bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thresholds of hypoxia of two Red Sea coral species (Porites sp. and Galaxea fascicularis)
Authors: Alva García Jacqueline V. , Klein Shannon G. , Alamoudi Taiba , Arossa Silvia , Parry Anieka J. , Steckbauer Alexandra , Duarte Carlos M.
Published: October 2022

Anthropogenic pressures have driven large-scale declines in coral cover on >50% of tropical coral reefs. Most research efforts have focused on ocean warming, ocean acidification, and overfishing impacts. Despite increasing instances of reef-associated hypoxic events, the role of reduced O2 in affecting coral reef performance is largely unknown. Here, we assessed the hypoxic thresholds of two Red Sea coral species: Porites sp. and Galaxea fascicularis. We exposed coral fragments of both species to one control treatment (6.8 mg O2 L−1) and three reduced dissolved oxygen treatments (5.25, 3.5, and 1.25 mg O2 L−1) during a 10-day experiment. Across the two species, maximum (Fv/Fm) and effective (F′/Fm′) photochemical efficiency, chlorophyll a, and dark respiration declined under the lowest O2 treatment (1.25 mg O2 L−1). Porites sp. coral fragments, however, were remarkably resistant and showed no signs of sublethal bleaching after 10 days of exposure to reduced O2. Conversely, 17% of G. fascicularis fragments bleached after only three nights of exposure to the lowest O2 treatment (1.25 mg O2 L−1). Our data show that longer-term hypoxic events (i.e., days to weeks) can induce coral bleaching, but these effects depend on the extent of O2 reduction and are likely species-specific. Importantly, the levels of O2 usually defined as hypoxic (~2.0 to 2.8 mg O2 L−1) do not adequately capture the thresholds reported here. Hence, further research is urgently needed to more accurately describe the vulnerability of coral taxa to hypoxic and anoxic events.
Whole genome analysis of host-associated lactobacillus salivarius and the effects on hepatic antioxidant enzymes and gut microorganisms of Sinocyclocheilus grahami
Authors: Xin Wei-Gang , Li Xin-Dong , Lin Yi-Cen , Jiang Yu-Hang , Xu Mei-Yu , Zhang Qi-Lin , Wang Feng , Lin Lian-Bing
Published: October 2022

As a fish unique to Yunnan Province in China, Sinocyclocheilus grahami hosts abundant potential probiotic resources in its intestinal tract. However, the genomic characteristics of the probiotic potential bacteria in its intestine and their effects on S. grahami have not yet been established. In this study, we investigated the functional genomics and host response of a strain, Lactobacillus salivarius S01, isolated from the intestine of S. grahami (bred in captivity). The results revealed that the total length of the genome was 1,737,623 bp (GC content, 33.09%), comprised of 1895 genes, including 22 rRNA operons and 78 transfer RNA genes. Three clusters of antibacterial substances related genes were identified using antiSMASH and BAGEL4 database predictions. In addition, manual examination confirmed the presence of functional genes related to stress resistance, adhesion, immunity, and other genes responsible for probiotic potential in the genome of L. salivarius S01. Subsequently, the probiotic effect of L. salivarius S01 was investigated in vivo by feeding S. grahami a diet with bacterial supplementation. The results showed that potential probiotic supplementation increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and POD) in the hepar and reduced oxidative damage (MDA). Furthermore, the gut microbial community and diversity of S. grahami from different treatment groups were compared using high-throughput sequencing. The diversity index of the gut microbial community in the group supplemented with potential probiotics was higher than that in the control group, indicating that supplementation with potential probiotics increased gut microbial diversity. At the phylum level, the abundance of Proteobacteria decreased with potential probiotic supplementation, while the abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and Bacteroidota increased. At the genus level, there was a decrease in the abundance of the pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas and an increase in the abundance of the potential probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium. The results of this study suggest that L. salivarius S01 is a promising potential probiotic candidate that provides multiple benefits for the microbiome of S. grahami.
Viability droplet digital polymerase chain reaction accurately enumerates probiotics and provides insight into damage experienced during storage
Authors: Kiefer Anthony , Byrd Phillip M. , Tang Peipei , Jones Gregory , Galles Kevin , Fallico Vincenzo , Wong Connie
Published: October 2022

Probiotics are typically enumerated by agar plate counting (PC) techniques. PC has several limitations including poor specificity, high variability, inability to enumerate dead cells, viable but non-culturable cells and cells in complex matrices. Viability droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (v-ddPCR) is an emerging enumeration technique with improved specificity, precision, and the ability to enumerate cells in varying states of culturability or in complex matrices. Good correlation and agreement between v-ddPCR and PC is well documented, but not much research has been published on the comparison when enumerating freeze-dried (FD) probiotics during storage. In this study, v-ddPCR utilizing PE51 (PE51-ddPCR), a combination of propidium monoazide (PMA) and ethidium monoazide (EMA), was evaluated as alternative enumeration technique to PC on blends of four FD probiotic strains over the course of a 3-month storage study with accelerated conditions. When PMA and EMA are combined (PE51), this study demonstrates agreement (bias = 7.63e+9, LOA = 4.38e+10 to 5.9e+10) and association (r = 0.762) between PC and v-ddPCR, at or above levels of an accepted alternative method. Additionally, v-ddPCR with individual dyes PMA and EMA provide insight into how they individually contribute to the viable counts obtained by PE51-ddPCR and provide a more specific physiological understanding of how probiotics cope with or experience damage during storage.
Management of advanced Parkinson’s disease in Israel: Clinicians viewpoint and action items
Authors: Gurevich Tanya , Arkadir David , Badarny Samih , Benizri Sandra , Cohen Oren , Djaldetti Ruth , Hassin-Baer Sharon , Kestenbaum Meir , Nitsan Zeev , Zlotnik Yair , Yahalom Gilad
Published: October 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is taking a staggering toll on healthcare systems worldwide, with the bulk of the expenditures invested in the late stages of the disease. Considering the rising life expectancy and the increasing prevalence of PD across the globe, a clear understanding of the early signs and treatment options available for advanced PD (APD), will facilitate tailoring management programs and support services. This task is complicated by the lack of both global consensus in defining APD and standardized care guidelines. This perspective prepared by a panel of movement disorder specialists, proposes to extend and optimize currently accepted PD coding to better reflect the diverse disease manifestations, with emphasis on non-motor features. The panel seeks to promote timely diagnosis by adjustment of evaluation tools for use by community neurologists and suggests modification of eligibility criteria for advanced therapy. Moreover, it advocates multidisciplinary assessments of APD patients to drive personalized, patient-centered and holistic management. Overall, earlier and more targeted intervention is expected to markedly improve patient quality of life.
Insight into the potential role of ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Ji Yingying , Zheng Kai , Li Shiming , Ren Caili , Shen Ying , Tian Lin , Zhu Haohao , Zhou Zhenhe , Jiang Ying
Published: October 2022

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered way of programmed cell death, mainly caused by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides in cells, which is morphologically, biochemically and genetically different from the previously reported apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. Studies have found that ferroptosis plays a key role in the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and vascular dementia, which suggest that ferroptosis may be involved in regulating the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. At present, on the underlying mechanism of ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases is still unclear, and relevant research is urgently needed to clarify the regulatory mechanism and provide the possibility for the development of agents targeting ferroptosis. This review focused on the regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis and its various effects in neurodegenerative diseases, in order to provide reference for the research on ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases.
Inflammation-related genes and immune infiltration landscape identified in kainite-induced temporal lobe epilepsy based on integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Wang Li , Duan Chunmei , Wang Ruodan , Chen Lifa , Wang Yue
Published: October 2022

Background

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common brain disease. However, the pathogenesis of TLE and its relationship with immune infiltration remains unclear. We attempted to identify inflammation-related genes (IRGs) and the immune cell infiltration pattern involved in the pathological process of TLE via bioinformatics analysis.

Materials and methods

The GSE88992 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to perform differentially expressed genes screening and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Subsequently, the functional enrichment analysis was performed to explore the biological function of the differentially expressed IRGs (DEIRGs). The hub genes were further identified by the CytoHubba algorithm and validated by an external dataset (GSE60772). Furthermore, the CIBERSORT algorithm was applied to assess the differential immune cell infiltration between control and TLE groups. Finally, we used the DGIbd database to screen the candidate drugs for TLE.

Results

34 DEIRGs (33 up-regulated and 1 down-regulated gene) were identified, and they were significantly enriched in inflammation- and immune-related pathways. Subsequently, 4 hub DEIRGs (Ptgs2, Jun, Icam1, Il6) were further identified. Immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that T cells CD4 memory resting, NK cells activated, Monocytes and Dendritic cells activated were involved in the TLE development. Besides, there was a significant correlation between hub DEIRGs and some of the specific immune cells.

Conclusion

4 hub DEIRGs (Ptgs2, Jun, Icam1, Il6) were associated with the pathogenesis of TLE via regulation of immune cell functions, which provided a novel perspective for the understanding of TLE.
Super-enhancers in esophageal carcinoma: Transcriptional addictions and therapeutic strategies
Authors: Shi Yang , Wang Meiqi , Liu Dan , Ullah Saif , Ma Xing , Yang Huiyu , Liu Bingrong
Published: October 2022

The tumorigenesis of esophageal carcinoma arises from transcriptional dysregulation would become exceptionally dependent on specific regulators of gene expression, which could be preferentially attributed to the larger non-coding cis-regulatory elements, i.e. super-enhancers (SEs). SEs, large genomic regulatory entity in close genomic proximity, are underpinned by control cancer cell identity. As a consequence, the transcriptional addictions driven by SEs could offer an Achilles’ heel for molecular treatments on patients of esophageal carcinoma and other types of cancer as well. In this review, we summarize the recent findings about the oncogenic SEs upon which esophageal cancer cells depend, and discuss why SEs could be seen as the hallmark of cancer, how transcriptional dependencies driven by SEs, and what opportunities could be supplied based on this cancer-specific SEs.
Case report: Significant response to PD-L1 inhibitor after resistance to PD-1 inhibitor in an advanced alpha-fetoprotein-positive gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Liyu , Feng Ying , Huang Anquan , Shi Jianming , Zhang Qinying , Zhu Fan , Lv Bin , Guo Fen , Zou Tianming , Zhang Luyao
Published: October 2022

Alpha-fetoprotein-positive gastric cancer (AFPGC) is a type of gastric cancer with a high degree of malignancy. The disease is more common in the elderly, with a high prevalence in males and generally atypical clinical manifestations. For advanced patients, the current treatment options are limited and, to date, few cases of advanced AFPGC have been treated successfully with conventional chemotherapy. With the development of molecular biology and immunology, tumor immunotherapy offers more therapeutic options to patients with advanced gastric cancer. This study describes a case of advanced gastric cancer in a young woman with a high blood alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level (>54,000 ng/mL). The patient showed initial promising results when programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor treatment was combined with chemotherapy after systemic chemotherapy failed. When the disease progressed again after 129 days, adjustment of the treatment regimen to Atezolizumab in combination with Irinotecan and Surufatinib capsules achieved partial remission (PR). There were no immune-related pneumonia, myocarditis, or other adverse effects observed. The patient currently has an overall survival of more than 14 months. This case demonstrated that switching from PD-1 inhibitor to programmed cell death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor therapy may overcome potential resistance. It providing a reference for immunotherapy of patients with AFP-positive advanced gastric cancer.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors in cervical cancer: Current status and research progress
Authors: Xie Yunkai , Kong Weimin , Zhao Xiaoling , Zhang He , Luo Dan , Chen Shuning
Published: October 2022

Cervical cancer is the second most common gynecological malignant tumor endangering the health of women worldwide. Despite advances in the therapeutic strategies available to treat cervical cancer, the long-term prognosis of patients with recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown encouraging efficacy in the treatment of cervical cancer. ICIs have been approved for use in both first- and second-line cervical cancer therapies. This review summarizes the current knowledge of ICIs and the application of ICIs in clinical trials for the treatment of cervical cancer.
Multilevel evolution shapes the function of NB-LRR encoding genes in plant innate immunity
Authors: Ercolano Maria Raffaella , D’Esposito Daniela , Andolfo Giuseppe , Frusciante Luigi
Published: October 2022

A sophisticated innate immune system based on diverse pathogen receptor genes (PRGs) evolved in the history of plant life. To reconstruct the direction and magnitude of evolutionary trajectories of a given gene family, it is critical to detect the ancestral signatures. The rearrangement of functional domains made up the diversification found in PRG repertoires. Structural rearrangement of ancient domains mediated the NB-LRR evolutionary path from an initial set of modular proteins. Events such as domain acquisition, sequence modification and temporary or stable associations are prominent among rapidly evolving innate immune receptors. Over time PRGs are continuously shaped by different forces to find their optimal arrangement along the genome. The immune system is controlled by a robust regulatory system that works at different scales. It is important to understand how the PRG interaction network can be adjusted to meet specific needs. The high plasticity of the innate immune system is based on a sophisticated functional architecture and multi-level control. Due to the complexity of interacting with diverse pathogens, multiple defense lines have been organized into interconnected groups. Genomic architecture, gene expression regulation and functional arrangement of PRGs allow the deployment of an appropriate innate immunity response.
Comparative changes in sugars and lipids show evidence of a critical node for regeneration in safflower seeds during aging
Authors: Zhou Lanyu , Lu Lijie , Chen Chao , Zhou Tao , Wu Qinghua , Wen Feiyan , Chen Jiang , Pritchard Hugh W. , Peng Cheng , Pei Jin , Yan Jie
Published: October 2022

During seed aging, there is a critical node (CN) where the population viability drops sharply. Exploring the specific locations of the CN in different species of plants is crucial for understanding the biological storage properties of seeds and refining seed life span management. Safflower, a bulk oil crop that relies on seeds for propagation, has a short seed life. However, at present, its biological characteristics during storage are not clear, especially the changes in metabolic capability and cell structures. Such knowledge is needed to improve the management of safflower seed life span and effective preservation in gene banks. Here, the seed survival curve of oilseed safflower under the controlled deterioration conditions of 60% relative humidity and 50°C was detected. The seed population showed an inverted S shape for the fall in germination. In the first 12 days of aging, germination remained above 86%. Prior to the CN at approximately day 10 (C10), when viability was in the “plateau” interval, seed vigor reduced at the same imbibition time point. Further analysis of the changes in sugar concentration found that the sucrose content decreased slowly with aging and the content of raffinose and two monosaccharides decreased abruptly at C10. Differentially metabolized lipids, namely lysophospholipids [lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lyso-phosphatidylethanolamines (LPE)] and PMeOH, increased at day 3 of aging (C3). Fatty acid content increased by C6, and the content of phospholipids [phosphatidylcholines (PC), phosphatidylethanolamines (PE), and phosphatidylinositols (PI) and glycolipids [digalactosyl diacylglycerol, monogalactosyl diacylglycerol, and sulphoquinovosyl diglycerides (SQDG)] decreased significantly from C10. In addition, the activities of raffinose hydrolase alpha-galactosidase and the glyoxylate key enzyme isocitrate lyase decreased with seed aging. Confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed shrinkage of the seed plasma membrane at C10 and the later fragmentation. Seedling phenotypic indicators and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride activity assays also verified that there were significant changes in seeds quality at the CN. In summary, the time point C10 is a CN during seed population aging. Before the CN, sugar and lipid metabolism, especially fatty acid metabolism into sugar, can make up for the energy consumed by aging. After this point, the seeds were irreversibly damaged, and their viability was greatly and rapidly reduced as the cell structure became increasingly destroyed.
Comparative transcriptome profiling and weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify core genes in maize (Zea mays L.) silks infected by multiple fungi
Authors: Kumar Amrendra , Kanak Kanak Raj , Arunachalam Annamalai , Dass Regina Sharmila , Lakshmi P. T. V.
Published: October 2022

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most popular Poaceae crop after wheat and rice and used in feed and pharmaceutical sectors. The maize silk contains bioactive components explored by traditional Chinese herbal medicine for various pharmacological activities. However, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium verticillioides, Trichoderma atroviride, and Ustilago maydis can infect the maize, produce mycotoxins, hamper the quantity and quality of silk production, and further harm the primary consumer’s health. However, the defense mechanism is not fully understood in multiple fungal infections in the silk of Z. mays. In this study, we applied bioinformatics approaches to use the publicly available transcriptome data of Z. mays silk affected by multiple fungal flora to identify core genes involved in combatting disease response. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified among intra- and inter-transcriptome data sets of control versus infected Z. mays silks. Upon further comparison between up- and downregulated genes within the control of datasets, 4,519 upregulated and 5,125 downregulated genes were found. The DEGs have been compared with genes in the modules of weighted gene co-expression network analysis to relevant specific traits towards identifying core genes. The expression pattern of transcription factors, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZyme), and resistance genes was analyzed. The present investigation is supportive of our findings that the gene ontology, immunity stimulus, and resistance genes are upregulated, but physical and metabolic processes such as cell wall organizations and pectin synthesis were downregulated respectively. Our results are indicative that terpene synthase TPS6 and TPS11 are involved in the defense mechanism against fungal infections in maize silk.
Adaptation and validation of two annotation scales for assessing social skills in a corpus of multimodal collaborative interactions
Authors: Hamet Bagnou Jennifer , Prigent Elise , Martin Jean-Claude , Clavel Céline
Published: October 2022

Context

Behavioral observation scales are important for understanding and assessing social skills. In the context of collaborative problem-solving (CPS) skills, considered essential in the 21st century, there are no validated scales in French that can be adapted to different CPS tasks. The aim of this study is to adapt and validate, by annotating a new video corpus of dyadic interactions that we have collected, two observational scales allowing us to qualitatively assess CPS skills: the Social Performance Rating Scale (SPRS) and the Social Skills of Collaboration Scale (SSC).

Method

The construct validity of these two scales was assessed by exploratory factor analysis and inter-item correlations. We also checked inter-judge agreement using inter-class correlation coefficients. Internal consistency was determined using Cronbach’s alpha and convergent and divergent validity by assessing correlations between the two scales and measures of depression and alexithymia. Finally, the discriminative properties of the two scales were analyzed by comparing the scores obtained by a group of anxious individuals and a non-anxious control group.

Results

The results show that our two scales have excellent inter-item correlations. Internal consistency is excellent (alpha SPRS =0.90; SSC = 0.93). Inter-rater agreement ranged from moderate to high. Finally, convergent validity was significant with the alexithymia scale, as was divergent validity with the depression scale. Anxious individuals had lower scores on both scales than non-anxious individuals.

Conclusion

Both scales show good psychometric properties for assessing social skills relevant to different collaborative tasks. They also identify individuals with difficulties in social interaction. Thus, they could allow monitoring the effectiveness of training social skills useful in CPS.
Understanding interaction rituals: The impact of interaction ritual chains of the live broadcast on people’s wellbeing
Authors: Meng Lu , Zhao Yijun , Jiang Yushi , Bie Yongyue , Li Jingpeng
Published: October 2022

With the global pandemic of COVID-19, it has been striking psychological burdens on individuals. Under this background, more and more people get wellbeing by watching live broadcasts. However, the psychological mechanism behind this phenomenon is still a black box. This study finds that when people watch a live broadcast and interact with anchors and other people, an interaction ritual chain is formed, and emotional energy is generated, thus making people experience and understand the meaning of the live interaction ritual chains. Under the effect of the meaning transfer model, people will generate wellbeing. Specifically, the basic meaning of live interaction (emotional meaning and functional meaning) drives people’s generation of wellbeing. The meanings of self-participation, self-display, self-concept, and self-renewal play a role in mediation in enhancing people’s wellbeing with the basic meaning of live broadcast interaction.
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on disgust sensitivity in a sample of UK adults
Authors: Carr Peter , Breese Emily , Heath Christopher J. , McMullan Rachel
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the introduction of a range of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures that resulted in dramatic changes in people's lives however these IPC measures are not practiced consistently across the population. One predictor of an individual's responses to the pandemic is disgust sensitivity. Understanding how disgust sensitivity varies within the population could help to inform design of public health messages to promote more uniform behavioral change during future pandemics. To understand the effect of the current COVID-19 pandemic on an individual's pathogen disgust sensitivity we have compared pathogen disgust sensitivity during the current COVID-19 pandemic to baseline pathogen disgust sensitivity, determined prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the same sample of UK adults. We find that the COVID-19 pandemic did not alter overall pathogen disgust sensitivity suggesting that disgust sensitivity is stable despite IPC measures, public health messaging, media coverage and other factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
MXene-based flexible sensors: A review
Authors: Hajian Sajjad , Maddipatla Dinesh , Narakathu Binu B. , Atashbar Massood Z.
Published: October 2022

MXenes are an emerging family of two-dimensional (2D) materials which exhibits unique characteristics such as metal-like thermal and electrical conductivity, huge surface area, biocompatibility, low toxicity, excellent electrochemical performance, remarkable chemical stability, antibacterial activity, and hydrophilicity. Initially, MXene materials were synthesized by selectively etching metal layers from MAX phases, layered transition metal carbides, and carbonitrides with hydrofluoric acid. Multiple novel synthesis methods have since been developed for the creation of MXenes with improved surface chemistries using non-aqueous etchants, molten salts, fluoride salts, and various acid halogens. Due to the promising potential of MXenes, they have emerged as attractive 2D materials with applications in various fields such as energy storage, sensing, and biomedical. This review provides a comprehensive overview of MXenes and discusses the synthesis and properties of MXenes, including the methods of etching, delamination, and modification/functionalization, as well as the electrical properties of MXenes. Following this, the recent advances in the development of various MXene-based sensors are presented. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for future research on the development of MXenes-based sensors are discussed.
Comparison of Heat-Treated and Unheated Vermicompost on Biological Properties of Calcareous Soil and Aloe Vera Growth under Greenhouse Conditions in a Mediterranean Climate
Authors: Tavali Ismail Emrah , Ok Huseyin
Published: October 2022

Determining how intermittently applied heat treatment during the preparation of vermicompost changes the effectiveness of the fertilizer is a challenge. In this study, organic Aloe vera was grown using heat-treated cattle manure vermicompost (IVC) and unheated cattle manure vermicompost (VC). Additionally, these two vermicomposts were combined with vermiwash (LV) and applied to the soil. Thus, the cumulative effect of vermicompost on soil biological properties (number of bacteria, dehydrogenase, urease, alkaline phosphatase, β-glycosidase) and plant growth (plant height, number of leaves, leaf biomass yield, number of suckers, fresh gel weight) was investigated. According to the results obtained, it was understood that HVC-30+LV, HVC-60+LV, and VC-60+LV applications were more effective on soil biological properties. On the other hand, HVC-30+LV and HVC-60+LV applications were found to be effective on plant growth. In addition, increases of 140% in soil bacterial number, 170% in dehydrogenase activity, 125% in urease activity, 122% in alkaline phosphatase activity, 123% in β-glycosidase activity, 65% in plant height, and 45% in leaf biomass yield and wet gel weight were observed. Accordingly, it can be stated that heat-treated cattle manure vermicompost applied to the soil at a rate of 30 t ha−1 together with vermiwash is beneficial for improving the biological properties of calcareous soil and for organic Aloe vera cultivation.
Multi-Angle Fast Neural Tangent Kernel Classifier
Authors: Zhai Yuejing , Li Zhouzheng , Liu Haizhong
Published: October 2022

Multi-kernel learning methods are essential kernel learning methods. Still, the base kernel functions in most multi-kernel learning methods only with select kernel functions with shallow structures, which are weak for large-scale uneven data. We propose two types of acceleration models from a multidimensional perspective of the data: the neural tangent kernel (NTK)-based multi-kernel learning method is proposed, where the NTK kernel regressor is shown to be equivalent to an infinitely wide neural network predictor, and the NTK with deep structure is used as the base kernel function to enhance the learning ability of multi-kernel models; and a parallel computing kernel model based on data partitioning techniques. An RBF, POLY-based multi-kernel model is also proposed. All models use historical memory-based PSO (HMPSO) for efficient search of parameters within the model. Since NTK has a multi-layer structure and thus has a significant computational complexity, the use of a Monotone Disjunctive Kernel (MDK) to store and train Boolean features in binary achieves a 15–60% training time compression of NTK models in different datasets while obtaining a 1–25% accuracy improvement.
The Application of the Foam Technology to the Dust Control for Reducing the Dust Injury of Coal Mines
Authors: Ji Ming , Sun Zhongguang , Guo Hongjun
Published: October 2022

Mine dust is one of the main disasters that threatens the safety of coal mine production, deteriorates the underground working environment and induces various occupational diseases. Based on the harm of mine dust identified and the current domestic and foreign dust-proof technology, the technical research of the foam dust reduction is reviewed; the advantages and disadvantages of foam dust reduction are also discussed. According to the experimental exploration and the study of foam flow characteristics, the process of foam device and foam nozzle separation was adopted, and some site tests were conducted in fully mechanized mining and excavation working faces in Zhangcun, Shanjiaoshu and Jinjia coal mines. The foam technology led to a 59.5% dust removal efficiency in Zhangcun coal mine, which is much higher than the dust removal efficiency of the water spray dust reduction. The efficiency of total mine dust in Shanjiaoshu coal mine reached as high as 72%, and the efficiency of respirable mine dust reached 67%. Compared with the circumstance with no dust-control measure, the average density of the total mine dust in Jinjia coal mine decreased by 22.75~32.95% using foam technology. The results show that the use of the foam to inhibit the transformation of mine dust from the source of dust production to the floating state and the efficiency of dust control is greatly improved. This method can effectively reduce the mine dust density in underground mining and excavation working faces, clean the working environments, and guarantee the health of miners. The research results are of great significance for improving the production conditions of mining and excavating face and building green mines and standardized mines. Moreover, foam technology for dust control has been widely used in coal mines.
Fast 3D Face Reconstruction from a Single Image Using Different Deep Learning Approaches for Facial Palsy Patients
Authors: Nguyen Duc-Phong , Nguyen Tan-Nhu , Dakpé Stéphanie , Ho Ba Tho Marie-Christine , Dao Tien-Tuan
Published: October 2022

The 3D reconstruction of an accurate face model is essential for delivering reliable feedback for clinical decision support. Medical imaging and specific depth sensors are accurate but not suitable for an easy-to-use and portable tool. The recent development of deep learning (DL) models opens new challenges for 3D shape reconstruction from a single image. However, the 3D face shape reconstruction of facial palsy patients is still a challenge, and this has not been investigated. The contribution of the present study is to apply these state-of-the-art methods to reconstruct the 3D face shape models of facial palsy patients in natural and mimic postures from one single image. Three different methods (3D Basel Morphable model and two 3D Deep Pre-trained models) were applied to the dataset of two healthy subjects and two facial palsy patients. The reconstructed outcomes were compared to the 3D shapes reconstructed using Kinect-driven and MRI-based information. As a result, the best mean error of the reconstructed face according to the Kinect-driven reconstructed shape is 1.5±1.1 mm. The best error range is 1.9±1.4 mm when compared to the MRI-based shapes. Before using the procedure to reconstruct the 3D faces of patients with facial palsy or other facial disorders, several ideas for increasing the accuracy of the reconstruction can be discussed based on the results. This present study opens new avenues for the fast reconstruction of the 3D face shapes of facial palsy patients from a single image. As perspectives, the best DL method will be implemented into our computer-aided decision support system for facial disorders.
Chick Early Amniotic Fluid (ceAF) Deters Tumorigenesis via Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis
Authors: Ahmad Mashaal , Yu Jia , Cheng Sha , Khan Zara Ahmad , Luo Yan , Luo Heng
Published: October 2022

In recent years, amniotic fluids have gained attention in cancer research. They have an influential role in protecting embryos against several anomalies. Chick early amniotic fluid (ceAF)—amniotic fluid isolated from growing chicken—has been used in many other studies, including myocardial infarctions and skin regeneration. In this study, we employed ceAF’s promising therapeutic applications against tumorigenesis in both in vitro and in vivo studies. We selected three robust proliferating tumor cell lines: BCaP37, MCF7, and RKO. We found that selective dosage is required to obtain maximum impact to deter tumorigenesis. ceAF not only disrupted the uniform colonies of tumor cell lines via disturbing mitochondrial transmembrane potential, but also arrested many cells at growing G1 state via working agonistically with aphidicolin. The significant inhibition of tumor metastasis by ceAF was indicated by in vivo models. This leads to apoptosis analysis as verified by annexin-V staining stays and immunoblotting of critical proteins as cell cycle meditators and apoptosis regulators. Not only on the protein level, but we also tested ceAF’s therapeutic potentials on mRNA levels as indicated by quantitative real-time PCR summarizing the promising role of ceAF in deterring tumor progression. In conclusion, our study reveals the potent role of ceAF against tumorigenesis in breast cancer and colon carcinoma. Further studies will be required to determine the critical components present in ceAF and its purification to narrow down this study.
Intersubject Variability in Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics and Systemic Physiology during a Verbal Fluency Task under Colored Light Exposure: Clustering of Subjects by Unsupervised Machine Learning
Authors: Zohdi Hamoon , Natale Luciano , Scholkmann Felix , Wolf Ursula
Published: October 2022

There is large intersubject variability in cerebrovascular hemodynamic and systemic physiological responses induced by a verbal fluency task (VFT) under colored light exposure (CLE). We hypothesized that machine learning would enable us to classify the response patterns and provide new insights into the common response patterns between subjects. In total, 32 healthy subjects (15 men and 17 women, age: 25.5 ± 4.3 years) were exposed to two different light colors (red vs. blue) in a randomized cross-over study design for 9 min while performing a VFT. We used the systemic physiology augmented functional near-infrared spectroscopy (SPA-fNIRS) approach to measure cerebrovascular hemodynamics and oxygenation at the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and visual cortex (VC) concurrently with systemic physiological parameters. We found that subjects were suitably classified by unsupervised machine learning into different groups according to the changes in the following parameters: end-tidal carbon dioxide, arterial oxygen saturation, skin conductance, oxygenated hemoglobin in the VC, and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the PFC. With hard clustering methods, three and five different groups of subjects were found for the blue and red light exposure, respectively. Our results highlight the fact that humans show specific reactivity types to the CLE-VFT experimental paradigm.
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Treatment Increases 7 Alpha Hy-Droxy-3-Oxo-4-Cholestenoic Acid and 24-Hydroxycholesterol Concentrations in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Authors: Porru Emanuele , Edström Erik , Arvidsson Lisa , Elmi-Terander Adrian , Fletcher-Sandersjöö Alexander , Sandblom Anita Lövgren , Hansson Magnus , Duell Frida , Björkhem Ingemar
Published: October 2022

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is the most common form of hydrocephalus in the adult population, and is often treated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage using a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Symptoms of iNPH include gait impairment, cognitive decline, and urinary incontinence. The pathophysiology behind the symptoms of iNPH is still unknown, and no reliable biomarkers have been established to date. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible use of the oxysterols as biomarkers in this disease. CSF levels of the oxysterols 24S- and 27-hydroxycholesterol, as well as the major metabolite of 27-hydroxycholesterol, 7 alpha hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoic acid (7HOCA), were measured in iNPH-patients before and after treatment with a VP-shunt. Corresponding measurements were also performed in healthy controls. VP-shunt treatment significantly increased the levels of 7HOCA and 24S-hydroxycholesterol in CSF (p = 0.014 and p = 0.037, respectively). The results are discussed in relation to the beneficial effects of VP-shunt treatment. Furthermore, the possibility that CSF drainage may reduce an inhibitory effect of transiently increased pressure on the metabolic capacity of neuronal cells in the brain is discussed. This capacity includes the elimination of cholesterol by the 24S-hydroxylase mechanisms.
Pathologic Predictors of Response to Treatment of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–Induced Kidney Injury
Authors: Abudayyeh Ala , Suo Liye , Lin Heather , Mamlouk Omar , Abdel-Wahab Noha , Tchakarov Amanda
Published: October 2022

Background: Immune-related adverse events are a management challenge in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The most common renal immune-related adverse event, acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), is associated with patient morbidity and mortality. AIN, characterized by infiltration of renal tissue with immune cells, may be analogous to kidney transplant rejection. We evaluated clinical variables and pathologic findings to identify predictors of renal response and overall survival (OS) in patients with ICI-induced AIN. Design, setting, participants, and measurements: We reviewed the records and biopsy specimens of all 35 patients treated for ICI-induced AIN at our institution, between August 2007 and August 2020, who had biopsy specimens available. Two board-certified renal pathologists graded the severity of inflammation and chronicity using transplant rejection Banff criteria and performed immunohistochemistry analysis. Patients were categorized as renal responders if creatinine had any improvement or returned to baseline within 3 months of initiating treatment for AIN. Clinical and pathologic characteristics and OS were compared between responders and non-responders. Results: Patients with high levels of interstitial fibrosis were less likely to be responders than those with less fibrosis (p = 0.02). Inflammation, tubulitis, the number of eosinophils and neutrophils, and the clustering or presence of CD8+, CD4+, CD20+, or CD68+ cells were not associated with renal response. Responders had better OS than non-responders (12-month OS rate 77% compared with 27%, p = 0.025). Responders who received concurrent ICIs had the best OS, and non-responders who did not receive concurrent ICIs had the worst OS (12-month OS rate 100% for renal response and concurrent ICIs, 72% for renal response and no concurrent ICIs, and 27% for no renal response and no concurrent ICIs; p = 0.041). Conclusions: This is the first analysis of ICI induced nephritis where a detailed pathological and clinical evaluation was performed to predict renal response. Low levels of interstitial fibrosis in kidney tissue are associated with renal response to treatment for ICI-induced AIN, and the renal response and use of concurrent ICIs are associated with better OS in these patients. Our findings highlight the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of ICI-AIN, while continuing concurrent ICI therapy.
Tumor Necrosis Factor: What Is in a Name?
Authors: Wang Xinming , Yang Chunlan , Körner Heinrich , Ge Chaoliang
Published: October 2022

Tumor Necrosis Factor was one of the first cytokines described in the literature as a soluble mediator of cytotoxicity to tumors. Over the years, more extensive research that tried to employ Tumor Necrosis Factor in cancer treatments showed nevertheless that it mainly functioned as a proinflammatory cytokine. However, this did not stop the search for the holy grail of cancer research: A cytokine that could act as a one-stop treatment for solid tumors and lymphomas. This review will summarize the long experimental history of Tumor Necrosis Factor that caused the initial observations of a tumor necrotizing cytokine that could serve as a potential cancer treatment and discuss the current state of research into this side of the activities of Tumor Necrosis Factor.
Sialendoscopy in Management of Juvenile Recurrent Parotitis—A Single Centre Experience
Authors: Pušnik Luka , Jerman Anže , Urbančič Jure , Aničin Aleksandar
Published: October 2022

Juvenile recurrent parotitis is a rare inflammatory disease of the parotid gland that shares diverse therapeutic management between institutions. Sialendoscopy has been demonstrated as an efficient diagnostics and therapeutic method with minimal complications; however, due to the rarity of the disease and limited data, there is a lack of universal guidelines on its optimal management. Herein, we retrospectively analysed patients with juvenile recurrent parotitis who had the sialendoscopy performed at our tertiary centre. Descriptive data were retrieved along with the number of swelling episodes one year before and after the sialendoscopy intervention. In the last decade, twenty-nine sialendoscopic procedures were performed at our clinics on twenty-one patients diagnosed with juvenile recurrent parotitis. Most of them underwent the procedure under general anaesthesia (86%). In the year before and after the sialendoscopic procedure, the patients had 3.9 ± 2.7 and 0.2 ± 0.4 episodes of swelling per year, respectively. The difference proved to be statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The complete resolution was noted in sixteen patients (76%); however, the procedure was not repeated on the same side of any patient. Solely one patient had a relapse of the disease reported more than twelve months after the sialendoscopy, nonetheless, one of his exacerbation episodes was already reported in the first year after the sialendoscopy. The mean follow-up period of patients was 48.6 months (range, 13–116 months). All things considered, this study emphasises sialendoscopy as an effective minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the management of juvenile recurrent parotitis.
How Trade Dampens the Impact of Financial Frictions in the Presence of Large Firms
Authors: Vavoura Chara
Published: October 2022

In this paper we aim, first, to examine how an economy’s financial development affects the welfare gains from trade and, second, to uncover how large firms threaten to suppress these gains, through the exertion of market power and their confirmed preferential access to liquidity. To this purpose, we propose a theoretical model of international trade with financial constraints, which are different between large oligopolists and small monopolistic competitors. We show that trade diminishes the impact of credit misallocation and financial frictions and creates welfare gains by intensifying selection and boosting competition. We find that welfare gains are higher under harsher domestic distortions, meaning that trade particularly benefits developing economies, acting as a substitute for financial development. Nevertheless, in the shadow of large firms, gains from trade are diminished, even more so when such firms are rare and, therefore, more powerful. We conclude that international trade is a prerequisite for financial and economic development but the benefits from globalization are not fully reaped unless large-firm entry and competition are facilitated. We trust that our findings are extremely relevant for developing economies, which are often export-oriented, but, at the same time, suffer from severe credit market inefficiencies and a shortage of large incumbents.
A Systematic Review of Curriculum Sustainability at University: A Key Challenge for Improving the Professional Development of Teachers of the Future
Authors: Lorente-Echeverría Silvia , Murillo-Pardo Berta , Canales-Lacruz Inma
Published: October 2022

This article presents a systematic literature review on curriculum sustainability in the initial education of primary school teachers. It analyses aspects related to the methodologies, keywords, geographical area, scope, theoretical frameworks of reference and main existing lines of research obtained from 38 documents between 2015 and 2021. Some research questions were as follows: What methodologies does it relate to? Are there elements that facilitate or hinder the development of curricular sustainability? What impact are programmes developing curricular sustainability having? Some of the results were as follows: (a) most of the documents analysed were published in Europe; (b) the main theme was the promotion of a committed and collective education; (c) approaches have to be based on sustainability competencies; (d) there was a lack of knowledge about sustainability competencies, a lack of training in education for sustainable development (ESD), and a lack of systemic and creative thinking; and (e) there is a need for ESD training to enhance knowledge and to develop sustainability competencies. In conclusion, the priority is to develop interdisciplinary, holistic and active methodology-based programmes that integrate deep changes throughout education. Study programmes should be modified in order to have a positive impact on the development of ESD.