bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managerial and Financial Capabilities Become Determining Factors of Tax Avoidance Practice in Indonesia
Authors: Rizka Hasanah Alamanda , Widiastuti Ni Putu Eka
Published: March 2022

Differences in interests related to taxation between the government and companies are still a current issue. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of managerial and financial competencies on tax avoidance in Indonesian manufacturing companies. 149 financial statements of companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange were used to compile the data. Panel data regression with a random-effects model was used to test and analyze the data. The findings revealed that financial challenges and managerial ability had a detrimental impact on tax avoidance, but there was no influence between the audit committee on tax avoidance. As for the control variable, there is a positive influence between profitability on tax avoidance, and there is no influence between leverage on tax avoidance.
Overcoming Major Environmental and Production Challenges in Cattle Owned by Smallholder Farmers in the Tropics
Authors: Burrow Heather M.
Published: March 2022

The world’s population is expected to increase significantly by 2050, leading to significantly increased demands for meat and dairy products. However, cattle are major emitters of greenhouse gases that speed up climate change. To achieve food security by 2050, livestock enterprises need to double their outputs from constant resources, in the face of increased competition for inputs such as land, water, grain and labour. To cope with climate change, the livestock need to be productive under hotter and drier climates and be able to tolerate increased challenges from parasites and vector-borne diseases. The best way for smallholder cattle farmers in tropical low-medium income countries to overcome these multiple challenges is to focus on improving the productivity of their herds. This paper discusses a range of simple and cost-effective options already available to smallholder farmers to significantly improve the productivity and profitability of their herds and by doing so, they will indirectly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their cattle and improve the natural resource base on which their cattle graze. Improved herd productivity will in turn deliver significant social, environmental, economic and livelihood benefits to the smallholder farmers themselves and the communities and value chains in which they operate.
The Effects of Different Undergrowth Vegetation on the Types and Densities of Functional Ground-Dwelling Arthropods in Citrus Orchards
Authors: Inagaki Hidehiro , Yuto Saruta , Daiki Yoto
Published: March 2022

In agricultural lands, citrus orchards, pest feeding and weed seed predation by ground-dwelling arthropods are essential ecosystem services. This research aims to investigate the effects of different undergrowth vegetation, including weed area, bare land, rattail fescue and white clover fields, on the types and densities of functional ground-dwelling arthropods in citrus orchards, using pitfall traps. The captured organisms included carnivorous beetles (Pheropsophus jessoensis, Chlaenius naeviger and Dolichus halensis), wolf spiders (Lycosidae sp.), earwigs (Anisolabididae sp.), house centipedes (Scutigeromorpha sp.), herbivorous ground beetles (Amara sp., Harpalinae sp.), crickets and millipedes. Furthermore, the population of the functional ground-dwelling arthropods was significantly increased by the presence of a live mulch, where a higher number was seen in the rattail fescue or white clover compared to the weed or bare land fields. The cover crops also affected the types of arthropods identified, with the rattail fescue field including more Pheropsophus jessoensis while the white clover had an elevated number of wolf spiders, earwigs and Amara sp. (a weed seed predator). This discovery indicates that the type of undergrowth vegetation plays an important role in enhancing functional biodiversity. The kind of pests and weeds that these arthropods are effective against, as well as the extent to which their densities can be decreased, is also unknown. Therefore, further research on the feeding habit and predation of these arthropods should be conducted.
The Design of a Cracker Dough Cutting Machine Using an Effective And Efficient Roll Cutting Setter For Home Industry Scale
Authors: Wibowo Singgeh Adi , Akbar Ali
Published: March 2022

The design aims to produce mass cracker production on a homa scale industry that is effective and efficient i order to meet consumption needs. The cutting machine has on a 50cm length of aluminium strip plate, a roll knife made of stainless stell, 1,5mm thick, 45mm diameter, 5mm middle axle hole, with letter L shape support. With 12 knives the roll has a distance of 4cm. Testing on a thick dough of 1-1,5mm width 46cm square with the help of a 10mm thick pvc mattress 50cm wide square using a stopper right and left in the shape of an angle of 3mm thick iron plate the work process of scratching a roll knife into the dough on the mat with a reference to the stopper of longitudinal and transverse movements for effective and efficient results, testing five times gets an average time of 00:49 seconds in the previous test while in the renewable machines it gets an average time of 00:22seconds. So the results of the analysis can be said to be effective and have more efficiency than previous machines.
Aftereffects in the Transient Electromagnetic Method: Magnetic Viscosity
Authors: Kozhevnikov N.O. , Antonov E.Yu.
Published: March 2022

One of the aftereffects inherent in geological materials is magnetic viscosity. This phenomenon consists in the time lag of changes in magnetic characteristics in relation to changes in the external magnetic field. In rocks, magnetic viscosity is mainly associated with magnetization of superparamagnetic particles. In the transient electromagnetic method, magnetic viscosity is manifested as a slowly decreasing voltage induced in a receiving loop, or, in some cases, as a nonmonotone transient voltage response. Eddy currents and viscous magnetization establish and decay independently; therefore, the induction transient response measured with a fixed-geometry TEM array gives no way of finding the vertical distribution of magnetic viscosity. In order to find it, geometric soundings are needed. At later times, the voltage induced in the receiving loop due to the magnetization decay is vastly larger than that induced by the eddy currents. Because of this, magnetic viscosity contribution to the total transient response limits the sounding depth of the transient electromagnetic method.
Safety of AFM11 in the treatment of patients with B-cell malignancies: Findings from two phase 1 studies
Authors: Topp Max , Dlugosz-Danecka Monika , Skotnicki Aleksander B , Salogub Galina , Viardot Andreas , Klein Andreas K , Hess Georg , Michel Christian S , Grosicki Sebastian , Gural Alex , Schwarz Sylvia , Pietzko Kerstin , Gärtner Ulrike , Strassz András , Alland Leila , Mayer Jiri
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThe prognosis for patients with relapsed and/or refractory (R/R) non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) remains poor, with existing treatments having significant side effects. Developed for the treatment of these cancers, AFM11 is a tetravalent, bispecific humanised recombinant antibody construct (TandAb®) designed to bind to human CD19 and CD3 and lead to the activation of T cells inducing apoptosis and killing of malignant B cells.MethodsTwo open-label, multicentre, dose-escalation phase 1 studies evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics and activity of AFM11 in patients with R/R CD19-positive B cell NHL (AFM11-101) and in patients with CD19+ B-precursor Philadelphia-chromosome negative ALL (AFM11-102). Adverse events (AEs) were assessed and recorded, imaging (NHL) or bone marrow assessment (ALL) were used to evaluate response. Additional pharmacodynamic assays undertaken included cytokine release analysis, B-cell and T-cell depletion.ResultsIn AFM11-101, 16 patients with R/R NHL received AFM11 in five different dose cohorts. Of which, 14 experienced drug-related treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) [including five serious AEs (SAEs)], five patients experienced dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and ten patients discontinued the study. The high number of neurological events led to a decrease in infusion frequency during the study. No objective response to treatment was observed. In AFM11-102, 17 patients with R/R ALL received AFM11 in six different dose cohorts. Thirteen patients experienced drug-related TEAEs (including four SAEs), DLTs occurred in two patients and five patients discontinued the study. An objective response was recorded in three patients. The maximum tolerated dose could not be determined in either study due to early termination.ConclusionsAFM11 treatment was associated with frequent neurological adverse reactions that were severe in some patients. In ALL some signs of activity, albeit short lived, were observed whereas no activity was observed in patients with NHL; therefore, further clinical development was terminated.Trial IdentifiersNCT02106091, NCT02848911
Profiling target engagement and cellular uptake of cRGD-decorated clinical-stage core-crosslinked polymeric micelles
Authors: De Lorenzi Federica , Rizzo Larissa Yokota , Daware Rasika , Motta Alessandro , Baues Maike , Bartneck Matthias , Vogt Michael , Zandvoort Marc van , Kaps Leonard , Hu Qizhi , Thewissen Marielle , Casettari Luca , Rijcken Cristianne J.F. , Kiessling Fabian , Sofias Alexandros Marios , Lammers Twan
Published: March 2022

Polymeric micelles are increasingly explored for tumor-targeted drug delivery. CriPec® technology enables the generation of core-crosslinked polymeric micelles (CCPM) based on thermosensitive (mPEG-b-pHPMAmLacn) block copolymers, with high drug loading capacity, tailorable size, and controlled drug release kinetics. In this study, we decorated clinical-stage CCPM with the αvβ3 integrin-targeted cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD) peptide, which is one of the most well-known active targeting ligands evaluated preclinically and clinically. Using a panel of cell lines with different expression levels of the αvβ3 integrin receptor and exploring both static and dynamic incubation conditions, we studied the benefit of decorating CCPM with different densities of cRGD. We show that incubation time and temperature, as well as the expression levels of αvβ3 integrin by target cells, positively influence cRGD-CCPM uptake, as demonstated by immunofluorescence staining and fluorescence microscopy. We demonstrate that even very low decoration densities (i.e., 1 mol % cRGD) result in higher engagement and uptake by target cells as compared to peptide-free control CCPM, and that high cRGD decoration densities do not result in a proportional increase in internalization. In this context, it should be kept in mind that a more extensive presence of targeting ligands on the surface of nanomedicines may affect their pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profile. Thus, we suggest a relatively low cRGD decoration density as most suitable for in vivo application.
Optimal allocation of water resources with dual water environmental carrying capacity constraints of water quantity and quality based on multi-scenario analysis
Authors: Fu Zhenghui , Zhang Yang , Wang Han , Jiang Xia , Wang Shuhang
Published: March 2022

Multiple dilemmas under the interaction of water quantity and water quality have become the primary problem of water resources allocation. The effects of climate change are also exacerbating uncertainty in the system. To overcome the uncertainty and coupling in regional water resources planning management, a comprehensive framework through integrated with interval fuzzy program, water quality model and water resources quantity model has been developed to obtain the “optimal” solution in this study. The model is a hybrid methodology of interval parameter programming (IPP), fuzzy programing (FP), a general one-dimensional water quality model and the Tennant method. The multiple scenario analysis has been conducted under different representative concentration paths (RCPs). The results suggested that the methodology was applicable for reflecting the complexities of the regional water resources planning and management systems within the planning period. The total regional water availability and water environmental capacity under the impact of climate change will be obtained. Furthermore, the decision-maker can obtain the reasonable allocation of limited water resources in different regions and different users, so as to achieve the sustainable utilization of water resources and the development of regional economy.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of topical oily lotion containing frankincense extract in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial
Authors: Mohsenzadeh Afsaneh , Karimifar Mansoor , Soltani Rasool , Hajhashemi Valiollah
Published: March 2022

Objective: Pharmacological treatments of osteoarthritis have several side effects. Boswellia serrata resin (frankincense) is rich in boswellic acids that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; though, their oral bioavailability is low. The aim of this study was evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of frankincense extract in the treatment of knee OA. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, eligible patients with knee OA were randomly divided into two groups of drug (33 patients) and control (37 patients), to use oily lotion of frankincense extract or placebo, respectively, on the involved knee three times daily for four weeks. WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), VAS (visual analogue scale; for pain severity), and PGA (patient global assessment) scores were determined before and after intervention.Results: For all evaluated outcome variables, there was a significant decrease from baseline in both groups (P < 0.001 for all). Furthermore, the end-of-intervention values for all parameters were significantly lower in drug group than placebo group (P < 0.001 for all), showing more effectiveness of drug compared to placebo. Topical oily lotion containing enriched extract of boswellic acids could decrease pain severity and improve the function in patients with knee OA.Trial RegistrationTrial registration number: IRCT20150721023282N14Trial registration date: September 20, 2020
Spontaneous correction of scoliosis after curettage of spinal osteoid osteoma: how and when?
Authors: Pan Xiyu , Qiao Jun , Liu Zhen , Shi Benlong , Mao Saihu , Li Song , Sun Xu , Zhu Zezhang
Published: March 2022

Background: Scoliosis behavior after curettage of spinal osteoid osteoma has been not clarified as most studies regarding scoliosis secondary to osteoid osteoma (OO) were case reports. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) clinical and radiographic features of scoliosis secondary to OO; (2) scoliosis behavior after Curettage of OO. Methods: A retrospective study was performed at patients who were diagnosed as OO clinically or pathologically from July 1998 to December 2019 in a single institution. Age, gender, location of pain, location of lesion and curve pattern of scoliosis were collected preoperatively. Intraoperative blood loss, operation time and surgical complications were documented. VAS scores and curve magnitude were collected pre- and postoperatively and at last follow-up.Results: The mean operation time was 124±32 min and the average intraoperative blood loss was 274±134 ml. The mean preoperative VAS score was 6.2±2.7 , and the mean postoperative VAS score was 2.1±1.8 . Thoracic scoliosis was improved from 22.7±10.6°to 6.2±4.3°after operation，and to 4.1±4.3° at last follow-up. Lumbar scoliosis was improved from 18.1±7.4° to 6.7±5.2°after operation，and to 5.3±3.9°at last follow-up. Trunk shift was improved from 34.7±12.4mm to 10.5±7.2mm after operation，and to 8.4±5.6mm at last follow-up. There was no significant differences as to sagittal radiographic parameters (P＞0.05).Conclusion: Patients with spinal OO had a significantly high incidence of scoliosis. Patients could get rapid relief of pain and scoliosis with low occurrence. Night pain, pain at the concave side of curve, normal sagittal alignment could help differentiate it from scoliosis associated with lumbar disc herniation.
Morality in Deceptive Environments: The puzzling effects of deceptive culture on moral behavior
Authors: Mitkidis Panagiotis , Gerlach Philipp , Nichols Aaron , Elbaek Christian , Perkovic Sonja , Ariely Dan
Published: March 2022

Psychologists, economists, and philosophers as well as lay people have long argued and intuited that in environments where deception is normative, moral behavior is harmed. After we confirmed this folk intuition, we challenge it and show that individuals making decisions within deceptive environments do not behave more dishonestly than in nondeceptive environments. We demonstrate the latter utilizing an example of experimental deception within established institutions, such as laboratories and institutional review boards. Specifically, we first find correlational evidence showing that experiencing deception at the laboratory level yields lower dishonesty. Then, across three studies, we empirically demonstrate that deceptive environments do not affect downstream honest behavior but that when participants were in a deceptive environment and aware of being observed, their dishonest behavior decreased. Our results show that the relationship between deception and dishonesty is more complicated than previous interpretations have suggested and expand the understanding of deception and moral behavior.
Disordered eating in early childhood: DRD4 and DAT1 gene polymorphisms and quality of mother-child interaction
Authors: Pascale Esterina , Cimino Silvia , Cerniglia Luca , Bevilacqua Arturo
Published: March 2022

Purpose. Eating disorders are complex heritable conditions that can be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors but are poorly studied in early development. The aim of this research was to investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms within dopaminergic pathways with early eating disorders.Methods. We analyzed the presence of VNTR polymorphisms of DRD4 (rs1805186) and DAT1 (rs28363170) in overeating (N=45), undereating (N=48) and control (N=44) young children. We also assessed presence of externalizing, internalizing and dysregulation symptoms by the Child Behavior Checklist and quality of mother-child interactions during feeding by the Italian adaptation of the Scale for the Assessment of Feeding Interaction, respectively.Results. Both polymorphisms were associated with children’s eating behavior, psychological symptoms and quality of interaction with their mothers, suggesting that: a) the DRD4 4-repeat allele behaves as a protective factor, the 2-repeats and 7-repeats alleles as risk factors, for undereating behavior, the general quality of mother-child interaction and internalizing, externalizing and dysregulated symptoms; and b) the DAT1 9-repeats allele behaves as a protective factor, the 10-repeats allele as a risk factor, for overeating behavior, the general quality of mother-child interaction, internalizing, externalizing and dysregulated symptoms;. Finally a gene x gene interaction is suggested between the DAT1 9-repeat or 10-repeat allele and the DRD4 4-repeat allele.Conclusions. Our results suggest a role for DRD4 and DAT1 in an early susceptibility to eating disorders.Level of evidence III: Evidence obtained from well-designed case-control analytic study.
Intraindividual Variability in Daily Experiences of Posttraumatic Growth, Affect, and HIV/AIDS Stigma among People Living with HIV: Does Resilience Matter?
Authors: Pięta Małgorzata , Rzeszutek Marcin
Published: March 2022

This study investigated intraindividual variability in daily posttraumatic growth (PTG) versus posttraumatic depreciation (PTD), positive and negative affect (PA and NA), and HIV/AIDS stigma among people living with HIV (PLWH). Additionally, we examined whether this variability may derive from participants’ resilience. The participants included 67 PLWH who after filling the baseline questionnaire on resilience for five consecutive days they completed short versions of questionnaire on (PTG/ PTD), daily declared affect, as well as daily HIV/AIDS stigma. We observed significant intraindividual variability in PTG, PTD, PA, NA, and perceived stigma. Resilience was related to PTG, PTD, PA, and NA but not stigma. Moreover, higher resilience was associated with higher, stabler PA and lower, stabler NA. Our results show the need for better PTG operationalization and measurement, particularly regarding daily manifestations in real life and intraindividual variability, as well as further studies on PLWH’s daily functioning in various areas.
Primary versus Staged Repair of Isolated Ventricular Septal Defect in Symptomatic Infants Less Than 3 Months of Age
Authors: ElDerie Ahmad , Abdelbaser Ibrahim , Hassan Walid , Sanad Mohammed , Awad Gehad
Published: March 2022

Background
Interventricular septum defects (VSD) constitute the second most common cardiac anomaly. Large defects carry significant clinical compromise in early infancy. Surgical approach is multifactorial and is not yet a matter of consensus in symptomatic patients below 3 months of age.
Methods
We reviewed cases who had primary closure or pulmonary artery banding under the age of 3 months for an isolated VSD at our institution from January 2019 to January 2021. Patients were allocated to the palliative and repair groups. Operative mortality, duration of inotropic support, mechanical ventilation and length of Intensive care (ICU) stay were compared.
Results
Included were 19 patients. Eight patients (42.1%) had pulmonary artery banding, and 11 (57.9%) had definitive repair. No operative mortality was recorded. No difference of statistical significance was noted regarding durations of inotropic support, mechanical ventilation or ICU stay (p = 0.845, p = 0.903, and p = 0.728, respectively). Body surface area was lower in the palliative group (p = 0.027).
Conclusion
Primary surgical closure of the VSD in symptomatic infants younger than three-month age can be done safely in the current era and eliminates the PAB (pulmonary banding)-related morbidity. However, PAB can be still applied in certain patients who are not candidate for open cardiac surgery.
Mn-porphyrins Anchored onto Magnetic Nanoparticles via Different Linker Length: A Comparative Study in Aerobic Oxidation of Olefins
Authors: Rayati Saeed , Shokoohi Saeedeh
Published: March 2022

In this research, meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrinatomanganese(III) acetate has been immobilized onto the modified silica-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles with linkers with different chain lengths (short, Fe3O4@SiO2-MnTCPP (C-1), medium Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2-MnTCPP (C-2), and long length, Fe3O4@SiO2-NHCO-NH2-MnTCPP (C-3)). The catalysts were characterized by various analytical and spectroscopic methods, including FT-IR, UV-Vis, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, TGA, and VSM. A comparative study based on the difference in chain length of the linker in the oxidation of olefins with molecular oxygen was performed. The novel linker (long-chain catalyst) was designed to improve the performance of the catalytic activity (complete conversion of the α-methyl styrene, 4-methyl styrene and 4-chloro styrene was achieved after 2 h). The new heterogenized catalyst (Fe3O4@SiO2-NHCO-NH2-MnTCPP) not only shows higher catalytic activity in the oxidation of different olefins, but also shows better reusability of the catalyst.
The effect of early versus delayed tumor specific therapy on survival in patients with lung cancer: a retrospective study of 375 cases
Authors: Geiken Rike , Reyners Ann , Griesinger Frank , Otremba Burkhart , Hoheisel Michael , Bäsecke Jörg
Published: March 2022

Background
The timing of tumor specific palliative therapy and its influence on the survival of patients with stage IV lung cancer remains unclear.
Methods
375 patients with UICC stage IV lung cancer who experienced an early or delayed therapy (early or delayed therapy group; TG) were investigated using histology and ECOG performance score-related subgroups. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used for survival analyses.
Results
Patients in the early TG had a significantly shorter median overall survival than those in the delayed TG (6 vs. 11 months). Patients with an ECOG-PS of ≥ 1 were significantly more present in the early than in the delayed TG (66.8% vs. 51.9%). But an early therapy was also significantly associated to a shorter median OS in ECOG-matched subgroups (ECOG-PS of 0; 7 vs. 23 months, ECOG ≥ 1 ; 6 vs. 8 months). An early therapy was associated to a significantly worse median OS in histological subgroups (NSCLC; 5 vs. 11 months, SCLC; 7 vs. 11 months) and was an independent risk factor in uni- and multivariate analyses.
Conclusions
An early initiation of cancer specific therapy was associated with a shorter survival time in palliative lung cancer patients, independent of the ECOG-PS and histological subtype.
Probiotic and functional properties potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Ivory Coast
Authors: COULIBALY Wahauwouele Hermann , Kouadio N’goran Richard , Camara Fatoumata , Diguta Camelia , Matei Florentina
Published: March 2022

The need for functional food development led to the screening of different natural sources to find new solutions. In this respect, the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from the gut of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) of Ivory Coast were tested, with the aim to be used for the fish farming feed. The selection tests focused on antibacterial activity, antibiotic susceptibility, biofilm forming ability, hemolytic activity, tolerance to bile salts, tolerance to pepsin and acid pH, hydrophobicity, antioxidant activity and behaviour under freeze-drying conditions. LAB were identified by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplification followed by sequencing. A total of 154 LAB was isolated, 12 isolates were selected as potential probiotics. Molecular identification of these isolates selected belonged to Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactobacillus plantarum species with a predominance of Pediococcus acidilactici specie. Co-culture such as probiotic LAB will be part of fish feeding, to will provide healthier and enriched food for the human consumption.
Structure of homodimeric RC with cytochromes c bound from Acidobacteria
Authors: Dong Shishang , Huang Guoqiang , Wang Changhui , Wang Jiajia , Sui Sen-Fang , Qin Xiaochun
Published: March 2022

Photosynthesis converts light energy to chemical energy vital to life on earth. The light energy is harvested by antenna pigments and transferred to reaction centers (RCs) to drive electron transfer (ET) reactions. All typical RC structures have been determined except RC from Acidobacteria. Here we present the RC structures from a microaerophilic Chloracidobacterium thermophilum (CabRC) at resolutions of 2.22 Å -2.61 Å by cryo-electron microscopy. The structure revealed binding of two different cytochromes, the inverted binding of acceptor protein between homodimeric RC from anoxygenic photosynthesis and heteromeric RC from oxygenic photosynthesis, an ET chain of heme-(Zn-bacteriochlorophyll a)-(chlorophyll a)-F4S4, and a hybrid antenna containing both bacteriochlorophylls a and chlorophylls a, and has the largest number of subunits among homodimeric type I RCs. Our results provide a solid structural basis for understanding the excitation energy and electron transfer within CabRC and offer evolutionary insights into the origin and adaptation of photosynthetic RCs.
Geospatial distribution of immunoglobulin M (IgM) in healthy Chinese adults based on classification regression tree (CART): a cross-section study
Authors: pang xinrui , Ge Miao , wang Congxia , he jinwei
Published: March 2022

With a dramatic increase in confirmed cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), COVID-19 has become a major public health event affecting the world. Ig M antibody test can be used to supplement nucleic acid testing. We use classification regression tree (CART) modeling to explore the distribution characteristics of geographical factors that may affect the spatial divergence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) reference values in China. IgM values of 9281 healthy adults from 128 cities in China were collected together with 24 topographic, climatic and soil variables. GeoDetector and correlation analysis were used to measure the relationship between geographical environmental factors and IgM values. Nine significant factors were extracted and subjected to classification regression tree (CART).The predicted values were tested for normality, with the disjunctive Kriging interpolation method used for geographical distribution. The results show that geographical spatial distribution according to overall lower from north to south. Understanding the impact of geographical factors on IgM level in healthy Chinese people can Study of antibody detection in COVID-19 with clinical application
Association between the patterns of large-vessel lesions and treatment outcomes in patients with large-vessel giant cell arteritis
Authors: Sugihara Takahiko , Uchida Haruhito A. , Yoshifuji Hajime , Maejima Yasuhiro , Naniwa Taio , Katsumata Yasuhiro , Okazaki Takahiro , Ishizaki Jun , Murakawa Yohko , Ogawa Noriyoshi , Dobashi Hiroaki , Horita Tetsuya , Tanaka Yoshiya , Furuta Shunsuke , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Komagata Yoshinori , Nakaoka Yoshikazu , Harigai Masayoshi
Published: March 2022

Objective: We aimed to identify associations between patterns of large-vessel lesions of large-vessel giant cell arteritis (LV-GCA) and treatment outcomes.Methods: We extracted data on 68 newly-diagnosed patients with LV-GCA from a retrospective, multi-centric, nationwide registry of GCA patients treated with glucocorticoids between 2007 and 2014. Patients with or without aortic lesions were identified based on findings from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET)-CT. Patients without aortic lesions were subdivided into LV-GCA with or without subclavian lesions. Primary outcome evaluation was failure to achieve clinical remission by week 24 and/or relapse within 104 weeks. Results: Aortic lesions were detected in 49 (72.1%) of the 68 patients with LV-GCA (defined as group 2). Patients without aortic lesions were classified as having LV-GCA with subclavian lesions (group 1, n=9) or LV-GCA without subclavian lesions (group 3, n=10). The mean age and proportion of patients with cranial lesions and polymyalgia rheumatica in LV-GCA with aortic lesions (group 2) was lower than in the other two groups, but these differences were not statistically significant. In group 2, 36 of the 49 patients had lesions in both the aorta and aortic branches. Stenosis of aortic branches at baseline was more frequently observed in group 1 (55.6%) than groups 2 and 3 (18.4% and 30.0%, respectively). Atypical lesions in group 3 included pulmonary, hepatic or mesenteric lesions. Mean time to achievement of low-dose GC treatment was not statistically significant among 3 groups. Methotrexate was administered at baseline to 0 %, 24.5%, and 20% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. None of these patients received biologic agents. The cumulative rate of poor treatment outcomes over two years was 11.1%, 55.3%, and 88.0% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (by Kaplan-Meier analysis). The mean time to poor outcome was significantly different between the groups. Conclusions: The patterns of large-vessel lesions were associated with the poor treatment outcomes and appear to be a pertinent factor for determining treatment strategies for LV-GCA.
Prophyromonas gingivalis promoted the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by activating the neutrophil chemotaxis in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Guo Zhi-chen , Jing Si-li , Jumatai Sakendeke , Gong Zhong-cheng
Published: March 2022

Background
We aimed to determine the significance of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) in promoting tumour progression in the tumour microenvironment (TME) of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Methods
The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was used to screen out the differentially expressed genes from the two datasets of GEO138206 and GSE87539. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis of samples, cell biological behaviour experiments, and tumour-bearing animal experiments were used to verify the results in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism was revealed at the molecular level, and rescue experiments were carried out by using inhibitors and lentiviruses.
Results
CXCL2 was selected by bioinformatics analysis and was found to be related to a poor prognosis in OSCC patients. Samples with P. gingivalis infection in the TME of OSCC had the strongest cell invasion and proliferation and the largest tumour volume in tumour-bearing animal experiments and exhibited JAK1/STAT3 signalling pathway activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The expression of P. gingivalis, CXCL2 and TANs were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in OSCC patients. A CXCL2/CXCR2 signalling axis inhibitor significantly decreased the migration, invasion and proliferation ability of cells and the tumour volume in mice. When lentivirus was used to block the CXCL2/CXCR2 signalling axis, the activity of the JAK1/STAT3 signalling pathway was decreased, and the phenotype of EMT was reversed.
Conclusion
P. gingivalis promotes OSCC progression by recruiting TANs via activation of the CXCL2/CXCR2 axis in the TME of OSCC.
Comparative Assessment of Blood Mercury in American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) from Coastal North Carolina and Florida
Authors: Belcher Scott M. , Guillette Matthew P. , Robb Frank , Rock Kylie D.
Published: March 2022

Mercury (Hg) is a widespread and potential harmful persistent contaminate of aquatic ecosystems. Except for the northern most populations of American alligators (Alligator Mississippiensis) found in North Carolina, the potential adverse health impacts of Hg on ecosystems and humans consuming alligator meat has been studied for over three decades. Now that alligators are being recreationally hunted and consumed across their range, it is especially important to monitor toxic contaminant levels to best understand possible adverse impacts of exposures on alligator populations and human health. In this study we evaluated blood Hg levels in American alligators from an urbanized site in Wilmington, NC, a nearby site at Lake Waccamaw, NC, and a site on the St Johns River in Florida. Median blood total Hg concentrations were particularly high at Lake Waccamaw (526 ng/g, range 152–946 ng/g), resulting in median muscle concentrations (0.48 ppm, range 0.13–0.88 ppm) above the US EPA/FDA fish consumption advisory level of 0.3 ppm. Median concentrations at the Wilmington site (69 ng/g, range 22–336 ng/g) were low, and Hg concentrations from the St Johns River site (143 ng/g, range 54–244 ng/g) were comparable to those reported in previous studies. Analysis of relationships between total Hg concentrations and a panel of blood chemistry biomarkers found only modest concentration dependent impact on biomarkers of renal function. The results of this study reveal that local environmental factors greatly impact Hg bioaccumulation in alligators, findings that reaffirm that local contaminant biomonitoring in alligator populations will be critical for affective management and determination of guidelines for safe consumption of harvested alligators.
Possible association of early - onset chondrodermatitis nodularis and risk of mortality. Results of a pilot retrospective case-control single-hospital study in Asturias, Northen Spain.
Authors: Vázquez-López Franciso , Gómez-Vila Borja , Castro Celia Gómez , Cadarso-Suárez Carmén , Díaz-Louzao Carla , Galache Cristina
Published: March 2022

The long-term prognosis of patients with chondrodermatitis nodularis (CN) has never been investigated. We developed the empirical hypothesis that the survival of these patients could present differences with controls, based in our own previous experience. Our objective is to assess for the first time whether survival in CN patients and matched controls is similar. We investigated the number of natural deaths and survival in patients with histopathologically diagnosed early-onset (EO) (< 61 years at diagnosis) and late onset (LO) CN lesions (= > 61 years at diagnosis); and in matched age, gender and year of diagnosis controls in a Hospital in Asturias, North Spain (years 2000-2017). We have found a small, non-significant excess of mortality in the total CN sample (p= 0.14), but this excess was significant in patients with an early-onset (EO) (< 61 years at diagnosis) of CN lesions in: a) univariate analysis: OR = 6.3; IC: 1.1-44.4; p=0.02; b) Kaplan- Meier survival curve (log-rank test, p=0.02; c) and Cox proportional hazard model (HR for mortality, 5.93; p=0.03; CI: 1.20-29.41). In this pilot, empirical hypothesis - driven, matched, single-centre, case-control study, patients with EO CN lesions (before the age of 61 years) had a decreased survival respect to matched controls. The potential importance for patients of these results outweighs limitations (retrospective and single Hospital design; small number of events); and gives support for construction of multicentric investigations.
A method for determining the animals of origin in crude drugs using MinION, a compact next-generation sequencer
Authors: Nakanishi Hiroaki , Takada Aya , Yoneyama Katsumi , Hara Masaaki , Sakai Kentaro , Saito Kazuyuki
Published: March 2022

We evaluated whether MinION, an inexpensive, portable sequencer, can be applied for identifying the animals of origin in crude drugs. Standard and nonstandard crude drugs with different species of origin were examined. In addition, the standards mixed with nonstandard samples were used. As a target gene, cytochrome c oxidase I was amplified and sequenced. The Fast mode results had a slightly lower match ratio than High-accuracy mode, but the animals of origin were correctly determined by BLAST for all samples. For antler velvet derived from Rangifer tarandus, even the sequences were aligned based on Cervus elaphus, the animal of origin was determined correctly. Minor contents could be detected from mixtures of two animals, if the mixtures contained at least 19:1 mtDNA when the coverage allele-fraction threshold was 0.05. By contrast, in Fast mode, two sequences could not be separated due to the low accuracy of the base-calling in each read. For field work, the species of origin of crude drugs could be identified, by only simple DNA extraction and library preparation. Therefore, MinION appears to be convenient tool for identifying the animal of origin in crude drugs.
SARS CoV-2 mRNA vaccination exposes latent HIV to Nef-specific CD8+ T-cells
Authors: Jones R. Brad , Stevenson Eva , Terry Sandra , Copertino Dennis , Leyre Louise , Ward Adam , Khadka Pragya , Ellsworth Grant , Johnston Carrie , Papa Michelle Premazzi , Nicholes Samuel , Caskey Marina , Gaebler Christian , Wilkin Timothy , Lynch Rebecca , Lee Guinevere , Weiler Jared , Zumbo Paul , Betel Doron , Dündar Friederike , Duncan Maggie , Lapointe Hope , Speckmaier Sarah , Moran-Garcia Nadia , Chun Tae-Wook , Brumme Zabrina , Danesh Ali , Bernard Kevin , Stover Carissa , McNeil Evan
Published: March 2022

Efforts to cure HIV have focused on reactivating latent proviruses to enable elimination by CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells. Clinical studies of latency reversing agents (LRA) in individuals treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) have shown increases in HIV transcription, but without reductions in virologic measures, or evidence that HIV-specific CD8+ T-cells were productively engaged. Here, we show that the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 activates the RIG-I/TLR – TNF – NFκb axis, resulting in transcription of HIV proviruses with minimal perturbations of T-cell activation and host transcription. T-cells specific for the early gene-product HIV-Nef uniquely increased in frequency and acquired effector functon(granzyme-B) in ART-treated individuals following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. These parameters of CD8+ T-cell induction correlated strongly with significant decreases in cell-associated HIV mRNA, suggesting killing or suppression of cells transcribing HIV. These results are, to our knowledge, the first observation of an intervention-induced reduction in a measure of HIV persistence, accompanied by precise immune correlates, in ART-suppressed individuals. However, we did not observe significant depletions of intact proviruses, underscoring challenges to achieving (or measuring) HIV reservoir reductions. Overall, our results support prioritizing the measurement of granzyme-B-producing Nef-specific responses in latency reversal studies and add impetus to developing HIV-targeted mRNA therapeutic vaccines that leverage built-in LRA activity.
Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis of Gene Expression Profiles for Potential Biomarker Identification Towards Early Therapeutic Intervention in Pancreatitis and Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wagle Manoj M , Kedige Ananya Rao , Kabekkodu Shama P , Mallya Sandeep
Published: March 2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy associated with rapid progression and an abysmal prognosis. It is reported that chronic pancreatitis can increase the risk of developing PDAC by 16-fold. The overarching hypothesis is that some of the biological processes disrupted during the inflammatory stage show significant dysregulation, even in cancer. This might explain why chronic inflammation increases the risk of carcinogenesis and uncontrolled proliferation. Here, we try to pinpoint such processes by comparing the expression profiles of pancreatitis and PDAC tissues. The gene expression datasets were retrieved from the EMBL-EBI ArrayExpress and NCBI GEO database. A total of 172 samples of normal pancreatic tissue, 68 samples of pancreatitis, and 306 samples of PDAC were used in this study. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified were used to perform downstream analysis for ontology, interaction, and associated pathways. Further, we validated hub gene expression, potential druggability, and the associated prognostic value. We also checked for promoter methylation and performed expression analysis based on different factors (such as gender, patient’s drinking habit, race, and pancreatitis status). Our study identified a total of 45 genes found to have altered expression levels in both PDAC and pancreatitis. Over-representation analysis revealed that protein digestion and absorption, ECM-receptor interaction, PI3k-Akt signaling, and proteoglycans in cancer pathways as significantly enriched. Module analysis revealed 15 hub genes, of which 14 were found to be in the druggable genome category. Through bioinformatics analysis, we have identified crucial genes and biochemical processes disrupted at a molecular level. These results can provide valuable insights into PDAC treatment, and intervening therapeutically at an earlier stage by targeting these specific processes can be an effective strategy to decrease the incidence and severity of PDAC.
A 5 Year Analysis of Different Types of Urothelial Malignancies with Special Reference to The Expression Of EGFR in These Tumours
Authors: Narayanan Shilpa K , I Praseeda , Vasudevan S
Published: March 2022

Background:

Urothelial neoplasms are a heterogenous group of neoplasms with high propensity for recurrence. EGFR is a novel and potential biological marker for predicting the prognosis of urothelial malignancies. This study highlights the diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of EGFR as a phenotypic marker in urothelial malignancies. Thus, it warrants for anti-tumour therapy and prevention of recurrence of urothelial cancers by anti-EGFR therapy.

Methods:

Current study includes 500 cases of urothelial tumours received in a major tertiary center in South Kerala. Based on the histopathological features these tumours were classified according to the WHO-2016 criteria.  Proportion in each class of urothelial tumours during the study period was calculated.  In addition to that, we also studied relation between EGFR expression and tumour grade and recurrence. Inclusion criteria: All consecutive cystoscopy biopsies, transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and radical cystectomy specimens histologically diagnosed as urothelial malignancies of bladder. Exclusion criteria: All benign urothelial cases.

Result:

Out of the 500 cases of urothelial malignancies included in the study, the non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma, low grade constituted the major part, the second being invasive urothelial carcinoma, high grade, followed by noninvasive urothelial carcinoma, high grade. A strong expression of EGFR was found to be significantly associated with higher tumour grade (P = 0.001) and recurrence (P = 0.010).

Conclusion:

Histopathology supported by immunohistochemistry is a helpful tool in subtyping the various urothelial malignancies. EGFR can be considered as an adverse prognostic factor, the expression of which increases with tumour grade and stage. EGFR positivity may favor the use of targeted therapy in urothelial malignancies.
Disseminated Histoplasmosis in a Retropositive Young Male: A Case Report
Authors: Antony Aniya , Raju Sreeja , T Vanessa John , George Edwin , Augustine Joy
Published: March 2022

Disseminated histoplasmosis is caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungal infection is commonly seen in immunocompromised patients, especially in AIDS patients, children and elderly population. Here we present a case report of a 24-year-old male who was admitted with generalised fatigue and generalised lymphadenopathy. He was found to be retropositive on evaluation and FNAC of the node surprisingly revealed Histoplasmosis. Presence of these organisms were also seen on the peripheral smear which could be picked up only on reviewing the smear again. With this case report we wish to emphasize the need for careful and diligent search of these organisms in the peripheral smear.
AS CIÊNCIAS DA NATUREZA NA BNCC PARA O ENSINO MÉDIO: REFLEXÕES A PARTIR DA CATEGORIA TRABALHO COMO PRINCÍPIO ORGANIZADOR DO CURRÍCULO
Authors: Siqueira Rafael Moreira , Moradillo Edilson Fortuna de
Published: March 2022

O presente texto tem como objetivo investigar a seção das Ciências da Natureza na BNCC para o Ensino Médio à luz da categoria do trabalho enquanto princípio organizador do currículo. Partimos de nossa concepção, a partir da Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica, de currículo escolar como o conjunto de atividades nucleares da escola, prestando seu papel essencial, o de transmissão-assimilação dos conhecimentos científicos, artísticos e filosóficos produzidos historicamente pela sociedade. A categoria trabalho se apresenta essencial para a organização do currículo nessa perspectiva, sendo possível estabelecer elementos e princípios para conceber currículos que rumem no sentido de uma formação omnilateral dos indivíduos. A partir de tal arcabouço, discutimos a respeito da organização da Base na área das Ciências da Natureza e compreendemos que o documento se alinha à lógica neoliberal para uma formação flexível e precária, se afastando da possibilidade de uma formação substancialmente integral, possível por meio do trabalho.
TEATRO E EDUCAÇÃO: (RE)PENSANDO PRÁTICAS E CONCEPÇÕES
Authors: Oliveira Júnior Virgílio Coelho de , Fogaça Frederson , Lasala Maísa de Lima
Published: March 2022

Este artigo apresenta uma discussão sobre o ensino de teatro na educação básica. Por meio da análise das experiências de um projeto de extensão desenvolvido no IFC – Campus São Francisco do Sul, almeja-se tratar das potencialidades e desafios do ensino de teatro. Para tanto, nos valemos de entrevistas com os participantes do projeto, bem como com professores e artistas que se dedicam à educação.