bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occupational Lead Exposure and Safety Measures at Shooting Ranges: a Systematic Review
Authors: Olusegun Rasheed Tajudeen
Published: September 2021

Background: Individuals at shooting ranges are exposed to high amount of lead fumes either indoor or outdoor. The shooters sprayed lead dust into the air upon discharge of the cartridge at arm’s length distance. Most of the previous studies conducted at shooting ranges focused on blood lead levels (BLLs) of exposed people and there are limited studies on the risk associated with the shooting of firearms. This study aimed to review previous studies on the hazards associated with the discharge of firearms, and safety measures at shooting ranges.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted to explore the available evidence. The databases were searched using the keywords “indoor shooting ranges”, “outdoor shooting ranges”, “firearms shooting”, “lead poisoning hazard”, “blood lead biomarkers”, “permissible exposure limit”, and “safety practice on lead”.
Results: The designated BLL for case definition in lead poisoning was between 0.1μg/dL - 0.49μg/dL. It was estimated that at Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). PEL of 0.5μg/m3, 95 percent of range users who are exposed to lead poisoning regularly can have BLL of <5μg/dL during 20 years of working life, while at 2.1μg/m3, 95 percent of the workers can have BLL of<10μg/dL during their working life.
Conclusion: To protect firearm handlers and shooting range workers, policy on preventive measures should be implemented at shooting ranges by policymakers. Compliance with preventive measures is encouraged to avoid the high cost of rehabilitation lead poisoning.
Influence of engine load on piston ring pack operation of an automotive IC engine
Authors: Wolff Andrzej , Koszałka Grzegorz
Published: September 2021

A piston-rings-cylinder (PRC) assembly determines the blowby, engine oil consumption, and friction and wear processes accompanying the system's operation. Thus, it is crucial for the whole IC engine efficiency and lifetime. A lot of research effort is put into increasing the performance of this complex and highly dynamic system. Advanced, comprehensive models play an important role in understanding and improving the PRC system.
In the presented work, the effect of load on the operation of the ring pack of an automotive gasoline engine is analyzed. A comprehensive model that covers the gas flow through the crevices of the PRC system, ring displacements in the groove, and ring lubrication was used for this analysis. The results of the simulations show that the local thickness of the oil film, especially near the piston top dead center is compared to the height of the combined surface roughness of a cylinder liner and piston rings, and friction-related asperity contact strongly increases as the engine load increases. The simulations also show that the engine load affects the axial displacements of the rings in the grooves but practically does not affect the thickness of the oil film left by the ring pack on the cylinder liner.
Transformation of higher education in the context of globalization: new formats and alternative models
Authors:   Don State Technical University, Abakumova I.V. , Finko M.V , Knyazeva Yu.S.
Published: September 2021

Discussed is the situation of the Universities inclusion in the transformation processes of Russian higher education, which is forced to respond to global challenges and internal needs for systemic changes. The key features of the higher education development in Russia are determined and the contradictions between the traditional formats of education organization and new educational models are identified. The general trends and problem areas of the development of educational systems of modern universities are highlighted. The transformation experience of the leading Russian universities, introducing alternative formats into the educational, scientific, socio-cultural field of the university, is analyzed. The results obtained enable to comprehend in a new way the changes taking place at universities and to determine promising directions for the development of the educational system. The presented materials confirm the possibility of an effective variant of the development of the transformation processes of university education, different from those ones being realized at the leading universities sites, as well as the preliminary results of the first stage of the experiment implementation of engineering education transformation carried out at Don State Technical University (the project “School X”, the creation of the Institute of Emerging Technologies). As further prospects for the development of the experimental activities of the university, the implementation of the unique project “T-University”, built on the basis of the principle of individual educational technologies, allowing to implement a new approach to the logic, design and content of the curriculum, which includes several levels: the university minimum, the field of science and technology, “Majors” and “electives”.
Objective and subjective factors of educational risks for students
Authors:   St. Petersburg State Chemical and Pharmaceutical University, Safronova Zh.S. , Brazevich D.S. ,   St. Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation
Published: September 2021

Analyzed is the concept of risk as an inevitable fact of our time. They researched conceptual approaches to risk of foreign and domestic scientists who substantiate risk as a way of mastering reality, a condition, and stimulus of activity. The article presents an understanding of risk as a new opportunity, which is provided by competent use of information, an ability to make high-quality decisions in society of risk. The article attempts to show some aspects of education not only through its involvement in the risk system, but also as product and risk generator. Attention is focused on the fact that the concept of “educational risk” has not finally formed in science; most scientists research it through factors that affect processes and outcomes of education. Educational risks exist in the sphere of interests and competences of the state, employers, and youth. The authors provide a classification of educational risk and substantiate the relationship of risk groups. The authors propose specific measures for educational risk management, which require systemic multi-level solutions involving participation in risk management of risk groups. It is concluded that students are able to manage educational risk due to a set of knowledge, awareness of the labor market, and understanding of state policies related to education.
Developing student self-realization through foreign language disciplines in technical universities
Authors:   Ural State University of Railway Transport, Khan O.N.
Published: September 2021

Researched is the problem of creating conditions for self-realization in the course of studying language disciplines at the initial stage of training in a technical university. The study is based on the views of representatives of humanistic psychology and domestic teachers and psychologists, who regard self-realization as the highest stage in personality development, which predetermines its orientation and meaning of life. The article emphasizes the special capabilities of language disciplines in the formation of the process of self-realization, allowing you to learn to express your own position and results of activity in verbal form. The most important conditions for self-realization are highlighted as goal-setting and reflection at all stages of educational activity; turning it into a joint activity of both sides of the cognition process; development of skills of self-assessment and acceptance of assessment by others; the right balance of personal and collective. The paper analyzes the features of lectures and practical classes in creating opportunities for self-realization. The author comes to the conclusion that in the course of studying language disciplines, meaningful, organizational and methodological conditions are created for the implementation of self-realization at the subsequent stages of education and professional activity.
Building a communication strategy of the university of culture in the market of educational services
Authors:   East Siberian State Institute of Culture, Matveeva E.V.
Published: September 2021

Researched is the theme of the need of the university of culture to create and maintain a steady interest of consumers in its educational service, which has its own specifics, since education at the university is based on the artistic inclinations and creative abilities of students. The purpose of the preparation and writing of this article was the urgent need to review the educational policy of the regional university and the formation of such a marketing program, where the educational service produced by the university is considered as a product that requires a well-thought-out approach for successful positioning in the market of educational services. In this article, the main communication channels and methods that can contribute to increasing the popularity of a regional university and the growth of its influence on the market of educational services are formulated. One of the objectives of the marketing policy of the University of Culture is to develop the concept of a production center, through which the university will be able to create the necessary conditions for communication with its public and promote the results of creative activities of students and teachers. The research methodology is based on modern communication theories, which allow us to look at the problem under study at a new level and develop a sustainable mechanism that will allow the university of culture to successfully compete with other regional universities. The production center "Constellation", created on the basis of the University of Culture, will allow you to start a new round of the communication process and successfully implement a number of marketing technologies necessary to promote the educational services of the university to the market of regional services, and the business reputation of the university will be improved by promoting the creative product of its graduates. The regional university of culture has undeniable specific advantages that can be disclosed and implemented in professional production activities.
The problem of student dropout in modern higher education
Authors:   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Kupavtsev A.V.
Published: September 2021

Analyzed is contingent of potential candidates for dropping out of university because of academic failure has never been the object of special methodical consideration. The technology of overcoming low academic performance of this category of students through the formation of professional-educational subjective position of students has been developed. It is based on the collective personification of the learning process, self-study of students, thematic cluster training.
Acmeological factors of the professional formation of the employee of the in-ternal affairs
Authors:   North Caucasus Institute for Advanced Studies (branch) of Krasnodar University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mashekuasheva M.Kh. , Gelyakhova L.A.
Published: September 2021

Analyzed are personal characteristics of the formation and achievement of a high level of professional competence of employees of internal affairs bodies. The authors note that the modern system of vocational education determines the formation of the development of an employee of the internal affairs bodies as a subject of culture, a subject of activity and takes into account self-formation, that is, the construction and implementation of one's own program for the formation of professionalism. A thorough study of the issues of the individual moral and psychological qualities of police officers with the involvement of related sciences will make it possible to turn the management of psychological and pedagogical support of professional development into a high-tech and effective process aimed ultimately at the high-quality performance of tasks in extreme conditions and, in general, at increasing the level of service and combat preparedness and readiness.
Stages of professional socialization of foreign students in educational medium of regional university
Authors:   Volgograd State Social and Pedagogical University, Solovtsova I.A. , Vanyushina N.A. ,   Pushkin State Russian Language Institute
Published: September 2021

Examined is specifics of foreign students’ professional socialization during studying at a regional university. The methodological basis of the research is the theory of dialogue of cultures by M.M. Bakhtin – V.S. Bibler, which allows us to consider the foreign students professional socialization as a component of the broader process of inculturation. The authors identified and characterized three stages of foreign students’ professional socialization. The content of the adaptation stage is the assimilation by students the norms, rules, activity methods characteristic of the socio-cultural environment of the region and for a particular regional university, acquaintance with the values and norms of the future profession. At the stage of individualization, the formation of future specialist professional position begins. The stage of integration is characterized by the initial inclusion of a foreign student in professional activities and in the professional environment. The problems and contradictions characteristic of each stage are revealed, the pedagogically expedient overcoming of which is a necessary condition for the success of foreign students’ professional socialization. The specificity of foreign students’ professional socialization in the educational medium of a regional university is revealed through the features of the pedagogical means used at each stage, such as pedagogical support, reflexive, interactive and projective teaching methods, the inclusion of a student in the professional community of the region.
New trends in global technological revolution
Authors:   Kursk State University, Bondarenko S.B.
Published: September 2021

Presented is the analysis of the problem of methodology of describing of the global technological revolution (GTR). The differences between the industrial revolutions and the GTR are explained. The concepts of attributes, directions, stages and trends of GTR are analyzed and defined. The heuristic usefulness of the concept of tendency for describing the GTR mechanism is substantiated. The practical significance of the basic technical means of cognition, which is used in conducting accurate measurements, is explained. The periodization of GTR is given with the help of the proposed conceptual apparatus. The practical significance of new trends is shown. The basics of the theory of lightning war and the reasons for its creation in the era of GTR are analyzed. The reasons for the popularity of the idea of blitzkrieg in developed countries are explained. The conclusion is substantiated that the most important features of the confrontation of militarism and antimilitarism in the 20th–21st centuries are generated by new trends in the GTR.
Principal approaches to regulation of social networks
Authors:   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), Chumachenko Z.M.
Published: September 2021

Researched is the phenomena of social networks as in recent years were being inseparable part of modern reality, uniting in various estimations near 4 billion users in the world. As any other mass occasion in society, social networks have significant influence on society and naturally are in zone of special attention of state regulation. The aim of the article is to analyze approaches to regulation of social networks, using in various countries, as well as evaluation of their effectiveness. The research is based on data of sociological researchers of such monitoring platform as agencies Hootsuite, Brand Analitic and Statista. As methodological fundament are being traditional methods of scientific analysis, system and comparative analysis. The novelty of the research connected is with attempt to discuss various approaches of countries of the world to the problem of regulation of activity of social networks, and to mark their actual tendencies, plusses and minuses.
Contadores de histórias
Authors: Bordin Vanessa Benites
Published: September 2021

Apresento aqui o projeto de extensão desenvolvido na Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA) junto aos estudantes do curso de Teatro intitulado: “Contadores de histórias: o teatro popular de formas animadas na comunidade”, que tem gerado experiências poéticas com as crianças, os jovens e as professoras indígenas da comunidade indígena Parque das Tribos, Manaus.
Diálogo intercultural
Authors: Rocha Daniel , Bezelga Isabel
Published: September 2021

Este artigo faz uma proposta de aplicação do “sistema” de Peter Brook no trabalho com comunidades, tendo como base um processo de trabalho comunitário que reformule e recupere de forma digna e meritória uma tradição de teatro religioso. O mesmo processo poderá ser executado noutros contextos e comunidades.
Necessidades informacionais do estudante internacional na pós-graduação
Authors: Rioga Danielle do Carmo Pimenta , Baracho Renata Maria Abrantes
Published: September 2021

Introdução: Este artigo de revisão de literatura tem como problema a escassez de estudos que versam sobre o processo de internacionalização estudantil, cujo argumento principal é o de que a identificação desses estudos facilitará a compreensão do processo pelos interessados. Objetiva analisar estudos sobre as necessidades informacionais do estudante internacional da pós-graduação, sendo a Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais a referência do estudo. Método: Por meio de uma metodologia qualitativa de três etapas, o estudo se baseou em três pontos principais: a internacionalização nas universidades e programas de pós-graduação brasileiros, a percepção dos estudantes internacionais sobre instituições brasileiras de Ensino Superior e as necessidades informacionais do estudante internacional. Resultados/Conclusão: A partir desse mapeamento, notou-se que há escassez de publicações voltadas às necessidades de informação dos estudantes internacionais, sobretudo dos pós-graduandos, considerando o panorama das universidades brasileiras.
AKUN INSTAGRAM SEKOLAH RELAWAN DAN PENGARUHNYA TERHADAP PEMBENTUKAN KEPEDULIAN SOSIAL DI KALANGAN GENERASI-Z
Authors: Prihantoro Edy , Haryanti Dwi Asih , Ohorella Noviawan Rasyid , Kusumaningtyas Susilowati Dyah
Published: September 2021

Instagram @sekolahrelawan is an account that is a place for users to share and help others. This study aims to see the influence of the media on the Instagram account @sekolahrelawan Volunteers on the level of concern among Generation-Z. This research uses quantitative research with an explanatory approach. This research was conducted by sending online questionnaires to AKMRTV Jakarta students who are followers or have seen Instagram @sekolahrelawam content. Respondents in this study were 86 people and were determined based on simple random sampling. Meanwhile, to obtain data through a questionnaire or questionnaire. The results of this study indicate that the influence of Instagram @sekolahrelawan on the level of social care among generation z. Evidenced by the value of the regression coefficient in this study is Y = 39.261 + 0.618X. The constant number is 39,261 and the Instagram influence variable is 0.618. Meanwhile, t count 39.261 is bigger than t table 16.63, with a significance level of 0.000 smaller than α = 0.05. Based on the table "Model Summary", that the value of R = 0.618 and the coefficient of determination (Rsquare) is 0.464. This figure shows the understanding that the contribution of the @sekolah volunteer Instagram account attack variable to the Level of Social Care among Generation Z at AKMRTV Jakarta is 61.8%. The @Sekolahrelawan  account has a positive influence on Generation Z social care. The information conveyed through this account provides a clear picture of social realities in society that require the care of all parties, especially Generation Z.
MOTIF DAN MAKNA PROFESI BIKE MESSENGER BAGI ANGGOTA WESTBIKE MESSENGER SERVICE JAKARTA
Authors: Alwi Maulana Naseem , Nursanti Siti , Utamidewi Wahyu
Published: September 2021

The increasing congestion in the capital city of Jakarta demands new solutions and innovations in the delivery of goods or documents. From this problem, the company Westbike Messenger Service emerged as a service provider for goods delivery using bicycles. Making the birth of a new profession, namely bike messenger, is a unique profession because usually courier services for delivery of goods use motorized vehicles. The researcher aims to determine the motives and meaning of the bicycle courier profession for members of the Westbike Messenger Service in Jakarta. This research method uses a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach, because the researcher tries to find out the phenomena from the direct experience of the informants, as well as the motives and meanings of the informants living their profession. The data obtained by the researcher were obtained through in-depth interviews, observation, and document study. The results of the study show first, the motive for choosing the bike messenger profession due to economic factors, the hobby of cycling, just experimenting, and suggested by friends. Second, the motive for (in-order-to motive), namely for career advancement, own income, producing hobbies, and wanting to be like a foreign courier. Third, the meaning of the bike messenger profession as his love for bicycles and a productive hobby.
Aberrations in the Cross-Talks Among Redox, Nuclear Factor-κB and Wnt/Catenin Pathway Signaling Underpin Myalgic Encephalomyelitis andChronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Review and New Hypothesis Based on Results of Network, Enrichment and Annotation Analyses
Authors: Maes Michael , Kubera Marta , Kotańska Magdalena
Published: September 2021

There is evidence that chronic fatigue spectrum disorders (CFAS-D) including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and chronic fatigue with physiosomatic symptoms including when due to comorbid medical disease are characterized by neuroimmune and neuro-oxidative biomarkers. The present study was performed to delineate the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of CFAS-D and to discover the pathways, molecular patterns and domains enriched in their PPI network. We performed network, enrichment and annotation analysis using differentially expressed proteins and metabolics, which we established in CFAS-D patients. PPI network analysis revealed that the backbone of the highly connective CFAS-D network comprises NFKB1, CTNNB1, ALB, peroxides, NOS2, TNF, and IL6, and that the network comprises interconnected immune-oxidative-nitrosative and Wnt/catenin subnetworks. MultiOmics enrichment analysis shows that the CFAS-D network is highly significantly associated with cellular (antioxidant) detoxification, hydrogen peroxide metabolic process, peroxidase and oxidoreductase activity, IL10 anti-inflammatory signaling, and neurodegenerative, canonical Wnt, the catenin complex, cadherin domains, cell-cell junctions and TLR2/4 pathways; and the transcription factors NF-κB and RELA. The top-10 DOID annotations of the CFAS-D network include four intestinal, three immune system disorders, cancer and infectious disease. Custom GO term annotation analysis revealed that the CFAS-D network is associated with a response to a toxic substance, lipopolysaccharides, bacterium or virus. In conclusion, CFAS-D may be triggered by a variety of stimuli and their effects are mediated by aberrations in the cross-talks between redox, NF-κB, and Wnt/catenin signaling pathways leading to dysfunctions in multicellular organismal homeostatic processes.
An Overview of CAR T Cell Mediated B Cell Maturation Antigen Therapy
Authors: Quazi Sameer
Published: September 2021

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is one of the incurable types of cancer in plasma cells. While immense progress has been made in the treatment of this malignancy, a large percentage of patients were unable to adapt to such therapy. Additionally, these therapies might be associated with significant diseases and are not always tolerated well in all patients. Since cancer in plasma cells has no cure, patients develop resistance to treatments, resulting in R/R MM. BCMA is primarily produced on mature B cells. Its up-regulation and activation are associated with multiple myeloma in both murine and human models, indicating that this might be an effective therapeutic target for this type of malignancy. Additionally, BCMA's predictive value, association with effective clinical trials, and capacity to be utilized in previously difficult to observe patient populations, imply that it might be used as a biomarker for multiple myeloma. Numerous kinds of BCMA-targeting medicines have demonstrated antimyeloma efficacy in individuals with refractory/relapsed MM, including CAR T-cell treatments, ADCs, bispecific antibody constructs. Among these medications, CART cell-mediated BCMA therapy has shown significant outcomes in multiple myeloma clinical trials. This review article outlines CAR T cell mediated BCMA medicines have the efficiency to change the therapeutic pattern for multiple myeloma significantly.
Dynamic Effective Elasticity of Melanoma Cells Under Shear and Elongational Flow Confirms Estimation From Force Spectroscopy
Authors: Jötten Anna Martina , Neidinger Simon , Tietze Julia K. , Welzel Julia , Westerhausen Christoph
Published: September 2021

The detection and enrichment of circulating melanoma cells is a challenge as the cells are very heterogeneous in terms of their biomechanical properties and surface markers. In addition, there is a lack of valid and reliable biomarkers that predict progress and therapeutic response. We here analyzed the elasticity of A375 melanoma cells applying force spectroscopy and a microfluidic method. To identify and eventually separate circulating tumor cells, it is crucial to precisely know their physical properties. First, we used standard AFM force spectroscopy, where the elasticity of the cells is calculated from indentation with a pyramidal tip. To extend the limits of measurement with a tip, we then used cantilevers without a tip to press on the cells over a large area. The resulting Young’s moduli are slightly lower and vary less without tip presumably because of the inhomogeneity of the cells. Finally, we implemented our microfluidic method. We measured single cell elasticity by analyzing its deformation in high-speed micrographs while passing a stenosis. Combining the force field and the change in shape provides the basis for a stress strain diagram. The results from microfluidic deformation analysis were in accordance with the results from force spectroscopy. The microfluidic method provides advantages over conventional methods, since it is less invasive and less likely to harm the cell during the measurement, and the whole cell is measured as one entity without contact to a stiff substrate, while force spectroscopy is limited to the contact area of the tip, and in some cases dependent of the cell substrate interaction. Consequently, microfluidic deformation analysis allows to predict the overall elastic behavior of the whole inhomogeneous cell in three-dimensional force fields. This method may contribute to improve the detection of circulation melanoma cells in the clinical practice.
Application of Artificial Intelligence Model to Identify the Distorted Financial Statements
Authors: Soleymanian Behzad , Solgi Razieh
Published: September 2021

Distortion of financial statements is recognized as one of the most important issues in the field of accounting and auditing, which is also one of the most common issues today. In this regard, the present research was conducted, in which stock exchange information was used to investigate, predict, and model accounting distortions. For this purpose, financial performance, non-financial metrics, market-based metrics and commitment, or selection items were reviewed over a 6-year period. For collecting data of distorting companies, database of the Society of Certified Public Accountants in Iran was used and the information was analyzed using data mining methods (decision tree, neural networks, and Bayesian method). The results showed that analysis of financial statements҆ information has a high accuracy in determining and identifying the distorted financial statements. Using this information, it is possible to get better acquainted with the methods of document distortion and to take necessary measures in order to control and prevent administrative violations at national and international levels. Given frequent occurrence of these violations, artificial intelligence models can be used to identify these papers.
Structure of Rumor Disaster – On Fukushima Daiichi N.P.P. Unit 4 –
Authors: Takiguchi Katsuki ,   Tokyo Institute of Technology Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Published: September 2021

The misleading information spreads into the society, the people move on the basis of it. This mechanism, what I call “rumor disaster” is examined in this note. Authorities, specialists, intellectuals, and so on, oftentimes, might take part in this process. In this note, the spent fuel storage pool of Tokyo Electric Power Fukushima Daiichi N.P.P. Unit 4 is the case used for discussion because there are relatively abundant materials and the resulting impact to the society is very big.
Effect of Flue Gas on Steam Chamber Expansion in Steamflooding
Authors: Lu Teng , Xu Zhengxiao , Ban Xiaochun , Peng Dongliang , Li Zhaomin
Published: September 2021

The expansion of the steam chamber is very important for the recovery performance of steamflooding. In this paper, we discuss 1D and 2D sandpack experiments to performed analyze the effect of flue gas on steam chamber expansion and displacement efficiency in steamflooding. In addition, we examine the effect of flue gas acting on the steam condensation characteristics. The results show that within a certain range of injection rate, flue gas can significantly enlarge the swept volume and oil displacement efficiency of steam. However, when the flue gas injection rate is excessively high (the ratio of gas injection rate to steam injection rate exceeds 4), gas channels may form, resulting in a decline of oil recovery from steamflooding. The results of the 2D visualization experiments reveal that the swept volume of the steam chamber during steamflooding was small, and the remaining oil saturation in the reservoir was high, so the recovery was only 28%. The swept volume of the steam chamber for flue-gas-assisted steamflooding was obviously larger than that of steamflooding, and the recovery of flue-gas-assisted steamflooding in 2D experiments could reach 40.35%. The results of the steam condensation experiment indicate that flue gas could reduce the growth and coalescence rates of steam-condensed droplets on the cooling wall and increase the shedding period of the droplets. Macroscopically, flue gas could reduce the heat exchange rate between the steam and the reservoir and inhibit the rapid condensation and heat exchange of the steam near the injection well. As a result, flue gas could expand the steam chamber into the reservoir for heating and displacing oil.
A Randomized Double-Blind Cross-Over Trial to Study the Effects of Resistant Starch Prebiotic in Chronic Kidney Disease (ReSPECKD)
Authors: Shamloo Maryam , Mollard Rebecca , Wang Haizhou , Kingra Kulwant , Tangri Navdeep , MacKay Dylan
Published: September 2021

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of kidney failure, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality. Accumulation of nitrogen-based uremic toxins leads to worsening of symptoms in individuals with CKD. Many uremic toxins, such as indoxyl and p-cresol sulphate, are produced exclusively by the gut microbiome through the proteolytic digestion of aromatic amino acids. Strategies to reduce the production of these toxins by the gut microbiome in individuals with CKD may lessen symptom burden and delay the onset of dialysis. One such strategy is to change the overall metabolism of the gut microbiome so that less uremic toxins are produced. This can be accomplished by manipulating the energy source available to the microbiome. Fermentable carbohydrates which reach the gut microbiome, like resistant starch (RS), have been shown to inhibit or reduce bacterial amino acid metabolism. This study aims to investigate the the effects of resistant potato starch (RPS) as a prebiotic in individuals with CKD before the onset of dialysis. Methods: This is a double blind, randomized two-period crossover trial. 36 eligible participants will consent to follow a 26-week study regimen. Participants will receive 2 sachets per day containing either 15 grams of RPS (MSPrebiotic, resistant potato starch treatment) or 15 grams corn starch (Amioca TF, digestible starch control). Changes in blood uremic toxins will be investigated as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include the effect of RPS consumption on symptoms, quality of life and the abundance, diversity and functionality of the gut microbiome.Discussion: This pilot randomized trial will provide further insight into whether the consumption of RPS as a prebiotic will reduce uremic toxins and symptoms in individuals who have CKD. Trial registration: NCT04961164
n-Heptane Isomerization Activities of Pt Catalyst Supported On Micro/Mesoporous Composites
Authors: Ghaderi Z. , Peyrovi M. H. , Parsafard n.
Published: September 2021

Pt loaded on a series of MCM-48 and composites with HZSM-5, HY or TiO2 has been prepared and studied for n-heptane isomerization reaction at 200–350°C. The structural characterization, acid distribution and morphology of these catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis DRS, SEM, NH3-TPD, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption methods. These new catalysts have good ability for n-heptane isomerization. The ideal catalytic performance was observed on Pt/MCM48-HZSM5 catalyst.
Human Cytomegalovirus Induced Immune Regulation Is Correlated With Poor Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Fang Yangyang , Wang Qiongdan , Huang Kaizhao , Zhang Mengyue , Pei Shunjie , Li Liyi , Peng Ying , Lan Linhua , Zheng Xiaoqun
Published: September 2021

Available evidence suggests that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection may be implicated in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the correlation between HCMV infection and survival outcomes in CRC patients is unclear. Here, we constructed a flow algorithm to identify HCMV sequences based on the RNA-seq data of CRC patients derived from Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The patients' clinical information matrix was used to calculate Euclidean distance to filter out suitable patients not infected with HCMV, combining with the patient's survival outcome to reveal how HCMV infection is involved in CRC progression.HCMV infection is widespread in CRC patients., The prevalence of HCMV infection is ranging from 10% to 36% in 4 independent CRC datasets with infection being concentrated in carcinoma tissue rather than in normal tissue. In addition, HCMV positive patients had a poor survival prognosis, with three of the HCMV genes associated with poor patient survival outcomes, UL82, UL42 and UL117. Most importantly, we suppose that the regulation of immune function by HCMV may be the key to the poor prognosis of CRC patients. We found that HCMV infection was associated with poor prognosis in CRC patients and identified three prognosis associated HCMV genes. The regulation of immune function caused by HCMV infection was the key factor while HCMV positive CRC patients mostly presented a state of immunosuppression. This may provide new ideas for personalized treatment of CRC patients, especially in immunotherapy.
Bioaccumulation and Toxicity Effects of Flubendiamide in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)
Authors: Meng Zhiyuan , Wang Zhichao , Chen xiaojun , Song Yueyi , Teng Miaomiao , Fan Tianle , Zheng Yang , Cui Jiajia , Xu Wangjing
Published: September 2021

As a diamide insecticide, flubendiamide is widely used and has many adverse effects on environmental organisms. In this study, bioaccumulation and toxicity effects of flubendiamide in zebrafish (Danio rerio) were studied. Specifically, the results showed that the concentrations of flubendiamide increased in the early stage and achieved steady stages at 14 days and the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of flubendiamide in zebrafish were 1.125 - 2.011. Furthermore, flubendiamide had no significant effects on the growth phenotypes of zebrafish. However, zebrafish hepatic somatic index (HSI) of zebrafish had changed significantly with exposure. Histopathological analysis showed that exposure to flubendiamide could cause structural damage to liver tissue of zebrafish. Further physiological and biochemical analysis showed that flubendiamide could significantly change the activity of CAT and the contents of MDA and GSH in liver of zebrafish. In particular, exposure to flubendiamide could also cause significant changes in the mRNA expression levels of cell apoptosis-related genes involving p53, puma, caspase-3, caspase-9, apaf-1 and bax in liver of zebrafish. In general, these results indicated that exposure to flubendiamide could induce liver damage by inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis in liver of zebrafish. The results of this study will help to further comprehensively evaluate the safety of flubendiamide to aquatic organisms.
Quercetin Improves the Apoptotic Index and Oxidative Stress in Post-Thaw Dog Sperm
Authors: Bang Seonggyu , Qamar Ahmad Yar , Tanga Bereket Molla , Fang Xun , Seong Gyeonghwan , Nabeel Abdelbagi Hamad Talha , Yu Il-Jeoung , Saadeldin Islam M. , Cho JongKi
Published: September 2021

This study was conducted to investigate if quercetin (QRN) may ameliorate apoptosis and oxidative stress in post-thaw dog sperm. Herein, we evaluated the post-thaw apoptosis and oxidative stress after treatment with QRN (control, 25, 50, and 100 µM) in freezing of dog semen. The oxidative stress index was significantly affected (p<0.05) between the various concentrations of QRN and the control (17.56 ± 1.02, 7.54 ± 0.48, 5.66 ±0.80, and 10.41 ± 0.69), respectively. The apoptosis index was 9.1 ± 1.34, 6.66 ± 0.58, 6.77 ± 0.66, and 5.38 ± 0.86 in the control, and 25, 50, and 100 µM QRN treatment groups, respectively (p< 0.05). The effects of ameliorated cryo-induced damage by QRN on post-thaw sperm quality were also observed through improved structural and functional tests. Sperm treated with 50 µM QRN showed significantly higher motility (51.8 ± 2.1% vs. 43.1 ± 1.4%, P < 0.05), survival rates (46.9 ± 0.7% vs. 43.9 ± 0.4%, P < 0.05), and mucus penetration than control group, respectively. Results demonstrate that supplementing freezing buffer with 50 µM QRN reduced oxidative damage and improved the quality of post-thaw dog sperm.
Construction of Full-Length Infectious Clones of Turnip Mosaic Virus Isolates Infecting Perilla Frutescens and Genetic Analysis of Recently Emerged Strains of Tumv in Korea
Authors: Song Zheng-Xing , Chu Su-Jeong , Seo Eun-Young , Hu Wen-Xing , Lim Yong Pyo , Park Tae-Seon , Park Ji-Soo , Hong Jin-Sung , Cho In-Sook , Hammond John , Lim Hyoun-Sub
Published: September 2021

Perilla is an annual herb with a unique aroma and taste and has been cultivated in Korea for hundreds of years. Owing to the highly edible and medicinal value of Perilla plants, it has been widely cultivated in many Asian and European countries. Recently, several viruses have been reported to cause diseases in Perilla in Korea, including turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) which is known as a brassica pathogen due to its significant damage to brassica crops. In this study, we determined the complete genome sequences of two new TuMV isolates originating from Perilla in Korea. Full-length infectious cDNA clones of these two isolates were constructed and their infectivity was tested by agroinfiltration on Nicotiana benthamiana and sap inoculation on Chinese cabbage and radish. In addition, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of six new Korean TuMV isolates and determined their respective affiliation with the four major groups. We also conducted recombination analysis for isolates recently occurring in Korean using RDP4 software, which provided new insight into the evolutionary relationships among Korean isolates of TuMV.
Disability and Self-care Living Strategies Among Adults Living With HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: O'Brien Kelly K , Bayoumi Ahmed M , Carusone Soo Chan , Davis Aileen M , Aubry Rachel , Avery Lisa , Solomon Patty , Erlandson Kristine M , Bergin Colm , Harding Richard , Brown Darren A , Vera Jaime H , Hanna Steven
Published: September 2021

BackgroundEvents associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, such as physical distancing, closure of community services, postponement of health appointments, and loss of employment can lead to social isolation, financial uncertainty, and interruption of antiretroviral adherence, resulting in additional health-related challenges (disability) experienced among adults living with chronic illness such as HIV. ‘Living strategies’ is a concept derived from the perspective of people living with HIV, defined as behaviors, attitudes and beliefs adopted by people living with HIV to help deal with disability associated with HIV and multi-morbidity. Our aim was to describe disability among adults living with HIV and self-care living strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsAdults living with HIV in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, including some with pre-pandemic HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ) data, completed a cross-sectional web-based survey between June-August 2020. The survey included the HDQ and questions about self-care living strategy use during the pandemic. We compared disability (HDQ) scores prior to versus during the pandemic using paired t-tests. We reported the proportion of participants who engaged in various living strategies at least ‘a few times a week’ or ‘everyday’ during the pandemic. ResultsOf the 63 respondents, 84% were men, median age 57 years, and 62% lived alone. During the pandemic the greatest disability severity was in the uncertainty (median 30; Interquartile range (IQR): 16, 43) and mental-emotional (25; IQR: 14, 41) domains. Among the 51 participants with pre-pandemic data, HDQ severity scores were significantly greater (worse) during the pandemic (vs prior) in all domains. Greatest change from prior to during the pandemic was in the mental-emotional domain for presence (17.7; p<0.001), severity (11.4; p<0.001), and episodic nature (9.3; p<0.05) of disability. Most participants (>60%) reported engaging a ‘few times a week’ or ‘everyday’ in self-care strategies associated with maintaining sense of control and adopting positive attitudes and beliefs. ConclusionsPeople living with HIV reported high levels of uncertainty and mental-emotional health challenges during the pandemic. Disability increased across all HDQ dimensions, with the greatest worsening in the mental-emotional health domain. Results provide an understanding of disability and self-care strategy use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
LncRNA SNHG8 Promotes Liver Cancer Proliferation and Metastasis by Sponging miR-542-3p and miR-4701-5p
Authors: Tong He , He Shuang , Li Kexin , Sa qirile , Zhang Kefan , Jin Haowei , Shi Jing , Cheng Yipeng , Wang Li , wang changshan , Liu Pengxia
Published: September 2021

Growing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with carcinogenesis and could function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to regulate microRNAs (miRNAs). LncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 8 (LncRNA SNHG8) is up-regulated in various cancers and positively associated with poor prognosis of these cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms by which lncRNA SNHG8 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remains unclear. In the present study, we reported that lncRNA SNHG8 was abnormally up-regulated in liver cancer tissues and HCC cell lines. Moreover, knockdown of lncRNA SNHG8 significantly attenuated the proliferation, migration, invasion process of HCC cell line HepG2 in vitro. Mechanistically, we first reported that suppression of lncRNA SNHG8 evidently enhanced miR-542-3p and miR-4701-5p expression and decreased TET3 expression at posttranscriptional level. Furthermore, lncRNA SNHG8 upregulated TET3 expression by sponging miR-542-3p and miR-4701-5p by competing binding. Taken together, our results confirmed the oncogene role of lncRNA SNHG8 and discovered the underlying mechanism that lncRNA SNHG8 upregulated TET3 through the sponging or decaying of miR-542-3p and miR-4701-5p in human hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that lncRNA SNHG8 may serve as a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Silica Nanoparticles With Encapsulated DNA (SPED) to Trace the Spread of Pathogens in Healthcare
Authors: Ullrich Cinzia , Luescher Anne M , Koch Julian , Grass Robert N , Sax Hugo
Published: September 2021

Background: To establish effective infection control protocols, understanding pathogen transmission pathways is essential. Non-infectious surrogate tracers may safely explore these pathways and challenge pre-existing assumptions. We used silica nanoparticles with encapsulated DNA (SPED) for the first time in a real-life hospital setting to investigate potential transmission routes of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the context of a prolonged outbreak.Methods: The two study experiments took place in the 900-bed University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. A three-run ‘Patient experiment’ investigated pathogen transmission via toilet seats in a two-patient room with shared bathroom. First, various predetermined body and fomite sites in a two-bed patient room were probed at baseline. Then, after the first patient was contaminated with SPED at the subgluteal region, both patients sequentially performed a toilet routine. All sites were consequently swabbed again for SPED contamination. Eight hours later, further spread was tested at predefined sites in the patient room and throughout the ward. A two-run ‘Mobile device experiment’ explored the potential transmission by mobile phones and stethoscopes in a quasi-realistic setting. All SPED contamination statuses and levels were determined by real-time qPCR.Results: Over all three runs, the ‘Patient experiment’ yielded SPED in 59 of 73 (80.8 %) predefined body and environmental sites. Specifically, positivity rates were 100 % on subgluteal skin, toilet seats, tap handles, and entertainment devices, the initially contaminated patients’ hands; 83.3 % on patient phones and bed controls; 80 % on intravenous pumps; 75 % on toilet flush plates and door handles, and 0 % on the initially not contaminated patients’ hands. SPED spread as far as doctor’s keyboards (66.6 %), staff mobile phones (33.3 %) and nurses’ keyboards (33.3 %) after eight hours. The ‘Mobile device experiment’ resulted in 16 of 22 (72.7 %) positive follow-up samples, and transmission to the second patient occurred in one of the two runs. Conclusions: For the first time SPED were used to investigate potential transmission pathways in a real hospital setting. The results suggest that, in the absence of targeted cleaning, toilet seats and mobile devices may result in widespread transmission of pathogens departing from one contaminated patient skin region.