bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trigger-Warnungen
Authors: Derfler Sophie
Published: November 2021

The situation of students at universities is special, because the time in which they live and work in academia between science, peer group and independence is formative for the development of their personality. Communication is the medium of identity formation and self-expression and this communication process in academia is a central component of identity formation and self-expression for students. This communication process is not sufficiently protected as part of the development of personality at universities and thus there exists a situation of endangerment of the identity-forming communication process in academia. Therefore, the protection of fundamental rights needs to be extended to include the right to academic self-determination.
Malakofauna přírodní památky Babinské louky v CHKO České středohoří [Mollusc fauna of the Babinské louky Nature Monument in the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area]
Authors: Horáčková Jitka
Published: November 2021

Mollusc fauna of the Babinské louky Nature Monument in the České středohoří Protected Lanscape Area in North Bohemia has been supplemented and summarized. During the recent monitoring in 2021, 36 land snails and four aquatic species were recorded. This reserve mainly protects the famous orchid meadows, however, it also includes a number of other habitats, including forests. The local malacofauna is therefore relatively rich. There are strictly forest species (Isognomostoma isognomostomos, Merdigera obscura), species of open habitats (Vertigo pygmaea), hygrophilous species (Succinella oblonga) or boreomontane species (Vertigo substriata) living side by side.
A Physician-in-the-Loop Approach by Means of Machine Learning for the Diagnosis of Lymphocytosis in the Clinical Laboratory
Authors: Bigorra Laura , Larriba Iciar , Gutiérrez-Gallego Ricardo
Published: November 2021

Context.—

The goal of the lymphocytosis diagnosis approach is its classification into benign or neoplastic categories. Nevertheless, a nonnegligible percentage of laboratories fail in that classification.

Objective.—

To design and develop a machine learning model by using objective data from the DxH 800 analyzer, including cell population data, leukocyte and absolute lymphoid counts, hemoglobin concentration, and platelet counts, besides age and sex, with classification purposes for lymphocytosis diagnosis.

Design.—

A total of 1565 samples were included from 10 different lymphoid categories grouped into 4 diagnostic categories: normal controls (458), benign causes of lymphocytosis (567), neoplastic lymphocytosis (399), and spurious causes of lymphocytosis (141). The data set was distributed in a 60-20-20 scheme for training, testing, and validation stages. Six machine learning models were built and compared, and the selection of the final model was based on the minimum generalization error and 10-fold cross validation accuracy.

Results.—

The selected neural network classifier rendered a global 10-class classification validation accuracy corresponding to 89.9%, which, considering the aforementioned 4 diagnostic categories, presented a diagnostic impact accuracy corresponding to 95.8%. Finally, a prospective proof of concept was performed with 100 new cases with a global diagnostic accuracy corresponding to 91%.

Conclusions.—

The proposed machine learning model was feasible, with a high benefit-cost ratio, as the results were obtained within the complete blood count with differential. Finally, the diagnostic impact with high accuracies in both model validation and proof of concept encourages exploration of the model for real-world application on a daily basis.
Rogativas pro–pluvia en la catedral de Orihuela: La sequía en Orihuela durante el siglo XVII
Authors: Cecilia Espinosa Mariano , Ruiz Ángel Gemma
Published: November 2021

Durante el siglo XVII la Catedral de Orihuela fue el escenario de múltiples rogativas relacionadas en la mayoría de los casos con los infortunios que sufría el territorio del Sur valenciano. En este trabajo se estudian aquellas relacionadas con la carestía de agua denominadas pro–pluvia. El análisis de las mismas desde la óptica del comportamiento humano nos ayuda a comprender la climatología de un siglo especialmente dramático para la antigua Gobernación de Orihuela.
К ВОПРОСУ О БАРЬЕРНЫХ КАЧЕСТВАХ ПЕСКОВ СЕВЕРНОГО И ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОГО ВЬЕТНАМА. СОРБЦИЯ ИОНОВ ЖЕЛЕЗА (III)
Authors: ЯКОВЛЕВА АРИАДНА АЛЕКСЕЕВНА , НГУЕН ЧУНГ ТХУЙ
Published: November 2021

Присутствующее в промышленных и бытовых стоках растворенное железо оказывает неблаго-приятное воздействие на биоту прибрежных зон. Для оценивания барьерных качеств песков Вьетнама по отношению к ионам железа (III) рассмотрены 4 образца речных песков и один образец морского песка. Пески отобраны по берегам реки Хонга (вблизи Ханоя), а также рек Тхубон, Тхачхан и Кон северной и центральной провинций страны. Природная способность песков сорбировать ионы железа (III) обусловлена гранулометрическими соотношениями, геолого-минералогическим составом и некоторыми физико-химическими свойствами песчаных суспензий. Эксперименты проведены в модельных условиях, имитирующих контакт раствора железа (III) со слоем песка в динамических условиях. Показано, что в условиях принудительной фильтрации повышение ее скорости приводит к вымыванию сорбированных ионов с поверхности частиц песка. Анализ результатов фильтрации свидетельствует, что барьерные качества прибрежных песков Северного и Центрального Вьетнама по отношению к ионам железа (III) различны. Отличия в структуре и минеральном составе позволили выделить три условные группы – чистый кварцевый песок (морской), пески кремне-глиноземистые и полиминеральные пески. Такому делению симбатна сорбционная способность песков по отношению ионам Fe(III). Морской кварцевый песок с минимальным количеством примесей обладает наилучшими сорбирующими качествами и может удерживать свыше 0,4 мг-ионов железа на один грамм поглотителя, что несопоставимо больше в сравнении с остальными песками. Появление в составе песка оксида алюминия приводит к снижению удерживающей способности. Полиминеральные пески характеризуются самыми низкими показателям в диапазоне 0,1–0,25 мг/г ионов железа.
ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННЫЙ И ЗАРУБЕЖНЫЙ ОПЫТ В ОБЛАСТИ СОЗДАНИЯ ФОТО- И ТЕРМОХРОМНЫХ МАСКИРУЮЩИХ ПОКРЫТИЙ
Authors: ПОЛУШКОВСКИЙ ЮРИЙ АЛЕКСАНДРОВИЧ , СУРОВЦЕВА ИРИНА ВЯЧЕСЛАВОВНА , ЧИГРИН ДМИТРИЙ НИКОЛАЕВИЧ , МАНЯК АЛЕКСЕЙ ПАВЛОВИЧ , СТРУКОВ ОЛЕГ КОНСТАНТИНОВИЧ
Published: November 2021

Проанализирован отечественный и зарубежный опыт в области создания фото- и термохромных адаптивных маскирующих покрытий (АМП). Определены мировые разработчики-лидеры АМП и резюмирована динамика патентования тематических исследований. Выявлена тенденция расширенного применения специальных полимеров, сетчатых оптических материалов, работающих в видимом и инфракрасном участках спектрального диапазона. Рассмотрено использование метаматериалов, обладающих специфическими физическими и оптическими свойствами, в части преломления падающего света. Показана реализация технологии АМП, основанной на применении «клокинг»-эффекта. Общим для отечественных и зарубежных разработчиков являются физико-химические основы технологии создания фото- и термохромных полимерных систем.
ВЛИЯНИЕ СОДЕРЖАНИЯ МОДИФИКАТОРА НА ФОТОДЕСТРУКЦИЮ И ФОТООКИСЛЕНИЕ КОМПОЗИТА НА ОСНОВЕ ПОЛИФЕНИЛЕНСУЛЬФИДА
Authors: Ivanov V.B. , Solina E.V. , Kalugina E.V. , Samoryadov A.V.
Published: November 2021

Изучено влияние спектрального состава света, температуры и содержания модификатора на образование полисопряженных структур и продуктов окисления при облучении композита на основе полифениленсульфида и сополимера этилена и глицидилметакрилата. Установлены кинетические закономерности процессов при последовательном облучении композита полным светом, моделирующим солнечный, и его длинноволновой составляющей, а также при облучении и термическом воздействии. Определены энергии активации деструкции композитов в экстремальных условиях, при одновременном воздействии света и повышенных температур.
АНАЛИЗ МЕТОДОВ ДЕТЕКТИРОВАНИЯ УТЕЧЕК МЕТАНА
Authors: Shcherbakova S.N. , Vengerov A.S.
Published: November 2021

В данной работе проанализированы существующие методы детектирования утечек метана. Рассмотрены принципы действия инфракрасных камер, а также методы комбинированного рассеяния и абсорбционной спектроскопии.
Independence, Dependence, and Intellectual Disability: From Cultural Origins to Useful Application
Authors: Danforth Scot
Published: November 2021

American government educational policy and leading advocacy groups commonly espouse independence as a primary goal for young people with intellectual disabilities. An extensive philosophical literature of autonomy has focused mostly on analyses of cognition that achieve individual self-governance. But the loosely defined concept of independence used by disability policymakers and advocates provides a more malleable,social understanding thatinvolves someoneactively relying on the assistance of others. The purpose of this paper is to examine the cultural, historical origins of the notion of independence for disabled persons through an exploration of the biography of Ed Roberts, the father of the independent living movement, and the cultural context ofBerkeley, California, in the 1960s and 1970s, where the movement began. The paper applies those cultural concepts to thelife situationsof persons with intellectual disabilities, askinghow well independence serves as a useful goalfor the group.
Dependent Rational Activists: Disability, Student Activism, and Special Education
Authors: Dhingra Neil , Miller Joel D.
Published: November 2021

Historians of student activism have rarely focused on students with disabilities, while educational historians who study students with disabilities have focused on legal reforms, not activism. We present a philosophical argument for an inclusive definition of student activism that can take place within legal and bureaucratic processes in which students act collaboratively with parents or guardians. Drawing on the new disability history and critical disability studies, we first argue that such activism is necessary because those processes routinely involve the conceptual objectification, silencing, and invisibilization of disabled people. Further, we argue that activism is necessary to shift individualized education plan (IEP) meetings from bargaining to collective deliberations for the common good. Finally, following Alasdair MacIntyre, we argue that activism, legal and otherwise, may involve families acting collaboratively, because parents and others can become attentive to the rational reflections of those with disabilities.
Effets des infrastructures linéaires sur la biomasse des insectes nocturnes à l’échelle du paysage
Authors: Leboeuf Michel , Chouinard Caroline , Bourgeois Robin , Grenier-Héon David
Published: November 2021

Les pressions anthropiques affectent les fonctions écosystémiques, la biodiversité et les niveaux trophiques des milieux naturels, dont les populations d’insectes. À partir d’un réseau de 27 stations d’inventaire biologique réparties au sein de territoires protégés dans la région de Lanaudière (Québec, Canada), nous avons mesuré l’effet de variables locales d’habitat et de paysage sur la richesse en espèces et la biomasse d’invertébrés récoltés à l’aide de pièges lumineux. Un total de 1 880 spécimens, provenant de 34 familles différentes, ont été récoltés durant la campagne d’échantillonnage. Une seule variable explicative à l’échelle du paysage a permis d’établir des régressions positives et significatives. Ainsi, c’est la distance à des infrastructures linéaires anthropiques, principalement des routes, qui explique la plus grande part de variabilité de la richesse et de la biomasse des insectes récoltés dans les échantillons : plus la station d’inventaire se trouve loin d’une route, plus sa richesse et sa biomasse sont grandes. À la mortalité de proximité des insectes, c’est-à-dire celle directement attribuable au passage des véhicules sur une route, s’ajoutent des effets négatifs sur les populations à l’échelle du paysage.
Regional practice of legal regulation of the use of social networks in public administration
Authors: Mazein Artem Vladimirovich
Published: November 2021

This article provides the results of analysis of legal acts of the authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation that regulate administrative activity involving the use of social networks. It is noted that such type of interaction between public authorities, citizens and organizations is gaining widespread. The need for using social networks and instant messengers by public authorities has increased in 2020–2021, since the traditional “face-to-face” communication was suspended due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. The acquired results indicate a significant increase in the instances of regulation of the use of social networks (from 184 mentions in 2011 to 3125 in 2020). It is noted that the use of social networks in administrative activity is regulated by the two groups of legal acts: 1) the acts adopted specifically for regulation of the use of social networks; 2) the acts that regulate other types of relations, but containing separate norms on the use of social networks. At the same time, in the practice of legal regulation, the first group of acts is divided into two types:: acts that establish the procedure for creating and maintaining accounts (webpages) of public authorities in social networks; and acts that establish the procedure for maintaining communication (appeals, publications in social networks) that require a response. The author summarizes the structure of the corresponding legal acts, which provides grounds for their further research.
A 3D adult zebrafish brain atlas (AZBA) for the digital age
Authors: Kenney Justin W , Steadman Patrick E , Young Olivia , Shi Meng Ting , Polanco Maris , Dubaishi Saba , Covert Kristopher , Mueller Thomas , Frankland Paul W
Published: November 2021

Zebrafish have made significant contributions to our understanding of the vertebrate brain and the neural basis of behavior, earning a place as one of the most widely used model organisms in neuroscience. Their appeal arises from the marriage of low cost, early life transparency, and ease of genetic manipulation with a behavioral repertoire that becomes more sophisticated as animals transition from larvae to adults. To further enhance the use of adult zebrafish, we created the first fully segmented three-dimensional digital adult zebrafish brain atlas (AZBA). AZBA was built by combining tissue clearing, light-sheet fluorescence microscopy, and three-dimensional image registration of nuclear and antibody stains. These images were used to guide segmentation of the atlas into over 200 neuroanatomical regions comprising the entirety of the adult zebrafish brain. As an open source, online (azba.wayne.edu), updatable digital resource, AZBA will significantly enhance the use of adult zebrafish in furthering our understanding of vertebrate brain function in both health and disease.
Mutation saturation for fitness effects at human CpG sites
Authors: Agarwal Ipsita , Przeworski Molly
Published: November 2021

Whole exome sequences have now been collected for millions of humans, with the related goals of identifying pathogenic mutations in patients and establishing reference repositories of data from unaffected individuals. As a result, we are approaching an important limit, in which datasets are large enough that, in the absence of natural selection, every highly mutable site will have experienced at least one mutation in the genealogical history of the sample. Here, we focus on CpG sites that are methylated in the germline and experience mutations to T at an elevated rate of ~10-7 per site per generation; considering synonymous mutations in a sample of 390,000 individuals, ~ 99 % of such CpG sites harbor a C/T polymorphism. Methylated CpG sites provide a natural mutation saturation experiment for fitness effects: as we show, at current sample sizes, not seeing a non-synonymous polymorphism is indicative of strong selection against that mutation. We rely on this idea in order to directly identify a subset of CpG transitions that are likely to be highly deleterious, including ~27 % of possible loss-of-function mutations, and up to 20 % of possible missense mutations, depending on the type of functional site in which they occur. Unlike methylated CpGs, most mutation types, with rates on the order of 10-8 or 10-9, remain very far from saturation. We discuss what these findings imply for interpreting the potential clinical relevance of mutations from their presence or absence in reference databases and for inferences about the fitness effects of new mutations.
Which environmental factors control extreme thermal events in rivers? A multi-scale approach (Wallonia, Belgium)
Authors: Georges Blandine , Michez Adrien , Piegay Hervé , Huylenbroeck Leo , Lejeune Philippe , Brostaux Yves
Published: November 2021

Managers need to know how to mitigate rising stream water temperature (WT) due to climate change. This requires identifying the environmental drivers that influence thermal regime and determining the spatial area where interventions are most effective. We hypothesized that (i) extreme thermal events can be influenced by a set of environmental factors that reduce thermal sensitivity and (ii) the role played by those factors varies spatially. To test these hypotheses, we (i) determined which of the environmental variables reported to be the most influential affected WT and (ii)identified the spatial scales over which those environmental variables influenced WT. To this end, the influence of multi-scale environmental variables, namely land cover, topography (channel slope, elevation), hydromorphology (channel sinuosity, water level, watershed area, baseflow index) and shade conditions, was analyzed on the three model variables (day thermal sensitivity, night thermal sensitivity, and non-convective thermal flux) in the model developed by Georges et al. (2021) of the temporal thermal dynamics of daily maximum WT during extreme events. Values were calculated on six spatial scales (the entire upstream catchment and the associated 1 km and 2 km circular buffer, and 50 m wide corridors on each side of the stream with the associated 1 km and 2 km circular buffer). The period considered was 17 extreme days during the summer identified by Georges et al. (2021) based on WT data measured every 10 min for 7 years (2012–2018) at 92 measurement sites. Sites were located evenly throughout the Wallonia (southern Belgium) hydrological network. Results showed that shade, baseflow index (a proxy of the influence of groundwater), water level and watershed area were the most significant variables influencing thermal sensitivity. Since managers with finite financial and human resources can act on only a few environmental variables, we advocate restoring and preserving the vegetation cover that limits solar radiation on the watercourse as a cost-effective solution to reduce thermal sensitivity. Moreover, management at small spatial scale (50 m riparian buffer) should be strategically promoted (for finance and staffing) as our results show that a larger management scale is not more effective in reducing thermal sensitivity to extreme events.
Design Aspects of Small-Hydropower Plant
Authors: Nasir Bilal Abdullah
Published: November 2021

Presently, however, Hydroelectric is a source of power that can prove to be available to all, regardless of conditions such as weather. As history showed, a lot of development, as well as alterations, were made to this efficient supply of energy. Hydropower is a positive alternative energy source that nature provides, therefore, its effective usage is not prohibited. Although there are many disadvantages associated with the design and construction of a hydroelectric power plant, the advantageous features are even more enormous. This paper deals with construction and design aspects for the implementation of the small hydroelectric power station. The main parameters can be collected from the site. Then the turbine type and dimensions can be specified. The generator specifications,which is the main part in the system, for hydro-power stations can be obtained from the determination of turbine output power. These specifications involve mainly the rated power in KVA, the type of system, system frequency, the type of stator winding connection, rated load voltage, rated load current, load power factor, generator speed, method of the system cooling, and the generator type of excitation.
Interference of Antioxidant Flavonoids with MTT Tetrazolium Assay in a Cell Free System
Authors: Somayaji Ashwini , Shastry C. S.
Published: November 2021

Introduction: The tetrazolium salt 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) used extensively to measure the quantitative survival and proliferation of mammalian cells. The analysis is based upon the reduction of MTT by metabolically active cells to insoluble formazan crystals. Flavonoids are a large group of natural compounds found in plants with variable phenolic structures.  Flavonoids, as they are potential reducing agents, they act as a free radical scavenger. The aim of the study is to assess the reducing effect of some of the flavonoids on tetrazolium salt and their interference with the colorimetric analysis of MTT. The cell viability obtained from the MTT assay was compared with that of SRB assay in the determination of flavonoids cytotoxicity. 

Materials and Methods: The present study examined the effect of few bio-flavonoids like Quercetin, EGCG, Rutin and Resveratrol to reduce MTT in the absence of cells under different experimental conditions such as concentration of flavonoids, incubation time and results were compared with SRB assay findings. The study also involves the analysis of flavonoid cytotoxicity on lung cancer cells NCIH-460 and NCIH-522 by MTT and SRB assay to establish the suitable cell viability assay for  flavonoids.

Results: All the flavonoids showed the instant formation of the dark blue formazan salt in the absence of the cells with MTT assay. Whereas SRB assay of flavonoids in the absence of cells, results showed the absorbance similar to that of the blank, indicating that SRB did not interfere with flavonoids in a cell-free system.

Conclusion: From the results, it is evident that MTT is not a suitable method to determine the effect of flavonoids on cell viability and proliferation as flavonoids itself reduces the MTT to formazan crystals. Study also suggests that SRB assay is more suitable method to determine the effect of flavonoids on cell viability.
Antioxidant and Anti-Cancer Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Citrus Fruits on Hep G2 and MCF-7 Cell Lines
Authors: Rasool Shahid , Ahmed Hammad , Uttra Mehreen Malik , Uttra Ambreen Malik , Khan Muhammad Rizwan , Zakir Khawaja Ali , Zaidi Awais Ali , Hassan Saeed Ul , Saleem Farooq
Published: November 2021

Background/objective: Cancer is a complex genetic disease that occurs due to mutation in genes that control apoptosis and cell growth. Uncontrolled cell growth leads to the formation of tumors. Free radical causes mutation in genes and DNA sequence, however antioxidants can stabilize these harmful effects. Citrus fruits are the rich source of antioxidants. owing to this property this study was planned to evaluate the potential of the citrus fruits for the treatment of the cancer.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate antioxidant as well anticancer potential of five different citrus strains (Citrus deliciosa, Citrus maxima, Citrus limetta, Citrus sinensis and Citrus reticulata).

Methods: Peel of all the citrus fruits were collected, grinded and ethanolic extracts were prepared separately, to evaluate radical scavenging ability by employing DPPH method followed by MTT assay of the cancer cell lines to explore the anticancer potential of the extracts.

Results: It was observed that citrus peels exhibited good radical scavenging activity and inhibited tumor growth. Maximum effect was produced by Citrus reticulata, and least results were obtained with Citrus sinensis.

Conclusion: It was concluded that antioxidant and anti-cancer effects of citrus peels may be due to be owing to the presence of antioxidants (ascorbic acid, flavonoids, phenols, limonene). This research might open new horizon in the treatment of cancer chemotherapy.
Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practice towards Breast Cancer among Women Visiting Public Health Facility, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mehmood Muzammil , Zafar Mubashir , Albuqaisi Amal Abdullah , Alshammari Lamia Mohammed , Ilyas Syed Muhammad Ozair , Moinuddiin Khawaja Ghulam
Published: November 2021

Background: Breast cancer is the highest burden of disease in high and low income countries and it is the leading cause of disability and death. Knowledge is important predictor of breast cancer. The objective of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast cancer among women visiting public health facilities in Hail, Saudi Arabia.

Method: It’s was a cross-sectional study in the leading public sector hospital and 127 study participants were selected through stratified random sampling technique. Validated and structured questionnaire used. Study participants who scored greater than or equal to mean valued were considered good knowledge, positive attitude and safe practice. Chi square test was used to cross tabulation between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude and practice score.

Results: Over all 18.1%, 47.2% and 52% of study participants had good knowledge, positive attitude and safe practice for prevention of breast cancer respectively. More than two third (89%) of participants were stated that breast cancer was not curable disease, more than half (67.7%) of were heard about mammogram. Only 10.2% were belief that screening was essential to breast cancer for early diagnosis. More than two third (69,9%) were not practice self breast examination and 69% were stated that fear of disease was major barrier to mammogram test.

Conclusion: The knowledge level among communities member of female regarding breast cancer was in-appropriate. Majority of them were not practicing self breast examination. Health education programme through workshops and seminars will be needed to increase the awareness toward breast cancer among females.
Effect of Movement Control Spinal Exercise Programme on Pain and Mobility in Individual with Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Authors: D’souza Celina Elias , Shinde Sandeep , Bhore Prachiti
Published: November 2021

Background: Low back pain is the most common condition that affects the majority of the population with up to 84% lifetime prevalence. A specific diagnosis of low back pain is only possible in 15% of patients and the majority of cases the pain is non – specific low back pain (NSLBP). The main objectives were to assess the effect of movement control spinal exercises (MVCSE) on NSLBP and to examine the effect of MCSE on mobility.

Methods: The study was conducted in the physiotherapy out-patient department. After screening of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 35 individuals with NSLBP were selected. A pre-test assessment was done, the protocol included warmup sessions, exercise protocol and cool down sessions. Exercises were demonstrated to the patients according to the spinal movements control impairment, the total duration of the protocol was of 6 weeks with one session of 1 hour per day. Later the post- test assessment was done and further statistical analysis was done.

Results: After 6 weeks post evaluation, patients with flexion movement control impairment (MVCI) had improvement in their movement control; extension, lateral and rotational movement control impairments were the same as before.

Conclusion: The patient- specific functional complaints and disabilities improved significantly after implementation of the individual based specific exercise programme, along with the regular physiotherapeutic interventions. Movement Control Spinal Exercise treatment has shown results in improving mobility and disability in the short term and long term for individuals with NSLBP and MVCI to than other interventions.
Female Sexual Dysfunction in Patients Treated with Antidepressants: A Comparison between Agomelatine and Escitalopram
Authors: Kaur Virinder , Guan Ng Chong , Gill Jesjeet Singh , Sue-Yin Low
Published: November 2021

Aim: This study aims to determine and compare the prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) between patients on escitalopram and agomelatine, as well as to investigate possible factors associated with their usage.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Place and Duration of Study: Psychiatric Day Care Clinic, Department of Psychological Medicine, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia, between November 1, 2020 until February 1, 2021.

Methodology: This study is a cross-sectional study involving 66 women with depression from the outpatient psychiatric clinic of a university hospital; 35 of whom were prescribed with escitalopram and 31 with agomelatine. The subjects were in remission and had no significant signs or symptoms of depression for at least 2 months. The prevalence of FSD between the two groups were compared after adjusting for underlying depression severity.

Results: This study showed that the overall prevalence rate of FSD was 33.3%, with the prevalence being higher for those on escitalopram (42.9%) than those on agomelatine (22.6%), but did not achieve statistical significance (P=0.081). Out of the six domains of FSD, multivariate analyses revealed that there was a significant reduction of 69% in sexual desire disorder (95% CI:0.110, 0.855), P=0.022 for those on agomelatine compared to escitalopram. Controlling for drug dosage and depression severity (as measured using Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale), the odds for patients on agomelatine developing sexual desire disorder was 0.267 (95% CI:0.091, 0.783), P=0.016.

Conclusion: There was no significant difference in FSD risk between patients on agomelatine and those on escitalopram. Patients on agomelatine were however less likely to develop sexual desire disorder, which demonstrates a slightly better sexual acceptability profile of agomelatine in women in this respect compared to escitalopram.
In silico Identification of Potential Inhibitor Targeting Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus Acidophilus for the Treatment of Dental Caries
Authors: Chittrarasu M. , Ahamed A. Shafie , Sivakumar A. Andamuthu
Published: November 2021

Background: Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases, and it is caused by the acid fermentation of bacteria that have become attached to the teeth. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) anchor surface proteins to the cell wall and form a biofilm to aid adhesion to the tooth surface. Some natural plant products, particularly several flavonoids, are effective inhibitors. However, given the scarcity of inhibitors and the emergence of drug resistance, the development of new inhibitors is critical. The high-throughput virtual screening approach was used in this study to identify new potential inhibitor of against S. mutans and L. acidophilus by using ligand (Ellagic acid).

Aim: To evaluate the drug interaction ligand (Ellagic acid) and protein [A3VP1 of AgI/II] of Streptococcus mutans (PDB ID: 3IPK), glucan-1,6 - alpha-glucosidase from Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (PDB ID: 4AIE).

Materials and Methodology: The pdb format of two selected proteins was retrieved from the RCSB protein database. Then inhibitors were docked with protein (A3VP1 of AgI/II) and glucan-1,6-alpha-glucosidase to identify the potent inhibitor. An evaluation criterion was based on the binding affinities by using AutoDock.

Results: The binding energy of Ellagic acid - Streptococcus mutans docked complex-10.63 kcal/mol and with Ellagic acid – Lactobacillus acidophilus docked complex was -7.30 kcal/mol.

Conclusion: In this study, Showed that lesser binding energy better is the binding of the ligand and protein. These findings can provide a new strategy for dental caries disease therapy by using Ellagic acid as a inhibitor against  Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus
Levetiracetam Induced Hyperkalemia – A Rare Side Effect in Elderly with Pre-Existing Subclinical Renal Insufficiency Presenting with Bradyarrhythmia
Authors: Chande Abhishek , Hulkoti Vidyashree , Khanna Shivam , Kumar Sunil
Published: November 2021

Levetiracetam is a commonly used drug in today’s world for long term management of partial as well as generalized seizures mainly due its major advantage that is has so few and non-threatening side effects[1].In the following case scenario, we show how a 70 years old male presented with severe hyperkalemia and after no other common culprits were seen, it was thought to be a side effect therapy with levetiracetam and after discontinuing it and managing hyperkalemia, the patient’s condition improved from a very critical state. We also show a rare form ECG presentation of severe hyperkalemia in the form of bradyarrhythmia with absent P waves. Our experience shows that unpredictable and rare side effects of new anti-epileptic drugs should be given attention and such cases often go undiagnosed.
Enhancing human ACE2 expression in mouse models to improve COVID‐19 research
Authors: Jiaoyang Sun , Shaofei Cheng , Guangliang Hong , Xiongzhi Quan , Haofeng Lin , Rui Mao , Grillari Johannes , Zheng‐Li Shi , Jiekai Chen , Meiqin Liu , Haoyu Wu , Guangming Wu
Published: December 2024

Mice are one of the most common biological models for laboratory use. However, wild‐type mice are not susceptible to COVID‐19 infection due to the low affinity of mouse ACE2, the entry protein for SARS‐CoV‐2. Although mice with human ACE2 (hACE2) driven by Ace2 promoter reflect its tissue specificity, these animals exhibit low ACE2 expression, potentially limiting their fidelity in mimicking COVID‐19 manifestations and their utility in viral studies. Here, we created and compared hACE2 mouse models generated with different strategies. Our findings show that distinct β‐globin insertion within hACE2 cassette significantly influences its expression, with downstream placement enhancing transcription. Moreover, optimizing hACE2 codons (opt‐hACE2) improves translation efficiency in multiple tissues. Notably, opt‐hACE2 mice displayed more active immune responses and severe COVID‐19 phenotypes following SARS‐CoV‐2 challenge compared to other models. Our study demonstrates the dual regulatory role of β‐globin element in transgene transcription and suggests that opt‐hACE2 mice might serve as valuable tools for SARS‐CoV‐2 research.
Pseudooceanicola
Authors: Wu Yue‐Hong , Guo Li‐Li
Published: December 2024

Pseu.do.o.ce.a.ni'co.la. Gr. masc./fem. adj.
pseudês
, false; N.L. masc. n.
Oceanicola
, a bacterial genus; N.L. masc. n.
Pseudooceanicola
, like
Oceanicola
, referring to the close relationship to the genus
Oceanicola
.

Pseudomonadota / Alphaproteobacteria / Rhodobacterales / Roseobacteraceae/ Pseudooceanicola

The genus
Pseudooceanicola
, classified within the family
Roseobacteraceae
, order
Rhodobacterales
, class
Alphaproteobacteria
, and in the phylum
Pseudomonadota
, currently includes 11 species with validly published names. Cells are Gram‐stain‐negative, aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, non‐motile, polymorphic‐shaped including short rods, ovoid or irregular elongated rod. Cells reproduce by normal cell division and occur singly or in shapeless aggregates. The
Pseudooceanicola
strains are slightly halophlic or haloduric, mostly grow well in the salinity ranges of 0–17.5% (w/v) NaCl, with the optimum of 0.5–8.0% (w/v) NaCl. Growth at pH ranges from 4.0 to 10.0, with optimum growth at approx. pH 6.0–8.5. The
Pseudooceanicola
species are mesophilic bacteria. The temperature range of growth is 4–45°C, with optimum growth at 20–37°C. The colony color is cream, white, or yellowish. Some species synthesize poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules. Most species are also capable of growth on some multicarbon compounds, such as
l
‐arabinose,
d
‐glucose,
d
‐maltose,
d
‐mannitol,
d
‐mannose, and
N
‐acetyl‐glucosamine. The major isoprenoid quinone is ubiquinone‐10 (Q‐10). The major fatty acid includes octadecenoic acid summed feature 8 (C
18:1
ω7
c
and/or C
18:1
ω6
c
) and C
16:0
. Known habitats are mainly marine environments, such as seawater, sediment, macroalgae, and epidermis of a marine invertebrate, and surface‐sterilized bark.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 64.1–67.9 (by genome).

Type species
:
Pseudooceanicola atlanticus
Lai et al. 2015, VL164.
Thickness‐Dependent Heat Dissipation in CrOCl Heat‐Escaping Channel
Authors: Yang Yu , Zhou Yan , Zhang Gang , Liu Fanyu , Li Bo , Zhao Yunshan , Zhang Lifa
Published: December 2024

With the continuous miniaturization, integration, and stacking of chips, how to effectively dissipate heat at nanoscale has become a pressing challenge. The previous studies toward heat dissipation are only limited to a few materials, and lacking research on practical design and application. In this work, it is found that the novel antiferromagnetic insulator CrOCl can be well applied to the nanoscale heat dissipation, where a high out‐of‐plane thermal conductivity up to 1 W m−1 K−1, and a high interfacial thermal conductance up to 100 MW m−2 K−1 with SiO2/Si substrate are measured. Moreover, it is found that the thicker channel shows a superior heat‐escaping performance, and the thickness proves to be a key factor in the design of high‐performance heat dissipation, rather than simply considering the thermal transport properties of the channel. This work provides new insights for the design of the heat‐escaping channel by proposing a new heat dissipation material at nanoscale.
Dislocation‐Induced Local and Global Photoconductivity Enhancement and Mechanisms in Iron‐Doped SrTiO3
Authors: Soleimany Mehrzad , Frömling Till , Rödel Jürgen , Alexe Marin
Published: December 2024

Dislocations have a tremendous potential to alter band structure and transport properties. However, their impact on the optoelectronic properties of metal oxides is not thoroughly studied. This is mostly due to the early work on classical semiconductors, where dislocations are found to have detrimental effects. In this study, a simple method is developed to introduce a high density of dislocations over a large macroscopic volume of Fe‐doped SrTiO3 single crystals. As a result, the photoconductivity revealed by static and dynamic measurements increases by at least one order of magnitude. A detailed analysis based on photo‐Hall, spectral photoresponsivity, time‐resolved photocurrent, and conductive AFM, focusing on the quantum paraelectric state of SrTiO3, is presented to shed light on the possible mechanisms behind higher generated photocurrent. These findings indicate that the increased photoconductivity results from a higher charge carrier generation rate due to new energy states induced by dislocations, possibly accompanied by an enhancement of electron effective mass.
Single Atom Cocatalysts in Photocatalysis
Authors: Wu Si‐Ming , Schmuki Patrik
Published: December 2024

Single‐atom (SA) cocatalysts (SACs) have garnered significant attention in photocatalysis due to their unique electronic properties and high atom utilization efficiency. This review provides an overview of the concept and principles of SA cocatalyst in photocatalysis, emphasizing the intrinsic differences to SAs used in classic chemical catalysis. Key factors that influence the efficiency of SAs in photocatalytic reactions, particularly in photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) production, are highlighted. This review further covers synthesis methods, stabilization strategies, and characterization techniques for common SAs used in photocatalysis. Notably, “reactive deposition” method, which often shows a self‐homing effect and thus achieves a maximum utilization efficiency of SA cocatalysts, is emphasized. Furthermore, the applications of SA cocatalysts in various photocatalytic processes, including H2 evolution, carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen fixation, and organic synthesis, are comprehensively reviewed, along with insights into common artifacts in these applications. This review concludes by addressing the challenges faced by SACs in photocatalysis and offering perspectives on future developments, with the aim of informing and advancing research on SAs for photocatalytic energy conversion.
Colloidal Zn‐based Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Recent Advances and Challenges
Authors: Li Chao , Zhang Shuping , Yang Yang , Wang Cuifang , Bai Bing , Hsu Hsien‐Yi , Yin Zongyou , Buntine Mark A. , Shao Zongping , Zhang Huabin , Wang Ziyun , Jia Guohua
Published: December 2024

In the past decades, benefitting from the development of synthesis methodology, Cd‐based semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) have been extensively studied and their structure‐dependent properties further inspired diverse applications. However, the high toxicity of Cd in Cd‐based semiconductor NCs significantly limits their widespread applications. Colloidal Zn‐based semiconductor NCs are one of the most promising candidates for Cd‐based semiconductor NCs attributed to their low toxicity, creating high‐band gap systems with excellent optoelectronic properties. Herein, an overview of the synthesis, structure engineering, and optoelectronic applications of colloidal Zn‐based semiconductor NCs are provided. In the first section, the typical growth mechanisms are introduced, including oriented attachment, templated‐assisted growth, and ripening. Then, structure engineering, such as core–shell structure, heterostructure, alloying, and doping, of Zn‐based NCs are summarized. Simultaneously, an insight into various applications related to these structures of Zn‐based NCs are given, including quantum dots light emitting diodes (QLEDs), catalysts, biological‐application, sensors, and solar cells. Finally, although huge progress in both synthesis methodology and applications of colloidal Zn‐based semiconductor NCs have been achieved, some issues still hinder the further development of Zn‐based semiconductor NCs. Then in the last section, it is elaborated on the challenges and provides the possible solutions to tackle these challenges.
A Distinguished Roadmap of Fibroblast Senescence in Predicting Immunotherapy Response and Prognosis Across Human Cancers
Authors: Chen Dongjie , Liu Pengyi , Lin Jiayu , Zang Longjun , Liu Yihao , Zhai Shuyu , Lu Xiongxiong , Weng Yuanchi , Li Hongzhe
Published: December 2024

The resistance of tumors to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) may be intricately linked to cellular senescence, although definitive clinical validation remains elusive. In this study, comprehensive pan‐cancer scRNA‐seq analyses identify fibroblasts as exhibiting the most pronounced levels of cellular senescence among tumor‐associated cell populations. To elucidate this phenomenon, a fibroblast senescence‐associated transcriptomic signature (FSS), which correlated strongly with protumorigenic signaling pathways and immune dysregulation that fosters tumor progression, is developed. Leveraging the FSS, the machine learning (ML) framework demonstrates exceptional accuracy in predicting ICI response and survival outcomes, achieving superior area under curve (AUC) values across validation, testing, and in‐house cohorts. Strikingly, FSS consistently outperforms established signatures in predictive robustness across diverse cancer subtypes. From an integrative analysis of 17 CRISPR/Cas9 libraries, CDC6 emerges as a pivotal biomarker for pan‐cancer ICI response and prognostic stratification. Mechanistically, experimental evidence reveals that CDC6 in tumor cells orchestrates fibroblast senescence via TGF‐β1 secretion and oxidative stress, subsequently reprogramming the tumor microenvironment and modulating ICI response. These findings underscore the translational potential of targeting fibroblast senescence as a novel therapeutic strategy to mitigate immune resistance and enhance antitumor efficacy.
Targeting Metabolic Adaptation of Colorectal Cancer with Vanadium‐Doped Nanosystem to Enhance Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy
Authors: Cheng Qian , Chen Yuzhe , Zou Danyi , Li Qilin , Shi Xiaolei , Qin Qushuhua , Liu Miaodeng , Wang Lin , Wang Zheng
Published: December 2024

The anti‐tumor efficacy of current pharmacotherapy is severely hampered due to the adaptive evolution of tumors, urgently needing effective therapeutic strategies capable of breaking such adaptability. Metabolic reprogramming, as an adaptive survival mechanism, is closely related to therapy resistance of tumors. Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells exhibit a high energy dependency that is sustained by an adaptive metabolic conversion between glucose and glutamine, helping tumor cells to withstand nutrient‐deficient microenvironments and various treatments. We discover that transition metal vanadium (V) effectively inhibits glucose metabolism in CRC and synergizes with glutaminase inhibitors (BPTES) to disrupt CRC's energy dependency. Thus, a dual energy metabolism suppression nanosystem (VSi‐BP@HA) is engineered by loading BPTES into V‐doped hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles. This nanosystem effectively dampens CRC energy metabolism, eradicating 33% of tumors in mice. Strikingly, the cell biological and preclinical model datasets provide compelling evidence showing that VSi‐BP@HA not only reverses CRC cells chemo‐resistance but also drastically potentiates anti‐PD1 immunotherapy. Therefore, this nanosystem provides not only a promising approach to suppress CRC, but also a potential adjunct tool for enhancing chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Intestinal flora composition and fecal metabolic phenotype in elderly patients with sleep disorders combined with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Yin Zhuohao , Xie Huaze , Liu Fuyuan , Kong Xue , Chen Wei , Gong Yangfan , Ge Wei
Published: December 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to determine whether type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an independent risk factor for sleep disorders in the elderly and explore the possible intestinal flora factors of sleep disorders combined with T2D in this population.

Methods

All hospitalized patients with sleep disorders aged ≥65 years between June and November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into a sleep disorder group (n = 134) and a control group (n = 109). The logistic regression method was utilized to clarify the causal relationship between T2D and sleep disorders. For stool analyses, 42 patients were randomly extracted, which included the control group (n = 14), diabetes group (n = 14), and elderly patients with sleep disorders combined with the T2D group (ESdD) (n = 14). The composition feature of intestinal flora and metabolomics in the ESdD group was described through high‐throughput 16S rDNA sequencing and nontargeted analysis based on liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.

Results

Gender, body mass index (BMI), T2D, intestinal discomfort, and anxiety depression were independent risk factors for sleep disorders in the elderly. Notably, older individuals with T2D were 3.3 times more likely to experience sleep disorders than normal individuals. Compared with the control group, the ESdD group had decreased relative abundance of Barnesiella and Marvinbryantia, with 47 metabolites upregulated and 53 metabolites downregulated. The ESdD group showed a decrease in Lachnospiraceae_UCG_010, with 62 metabolites upregulated and 43 metabolites downregulated, compared with the diabetes group.

Conclusions

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for sleep disorders in the elderly patients. Variations in intestinal flora and metabolism significantly influence the onset and progression of the ESdD group.