bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empang Parit as Silvofishery Model to Support Conserving Mangrove and Increasing Economic Benefit of Social Community
Authors: Hilmi Endang , Nugroho Setiyo , Sudiana Eming
Published: April 2022

Mangrove, estuary and lagoon ecosystem can be used as the aquatic organism habitat. These ecosystems also have good suitability to support activity of silvofishery system.  Empang parit as a model of silvofishery using  the integrating between the conservation activity of mangrove and aquatic ecosystem with increasing of benefit income for  fisherman. This research aimed to analyze the model and pattern of empang parit, environment factor of empang parit and benefit cost analysis of empang parit. The research used vegetation analysis, water quality analysis, cash flow analysis, satellite image analysis, and geographical information analysis.  The research explained  that empang parit  required water  temperatur between 29 – 32.6oC, water brightnes between 30 – 60 cm, water salinity between 15 -32 ppt, pH between 7 – 81 and dissolve oxygen between 3.9 – 8.3 mg/L.The empang parit also need  Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Heritiera littoralis and Excoecaria agallocha, Rhizophora mucronata and  Rhizophora apiculate to cover empang parit system.  And empang parit gave postive economic value based on value of  NPV between 2.754.703–3.871.542 IDR, IRR between 21–48 and  R/C between 2.26–2.32.Keywords :      Empang parit;  silvofishery system;  economic valuation;  water quality;  mangrove coverage
Responses of Seagrass Amphibolis antarctica Roots to Nutrient Additions Along a Salinity Gradient in Shark Bay, Western Australia
Authors: Rifai Husen , Zulpikar Firman , Safaat Muhammad , Renyaan Jeverson , Alifatri Laode , Rasyidin Asep
Published: April 2022

Seagrass meadows in oligotrophic environments are particularly susceptible to nutrient enrichment, yet morphological and architectural seagrass root responses in these ecosystems are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the response of Amphibolis antarctica, one of dominant seagrass species in Shark Bay, roots to nutrient additions along a salinity gradient in the oligotrophic ecosystem of Shark Bay, Western Australia. A fully factorial nutrient additional experiment with four treatments (Control, N, P and N+P) was conducted at each of five sites along a salinity gradient (between ~38ppt in site 1 and ~50ppt in site 5) in Shark Bay across a three-year period (2012-2015). In the laboratory, the roots morphology and architecture A. antarctica were investigated using a software (WinRhizo). Then, a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to investigate if there was a significant change in the morphology and architecture of the roots after the nutrient inputs and along five sites with salinity gradient. There was no significant impact of nutrient addition on the root’s morphology and architecture of A. antarctica species. However, the effect of site factor with salinity gradient was significant to all morphological aspects (total root length, root surface area and root diameter) of A. antarctica roots. These findings highlight the more ecological function of A. antarctica roots being in anchoring of the plant into the seafloor rather than to absorb nutrient from the sediment.Keywords: Nutrient addition, Oligotrophic habitats, Amphibolis antarctica, Shark Bay
Overexpression of a Membrane Transport System MSMEG_1381 and MSMEG_1382 Confers Multidrug Resistance in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: S Salini , Muralikrishnan Balaji , Bhat Sinchana , Ajay Kumar R , Kurthkoti Krishna
Published: April 2022

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a leading cause of human mortality worldwide and the emergence of drug-resistantstrains, demands the discovery of new classes of antimycobacterials that can be employed in the therapeutic pipeline. Previously, a secondary metabolite Chrysomycin A, isolated from Streptomyces sp. OA161 was shown to have potent bactericidal activity against drug-resistant clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis and different species of mycobacteria. The antibiotic inhibits the mycobacterial topoisomerase I and DNA gyrase leading to bacterial death, but the mechanisms that could cause resistance are currently unknown. To further understand the resistance mechanism, spontaneous resistance mutants were isolated and subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Mutation in a TetR family transcriptional regulator MSMEG_1380 was identified in the resistant isolates and was close to an operon encoding membrane protein MSMEG_1381 and MSMEG_1382. Sequence analysis and modeling studies indicated that they are components of the Mmp family of efflux pumps and over-expression of either the operon or individual genes conferred resistance to chrysomycin A, isoniazid, and ethambutol that are in TB therapy. Our study highlights the role of membrane transporter proteins in conferring multiple drug resistance and the utility of recombinant strains overexpressing membrane transporters in the drug screening pipeline.
Mini Special Issue on Studies of Historical and Archaeological Materials for Disaster Research
Authors: Ebara Masaharu , Satake Kenji
Published: April 2022

Japan is a country that experiences a considerable number of natural disasters. It sees frequent seismic and volcanic activity because it is located on the boundaries of multiple plates. In addition, the temperate monsoon climate brings heavy rains and therefore floods and landslides. Since ancient times, the Japanese have repeatedly recovered from various natural disasters. That history has much to teach those living alive now.

In Japan, observation systems for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have been set up, and research based on the records of these instruments is actively being done. However, some earthquakes and eruptions repeat at intervals of hundreds of years, making the investigation of historical and archaeological materials essential if the true circumstances of such natural events and damage they caused are to be learned. A part of the historical disaster research currently being conducted in Japan is presented in this mini special issue.

This mini special issue contains four papers. Ebara’s paper, taking up the ways in which artificial development has transformed the topography in the last 500 years, considers the relationship between the original topography and the damage caused by typhoons. Kaneko’s contribution considers the damage sustained by one village that was hit by the tsunami that resulted from the great earthquake in the early 18th century. Kaneko surveys archaeological sites and tombstones that reveal that many of the victims were women and children. Sugimori et al. elucidate the exact time of the great earthquake in the 19th century by using historical materials written in Japanese, English, and Russian. Along with the importance of comparing and contrasting various literatures, the work teaches us that disasters have no borders. Murata proposes a method of utilizing archaeological excavations in earthquake research. It also presents a case in which the condition of the ground, which cannot be understood by surface observation alone, is estimated from traces of a disaster.

From these papers, readers can learn the potential of historical and archaeological materials in disaster research.
The Construction of the Historical Disaster Evidence Database and its Effectiveness
Authors: Murata Taisuke ,   Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties  2-9-1 Nijocho, Nara, Nara 630-8577, Japan
Published: April 2022

Evidence of past earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods has been discovered during archaeological excavations. The Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (hereafter referred to as “NABUNKEN”) has been constructing and releasing the “Historical Disaster Evidence Database” constructed upon Geographic Information System (GIS; hereafter referred to as “HDE-GISdb”) by compiling disaster evidence information from excavation sites throughout Japan. Through this initiative, we aim to build an information infrastructure that will facilitate not only the elucidation of disaster occurrence mechanisms and local disaster histories but also disaster prevention and mitigation research. This paper discusses the effectiveness of HDE-GISdb using a case study of the Palace and Capital of Nagaoka sites in Kyoto Prefecture to visualize potential hazards, which cannot be read from topography, by disaster evidence recorded in Holocene and Pleistocene deposits.
Pronóstico de caninos impactados según su posición en el maxilar superior mediante diferentes análisis radiográficos
Authors: Diaz-Reissner Clarisse , Pistilli Elke , Caje Rodrigo , Maldonado Clara , Jolay Elena , Ferreira-Gaona Marta
Published: April 2022

Introducción: La impactación de los caninos es una anomalía en la que el diente se halla impedido para erupcionar. Se da cuando la erupción ha demorado y existe evidencia radiográfica. Objetivo: Determinar el pronóstico de caninos impactados según su posición en el maxilar mediante diferentes análisis: Ericson & Kurol, Warford y Power & Short; en pacientes que acuden a consultorios privados en la ciudad de Asunción de los años 2015 al 2020. Metodología: El diseño es observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, mediante mediciones en radiografías panorámicas. Resultados: La muestra fue de 37 pacientes, y de 48 caninos. Se encontró que la presencia de caninos impactados fue más frecuente en mujeres (69,44%), con ubicación unilateral (70,27%) y posición palatina (68,75%). En más de la mitad de los casos los pronósticos fueron desfavorables, sin embargo, la concordancia fue del 75,00%. Hubo mayor concordancia en el pronóstico de Warford con el de Power & Short (95,91%), mientras que la concordancia fue menor con el de Ericson & Kurol (81,25%) Conclusión: La frecuencia de caninos impactados en una muestra paraguaya fue mayor en mujeres, ubicados unilateralmente y posicionados por palatino. Siendo desfavorable en más de la mitad de los casos. Se sugiere combinar los análisis para pronósticos.
French Versus Esi: Comparison Between Two Nurse Triage Emergency Scales With Referent Scenarios
Authors: AUBRION ANTOINE , CLANET Romain , JOURDAN Jean Pierre , CREVEUIL Christian , ROUPIE Eric , MACREZ Richard
Published: April 2022

OBJECTIVES: Acute triage is needed to prioritize care and achieve optimal resource allocation in busy emergency departments. The main objective is to compare the FRench Emergency Nurse Classification in Hospital scale (FRENCH) to the American scale Emergency Severity Index (ESI). Secondary objectives are to compare for each scale the over and under-triage, the triage matching to the gold standard and the inter-individual sorting reproducibility between the nurses.METHODS: This is a prospective observational study conducting among the nursing staffs and nursing students, selected from Caen University College Hospital and Lisieux Hospital Center emergency departments between two months. Each group individually rank 60 referent clinical cases composed by scales designers. An assessment of scale practicality is collected after for each tool. The collected parameters are analyzed by a Cohen kappa concordance test (κ).RESULTS: With 8101 triage results of gold standard scenarios sorting in two scales by the same nurses, the FRENCH scale seems to give better triage results than the US ESI scale (nurse: FRENCH 60% and ESI 53%, p=0.003 ; nursing students: FRENCH 49% and ESI 42%, p<0.001). In the two groups ESI has also a big tendency to under-sort (p=0.01), particularly for the most severe patients (p<0.01). The interobserver sorting concordance for any experience gives good results for the FRENCH and the ESI without any difference (nurses : FRENCH KPQ=0.72 ESI KPQ=0.78; p=0.32 ; students KPQ=0.44 KPQ=0.55; p=0.22).CONCLUSION: The ESI and FRENCH scales comparison on 8101 sorting results shows direct validity in favor of FRENCH one and similar interobserver agreement for both scales.
A Mycobacterium tuberculosis fingerprint in human breath allows tuberculosis diagnosis
Authors: Mosquera-Restrepo Sergio , Zuberogoïtia Sophie , Gouxette Lucie , Layre Emilie , Gilleron Martine , Stella Alexandre , Burlet-Schiltz Odile , Caro Ana Cecilia , Garcia Luis , Segura César , Jaramillo Carlos Alberto Peláez , Rojas Mauricio , Nigou Jérôme
Published: April 2022

An estimated one third of tuberculosis (TB) cases go undiagnosed or unreported. Sputum samples, widely used for TB diagnosis, are inefficient at detecting infection in children and paucibacillary (smear negative) patients. Indeed, developing point-of-care biomarker-based diagnostics that are not sputum-based is a major priority for the WHO. Here, we tested exhaled breath condensate (EBC) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) molecules and assessed whether this approach allows pulmonary TB diagnosis. Mtb-specific lipids, lipoarabinomannan lipoglycan, and proteins present in EBCs unambiguously differentiate TB patients from controls. We used EBCs to track the longitudinal effects of antibiotic treatment in Mtb-infected children. In addition, Mtb lipoarabinomannan and lipid structure in EBC revealed specific metabolic and biochemical states of Mtb in the human lung. Our data collectively indicate that EBC analysis can unequivocally diagnose TB across all patient populations and monitor treatment efficacy. This affordable, rapid and non-invasive approach seems superior to sputum assays and can potentially easily be implemented at point-of-care.
Spiking attractor model of motor cortex explains modulation of neural and behavioral variability by prior target information
Authors: Rostami Vahid , Rost Thomas , Riehle Alexa , Albada Sacha van , Nawrot Martin
Published: April 2022

When preparing a movement, we often rely on partial or incomplete information, which can decrement task performance. In the behaving monkey we show that the degree of cued target information is reflected in both, neural variability in motor cortex and behavioral reaction times. We study the underlying mechanisms in a spiking motor-cortical attractor model. By introducing a novel and biologically realistic network topology where excitatory neuron clusters are locally balanced with inhibitory neuron clusters we robustly ensure multistable network activity across a wide range of network parameters. In application to the monkey task, the model performs target selection and accurately reproduces the task-epoch dependent reduction of trial-to-trial variability in vivo where the degree of reduction directly reflects the amount of available target information, while spiking irregularity remained constant throughout the task. In the context of incomplete cue information, the increased target selection time of the model explains the increased behavioral reaction time of the monkey. We conclude that context-dependent neural and behavioral variability are a signum of attractor computation in the motor cortex.
A cross-sectional study of clinical, dermoscopic, histopathological, and molecular patterns of scalp melanoma in patients with or without androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Porto Ana Carolina , Blumetti Tatiana Pinto , Calsavara Vinícius Fernando , Torrezan Giovana Tardin , de Paula Cláudia Alessandra Andrade , Lellis Rute , Neto João Pedreira Duprat , Carraro Dirce Maria , Braga Juliana Casagrande Tavoloni
Published: April 2022

Scalp melanoma (SM) has a worse prognosis than melanoma in other locations likely because of late diagnosis due to hair coverage, difficulties in interpreting dermoscopy findings, and its unique molecular profile. We aimed to describe the clinical, histopathological, molecular, and dermoscopic patterns of SM and its relation to androgenetic alopecia/elastosis at the tumor site. Through a retrospective cross-sectional study, we identified all SM diagnosed at the A.C.Camargo Cancer Center between 2008 and 2018. In all, 48 SM were analyzed: 45.8% of which exhibited moderate/severe androgenetic alopecia and 54.1% exhibited elastosis. Androgenetic alopecia/elastosis at the site of the SM was associated with older age (p < 0.001), chronic sun damage (p < 0.001), lentigo maligna subtype (p = 0.029), and photodamaged dermoscopic pattern (p < 0.001). Additionally, 41 cases were evaluated with a 14-gene panel: 53.7% displayed mutations and 46.3% were wild-type. BRAF mutations were most common (77%), with BRAF V600K being more frequent (50%) than BRAF V600E (31.2%). The NF1 gene was evaluated in 40 samples, of which 20% exhibited mutations. SM presents differently in areas covered by hair compared to in areas with androgenetic alopecia. Patients without alopecia may have higher Breslow thickness due to late diagnosis because of hair concealment. The high frequency of detrimental mutations can also explain the poor prognosis of SM.
Impostor Phenomenon is Prevalent in Registered Dietitians: An Exploratory Survey
Authors: Hernandez Jennifer , Lopez Nanette V
Published: April 2022

Background
Currently a hot topic in popular media, impostor phenomenon, also referred to as imposter syndrome, was initially identified among high achieving women who feel undeserving of their successes because they were earned through luck or chance, rather than skill or experience. Prevalence has been identified in many health professions; however, there are no known studies of Registered Dietitians' (RDs) perceptions of impostor phenomenon. This study assesses the following among RDs: (1) prevalence of impostor phenomenon and (2) differences in impostor phenomenon based on highest educational level achieved and years of experience as an RD.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was sent electronically to 5,000 RDs credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration in the United States. Respondents’ agreement with 20 impostor phenomenon statements from the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale were measured. The sum score from the scale was used to classify levels of impostor phenomenon. Descriptive statistics and chi square analyses for comparison were evaluated.
Results
Of the 445 (9%) who began the survey, 266 (5%) completed it and were included in analyses. Over 76% reported at least moderate impostorism. No difference was seen based on educational level (p = .898); however, those with less than five years’ experience identified higher impostor phenomenon (p < .05). Among those with five to 39 years’ experience, over 40% reported moderate impostorism.
Conclusion
Impostor phenomenon is prevalent among Registered Dietitians. Moderate impostorism was pervasive among all those with less than 40 years’ experience and could potentially negatively impact professional practice and patient outcomes. Future research could explore ways to reduce moderate impostor phenomenon in RDs.
Practice makes perfect: Development of microsurgical skills for cataract surgery using a surgical simulator
Authors: Masnik Klara , Pulko Nejc , Sarenac Tomislav , Gracner Tomaz
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUNDOphthalmological procedures are difficult to master due to the complexity of ophthalmological skills. Simulation offers a great opportunity for unlimited practice in a controlled environment. Therefore, simulation is becoming an important part of novel medical curricula. We conducted a prospective randomized controlled study to demonstrate the effects of structured cataract surgery training on the development of eye-hand coordination. METHODSTwenty-eight medical students were randomized to experimental and control groups. Each student completed 4-week structured training on The Eyesi Ophthalmic Surgical Simulator. The control group performed one training the 1st and the 4th week of the study (2 training sessions) and the experimental group completed one training each week of the study (4 training sessions). Every training was composed of 5 different tasks (3 abstract and 2 clinical). In task 1 students practiced basic instrument navigation and in task 2 microsurgical forceps manipulation. In task 3 they performed antitremor training. In clinical tasks, students performed capsulorhexis with premade flap in task 4. In task 5 they had to create a flap themselves. RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in performance between the groups on the first training. Control group improved their score for 16.6 % on their last (second) training and experimental group improved their score for 38.7 % on their last (fourth) training.Comparing last trainings, control group improved their result in tasks 1 and 2, whereas experimental group improved their result in all tasks.CONCLUSIONSWe showed that structured training on a cataract surgery simulator improves students’ microsurgical skills. Both groups improved their performance on the last training. Experimental group with more repetitions surpassed control group with fewer training sessions. Two training sessions were enough to achieve significant improvement in abstract tasks only. However, four repetitions were enough to significantly improve in all tasks. Our study certifies the positive impact of simulator training on microsurgical skills needed in cataract surgery. Furthermore, it shows that such skills could be achieved in students with no preceding cataract training in vivo.
Assessment of kinetic modeling for oxidation of humic substances in mature landfill leachate by solar photocatalysis using ZnO–TiO2
Authors: Nohara Nicoly Milhardo Lourenço , Filho Helcio José Izário , Siqueira Adriano Francisco , de Aguiar Leandro Gonçalves , de Oliveira Gabriel Caracciolo Koenigkam , Nohara Evandro Luís , Alcântara Marco Aurélio Kondracki
Published: April 2022

The treatment of leachate from landfills is an important issue from an environmental point of view, as such leachates are classified as hazardous materials. This issue has received the attention of researchers in several regions of the world, especially in developing countries. Conventional biological treatment of leachate from mature landfills has not yielded consistent results, mainly because of the recalcitrance of humic substances. Little is known about the kinetic complexity of leachate treatment by oxidative methods, representing a barrier to process scale-up from benchtop experiments. In this study, a modeling approach was applied to describe the photodegradation of humic substances in a plug flow reactor connected to a stirred tank. The kinetic model provided an R2 of 0.974. Rate constants for humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids + humans (FAH) were 2.96 and 1.03 × 10− 3 min− 1, respectively. Statistical models for the degradation reaction had R2 values of 0.96 for HA and 0.99 for FAH. Both approaches indicated that HA degradation is greater at acidic pH and higher TiO2 concentrations. FAH degradation was favored by acidic pH and higher ZnO concentrations. Statistical models showed the same significant difference in conversion between replicate runs, suggesting a uniform diffusion of fractions through catalysts.
Improved False-Negative Rates Using a Novel Patient Selection Flowchart in Initially Biopsy-Proven Node-Positive Breast Cancer undergoing Blue-Dye Alone Guided Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Chen Minyan , Li Shengmei , Huang Meng , Guo Jingjing , Huang Xuan , Guo Wenhui , Chen Lili , Lin Yuxiang , Jacobs Lisa , Wang Chuan , Fu Fangmeng
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Current trials support the application of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in node-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with a lower false negative rate (FNR) if dual-tracer (radioisotope and blue-dye) is used. However, radioisotopes are not available in many areas of the world. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of SLNB mapped with methylene-blue-dye alone. Methods: This study enrolled 132 patients with biopsy-proven node-positive breast cancer with a clip placed in the positive node who then received NAC. After chemotherapy and before operation, all patients underwent axillary ultrasound (AUS) assessment and were classified as either negative (AUS-) or positive (AUS+) according to the axillary status. All patients underwent both SLNB and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). SLNB was mapped with methylene-blue-dye alone. FNRs were evaluated on factors potentially affecting false-negative SLN finding.Results: Using methylene-blue-dye alone, the FNR of SLNB was 9.9%. Post-NAC AUS assessment (p=0.009), number of SLNs retrieved (p=0.029), and the retrieved of the clipped node (p=0.086), showed association with FNRs in multivariate analysis. In AUS- group, FNR was as low as 2.5%. In AUS+ group, retrieving ≥4 SLNs including the clipped node improved FNR from 17.1% to 4.8%. A flowchart was designed with the combination of post-NAC AUS assessment, retrieved SLN number, and the retrieved of clipped node further improve overall FNR to 3.3%. Conclusion: In biopsy-proven node-positive breast cancer treated with NAC, using a flowchart to optimize patient selection reduces the FNR of single-tracer (methylene-blue-dye) guided SLNB.
Evaluation of risk factors, causative pathogens, and treatment in recurrent percutaneous nephrostomy catheter-related urinary tract infections in cancer patients
Authors: Mert Duygu , Iskender Gulsen , Kolgelier Servet , Ertek Mustafa
Published: April 2022

Introduction:
In cancer patients, percutaneous nephrostomy (PN) catheters can be used to relieve obstruction from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, thereby improving kidney function and preventing further kidney damage. One of the complications of PN catheters is infections. Recurrent infections may delay chemotherapy, increase antimicrobial resistance with frequent antibiotic use, deteriorate the quality of life of patients, and increase costs. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate risk factors, causative pathogens, and treatment in recurrent PN catheter-related urinary tract infections in cancer patients.
Material and method:
The study had a retrospective design. Cancer patients with PN catheter-associated urinary tract infection who were followed-up in the Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Clinic between 01/01/2012 and 12/31/2021 were included in the study. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows 24.0 was used to compare the statistical data.
Results
The study included 48 patients with recurrent PN catheter-related urinary tract infections and 75 patients without. The total catheterization time, and occurrence of pre-infection catheter replacement, active chemotherapy, and kidney stones were significantly higher in patients with recurrent infection when compared to the other group (P = 0.000, P = 0.000, P = 0.007, and P = 0.018, respectively). ESBL-positive Escherichia coli and ESBL-positive K. pneumoniae were most commonly isolated from the left and right PN catheter urine cultures of patients with recurrent infections. The most commonly used antibiotic in the treatment was ertapenem, followed by meropenem.
Discussion
Long-term use of the PN catheter increases the risk of urinary tract infection and sepsis. In this study, the total catheterization time, and occurrence of pre-infection catheter replacement, active chemotherapy, and kidney stones were found to be risk factors for the development of recurrent PN catheter-related urinary tract infection in cancer patients.
Conclusion
It is important to know the risk factors in recurrent PN catheter-related urinary tract infections in cancer patients, take maximum protective measures, and follow-up. Knowing both the causative profile and the resistance rates will increase the chance of success in the treatment when empirical treatment is required. It should also be noted that these patients should be included in the group of patients who need prophylaxis for urinary tract infection.
A Multimodal Imaging Approach to Assess the Quantitative Biodistribution of a Liposomal Nanoformulation with the antibiotic GSK2485680 (Lipo680)
Authors: Cheng Shih-Hsun , Groseclose Reid , Mininger Cindy , Bergstrom Mats , Zhang Lily , Lenhard Steve C. , Skedzielewski Tinamarie , Comroe Debra , Hong Hyundae , Cui Haifeng , Hoover Jennifer L. , Rittenhouse Steve , Castellino Stephen , Jucker Beat M. , Alsaid Hasan
Published: April 2022

Liposomes are promising targeted drug delivery systems with the potential to improve the efficacy and safety profile of certain classes of drugs. Though attractive, there are unique analytical challenges associated with the development of liposomal drugs including human dose prediction given these are multi-component drug delivery systems. In this study, we developed a multimodal imaging approach to provide a comprehensive distribution assessment for an antibacterial drug, GSK2485680, delivered as a liposomal formulation (Lipo680) in a mouse thigh model of bacterial infection to support human dose prediction. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging was used to track the in vivo biodistribution of Lipo680 over 48h post-injection providing a clear assessment of the uptake in various tissues and, importantly, the selective accumulation at the site of infection. In addition, a pharmacokinetic model was created to evaluate the kinetics of Lipo680 in different tissues. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) was then used to analyze and quantify the distribution of GSK2485680 and a liposomal lipid throughout sections of infected and non-infected thigh tissues at high spatial resolution. Through the combination of both PET and MALDI images, we observed an excellent correlation between the Lipo680-radionuclide signal from PET with GSK2485680 and lipid component signals from MALDI IMS. This multimodal translational method can reduce drug attrition by providing comprehensive biodistribution profiles of drug delivery systems to provide mechanistic insight and elucidate safety concerns. Liposomal formulations have broad potential to deliver therapeutics for other indications, and this work serves as a template to aid in delivering future liposomal drugs to the clinic.
Head lice: Monitoring the spread of insecticide resistance in the United Kingdom (1994-1999) using a simple bioassay method
Authors: Burgess Ian F
Published: April 2022

Head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Psocodea: Pediculidae) that failed to respond to pyrethroid insecticide-based treatment products were first identified in London and Cambridge, UK in 1993 after which reports of treatment failure arose throughout the United Kingdom. There was a need for some form of rapid detection method for resistance that could be used at the community level. A laboratory service was set up so that health professionals could send lice by overnight post for bioassay testing for resistance. In addition, test kits were provided so that testing could either be carried out on site or, for highly resistant populations, lice could be shipped to the laboratory on pre-treated test papers so that insecticide exposure could proceed while lice were in transit to the laboratory.Between 1994 and 1999 over 350 samples from 145 locations were tested and during this time populations of lice resistant to pyrethroids, malathion, and carbaryl were identified from all parts of the country, both urban and rural. In some areas lice were only resistant to one of the insecticides available but in other places lice showed tolerance to all three insecticides used at the time.
Different Clinical Characteristics of Current Smokers and Former Smokers with Asthma: A Cross-Sectional Study of Adult Asthma Patients in China
Authors: Chen Zhifeng , Shang Yulin , Ouyang Ruoyun , Yuan Yu , He Yi , Wasti Binaya , Duan Wentao , Jia Jingsi , Xiao Bing , Zhang Dongshan , Liu Shaokun , Song Qing , Zeng Yuqin , Zeng Qingping , Zhang Xiufeng , Li Jianmin , Chen Ping , Ma Libing , Xiang Xudong
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveSmoking is a trigger for asthma, which has led to an increase in asthma incidence in China. In smokers, asthma management starts with smoking cessation. Data on predictors of smoking cessation in Chinese patients with asthma are scarce. The objective of this study was to find the differences in clinical characteristics between current smokers and former smokers with asthma in order to identify factors associated with smoking cessation.Patients and MethodsEligible adults with diagnosed asthma from the hospital outpatient clinics (n = 2312) were enrolled and underwent a clinical evaluation, asthma control test (ACT), and pulmonary function test. Information on demographic and sociological data, lung function, laboratory tests, ACT and asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) scores was recorded. Patients were divided into a current smokers group and a former smokers group based on whether they had quit smoking. Correlations of pack-years and years of smoking with clinical parameters were evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors associated with smoking cessation. ResultsOf all patients with asthma, 34.6% were smokers and 65.4% were former smokers, and the mean age was 54.5 ± 11.5 years. Compared with current smokers, the former smokers were older, had more pack-years, had smoked for longer, had heavier dyspnea and had worse asthma control. The Spearman’s rank correlation analysis showed that pack-years and years of smoking were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1%predicted, FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) and ACT scores, but positively correlated with ACQ scores in all patients. Interestingly, pack-years and years of smoking were negatively correlated with serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), blood eosinophils, and blood neutrophils in all patients. The logistic regression model showed that smoking cessation was positively correlated with age, female sex, pack-years, years of smoking, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and blood eosinophils, but was negatively correlated with ACT, or widowed status, and body mass index (BMI). ConclusionsMore than 30% of asthma patients in the study were still smoking. Among those who quit smoking, many quit late, often not realizing they need to quit until they have significant breathing difficulties. The predictors of smoking cessation identified in this study indicate that there are still differences between continuing smokers and former smokers, and these predictors should be focused on in asthma smoking cessation interventions to improve the prognosis of patients with asthma.
C698R Lrsam1 knock-in mouse model for CMT2P
Authors: Moiseev Daniel , Wazir Zafar , Liu Donghao , Li Jun , Hu Bo
Published: April 2022

Objective: Missense mutation C694R in the RING domain of the LRSAM1 gene results in a dominantly inherited peripheral neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2P (CMT2P). In this study, we have generated a Lrsam1C698R knock-in mouse model, which was extensively characterized. Methods: Mice with a heterozygous Lrsam1+/C698R mutation were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The C698R Lrsam1 knock-in mice were evaluated clinically using Rotarod and hindlimb clasping tests, physiologically by nerve conduction studies, morphologically on nerve sections. Results: Heterozygous (Lrsam1+/C698R) and homozygous knock-in (Lrsam1C698/C698R) mice exhibited normal motor functions on behavioral tests and nerve conduction studies. Axonal density and myelin thickness were not significantly different between mutants and wild-type mice by sciatic nerve morphometric analysis up to 17 months of age. In line with the normal findings in native mice, interactions between mutant LRSAM1 and RNA-binding proteins (such as FUS and G3BP1) were still present in mouse cells, which differs from the disrupted protein-protein interactions in human CMT2P cells. However, after crush nerve injury, Lrsam1+/C698R mice had a mild, but statistically significant, reduced compound nerve action potential (CMAP) and conduction velocity (CV) during recovery.Interpretation: C698R mutation results in mild impairment of nerve regeneration in mice. We speculate that repetitive nerve injuries may, at least partially, contribute to the slowly progressive axonal loss in CMT2P.
Efficiency of chemically activated raw and calcined fish bone for the Adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) from polluted water
Authors: Rashed Mohamed Nageeb , Gad Aleya Abd ElMoneam , Fathy Nada Magdy
Published: April 2022

Background: Bone biochare is used widely as an adsorbent in water pollution control; because of its high surface area and pore volumes . This study is attempting to prepare a low cost adsorbent (biochare) from the waste fish bone by chemical activation, and uses it for the removal of Pb and Cd from wastewater. Fish bone adsorbent was prepared by two methods, one by activation with different chemical activators include 0.001 M HNO3, 0.1 M NaOH, 0.5 % H2O2, and ethanol ( FB) . The other method by calcination after the chemical activation at 600oC (FB-Hy). The synthesized fish biochare adsorbents were characterized by electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffractometer (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), BET surface area, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The efficiency of the prepared adsorbents for removal Pb and Cd were investigated as a function of contact time, pH,solution temperature, initial metal concentration, and adsorbent dose. Metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy .Results: The results reveal that activation of the fish bone by 0.1 M NaOH is the suitable for the higher adsorption of Pb and Cd than with the other activators. The chemically treated bone adsorbent by 0.1 M NaOH (FB) shows higher removal of Pb and Cd than with that chemically calcinated adsorbent (FB-Hy). The maximum adsorption of Pb and Cd on the chemically prepared adsorbent(FB) were 99.74 and 99.35 % , respectively at optimum conditions. The results of kinetic adsorption obeyed a pseudo-second-order model. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were applied in which the adsorption fitted with the Langmuir isothermConclusion: This study ended with the success for preparing an ecofriendly and low cost fish bone adsorbent from the waste fish bone, and used it for the removal of Pb and Cd from polluted water
Influence of the direct and indirect effects of landscape fragmentation, via microclimate change, on animal locomotion
Authors: Tigreros Natasha , Kozhoridze Giorgi , Davidowitz Goggy , Ziv Yaron
Published: April 2022

Intensive use of agricultural land often modifies the landscape by dividing continuous natural habitat into smaller and more isolated patches. While it is widely recognized that landscape fragmentation is a main cause of species extinction, less is known about how this impacts the function of organisms that do persist in the modified environment. Understanding these effects is complicated by the fact that fragmentation can affect organisms directly but also indirectly, by altering the patch microclimatic conditions. Here, we integrate satellite image analysis, behavioral assays, and patch analyses, to disentangling the direct and indirect effects of fragmentation on the locomotor behavior of a darkling beetle, Zophosis punctata (Tenebrionidae), in the Southern Judea Lowlands in Israel. Indeed, we found that although habitat fragmentation could affect beetle locomotion directly, fragmentation-related increases in patch temperature played an important role in explaining variation in beetle locomotion across an agricultural landscape. Specifically, beetles from highly fragmented landscapes, which included warmer habitat patches, showed high locomotor intermittence –frequent pausing events during locomotion. Intermittent locomotion, as opposite to steady locomotion, may provide various physiological and fitness benefits in fragmented landscapes, like mitigating performance limitations imposed by extreme thermal conditions. This study shows that the potential consequences of landscape fragmentation on the organism function are likely to be underestimated when fragmentation-related microclimate change is ignored.
Neuron-derived CCL17 Exerts Neuroprotection Through Activation of CCR4/mTORC2 Axis in Microglia After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats
Authors: Zhang Anke , Liu Yibo , Xu Houshi , Zhang Zeyu , Wang Xiaoyu , Yuan Ling , Lenahan Cameron , Zhang Chuan , Jiang Junkun , Fang Chaoyou , Fang Yuanjian , Zhang Jianmin , Chen Sheng
Published: April 2022

Background and purposeCCL17 has been proven to play a critical role in immune regulation. However, there is a lack of evidence to address the effect of CCL17 after subarachnoid hemorrhage。 Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of CCL17 and its underlying mechanism after SAH in rats.MethodsThe levels of secreted CCL17 from primary neurons after stimulation of OxyHb were examined in vitro. Rats were subjected to the endovascular perforation model of SAH and were randomly assigned to receive either recombinant CCL17 or vehicle, which were administered intranasally at 1 h after SAH. AZD2098 and JR-AB2-011 were applied to investigate the CCR4/mTORC2 axis in CCL17-mediated neuroprotection. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, the in vitro kinase assay was performed in primary microglia. Adeno-associated virus-CD68 knockout for mTORC2 in brain microglia was administered via intracerebroventricular injection 21 days before SAH. Brain water content, short-term neurobehavior evaluation, western blot, quantity RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence staining were performed.ResultsEndogenous CCL17 was increased and secreted from neurons, with CCR4 primarily expressed on microglia in both in vivo and in vitro models of SAH. Exogenous rCCL17 significantly alleviated neuronal apoptosis and brain edema, and improved short-term neurofunction in a dose-dependent manner at 24 h and 72 h after SAH in rats. The rCCL17 also increased M2-like polarization of microglia at 72 h after SAH in rats and in primary microglia culture. In addition, the rCCL17 treatment further activated mTORC2 signaling after SAH in rats and in primary microglia cultures. The neuroprotection of rCCL17 was abolished by inhibition of CCR4 or mTORC2.Conclusion﻿Neuron-derived CCL17 could alleviate SAH induced-neurological deficits by promoting M2-like polarization of microglia after SAH. The microglialCCR4/mTORC2 axis-mediated CCL17 involved neuroprotection.
Determinants of entrepreneurial performance of Return Migrants: A Study of Young Returnees from Gondar city, Ethiopia
Authors: Alene Endalew Terefe
Published: April 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine determinants that influence entrepreneurial performance of return migrants in Gondar city of Ethiopia, and in turn contribute to the literature of migration and entrepreneurship by adding evidence from Ethiopia on the determinants of entrepreneurial performance of return migrants.
Design/methodology/approach:
The study employed a descriptive case study research design with quantitative research approach. The sample of this study was 195 male and female youth migrant returnees which are selected using multi-stage sampling technique.
Findings:
The findings of this study identified that accessibility of job, labor market policy, access to finance, working premises and government support are significant predictors in explaining entrepreneurial performance of return migrants in one hand. On the other hand, however, saving, education, business environment, sectoral and occupational experiences are found to be insignificant predictors in explaining entrepreneurial performance of return migrants.
Research limitations/implications:
Theoretically, the integration of determinants with returnee’s business performance has contributed to the theory of migration and entrepreneurship. The sample used in this study only concentrated on young migrant returnees with age category of 15–29 years old in Gondar city. Any future research will consider all returnees in the city.
Practical implications:
The findings is significantly benefit the field of development and management studies, offices in charge of following and regulating return migrants affairs, policymakers and practitioners at all levels of the government. In general, the findings of this study make meaningful contributions to return migrants by identifying determinants of entrepreneurial performance of returnees which will in turn helps to enhance the performance of their firm.
Originality/value:
This study contributes to the migration and entrepreneurship literature on the determinants of entrepreneurial performance of return migrants for developing countries. Specifically, in the context of African returnees, as they did not get much scholarly attention through testing predictor variables on the entrepreneurial performance of return migrants using logit model.
Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence Algorithms for the Prediction of Genetic Merit
Authors: Hamadani Ambreen , Ganai Nazir A , Andrabi Syed Mudasir , Shanaz Syed , Alam Safeer , HussainSher-e-Kashmir Ishraq
Published: April 2022

As the amount of data on farms grows, it is important to evaluate the potential of artificial intelligence for making farming predictions. Considering all this, this study was undertaken to evaluate various machine learning (ML) algorithms using 52-year data for sheep. Data preparation was done before analysis. Breeding values were estimated using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction. 13 ML algorithms were evaluated for their ability to predict the breeding values. The variance inflation factor for all features selected through PCA was 1. The correlation coefficients between true and predicted values for Artificial neural networks, Bayesian ridge regression, Classification and regression trees, Genetic Algorithms, Gradient boosting algorithm, K nearest neighbours, MARS algorithm, Polynomial regression, Principal component regression, Random forests, Support Vector Machines, XGBoost algorithm were 0.852, 0.742, 0.869, 0.762, 0.915, 0.781, 0.746, 0.742, 0.746, 0.917, 0.777, 0.915 respectively for breeding value prediction. Random forests had the highest correlation coefficients. A total of 13 machine learning models were developed from the prediction of breeding values in sheep in the present study. It may be said that machine learning techniques can perform predictions with reasonable accuracies and can thus be viable alternatives to conventional strategies for breeding value prediction.
miR-29a dynamically regulates the invasion and migration ability of residual A549 cells after radiation by inhibiting PER1-LAMR1 interaction
Authors: Chi Changxing , Jia Zuo , Chen Zhengting , Cao Ke , Li Shuo , Li Lan , Xia Yaoxiong , Li Chang , Li Wenhui
Published: April 2022

Current studies have shown that the recent rhythm gene Per1 (Period 1) is expressed down-regulated in various malignancies and plays an important role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the biological function and mechanism of action of Per1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not clear. In this study, we demonstrated that miR-29a could inhibit the interaction between Per1 and laminin receptor 1 (LAMR1), and the invasion and migration ability of A549 cells after 8Gy X-ray irradiation showed dynamic changes, firstly weakened or enhanced. The inhibition or overexpression of miR-29a, Per1, and LAMR1 was performed to investigate their roles and mechanisms in vitro. We found that miR-29a was able to significantly inhibit the expression of Per1 gene, while the invasion and migration ability of residual A549 cells after radiation showed a dynamic change of diminished and then enhanced. Further study revealed that the reason for this dynamic change might be that miR-29a affected the binding of laminin (LN) to LAMR1 through the interaction of Per1 and LAMR1. In summary, our study demonstrates for the first time that it may be miR-29a that inhibits the interaction between Per1 and LAMR1, which causes a dynamic change in the invasive migration ability of residual A549 cells after radiation by competitively binding to LN, and that Per1 may serve as a valuable biological target for good or bad prognosis of NSCLC.