Stereotypic Behavior? First Answers from Malayan Sun Bears and Insights into Ex-situ Conservation
Authors: Wu Hong , Wu Nan , Yao Hongyu , Guo Xinyu , Zhang Sheng , Wang Yuan , Zhou Qihai , Zhao Dapeng
Published: November 2021

Gut microbiota affect host health and behavior throughout life but their relationship in endangered animals is poorly understood. Malayan sun bears are protected as an endangered wild species. Abnormal behavior such as stereotypies can be used as welfare indicators of animals in zoos. In this study, the abundance and diversity of fecal microbiota from six Malayan sun bears in Tianjin Zoo were assessed using 16S rRNA Illumina technology, and stereotypies were analyzed to identify behavioral patterns in the bears, separated into two age groups. Stereotypic behavior did not differ significantly between bears of different ages, but bacterial diversity in bears from the elderly group was significantly higher than that of the adult group. The gut microbiota of Malayan sun bears was dominated by Firmicutes (54.70%), Proteobacteria (41.90%), and Fusobacteria (1.80%). Findings from this study facilitate understanding of the relationship between gut microbiota and behavioral patterns, which could benefit the welfare of animals in captivity.
New Optical Soliton Solutions For The Variable Coefficients Nonlinear Schrodinger Equation
Authors: Gu Yongyi , Aminakbari Najva
Published: November 2021

This paper is appropriated to seek new optical soliton solutions of nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLSE) with time-dependent coefficients which describes the dispersion decreasing fiber. By proposing Bernoulli (G ′/G)-expansion method, where G = G(ζ ) satisfies Bernoulli equation, some periodic wave, bright and dark soliton solutions are successfully achieved. In addition, 3D, line and contour maps graphs of the obtained results under effect of different values of coefficients are illustrated to have acceptable conception of dynamic structures.
ctDNA as A Biomarker of Progression in Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Bonazzi Vanessa F. , Aoude Lauren G. , Brosda Sandra , Lonie James M. , Patel Kalpana , Bradford Julia J. , Koufariotis Lambros T. , Wood Scott , Smithers B. Mark , Waddell Nicola , Barbour Andrew P.
Published: November 2021

Background: The incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) is rapidly increasing and despite improvements in treatment, the five-year survival rate remains poor. Prognostic biomarkers that address the genomic heterogeneity in this highly complex disease will aid the development of precision therapeutics and improve patient survival. The aim of this study was to determine whether circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has prognostic significance as a biomarker in OAC patients.Methods: We profiled 209 blood and tumour samples from 57 OAC patients. Using a panel of 77 cancer genes, we sequenced ctDNA in plasma samples (n=127) which were taken at multiple time points pre- and post-therapy. In parallel, we sequenced matched tumour samples from 39 patients using the same gene panel. To assess whether the ctDNA profile reflected the tumour heterogeneity, we sequenced additional multi-region primary tumour samples (n=17). In addition, we analysed whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing data from primary tumours for a subset of 18 patients. Results: Using a tumour agnostic approach, we found that detectable ctDNA variants in post-treatment plasma samples were associated with worse disease specific survival. To evaluate whether the ctDNA originated from the primary tumour, we performed a tumour informed analysis which confirmed post-treatment ctDNA variants were associated with worse survival. To determine whether ctDNA could be used as a clinical follow-up test, we assessed blood samples from multiple time points before and after treatment, in a subset of patients. Results showed that the variant allele frequency of ctDNA variants increased with disease recurrence. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that ctDNA variants can be detected in patients with OAC and this has potential clinical utility as a prognostic biomarker for survival.
Trends of the Incidence and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Among Participants of the Specific Health Check and Guidance System in Japan
Authors: Iseki Kunitoshi , KONTA TSUNEO , ASAHI KOICHI , FUJIMOTO SHOUICHI , MORIYAMA TOSHIKI , YAMAGATA KUNIHIRO , TSURUYA KAZUHIKO , NARITA ICHIEI , KONDO MASAHIDE , KASAHARA MASATO , SHIBAGAKI YUGO , ISEKI CHIHO , WATANABE TSUYOSHI
Published: November 2021

A specific nationwide health check-up and guidance system (Tokutei-Kenshin) was initiated in April 2008 to detect metabolic syndrome (MetS) and if confirmed, to provide individual instruction to modify lifestyle and the necessary treatment. However, trends of the incidence and prevalence of MetS are not yet available. Data of the Tokutei-Kensin from 2008 to 2014 were used in this study. The total number of participants was 3,809,853. Among them, we identified 933,490 individuals who have screened at least twice during the study period. The mean number of visits was 3.4 times per person. Incidence of MetS was defined as those who were MetS (-) at the first screening and developed MetS next year. Persistent prevalence of MetS was defined as those who were MetS (+) at both the first and next year screening. We obtained five 1-year incidence and persistent prevalence of MetS during the study period. The average 1-year incidence of MetS was 5.7% (6.6%, 2.7%) and the average prevalence of MetS was 10.1% (16.1%, 6.2%) in the total (men, women) participants, respectively. The average persistent prevalence of MetS was 47.3% (49.6%, 43.3%) in the total (men, women) participants, respectively. Both incidence and prevalence of MetS were higher in men than that in women. Compared to those of age less than 65 years old, elderly participants had a higher incidence and prevalence of MetS. During the study period of 2008 to 2014, there were no apparent changes in the incidence, prevalence, and persistent prevalence of MetS.
Dimethyl Fumarate Abrogates Growth and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Regulating NRF2/Bcl-XL Axis and Synergizes with Sorafenib
Authors: Faleti Oluwasijibomi Damola , Zhang Mingjiao , Tan Haiqi , Gong Yibing , Zhang Yuanbin , Deng Simin , Liu Pengfei , Huang Jing , Wu Gongfa , Wang Xiong , Chen Ying , He Mingliang , Lyu Xiaoming
Published: November 2021

BackgroundEmerging evidence indicates that the mitochondria play an important role in poor treatment outcomes observed in liver malignancies. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, and there is still no effective chemotherapeutic treatment. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a derivative of fumaric acid, is used to treat psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. MethodsHCC mice model was used in this study. Eight-week-old mice bearing tumor were administered either DMF (30 mg/kg/day; n = 6) or DMSO (control group; n = 6) for 2 weeks. RNA-seq analysis was carried out on DMF-treated cells, and validation was done in two different HCC cell lines. Changes in subcellular structures were analyzed with electron microscopy. The expression of Bcl-xL, Nrf2, p-STAT3 and p-AKT were evaluated by immunoblotting.ResultsTumour growth of HCC was significantly lower in the DMF group compared to the control group (605.84 ± 65.06 mm3 and 232.1± 57.14 mm3, p < 0.01). Molecular and morphological studies revealed significant perturbation in the mitochondria accompanied by disruption of the NRF2/Bcl-xL axis. Enforced Bcl-xL expression in HCC cells markedly reversed DMF-induced apoptosis and induction of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. Notably, we also identified the activation of unfolded protein response as a potential marker for poor response. More strikingly, DMF synergistically enhanced sorafenib’s antitumor effect both in vitro, in zebrafish and mice xenograft models.ConclusionCollectively, our results demonstrate new mechanism insights into the antitumor effects of DMF and support the design of novel therapeutic options for HCC treatment.
ceRNA Network Analysis Shows That lncRNA LGALS8-AS1 Upregulates DCTPP1 To Promote Breast Cancer Progression Through Sponge miR-125b-5p
Authors: Zhang Jiayin , Qu Yuan , Hou Tingting , Ge Wanbao , Zhang Shanyong
Published: November 2021

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in the world. Many scholars have devoted themselves to elucidating the pathogenesis of Breast cancer. In the past, dCTP pyrophosphatase 1 (DCTPP1) was thought to be overexpressed in several cancers. However, The mechanism by which DCTPP1 is regulated by non-coding RNA in Breast cancer and its relationship with immune infiltration have not been elucidated.Results: In this study, reliable databases from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Integration (GEO) showed that the expression of DCTPP1 in Breast cancer tissues was higher than in normal tissues. Bioinformatics analysis showed that DCTPP1 was negatively correlated with the expression of hsa-miR-125b-5p in BRCA,The expression of LncRNA LGALS8-AS1 is positively correlated with the expression of DCTPP1, and negatively correlated with the expression of hsa-miR-125b-5p. Therefore, we speculate that lncRNA LGALS8-AS1 promotes tumor progression through sponge hsa-miR-125b-5p and maintains the overexpression of DCTPP1 in Breast cancer. The survival analysis of 3 genes showed that the overexpression of DCTPP1 and LGALS8-AS1 is related to the poor prognosis of patients. By analyzing the relationship between DCTPP1 and immune infiltration, we found that the high copy of DCTPP1 is related to the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, and the high expression of DCTPP1 is related to the infiltration of CD4+ T cells in basal-like Breast cancer. DCTPP1 is positively correlated with the expression of immune checkpoint B7-H3.Conclusion: LNC LGALS8-AS1 can upregulate DCTPP1 by sponging with hsa-miR-125b-5p. DCTPP1 can be used as a new prognostic marker for B7-H3 antibody treatment of breast cancer.