bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When Bad Becomes Good: The Role of Congruence and Product Type in the CSR Initiatives of Stigmatized Industries
Authors: Kim Yoojung , Choi Sejung Marina
Published: July 2022

This study examines how congruence and product type affect consumer responses in the context of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of stigmatized industries. This study conducted two experiments with college students to assess the effects of congruence and CSR type (cause-related marketing vs. advocacy advertising) (Study 1) and effects of congruence and product type (hedonic vs. utilitarian) (Study 2) on consumers’ corporate evaluations. The results of Study 1 showed that congruence generates weaker attributions of corporate altruistic motives and greater negative perceptions of corporate credibility and attitude than incongruence. However, there was no significant effect of CSR type on consumers’ evaluations of a company. The findings of Study 2 revealed significant main effects for product type. When CSR initiatives are associated with hedonic products, consumers’ altruistic attributions, credibility, and attitudes toward the product are more negative than when linked to utilitarian products in stigmatized industries. Moreover, there was a marginally significant interaction effect of congruence and product type on attitude toward the company. This study contributes to the emerging body of CSR literature in stigmatized industries by empirically determining how congruence and hedonic product type may cause backlash effects.
Intelligent Assessment for Visual Quality of Streets: Exploration Based on Machine Learning and Large-Scale Street View Data
Authors: Zhao Jing , Guo Qi
Published: July 2022

At present, the collection and analysis of large amounts of key data for the visual quality assessment of streets are performed manually. The assessment efficiency is not high, and the effective information is not fully explored. This study aims to establish an intelligent method for assessing the visual quality of streets. Taking the Hexi District of Tianjin as an example and using street view images as the assessment medium, an assessment model of objective physical indicators is established based on PaddleSeg, an assessment model of subjective perceptual indicators is established based on neural image assessment, and a visual quality assessment model of streets is established based on a random forest. The above models can intelligently evaluate the visual quality of streets and key indicators affecting visual quality. The influence of each key indicator on the visual quality of streets and the relationship between objective physical indicators and subjective perceptual indicators are analyzed. Through a combination of subjective and objective as well as qualitative and quantitative methods, the results show satisfactory assessment accuracy. In short, this study uses machine-learning techniques to improve the scientific rigor and efficiency of visual quality assessment and expand the scale of visual quality assessment data.
Novel Quality-Embedded Earned Value Performance Analysis Tool for Sustainable Project Portfolio Production
Authors: Wang Chen , Tang Yutong , Kassem Mukhtar A. , Ong Hong Yeow , Yap Jeffrey Boon Hui , Ali Kherun Nita
Published: July 2022

Although many project portfolio management tools have been developed, little has been found capable of evaluating and managing project quality, cost, and schedule simultaneously. Limited cross-project references also limit lessons learned in the context of triple constraints. This study aims to embed quality check into the earned value management (EVM) method and develop an extended tool for triple constraint management based on EVM. The purpose is to evaluate and manage the triple constraints of a project in one go, incorporating quality management and portfolio management functions into costing and scheduling. The newly developed tools are tested and validated in real-world case studies. It was proven to assist project portfolio stakeholders in triple constraints planning, organizing, monitoring, managing, and reporting using a single reporting format.
Risk of Metachronous Colorectal Cancer in Lynch Syndrome: Who Needs an Extended Resection?
Authors: Doerner Johannes
Published: July 2022

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common genetic condition associated with early-onset colorectal cancer. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. The increased cancer risk is due to a germline mutation in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) or the EPCAM gene. This leads to a deficient DNA mismatch repair mechanism, resulting in the accumulation of nucleotide changes and microsatellite instability, providing phenotypical evidence that MMR is not functioning normally. LS is associated with a high risk of early-onset colorectal cancer and recurrence. Thus, when undergoing surgery for primary colorectal cancer, extended resection should be discussed with the patient. This review provides an overview of current surgical risk-reducing strategies in LS-associated colorectal cancer. Surgical treatment for LS carriers with colorectal cancer needs to be highly individualized, based on patient and disease characteristics. Strategies are presented to guide decision making in pathologic MMR gene mutation carriers undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.
Comparative Study on the Influence of Different Forms of New Tubular Roof Method Construction on Railway Tracks
Authors: Li Xiaoxue , Tan Zhongsheng , Wang Xiuying , Lei Ke
Published: July 2022

Through the research on the effect of underpass construction using the New Tubular Roof Method on the overlying strata and railway tracks, the characteristics and pros/cons of three forms of the New Tubular Roof Method are analyzed. Based on the geological conditions and structural dimensions of the Taiyuan Yingze Street Underpass Project, by analogy to the structural sections of Shenyang Metro Xinle Ruins Station and Seoul Metro Lot 923 Station, three research cases were designed: “Taiyuan method”, “Shenyang method” and “Seoul method”. The numerical models are established, and the construction process of three cases are simulated. The results show that the three forms of the New Tubular Roof Method have different characteristics. The impact of construction on the rail is mainly reflected in the absolute settlement, while the offset of the rail and the relative displacement between the rails are small, which are not enough to pose a threat to the driving safety. “Taiyuan method” has the best control effect on the deformation of the rails in general, but there is a complex superimposed interference effect during tube jacking, and the settlement in the tube jacking stage accounts for a large proportion. “Taiyuan method” and “Shenyang method” adopt the integrated inner-connecting tube roof structure to cover the entire excavation area, which have excellent effect of isolating excavation disturbance. However, “Shenyang method” has the problem of excessive settlement during the stage of steel tube incision. The settlement caused by the construction of “Seoul method” in the tube jacking stage is relatively small, and there is no need to perform the complicated and dangerous tube incision. However, the excavation disturbance of “Seoul method” will partially escape from the side of the structure, and the excavation influence range is significantly larger than other methods.
A Comparative Study of the Fractional Coupled Burgers and Hirota–Satsuma KdV Equations via Analytical Techniques
Authors: Yasmin Humaira , Iqbal Naveed
Published: July 2022

This paper applies modified analytical methods to the fractional-order analysis of one and two-dimensional nonlinear systems of coupled Burgers and Hirota–Satsuma KdV equations. The Atangana–Baleanu fractional derivative operator and the Elzaki transform will be used to solve the proposed problems. The results of utilizing the proposed techniques are compared to the exact solution. The technique’s convergence is successfully presented and mathematically proven. To demonstrate the efficacy of the suggested techniques, we compared actual and analytic solutions using figures, which are in strong agreement with one another. Furthermore, the solutions achieved by applying the current techniques at different fractional orders are compared to the integer order. The proposed methods are appealing, simple, and accurate, indicating that they are appropriate for solving partial differential equations or systems of partial differential equations.
A Sliding Windows Singular Decomposition Model of Monitoring Data for Operational Tunnels
Authors: Xing Rongjun , Xu Pai , Yao Zhongming , Li Zhong , Yin Yuanwei , Shi Bo
Published: July 2022

In order to extract the valuable information from massive and usually unstructured datasets, increasingly, a novel nonparametric approach is proposed for detecting early signs of structural deterioration in civil infrastructure systems from vast field-monitoring datasets. The process adopted six-sample sliding window overtime at one-hour time increments to overcome the fact that the sampling times were not precisely consistent at all monitoring points. After data processing by this method, the eigenvalues and eigenvectors were obtained for each moving window, and then an evaluation index was constructed. Monitored tunnel data were analyzed using the proposed method. The required information extracted from an individual moving window is represented by a set of principal components, which become the new orthogonal variables. The resulting evaluation indicator was strongly correlated with measured and calculated values up to 0.89, even for tiny monitoring datasets. Experiments have verified the rationality and effectiveness of the algorithm, which provides a reference for the application of the method in the monitoring data processing.
Order-Theoretic Common Fixed Point Results in Rmb-Metric Spaces
Authors: Asim Mohammad , Imdad Mohammad , Sessa Salvatore
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we prove common fixed point theorems for a pair of self-mappings in the framework of Rmb-metric spaces. We also deduce some corollaries of our main result. In order to support our main result, we also set an example.
Potential Sources, Pollution, and Ecological Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Surface Soils on the North-Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Ma Yujun , Wang Qiugui , Su Weigang , Cao Guangchao , Fu Guoyan , Du Wen
Published: July 2022

Due to increased levels of human activity, various pollutants are frequently detected on the Tibetan Plateau, where the environment is extremely fragile and sensitive. Therefore, this study investigated the sources, pollution, and ecological risks of soil potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in different landscape areas within the Qaidam Basin in the northeastern part of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The contents of seven PTEs (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Cr, and Ni) in 32 topsoil samples (0–2 cm) were analyzed in different regions of the Qaidam Basin. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were 10.4–29.9 mg/kg, 0.08–4.45 mg/kg, 19–66 mg/kg, 8.2–40 mg/kg, 11.7–30.8 mg/kg, 11.1–31.2 mg/kg, and 32–213 mg/kg, respectively. The correlation between Pb and Cd in unpopulated areas was 0.896 (p < 0.01). The correlations among Pb, Cd, and Zn in agricultural areas, among As, Cd, Cr, and Zn in saline lake areas, and among As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in residential areas were all greater than 0.65 (p < 0.05). The principal component analysis results showed that Pb and Cd in unpopulated areas, Pb, Cd, and Zn in agricultural areas, As, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Pb in saline lake areas, and As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in residential areas were affected by human activities (significant factor >0.70). Based on the geological accumulation index and single-factor pollution index results, the maximum Cd values were found to be 4.93 and 45.88, respectively; Cd was thus the most serious PTE pollutant. The comprehensive pollution index of Nemero showed that moderately and severely polluted areas accounted for 18.89% and 18.46% of the total area, respectively. The results of the potential risk index showed that very strong and strong ecological risk points together accounted for 18.8% of the total points. The spatial variations in PTE pollution and the potential ecological risk index had similar patterns; both increased from the unpopulated areas in the northeastern Qaidam Basin to Golmud city in the south-western Qaidam Basin. These results indicate that human activities negatively impacted the soil ecological environment in the Qaidam Basin during the rapid development of the economy and urbanization and that these negative impacts tended to spread to unpopulated areas. Therefore, it is necessary to emphasize the significant impacts of human activities on environmental quality and formulate preventive measures to reduce PTE pollution in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.
Transcriptomic Evidence That Switching from Tobacco to Electronic Cigarettes Does Not Reverse Damage to the Respiratory Epithelium
Authors: Pozuelos Giovanna L. , Kagda Meenakshi , Rubin Matine A. , Goniewicz Maciej L. , Girke Thomas , Talbot Prue
Published: July 2022

The health benefits of switching from tobacco to electronic cigarettes (ECs) are neither confirmed nor well characterized. To address this problem, we used RNA-seq analysis to compare the nasal epithelium transcriptome from the following groups (n = 3 for each group): (1) former smokers who completely switched to second generation ECs for at least 6 months, (2) current tobacco cigarette smokers (CS), and (3) non-smokers (NS). Group three included one former cigarette smoker. The nasal epithelial biopsies from the EC users vs. NS had a higher number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than biopsies from the CS vs. NS and CS vs. EC sets (1817 DEGs total for the EC vs. NS, 407 DEGs for the CS vs. NS, and 116 DEGs for the CS vs. EC comparison). In the EC vs. NS comparison, enriched gene ontology terms for the downregulated DEGs included cilium assembly and organization, whereas gene ontologies for upregulated DEGs included immune response, keratinization, and NADPH oxidase. Similarly, ontologies for cilium movement were enriched in the downregulated DEGs for the CS vs. NS group. Reactome pathway analysis gave similar results and also identified keratinization and cornified envelope in the upregulated DEGs in the EC vs. NS comparison. In the CS vs. NS comparison, the enriched Reactome pathways for upregulated DEGs included biological oxidations and several metabolic processes. Regulator effects identified for the EC vs. NS comparison were inflammatory response, cell movement of phagocytes and degranulation of phagocytes. Disease Ontology Sematic Enrichment analysis identified lung disease, mouth disease, periodontal disease and pulmonary fibrosis in the EC vs. NS comparison. Squamous metaplasia associated markers, keratin 10, keratin 13 and involucrin, were increased in the EC vs. NS comparison. Our transcriptomic analysis showed that gene expression profiles associated with EC use are not equivalent to those from non-smokers. EC use may interfere with airway epithelium recovery by promoting increased oxidative stress, inhibition of ciliogenesis, and maintaining an inflammatory response. These transcriptomic alterations may contribute to the progression of diseases with chronic EC use.
New-Onset and Exacerbation of Lung Diseases after Short-Term Exposures to Humidifier Disinfectant during Hospitalization
Authors: Lee Seula , Han Kyunghee , Yoon Jeonggyo , Jo Eun-Kyung , Yang Wonho , Choi Yoon-Hyeong
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: Humidifier disinfectant (HD) is a biocidal chemical to keep the water tank inside a humidifier clean. Thousands of Koreans have experienced HD-related lung injuries. Of them, 6.9% were exposed to HD in hospitals. (2) Methods: This study investigated changes of diseases in patients (or caregivers) who experienced HD exposures during hospitalization and also investigated characteristics of hospital exposure using data from all HD-related lung injury enrollment in Korea. (3) Results: Of a total of 162 subjects, 139 subjects were hospitalized for non-lung diseases, and 23 people were hospitalized for lung diseases at the time of hospitalization. During hospital exposure, 99 (71.2%) of those hospitalized with non-lung disease experienced a new-onset of lung disease, and 15 (65.2%) of those hospitalized with lung diseases experienced exacerbation of their existing lung diseases. When we compared their exposure characteristics, those exposed in hospitals (vs. non-hospital, mostly home) were exposed for shorter periods, at closer distances, at higher HD indoor concentrations, constantly all day, and directly in the facial direction. (4) Conclusion: In conclusion, HD exposures in hospital with a high intensity even for a short term were associated with new-onset or exacerbation of lung diseases. Our findings suggest that acute exposures to HD can cause lung diseases.
Dietary Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) Exposures in Juvenile Zebrafish Produce Subtle Behavioral Effects across Generations
Authors: Rericha Yvonne , Truong Lisa , Leong Connor , Cao Dunping , Field Jennifer A. , Tanguay Robyn L.
Published: July 2022

Ubiquitous anthropogenic contaminants of concern, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are frequently detected in the environment and human populations around the world. Diet is a predominate route of human exposure, and PFAS are frequently measured in food. Manufacturing trends have shifted from legacy PFAS to shorter-chain alternatives that are suggested to be safer, such as perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). However, the current amount of data to support safety assessments of these alternatives is not yet sufficient. The present study investigated the effects of a 42-day dietary exposure to 1, 10, or 100 ng/g PFHxA in juvenile zebrafish. The zebrafish model was leveraged to interrogate morphometrics, fecundity, and numerous behavior endpoints across multiple generations. Dietary PFHxA exposure did not result in measurable body burden and did not affect growth, fecundity, adult social perception behavior, or associative learning. PFHxA exposure did induce abnormal adult anxiety behaviors in the F0 generation that persisted transgenerationally in the F1 and F2. Abnormal larval and juvenile behavior was observed in the F1 generation, but not in the F2. PFHxA juvenile dietary exposure induced subtle and multigenerational behavior effects that warrant further investigation of this and other alternative short-chain PFAS.
Effects of DEHP, DEHT and DINP Alone or in a Mixture on Cell Viability and Mitochondrial Metabolism of Endothelial Cells In Vitro
Authors: Poitou Kelly , Rogez-Florent Tiphaine , Dirninger Anaïs , Corbière Cécile , Monteil Christelle
Published: July 2022

Plasticizers are chemicals in high demand, used in a wide range of commercial products. Human are exposed through multiple pathways, from numerous sources, to multiple plasticizers. This is a matter of concern, as it may contribute to adverse health effects. The vascular system carries plasticizers throughout the body and therefore can interact with the endothelium. The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro toxicity on endothelial cells by considering the individual and the mixture effects of bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP) or bis-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT). In this study, their cytotoxicity on HMEC-1 cells was evaluated on cell function (viability, cell counting, total glutathione and intracellular adenosines) and mitochondrial function (mitochondrial respiration). Results showed cellular physiological perturbations induced with all the condition tested, excepted for DEHT. Plasticizers induced a cytotoxicity by targeting mitochondrial respiration, depleting mitochondrial ATP production and increasing glycolytic metabolism. Additionally, delayed effects were observed between the cellular and the mitochondrial parameters. These results suggest that endothelial cells could go through a metabolic adaptation to face plasticizer-induced cellular stress, to effectively maintain their cellular processes. This study provides additional information on the adverse effects of plasticizers on endothelial cells.
Circular Policy: A New Approach to Vector and Vector-Borne Diseases’ Management in Line with the Global Vector Control Response (2017–2030)
Authors: Tourapi Christiana , Tsioutis Constantinos
Published: July 2022

Integrated Vector Management (IVM) has yielded exemplary results in combating and preventing vector-borne diseases (VBDs) and their vectors. It’s success and positive outcomes depend on the sound planning, implementation, enforcement, and validation of the locally adapted vector control efforts from the involved national sectors and stakeholders. Nevertheless, current realities create several implications impeding IVM’s performance. Hence, there is a need to adjust local IVM plans to several factors, such as (i) the rapidly changing and unpredictable environmental conditions (i.e., climate change, shift on species distribution, invasive species—Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus); (ii) the environmental impacts from human activities (i.e., fossil fuel use, food sources, industry, land use, urbanization and deforestation); (iii) changes in human demographics and the international movement of people (travelers and forcibly displaced persons due to conflicts and severe weather) increasing the risk of contracting and transmitting vector-borne diseases and shifting humanitarian emergencies and societal demands; (iv) the SARS-CoV2 pandemic outbreak and the implication on national public health systems; (v) the continuous flow of technological advancements and newly acquired knowledge; (vi) the realization of the strong link between planetary health and public health. Addressing these factors in IVM can become difficult, taking into consideration the numerous involved sectors, stakeholders, and fields in the management of vectors and vector-borne diseases (VBD). This document proposes and discusses the aspects and steps of a holistic approach, referenced as the Circular Policy, for national and local IVM strategies to be effective and adaptable, capable of providing the optimum outcomes.
Dynamics of a Cosmological Model in f(R,T) Gravity: I. On Invariant Planes
Authors: Liu Jianwen , Wang Ruifang , Gao Fabao
Published: July 2022

Under the background of perfect fluid and flat Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) space-time, this paper mainly describes the dynamics of the cosmological model constructed in f(R,T) gravity on three invariant planes, by using the singularity theory and Poincaré compactification in differential equations.
Effect of HTLV-1 Infection on the Clinical Course of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Umekita Kunihiko
Published: July 2022

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The effects of HTLV-1 on health are not fully elucidated. Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection is high in patients with rheumatic diseases. The prevalence of comorbidities, such as Sjögren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is higher in patients with HAM/TSP than the in general population. Studies have shown the effects of HTLV-1-infection on the clinical course of RA. Major questions on the association between HTLV-1 infection and RA: (1) Is it possible that HTLV-1 infection causes RA? (2) Do patients with RA who are infected with HTLV-1 have different clinical features? (3) Are immunosuppressants associated with an increased prevalence of HAM/TSP or ATL in RA patients with HTLV-1 infection? Is ATL an immunosuppressive therapy-associated lymphoproliferative disorder? No large-scale studies have investigated the incidence of ATL in patients with RA. However, several studies have reported the development of ATL in patients with RA who have HTLV-1 infection. This review aimed to shed light on the association between HTLV-1 infection and RA and summarize the unmet medical needs of RA patients with HTLV-1 infection.
The Epidemiology and Variation in Pseudorabies Virus: A Continuing Challenge to Pigs and Humans
Authors: Liu Qingyun , Kuang Yan , Li Yafei , Guo Huihui , Zhou Chuyue , Guo Shibang , Tan Chen , Wu Bin , Chen Huanchun , Wang Xiangru
Published: July 2022

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) can infect most mammals and is well known for causing substantial economic losses in the pig industry. In addition to pigs, PRV infection usually leads to severe itching, central nervous system dysfunction, and 100% mortality in its non-natural hosts. It should be noted that increasing human cases of PRV infection have been reported in China since 2017, and these patients have generally suffered from nervous system damage and even death. Here, we reviewed the current prevalence and variation in PRV worldwide as well as the PRV-caused infections in animals and humans, and briefly summarized the vaccines and diagnostic methods used for pseudorabies control. Most countries, including China, have control programs in place for pseudorabies in domestic pigs, and thus, the disease is on the decline; however, PRV is still globally epizootic and an important pathogen for pigs. In countries where pseudorabies in domestic pigs have already been eliminated, the risk of PRV transmission by infected wild animals should be estimated and prevented. As a member of the alphaherpesviruses, PRV showed protein-coding variation that was relatively higher than that of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and its evolution was mainly contributed to by the frequent recombination observed between different genotypes or within the clade. Recombination events have promoted the generation of new variants, such as the variant strains resulting in the outbreak of pseudorabies in pigs in China, 2011. There have been 25 cases of PRV infections in humans reported in China since 2017, and they were considered to be infected by PRV variant strains. Although PRV infections have been sporadically reported in humans, their causal association remains to be determined. This review provided the latest epidemiological information on PRV for the better understanding, prevention, and treatment of pseudorabies.
Targeted Mutations in the Fusion Peptide Region of La Crosse Virus Attenuate Neuroinvasion and Confer Protection against Encephalitis
Authors: Hollidge Bradley S. , Salzano Mary-Virginia , Ibrahim John M. , Fraser Jonathan W. , Wagner Valentina , Leitner Nicole E. , Weiss Susan R. , Weber Friedemann , González-Scarano Francisco , Soldan Samantha S.
Published: July 2022

La Crosse virus (LACV) is a major cause of pediatric encephalitis and aseptic meningitis in the Midwestern, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern United States, where it is an emerging pathogen. The LACV Gc glycoprotein plays a critical role in the neuropathogenesis of LACV encephalitis as the putative virus attachment protein. Previously, we identified and experimentally confirmed the location of the LACV fusion peptide within Gc and generated a panel of recombinant LACVs (rLACVs) containing mutations in the fusion peptide as well as the wild-type sequence. These rLACVs retained their ability to cause neuronal death in a primary embryonic rat neuronal culture system, despite decreased replication and fusion phenotypes. To test the role of the fusion peptide in vivo, we tested rLACVs in an age-dependent murine model of LACV encephalitis. When inoculated directly into the CNS of young adult mice (P28), the rLACV fusion peptide mutants were as neurovirulent as the rLACV engineered with a wild-type sequence, confirming the results obtained in tissue culture. In contrast, the fusion peptide mutant rLACVs were less neuroinvasive when suckling (P3) or weanling (P21) mice were inoculated peripherally, demonstrating that the LACV fusion peptide is a determinant of neuroinvasion, but not of neurovirulence. In a challenge experiment, we found that peripheral challenge of weanling (P21) mice with fusion peptide mutant rLACVs protected from a subsequent WT-LACV challenge, suggesting that mutations in the fusion peptide are an attractive target for generating live-attenuated virus vaccines. Importantly, the high degree of conservation of the fusion peptide amongst the Bunyavirales and, structurally, other arboviruses suggests that these findings are broadly applicable to viruses that use a class II fusion mechanism and cause neurologic disease.
Multi-Substituted Quinolines as HIV-1 Integrase Allosteric Inhibitors
Authors: Dinh Long Phi , Sun Jian , Glenn Courtney D. , Patel Krunal , Pigza Julie A. , Donahue Matthew G. , Yet Larry , Kessl Jacques J.
Published: July 2022

Allosteric HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors, or ALLINIs, are a new class of antiviral agents that bind at the dimer interface of the IN, away from the enzymatic catalytic site and block viral replication by triggering an aberrant multimerization of the viral enzyme. To further our understanding of the important binding features of multi-substituted quinoline-based ALLINIs, we have examined the IN multimerization and antiviral properties of substitution patterns at the 6 or 8 position. We found that the binding properties of these ALLINIs are negatively impacted by the presence of bulky substitutions at these positions. In addition, we have observed that the addition of bromine at either the 6 (6-bromo) or 8 (8-bromo) position conferred better antiviral properties. Finally, we found a significant loss of potency with the 6-bromo when tested with the ALLINI-resistant IN A128T mutant virus, while the 8-bromo analog retained full effectiveness.
Recombinant Muscovy Duck Parvovirus Led to Ileac Damage in Muscovy Ducklings
Authors: He Jiahui , Zhang Yukun , Hu Zezhong , Zhang Luxuan , Shao Guanming , Xie Zi , Nie Yu , Li Wenxue , Li Yajuan , Chen Liyi , Huang Benli , Chu Fengsheng , Feng Keyu , Lin Wencheng , Li Hongxin , Chen Weiguo , Zhang Xinheng , Xie Qingmei
Published: July 2022

Waterfowl parvovirus (WPFs) has multiple effects on the intestinal tract, but the effects of recombinant Muscovy duck parvovirus (rMDPV) have not been elucidated. In this study, 48 one-day-old Muscovy ducklings were divided into an infected group and a control group. Plasma and ileal samples were collected from both groups at 2, 4, 6, and 8 days post-infection (dpi), both six ducklings at a time. Next, we analyzed the genomic sequence of the rMDPV strain. Results showed that the ileal villus structure was destroyed seriously at 4, 6, 8 dpi, and the expression of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1 decreased at 4, 6 dpi; 4, 6, 8 dpi; and 2, 6 dpi, respectively. Intestinal cytokines IFN-α, IL-1β and IL-6 increased at 6 dpi; 8 dpi; and 6, 8 dpi, respectively, whereas IL-2 decreased at 6, 8 dpi. The diversity of ileal flora increased significantly at 4 dpi and decreased at 8 dpi. The bacteria Ochrobactrum and Enterococcus increased and decreased at 4, 8 dpi; 2, 4 dpi, respectively. Plasma MDA increased at 2 dpi, SOD, CAT, and T-AOC decreased at 2, 4, 8 dpi; 4, 8 dpi; and 4, 6, 8 dpi, respectively. These results suggest that rMDPV infection led to early intestinal barrier dysfunction, inflammation, ileac microbiota disruption, and oxidative stress.
Drivers of Routine and Outbreak Vaccination Uptake in the Western Democratic Republic of Congo: An Exploratory Study in Ten Health Zones
Authors: Peckeu-Abboud Laurene , Mangoni Patrick , Chammam Kaouther , Kwete Papy , Mutombo Lupola Patrick , Vanlerberghe Veerle , Yango Jepsy , Meudec Marie , Ifufa Christian , van der Sande Marianne A. B. , Madinga Ntwan Joule , Mbala Placide
Published: July 2022

We performed a cross-sectional survey on vaccination-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among randomly selected parents of <5 years-old children, elderly populations (aged ≥ 55 years), and health care workers (HCWs) in 10 health zones from 4 provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Questionnaires targeted both routine (BCG, measles, polio) and outbreak-related (cholera, Ebola, COVID-19) vaccinations. In total, 2751 participants were included, 1165 parents, 1040 elderly, and 546 HCWs. In general, KAP expressed were supportive of vaccination uptake, although concerns regarding side effects and feelings of being insufficiently informed were more prevalent among parents and the elderly. Vaccine acceptance was lower for outbreak vaccinations (57%) than for routine vaccinations (90%). HCWs expressed the highest vaccine acceptance. Problems with the vaccine supply chain were reported by 20% of respondents. Despite a high level of positive KAP towards vaccination, parents and the elderly expressed a need to be better informed and had concerns regarding vaccine side-effects. A high acceptance for routine vaccinations was reported by participants, but somewhat less for outbreak vaccinations. In conclusion, HCWs in the communities could play a key role in the increased uptake of routine vaccinations and in optimizing uptake during outbreaks, provided that the supply chain is functioning well.
Rare Adverse Events Associated with BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech): A Review of Large-Scale, Controlled Surveillance Studies
Authors: Yong Shin-Jie , Halim Alice , Halim Michael , Al Mutair Abbas , Alhumaid Saad , Al-Sihati Jehad , Albayat Hawra , Alsaeed Mohammed , Garout Mohammed , Al Azmi Reyouf , Aldakheel Noor , Alshukairi Abeer N. , Al Ali Hani A. , Almoumen Adel A. , Rabaan Ali A.
Published: July 2022

Given the increasing anti-vaccine movements erroneously touting vaccine danger, this review has investigated the rare adverse events potentially associated with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), an mRNA vaccine against the severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Only real-world surveillance studies with at least 0.1 million BNT162b2-vaccinated participants and one unvaccinated control group were selected for review. A total of 21 studies examining the potential association of BNT162b2 with cardiovascular, herpetic, thrombotic or thrombocytopenic, neurological, mortality, and other miscellaneous rare adverse events were described in this review. Only myocarditis is consistently associated with BNT162b2. An unclear direction of association was seen with stroke (hemorrhagic and ischemic), herpes zoster, and paresthesia from BNT162b2, which may require more studies to resolve. Fortunately, most surveillance studies detected no increased risks of the remaining rare adverse events reviewed herein, further reassuring the safety of BNT162b2. In conclusion, this review has concisely summarized the current rare adverse events related and unrelated to BNT162b2, arguably for the first time in sufficient depth, to better communicate vaccine safety to the public.
Effects of Different Biological Therapies on S1/S2 Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in a Cohort of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Labarile Nunzia , Castellana Fabio , Sila Annamaria , Pesole Pasqua Letizia , Coletta Sergio , Curlo Margherita , Sardone Rodolfo , Giannelli Gianluigi , Mastronardi Mauro
Published: July 2022

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has affected the entire planet. The objectives of our study were to compare responses to the vaccine (Pfizer-Biontech COMIRNATY) in a population of patients with intestinal bowel syndrome undergoing different biological therapies or conventional therapy. The study recruited 390 patients who received the first vaccination dose during the dedicated vaccination campaign for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. The inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of CD or UC and complete vaccination with the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 (Comirnaty) vaccine. The exclusion criteria were other significant diseases or important therapies under way or contraindications to vaccination according to the European drug surveillance recommendations. Linear rank models were run to assess the association between the different therapies and S1/S2 antibodies at three different times. The models showed that in patients with IBD receiving Vedolizumab a significant increase in mean IgG levels was observed, independently of other therapies and confounding factors (β: 57.45, 95% CI 19.62 to 19.00). This study confirmed the complete antibody response to vaccination against COVID-19 in patients with IBD undergoing biological therapy—particularly Vedolizumab treatment—but also a reduced immune response due to concomitant steroid therapy.
Genetic Diversity and Structure of the Main Danubian Horse Paternal Genealogical Lineages Based on Microsatellite Genotyping
Authors: Yordanov Georgi , Mehandjyiski Ivan , Palova Nadezhda , Atsenova Nedyalka , Neov Boyko , Radoslavov Georgi , Hristov Peter
Published: July 2022

The Danubian horse, together with the Pleven and the Eastern Bulgarian horse breeds, is one of the modern breeds in Bulgaria. The objective of this study was to compare the genetic structure and genetic diversity of six paternal genealogical lineages of the Danubian horse breed (Zdravko, NONIUS XVII-30, Torpedo, Lider, Kalifa, and Hrabar). In total, 166 individuals from the six genealogical lines were investigated, based on 15 STR markers (short tandem repeats, also known as microsatellites). In total, 184 alleles were found in the six populations, using 15 microsatellite loci. The mean number of alleles, the effective number of alleles, and the polymorphic information content (PIC) values per locus were 12.28, 9.48, and 0.73, respectively. In a comparison of the allelic diversity among sire lineages, the highest genetic diversity (Na) was observed in Lider and Kalifa (14.60 ± 0.21), while the lowest value of this parameter was observed in the Zdravko lineage 4.20 ± 0.35. The largest genetic diversity was found in loci HMS3 and HMS7, with 13 alleles, and the smallest polymorphism was noted for the locus ASB17, with 10 alleles. The level of observed heterozygosity was in the range of 0.65 ± 0.069 for the Zdravko lineage to 0.93 ± 0.01 for the Torpedo lineage. The expected heterozygosity level range was from 0.57 ± 0.048 to 0.91 ± 0.01 for all horse lineages. Structure analysis revealed three main gene pools in the study population. The first pool included the Zdravko lineage; the second had the NONIUS XVII-30, Torpedo, Lider, and Kalifa lineages; and the third defined the Hrabar lineage, which was significantly differentiated from the other genealogical lineages.
Lycopene Reduces the In Vitro Aging Phenotypes of Mouse Oocytes by Improving Their Oxidative Status
Authors: Rakha Shimaa I. , Elmetwally Mohammed A. , El-Sheikh Ali Hossam , Balboula Ahmed Zaky , Mahmoud Abdelmonem Montaser , Zaabel Samy M.
Published: July 2022

Postovulatory aging is a major problem that limits the success of many assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Oxidative stress is a leading cause of oocyte aging. This study investigated the effects of lycopene supplementation of in vitro maturation (IVM) medium during the aging of mouse oocytes on the oocytes’ morphology and oxidative stress status. Mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected and cultured in the IVM medium either for 17 h, (freshly matured oocytes), or for 48 h, (in vitro-aged oocytes), with or without lycopene. The rate of fragmented and degenerated oocytes and the oocyte levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated and compared. Oocytes aged with 200 nM lycopene revealed significantly less fragmentation and degeneration, lower H2O2 and MDA levels, and higher TAC, GSH and SOD levels than those aged without lycopene. CAT levels were unchanged by lycopene treatment. Taken together, our data showed beneficial effects of lycopene during in vitro aging of mouse oocytes by reducing the oxidative stress damages that lead to their apoptosis. The present study introduces lycopene as a natural supplement to reduce the postovulatory aging-dependent abnormalities of mammalian oocytes.
Size Constancy Mechanisms: Empirical Evidence from Touch
Authors: Tamè Luigi , Limbu Suzuki , Harlow Rebecca , Parikh Mita , Longo Matthew R.
Published: July 2022

Several studies have shown the presence of large anisotropies for tactile distance perception across several parts of the body. The tactile distance between two touches on the dorsum of the hand is perceived as larger when they are oriented mediolaterally (across the hand) than proximodistally (along the hand). This effect can be partially explained by the characteristics of primary somatosensory cortex representations. However, this phenomenon is significantly attenuated relative to differences in acuity and cortical magnification, suggesting a process of tactile size constancy. It is unknown whether the same kind of compensation also takes place when estimating the size of a continuous object. Here, we investigate whether the tactile anisotropy that typically emerges when participants have to estimate the distance between two touches is also present when a continuous object touches the skin and participants have to estimate its size. In separate blocks, participants judged which of two tactile distances or objects on the dorsum of their hand felt larger. One stimulation (first or second) was aligned with the proximodistal axis (along the hand) and the other with the mediolateral axis (across the hand). Results showed a clear anisotropy for distances between two distinct points, with across distances consistently perceived as larger than along distances, as in previous studies. Critically, however, this bias was significantly reduced or absent for judgments of the length of continuous objects. These results suggest that a tactile size constancy process is more effective when the tactile size of an object has to be approximated compared to when the distance between two touches has to be determined. The possible mechanism subserving these results is described and discussed. We suggest that a lateral inhibition mechanism, when an object touches the skin, provides information through the distribution of the inhibitory subfields of the RF about the shape of the tactile RF itself. Such a process allows an effective tactile size compensatory mechanism where a good match between the physical and perceptual dimensions of the object is achieved.
View Normalization of Object Size in the Right Parietal Cortex
Authors: Hoba Sylvia , Fink Gereon R. , Zeng Hang , Weidner Ralph
Published: July 2022

Prior knowledge alters perception already on early levels of processing. For instance, judging the display size of an object is affected by its familiar size. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated the neural processes involved in resolving ambiguities between familiar object size and physical object size in 33 healthy human subjects. The familiar size was either small or large, and the object was displayed as either small or large. Thus, the size of the displayed object was either congruent or incongruent with its internally stored canonical size representation. Subjects were asked to indicate where the stimuli appeared on the screen as quickly and accurately as possible, thereby ensuring that differential activations cannot be ascribed to explicit object size judgments. Incongruent (relative to congruent) object displays were associated with enhanced activation of the right intraparietal sulcus (IPS). These data are consistent with but extend previous patient studies, which found the right parietal cortex involved in matching visual objects presented atypically to prototypical object representations, suggesting that the right IPS supports view normalization of objects. In a second experiment, using a parametric design, a region-of-interest analysis supported this notion by showing that increases in size mismatch between the displayed size of an object and its familiar viewing size were associated with an increased right IPS activation. We conclude that the right IPS performs view normalization of mismatched information about the internally stored prototypical size and the current viewing size of an object.
THE SPREAD OF GENETIC ANOMALIES OF HOLSTEIN CATTLE IN THE SOUTH OF RUSSIA
Authors: КОВАЛЮК Н.В. , ВОЛЧЕНКО А.Е. , ЯКУШЕВА Л.И. , ШАХНАЗАРОВА Ю.Ю.
Published: July 2022

В статье приведены перечень и краткое описание генетических аномалий (14 видов), результаты анализов на носительство которых запрашиваются при приобретении или подтверждении статуса племенной организации. Проведено генотипирование 619 голов крупного рогатого скота голштинской породы из 12 хозяйств юга России (Краснодарский и Ставропольский края) с целью выявления гетерозиготных носителей аномалий: HH0 (BY), НН1, НН2, НН3, НН4, HH5, НН6, HHB (BLAD), HHC (CVM) и HHD (DUMPS), HCD (дефицит холестерина), ВС (цитруллинемия), FXID (дефицит фактора XI свертывания крови), HHM (MF). Из 619 генотипированных животных в среднем 11,4% (n=71) оказались носителями хотя бы одной из 14 описанных аномалий. Чаще всего встречался гаплотип HCD (у 3% животных), реже — аномалии CVM и MF (по 0,2% соответственно). Аномалии DUMPS, BC и FIXD в представленной выборке обнаружены не были. Проведенные исследования показывают, что проблема наличия генетических аномалий актуальна для молочного скотоводства регионов юга России.

The article provides a list and a brief description of genetic anomalies (14 species), the results of tests for the carrier of which are requested when acquiring or confirming the status of a tribal organization. Genotyping of 619 heads of Holstein cattle from 12 farms in the south of Russia (Krasnodar and Stavropol Krai) was carried out in order to identify heterozygous carriers of anomalies: HH0 (BY), HH1, HH2, HH3, HH4, HH5, HH6, HHB (BLAD), HHC (CVM) and HHD (DUMPS), HCD (cholesterol deficiency), BC (Citrullinemia), FXID (coagulation factor XI deficiency), HHM (MF). Of the 619 genotyped animals, an average of 11.4% (71 heads) were carriers of at least one of the 14 described anomalies. Most often, the HCD haplotype was found in farms (in 3% of animals), less often than the rest — CVM and MF anomalies (0.2%, respectively). Anomalies of DUMPS, BC and FIXD were not detected in the presented sample. The conducted studies show that the problem of the presence of genetic anomalies is relevant for dairy cattle breeding in the regions of southern Russia.
Pandemia Covid-19: impactos na construção civil no estado da Paraíba / Pandemic Covid-19: impacts on civil construction in the state of Paraíba
Authors: De Moraes Drially Aline Santos , Medeiros Camila Macêdo , Teixeira Eduardo da Cruz , Frade Cinthia Moura
Published: July 2022

A Construção Civil foi um dos setores mais afetados pela crise sanitária que teve início no final de 2019 , uma vez que lida diariamente com uma grande rotatividade de funcionários e uma grande variedade de materiais de construção. Nesse contexto, este trabalho pretende caracterizar a área de estudo, obter informações sobre o preço dos materiais, escolhidos previamente, antes e depois da pandemia, demanda e fornecimento. Por fim, será feita uma análise estatística básica para compilação dos dados. Diante disto, este estudo tem por objetivo analisar os impactos da pandemia do Covid-19 no setor da construção civil no Cariri Paraibano.