bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction of RIPK3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis by Erigeron breviscapus injection exhibits potent antitumor effect
Authors: Guo Xiuping , Li Rui , Cui Jinjin , Hu Chujuan , Yu Haoyang , Ren Ling , Cheng Yangyang , Jiang Jiandong , Ding Xiao , Wang Lulu
Published: June 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of tumor-related deaths worldwide. Resistance of tumor cells to drug-induced apoptosis highlights the need for safe and effective antitumor alternatives. Erigeron breviscapus (Dengzhanxixin in China) injection (EBI), extracted from the natural herb Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz (EHM), has been widely used in clinical practice for cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have suggested that EBI’s main active ingredients exhibit potential antitumor effects. This study aims to explore the anti-CRC effect of EBI and elucidate the underlying mechanism. The anti-CRC effect of EBI was evaluated in vitro using CCK-8, flow cytometry, and transwell analysis, and in vivo through a xenograft mice model. RNA sequencing was utilized to compare the differentially expressed genes, and the proposed mechanism was verified through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our study demonstrates that EBI significantly inhibits the proliferation of three human CRC cell lines and effectively suppresses the migration and invasion of SW620 cells. Moreover, in the SW620 xenograft mice model, EBI markedly retards tumor growth and lung metastasis. RNA-seq analysis revealed that EBI might exert antitumor effects by inducing necroptosis of tumor cells. Additionally, EBI activates the RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway, a classical pathway of necroptosis and greatly promotes the generation of intracellular ROS. Furthermore, the antitumor effect of EBI on SW620 is significantly alleviated after the pretreatment of GW806742X, the MLKL inhibitor. Our findings suggest that EBI is a safe and effective inducer of necroptosis for CRC treatment. Notably, necroptosis is a non-apoptotic programmed cell death pathway that can effectively circumvent resistance to apoptosis, which provides a novel approach for overcoming tumor drug resistance.
Exploring the formation dynamics of affective polarization by considering coupled feedback
Authors: Cui Peng-Bi
Published: June 2023

Polarization issues are generally subject to ideological and affective polarization. Particularly, affective polarization generally accelerates the polarization process. Yet, a wide array of the existing literature has not provided valid ways to make distinctions between them. Therefore, the mechanism contributing to the rise of affective polarization still remains unclear, along with its unique emergent dynamics. To address this issue, we introduces the coupled feedback between opinions and response susceptibility to an attraction–repulsion model which takes into account three parameters: interaction strength, response susceptibility, and tolerance to others. The model features phase diagrams of global consensus, affective polarization, and “harmony with diversity” states. Subsequently, we proceed simulations on time-varying and static social networks, showing that intermediate parameter ranges yield a global consensus as one integrated cluster collapsing and converging toward an uncertain moderate position after long-term persistence. The feedback essentially offers a counterforce to establish an inversion between the global consensus and “harmony with diversity”. Remarkably, strengthening feedback may facilitate polarization by driving the system to first self-organize into one integrated cluster, which then gradually approaches polarization, especially for low tolerance and strong interactions, whereby the step-like dynamic behaviors of opinion entropy suggest the occurrence of a dynamic equilibrium. In summary, the aforementioned phenomena have never been unearthed before and can be regarded as unique dynamics features of affective polarization. Finally, this study attempts to offer a useful approach to the micro foundations of affective polarization for the first time, and the results guide us on how to avoid the dilemmas of this polarization.
Multi-omics research on common allergens during the ripening of pollen and poplar flocs of Populus deltoides
Authors: Guo Wei , Luo Hui , Cao Yi , Jiang Ziyun , Liu Hui , Zou Jie , Sheng Changle , Xi Yilong
Published: June 2023

Background

Populus deltoides is widely cultivated in China and produces a large number of pollen and poplar flocs from March to June per year. Previous studies have found that the pollen of P. deltoides contains allergens. However, studies on the ripening mechanism of pollen/poplar flocs and their common allergens are very limited.

Methods

Proteomics and metabolomics were used to study the changes of proteins and metabolites in pollen and poplar flocs of P. deltoides at different developmental stages. Allergenonline database was used to identify common allergens in pollen and poplar flocs at different developmental stages. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the biological activity of common allergens between mature pollen and poplar flocs.

Results

In total, 1400 differently expressed proteins (DEPs) and 459 different metabolites (DMs) were identified from pollen and poplar flocs at different developmental stages. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that DEPs in pollen and poplar flocs were significantly enriched in ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation signaling pathways. The DMs in pollen are mainly involved in aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and arginine biosynthesis, while the DMs in poplar flocs are mainly involved in glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. Additionally, 72 common allergens were identified in pollen and poplar flocs at different developmental stages. WB showed that there were distinct binding bands between 70 and 17KD at the two groups of allergens.

Conclusions

A multitude of proteins and metabolites are closely related to the ripening of pollen and poplar flocs of Populus deltoides, and they contain common allergens between mature pollen and poplar flocs.
Assessing potential European areas of Pierce’s disease mediated by insect vectors by using spatial ensemble model
Authors: Yoon Sunhee , Lee Wang-Hee
Published: June 2023

Pierce’s disease (PD) is a serious threat to grape production in Europe. This disease is caused by Xylella fastidiosa and is mediated by insect vectors, suggesting its high potential for spread and necessity for early monitoring. In this study, hence, potential distribution of Pierce’s disease varied with climate change and was spatially evaluated in Europe using ensemble species distribution modeling. Two models of X. fastidiosa and three major insect vectors (Philaenus spumarius, Neophilaenus campestris, and Cicadella viridis) were developed using CLIMEX and MaxEnt. The consensus areas of the disease and insect vectors, along with host distribution, were evaluated using ensemble mapping to identify high-risk areas for the disease. Our predictions showed that the Mediterranean region would be the most vulnerable to Pierce’s disease, and the high-risk area would increase three-fold due to climate change under the influence of N. campestris distribution. This study demonstrated a methodology for species distribution modeling specific to diseases and vectors while providing results that could be used for monitoring Pierce’s disease by simultaneously considering the disease agent, vectors, and host distribution.
COVID-19 and bilingual children’s home language environment: Digital media, socioeconomic status, and language status
Authors: Sun He , Tan Justina , Chen Wenli
Published: June 2023

Input is considered crucial in bilingual children’s language development. This is especially true for bilingual children’s mother tongue language learning given its common reduction in input opportunities due to the dominance of one language within society, as seen in countries and regions from Wales to Singapore. Previous studies tend to focus on the quantity and quality of conventional active communication and resources (e.g., speaking and reading with parents) on bilingual children’s language development, and substantially, fewer studies have explored this topic from the perspective of digital media. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the critical role of digital media in various aspects of life, including bilingual children’s home language environment. Thus, to holistically understand bilingual children’s daily language input patterns, it is imperative to explore both their conventional and digital media input resources. The current study focuses on English-Mandarin bilingual children in Singapore and would like to explore (1) whether their conventional and digital media language environments have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) whether the societal status of a language and familial socioeconomic status (SES) would affect bilingual children’s conventional and digital media input. Survey data from 162 parents of English-Mandarin bilingual preschoolers (3 to 6 years old) were used to explore the two research questions. Two online parental questionnaires were employed for data collection. One-way repeated-measures MANOVA and path models were used to address the questions. The results indicated that input patterns from nuclear family members had not been affected by COVID-19; however, the amount and frequency of conventional and digital media materials and activities increased significantly since COVID-19. Higher-SES families possessed more conventional materials and conducted conventional activities more often, while lower-SES families possessed more digital media materials. Both conventional and digital media materials and activities were richer in English than in Mandarin. Higher-SES families perceived digital media usage for learning to be of less importance than lower-SES families. The implications for early bilingual learning following COVID-19 are discussed.
Fear of COVID-19 among cancer patients in Henan Province, Central China: causes, results, and coping factors
Authors: Mao Yiqing , Ma Wenjie , Kang Dingding , Miao Yudong , Fu Hang , Zhang Bowen , Zhang Jiangong , Wu Jian
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Cancer patients exhibit fear of COVID-19, which could lead to serious consequences. However, minimal information is available about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of cancer patients. Therefore, this study aims to examine the fear level of COVID-19 among cancer patients in Henan Province, Central China and to identify its causes, results, and coping factors.

Methods

An online survey was conducted among 1,067 cancer patients. The participants reported their individual fear level of COVID-19, risk of COVID-19 infection, risk of death from COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccination concerns, influence level of COVID-19 pandemic on their disease treatment, loneliness due to COVID-19, economic burden from COVID-19, quality of life, safety behavior, information regarding COVID-19 vaccination, psychological guidance, physical activities, and demographic characteristics. Chi-square and cumulative logistic regression were used to determine the predictors of COVID-19 fear level.

Results

This study indicates that cancer patients report moderate fear level of COVID-19 in Central China (66.9%). The six cause factors (risk of COVID-19 infection, risk of death from COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccination concerns, influence level of COVID-19 pandemic on disease treatment, loneliness due to COVID-19, and economic burden from COVID-19) were positively associated with COVID-19 fear level. Three coping factors (information regarding COVID-19 vaccination, psychological guidance, and physical activities) were negatively associated with COVID-19 fear level. COVID-19 fear level was negatively associated with quality of life and positively associated with safety behavior.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that governments should improve access to personalized vaccine counseling and psychological guidance by undertaking the responsibility of patients’ attending physicians and increasing publicity. Physical activities should be included in the treatment program to help cancer patients better recover their physical and mental health.
Is there a cognitive advantage in inhibition and switching for bilingual children? A systematic review
Authors: Planckaert Niels , Duyck Wouter , Woumans Evy
Published: June 2023

Several studies have pointed to beneficial effects of bilingualism on executive functioning. However, observations of these beneficial effects have at times proven difficult to reproduce. Moreover, findings of studies on cognitive effects of bilingualism have been contested altogether. These contradictory outcomes leave the research field of bilingualism at unease. In the present review article, we aim to give a systematic overview of previous research on bilingual advantages in inhibition and switching in children up to the age of 12. Particular attention is paid to the experimental tasks that have been applied and the persistence of possible effects throughout critical and post-critical periods for cognitive development in children. In doing so, the review gives an insight in both the validity and robustness of possible domain-general cognitive effects of bilingualism in children. Terminological issues are also discussed.
What constitutes victims of toxicity - identifying drivers of toxic victimhood in multiplayer online battle arena games
Authors: Kordyaka Bastian , Laato Samuli , Weber Sebastian , Niehaves Bjoern
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Toxic behavior (i.e., toxicity) is a pervasive problem in online gaming communities such as League of Legends. This issue arises from factors such as frustrating and stressful in-game experiences and online disinhibition. Prior research on addressing toxicity has focused primarily on the perpetrators and how to mitigate their negative behavior and the consequences. The aim of this study was to approach toxicity from the perspective of the victims instead, and consequently, to investigate the factors that contribute to the experience of victimhood in multiplayer online battle arena games.

Methods

A global sample of League of Legends and Defense of the Ancients 2 players (n=313) was collected to test hypotheses based on three theoretical approaches drawn from previous work, namely, the online disinhibition effect, social cognitive theory and theory of planned behavior. Participants were asked to complete a survey that included variables related to the three theoretical approaches.

Results

The results of the study indicated that self-efficacy, and benign and toxic disinhibition, were the most relevant antecedents for the experience of being a victim of toxicity. Accordingly, the findings thus suggest that players with low self-efficacy and high online disinhibition may be more likely to experience victimhood in multiplayer online battle arena games. In general, insights based on our study demonstrate that individual characteristics partially explain why some players are more susceptible to toxic behavior than others.

Discussion

The study’s results have practical implications for game developers and policymakers, particularly in the areas of community management and player education. For example, game developers may consider incorporating self-efficacy training and disinhibition reduction programs into their games. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on toxicity in online gaming communities and invites further research into toxicity from the perspective of the victims.
Role of FKBP5 and its genetic mutations in stress-induced psychiatric disorders: an opportunity for drug discovery
Authors: Malekpour Mahdi , Shekouh Dorsa , Safavinia Mohammad Ebrahim , Shiralipour Shadi , Jalouli Maryam , Mortezanejad Sahar , Azarpira Negar , Ebrahimi Niloofar Dehdari
Published: June 2023

Stress-induced mental health disorders are affecting many people around the world. However, effective drug therapy for curing psychiatric diseases does not occur sufficiently. Many neurotransmitters, hormones, and mechanisms are essential in regulating the body's stress response. One of the most critical components of the stress response system is the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The FKBP prolyl isomerase 51 (FKBP51) protein is one of the main negative regulators of the HPA axis. FKBP51 negatively regulates the cortisol effects (the end product of the HPA axis) by inhibiting the interaction between glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and cortisol, causing reduced transcription of downstream cortisol molecules. By regulating cortisol effects, the FKBP51 protein can indirectly regulate the sensitivity of the HPA axis to stressors. Previous studies have indicated the influence of FKBP5 gene mutations and epigenetic changes in different psychiatric diseases and drug responses and recommended the FKBP51 protein as a drug target and a biomarker for psychological disorders. In this review, we attempted to discuss the effects of the FKBP5 gene, its mutations on different psychiatric diseases, and drugs affecting the FKBP5 gene.
Implementation of cross-sector partnerships: a description of implementation factors related to addressing social determinants to reduce racial disparities in adverse birth outcomes
Authors: Blebu Bridgette E. , Liu Patrick Y. , Harrington Maura , Nicholas William , Jackson Ashaki , Saleeby Erin
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Traditional perinatal care alone cannot address the social and structural determinants that drive disparities in adverse birth outcomes. Despite the wide acceptance of partnerships between healthcare systems and social service agencies to address this challenge, there needs to be more research on the implementation factors that facilitate (or hinder) cross-sector partnerships, particularly from the perspective of community-based organizations. This study aimed to integrate the views of healthcare staff and community-based partner organizations to describe the implementation of a cross-sector partnership designed to address social and structural determinants in pregnancy.

Methods

We used a mixed methods design (in-depth interviews and social network analysis) to integrate the perspectives of healthcare clinicians and staff with those of community-based partner organizations to identify implementation factors related to cross-sector partnerships.

Results

We identified seven implementation factors related to three overarching themes: relationship-centered care, barriers and facilitators of cross-sector partnerships, and strengths of a network approach to cross-sector collaboration. Findings emphasized establishing relationships between healthcare staff, patients, and community-based partner organizations.

Conclusion

This study provides practical insights for healthcare organizations, policymakers, and community organizations that aim to improve access to social services among historically marginalized perinatal populations.
Analysis of deaths following yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccination of infants, China, January 2013 to December 2020
Authors: Zhang Sihui , Zhao Tianshuo , Chen Linyi , Xie Mingzhu , Lu Qing-Bin , Du Juan , Zeng Jing , Huang Ninghua , Liu Yaqiong , Wang Chao , Cui Fuqiang
Published: June 2023

In China, adverse events following immunization (AEFI) are reported by the China AEFI Surveillance System (CNAEFIS). Serious AEFI, including deaths, are mandatorily reported and are evaluated for causality by province-or prefecture-level panels of experts. Yeast-derived HepB is the most widely used HepB in China for infants. However, the information about the death of infants caused by HepB is unclear. The CNAEFIS data on deaths following HepB from 2013 to 2020 were used for analyses. Descriptive analysis of epidemiologic characteristics was used to report death cases following HepB. We used administered doses to calculate denominators to estimate the risk of death after vaccination. During 2013–2020, there were 161 deaths following the administration of 173 million doses of HepB, for an overall incidence of 0.9 deaths per million doses. One hundred fifty-seven deaths were categorized as coincidental, and four deaths were accompanied by an abnormal reaction determined to be unrelated to the cause of death. The most common causes of death were neonatal pneumonia and foreign body asphyxia. These data provide reliable evidence on the safety of HepB among infants in China and can enhance public confidence in HepB immunization. To ensure public confidence in infants’ HepB vaccination, monitoring and scientifically evaluating AEFI-related deaths of HepB is necessary.
IoT-based wearable health monitoring device and its validation for potential critical and emergency applications
Authors: Wu Ju-Yu , Wang Yuhling , Ching Congo Tak Shing , Wang Hui-Min David , Liao Lun-De
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, posing unprecedented challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. The overwhelming number of patients infected with the virus placed an enormous burden on healthcare providers, who struggled to cope with the sheer volume of cases. Furthermore, the lack of effective treatments or vaccines means that quarantining has become a necessary measure to slow the spread of the virus. However, quarantining places a significant burden on healthcare providers, who often lack the resources to monitor patients with mild symptoms or asymptomatic patients. In this study, we propose an Internet of Things (IoT)-based wearable health monitoring system that can remotely monitor the exact locations and physiological parameters of quarantined individuals in real time. The system utilizes a combination of highly miniaturized optoelectronic and electronic technologies, an anti-epidemic watch, a mini-computer, and a monitor terminal to provide real-time updates on physiological parameters. Body temperature, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and heart rate are recorded as the most important measurements for critical care. If these three physiological parameters are aberrant, then it could represent a life-endangering situation and/or a short period over which irreversible damage may occur. Therefore, these parameters are automatically uploaded to a cloud database for remote monitoring by healthcare providers. The monitor terminal can display real-time health data for multiple patients and provide early warning functions for medical staff. The system significantly reduces the burden on healthcare providers, as it eliminates the need for manual monitoring of patients in quarantine. Moreover, it can help healthcare providers manage the COVID-19 pandemic more effectively by identifying patients who require medical attention in real time. We have validated the system and demonstrated that it is well suited to practical application, making it a promising solution for managing future pandemics. In summary, our IoT-based wearable health monitoring system has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by providing a cost-effective, remote monitoring solution for patients in quarantine. By allowing healthcare providers to monitor patients remotely in real time, the burden on medical resources is reduced, and more efficient use of limited resources is achieved. Furthermore, the system can be easily scaled to manage future pandemics, making it an ideal solution for managing the health challenges of the future.
The assessment and validation of the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) among frontline doctors in Pakistan during fifth wave of COVID-19
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad Umar , Kulich Steve J. , Bokhari Ijaz Hussain
Published: June 2023

Objective

The study aims to document sociodemographic features, address the symptoms and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among frontline doctors in Pakistan, and validate the depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS-21) on the context of Pakistan.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was conducted throughout the regions of Pakistan on frontline doctors to document their sociodemographic patterns and the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress while dealing with the fifth wave (Omicron-variant) of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Pakistan (December 2021–April 2022). Respondents (N = 319) were recruited through a snowball sampling process.

Results

Though previous literature reported declines in psychological symptoms after earlier waves of COVID-19, these DASS-21 findings show that as the pandemic has worn on, frontline doctors in Pakistan are having considerable personal symptoms of depression (72.7%), anxiety (70.2%), and stress (58.3%). Though specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, they rated only moderate levels of depression and stress, however they reported severe levels of anxiety. The results also revealed a positive correlation between depression and anxiety (r = 0.696, p < 0.001), depression and stress (r = 0.761, p < 0.001), and anxiety and stress (r = 0.720, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Through the application of all required statistical procedures, DASS-21 is validated in the cultural context of Pakistan among this group of frontline doctors. The findings of this study can provide new directions for the policy makers (government and hospitals' administration) of Pakistan to focus on the mental wellbeing of the doctors under similar enduring public health crises and to protect them from short- or long-term disorders.
The role of natural scientists in navigating the social implications of cellular agriculture: insights from an interdisciplinary workshop
Authors: Rao Varsha V. , Datta Bianca , Steinmetz Kai
Published: June 2023

The emerging field of cellular agriculture uses cell culture to create animal products, potentially mitigating climate and health risks associated with conventional animal agriculture. However, cellular agriculture products are poised to enter the food ecosystem without an understanding of the long-term consequences and social implications. While these discussions have begun among social scientists, dialogues are lacking among natural scientists and engineers, perpetuating a disconnect between those progressing new technology and those most directly impacted by it. To begin to bridge this gap, an interdisciplinary workshop was organized by the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley in collaboration with the Arrell Food Institute, New Harvest, and Cellular Agriculture Canada. At his workshop, representatives from cellular agriculture companies, STEM research labs, dairy farms, animal rights organizations, and Indigenous communities convened to discuss the social implications of cellular agriculture. Specific topics of interest were food security, labor, and employment, power relations and governance, and animal ethics. In this commentary, the authors highlight critical learnings from the workshop as natural scientists, namely the relationship between food and identity, the variety of human-animal relationships, and implications for nutrition and health. We believe that for a just transition of our food systems, the development of cellular agriculture needs to include communities as collaborators from the outset. While this work is difficult in the current environment of market capitalism, it has the potential to improve the culture of research and development to benefit the broader society. To this end, we provide resources, examples, and invitations to natural scientists and researchers interested in engaging with this work. As we rapidly approach a food system that includes products created with cellular agriculture, we encourage readers to consider which individuals and populations need to be involved in this growth, and how they can work together to promote a sustainable future for all.
Embolo/sclerotherapy for the treatment of hand arteriovenous malformations: a single-center retrospective cohort experience
Authors: Fan Xueqiang , Zhang Jianbin , Liu Peng , Ye Zhidong
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To retrospectively report our preliminary experience of treating hand arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with embolo/sclerotherapy.

Materials and methods

Retrospectively review the demographics, treatment detail, outcome data, and complications of 13 consecutive patients with hand AVMs from January 2018 to December 2021. We embolize the dominant outflow vein with elastic coils and then use absolute ethanol or polidocanol for intravascular sclerotherapy and bleomycin for interstitial sclerotherapy.

Results

Yakes type II presents in four lesions, type IIIa in six, and type IIIb in three. A total of 29 treatment episodes were conducted for the 13 patients (1 episode for 3 patients, 2 for 4 patients, and 3 for 6 patients; the repeated treatment rate was 76.9%). The mean stretched length of coils for 1 treatment episode was 95 cm. The mean absolute ethanol dosage was 6.8 ml (range 4–30 ml). In addition, 10 ml of 3% polidocanol foam was injected and interstitial sclerotherapy with 150,000 IU bleomycin was performed on every patient. The post-operative arterial-dominant outflow vein pressure index (AVI) increased in the 29 procedures (6.55 ± 1.68 vs. 9.38 ± 2.80, P < 0.05). The Mann–Whitney U test showed that the post-operative AVI was higher in patients without re-intervention (P < 0.05). Local swelling occurred after all the procedures. Blistering occurred in 6 of the patients in 13 (44.8%) of the 29 procedures. Superficial skin necrosis occurred in 3 of the patients in 5 (17.2%) of the 29 procedures. The swelling, blistering, and superficial skin necrosis recovered within 4 weeks. No finger amputation occurred. The follow-up time was 6 months. The 6-month assessment of clinical improvement after the last treatment episode showed that 2 patients were cured, 10 were improved, and 1 remained unchanged. With regard to angiographic evaluation, 9 showed partial response and 4 complete response.

Conclusion

Embolo/sclerotherapy can be effective and safe for hand AVM. The AVI increased significantly after embolo/sclerotherapy, and the index may be valuable in predicting recurrence in further study.
Surgical training in the Caribbean: The past, the present, and the future
Authors: Newnham Mark S. , Dan Dilip , Maharaj Ravi , Plummer Joseph Martin
Published: June 2023

The six million inhabitants of these diverse English-speaking Caribbean countries are grateful to the University of the West Indies, which has been central in the independent training of surgical specialists in all areas of surgery for the past 50 years. Similar to the per capita income, the quality of surgical care, albeit acceptable, is quite variable throughout the region. Globalization and access to information have revealed that the quality of training and surgical care being delivered can be further improved. Technological advances will perhaps never be on par with higher-income countries, but collaborative ventures with global health partners and institutions can ensure that the people of the region will have appropriately trained surgical doctors and, therefore, the provision of accessible quality care will remain a staple, with even the possibility of income generation. This study reviews the journey of our structured surgical training program delivered in the region and outlines our growth plans.
Autophagy up-regulation upon FeHV-1 infection on permissive cells
Authors: Ferrara Gianmarco , Sgadari Mariafrancesca , Longobardi Consiglia , Iovane Giuseppe , Pagnini Ugo , Montagnaro Serena
Published: June 2023

FeHV-1 is a member of the Herpesviridae family that is distributed worldwide and causes feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR). Since its relationship with the autophagic process has not yet been elucidated, the aim of this work was to evaluate the autophagy mediated by FeHV-1 and to determine its proviral or antiviral role. Our data showed that autophagy is induced by FeHV-1 in a viral dose and time-dependent manner. Phenotypic changes in LC3/p62 axis (increase of LC3-II and degradation of p62) were detected from 12 h post infection using western blot and immuno-fluorescence assays. In a second step, by using late autophagy inhibitors and inducers, the possible proviral role of autophagy during FeHV-1 infection was investigating by assessing the effects of each chemical in terms of viral yield, cytotoxic effects, and expression of viral glycoproteins. Our findings suggest that late-stage autophagy inhibitors (bafilomycin and chloroquine) have a negative impact on viral replication. Interestingly, we observed an accumulation of gB, a viral protein, when cells were pretreated with bafilomycin, whereas the opposite effect was observed when an autophagy inducer was used. The importance of autophagy during FeHV-1 infection was further supported by the results obtained with ATG5 siRNA. In summary, this study demonstrates FeHV-1-mediated autophagy induction, its proviral role, and the negative impact of late autophagy inhibitors on viral replication.
Revealing novel cytb and nad5 genes-based population diversity and benzimidazole resistance in Echinococcus granulosus of bovine origin
Authors: Alvi Mughees Aizaz , Alshammari Ayed , Ali Rana Muhammad Athar , Ul Haq Shahbaz , Bashir Rizwan , Li Li , Saqib Muhammad , Sajid Muhammad Sohail , Ghafoor Muzafar , Imran Muhammad , Ijaz Muhammad Umar , Fu Bao-Quan , Saeed Mohd , Ahmad Irfan , Liu You-Yu , Yan Hong-Bin , Jia Wan-Zhong
Published: June 2023

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus (sensu stricto). The parasite affects a wide range of livestock and wild animals. In this study, the population diversity of the Echinococcus species was investigated based on mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) genes. In addition to this, β-tubulin gene isoforms of Echinococcus granulosus were amplified to determine the resistance against benzimidazoles. For this purpose, 40 cyst samples from cattle (n = 20) and buffaloes (n = 20) were collected from the main abattoir of Sialkot. DNA extraction was performed using Qiagen Blood and Tissue Kits. Amplification was performed through PCR. Each amplicon was confirmed by GelRed™ stained agarose gel (2%). Samples were sequenced in a DNA analyzer and viewed for any misread nucleotide by using MEGA (v.11). Corrections in nucleotide sequence and multiple sequence alignment were made through the same software. NCBI-BLAST was used for sample specific sequences to identify them as belonging to a particular species. Diversity indices were estimated using DnaSP (v.6) while phylogenetic analysis was inferred using the Bayesian method using MrBayes (v.1.1). β-tubulin gene isoforms sequence analysis was performed to find out the candidate gene causing benzimidazole resistance. All 40 isolates were found positive for E. granulosus. BLAST-based searches of sequences of each isolate for each gene (nad5 and cytb) confirmed their maximum similarity with the G1 genotype. Overall, high haplotype diversity (Hd nad5 = 1.00; Hd cytb = 0.833) and low nucleotide diversity (π nad5 = 0.00560; π = cytb = 0.00763) was identified based on diversity indices. For both the genes, non-significant values of Tajima’s D (nad5 = −0.81734; cytb = −0.80861) and Fu’s Fs (nad5 = −1.012; cytb = 0.731) indicate recent population expansion. Bayesian phylogeny-based results of nad5 and cytb sequences confirmed their genotypic status as distinct from other Echinococcus species. This study shed light on the status of benzimidazole resistance in Echinococcus granulosus for the very first time from Pakistan. The findings of this study will significantly add in the information available on genetic diversity of Echinoccous granulosus based on cytb and nad5 genes sequences.
Mathematical Modelling and Fluidic Thrust Vectoring Control of a Delta Wing UAV
Authors: Tanveer Ahsan , Ahmad Sarvat Mushtaq
Published: June 2023

Pitch control of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using fluidic thrust vectoring (FTV) is a relatively novel technique requiring no moving control surfaces, such as elevators. In this paper, the authors’ previous work on the characterization of a static co-flow FTV rig is further validated using the free to pitch dynamic test bench. The deflection of a primary jet after injection of a high-velocity secondary jet was captured using the tuft flow visualization technique, along with the experimental recording of subsequent normal force impinged on the Coanda surface resulting in the pitching moment. The effect of primary and secondary flow velocities on exhaust jet deflection, as well as on the pitch angle of the aircraft, is examined. Aerodynamic gain as well as the inertia of a delta wing UAV test bench are computed through experiments and fed into the equation of motion (e.o.m). The e.o.m developed aided in the design of a model-based PID controller for pitch motion control using the multi-parameter root locus technique. The root locus tuned controller serves as a benchmark controller for performance evaluation of the genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) tuned controllers. Furthermore, the frequency domain metric of gain and phase margins were also employed to reach a robust control design. Experiments conducted in a simulation environment reveal that PSO-PID results in a better response of the UAV in comparison to the baseline pitch controller.
Heat Transfer and Flow Structure Characteristics of Regenerative Cooling in a Rectangular Channel Using Supercritical CO2
Authors: Liu Jian , Xu Mengyao , Liu Pengchao , Xi Wenxiong
Published: June 2023

At an extremely high Mach number, the regenerative cooling of traditional kerosene cannot meet the requirement of the heat sink caused by aerodynamic heating and internal combustion in a scramjet propulsion system. As a supplement of traditional regenerative cooling, supercritical CO2 is regarded as an effective coolant in severe heating environments due to its excellent properties of heat and mass transportation. In this paper, the heat transfer and flow structure characteristics of regenerative cooling in a rectangular channel using supercritical CO2 are analyzed numerically using a validated model. The effect of heat flux magnitude, nonuniform heat flux, acceleration and buoyancy and flow pattern are considered to reveal the regenerative cooling mechanism of supercritical CO2 in the engine condition of a scramjet. The results indicate that the heat transfer deterioration phenomenon becomes obvious in the cooling channel loaded with relatively high heat flux. Compared with the cooling channels loaded with increased heat flux distribution, the maximum temperature increased for the channel loaded with decreased heat flux distributions. When larger acceleration is applied, a relatively lower wall temperature distribution and higher heat transfer coefficients are obtained. The wall temperature distribution becomes more uniform and the high-temperature region is weakened when the coolants in adjacent channels are arranged as a reversed flow pattern. Overall, the paper provides some references for the utilization of supercritical CO2 in regenerative cooling at an extremely high Mach number in a scramjet.
Unstable Approach Detection and Analysis Based on Energy Management and a Deep Neural Network
Authors: Chiu Tzu-Ying , Lai Ying-Chih
Published: June 2023

The study of managing risk in aviation is the key to improving flight safety. Compared to the other flight operation phases, the approach and landing phases are more critical and dangerous. This study aims to detect and analyze unstable approaches in Taiwan through historical flight data. In addition to weather factors such as low visibility and crosswinds, human factors also account for a large part of the risk. From the accidents studied in the stochastic report of the Flight Safety Foundation, nearly 70% of the accidents occurred during the approach and landing phases, which were caused by improper control of aircraft energy. Since the information of the flight data recorder (FDR) is regarded as the airline’s confidential information, this study calculates the aircraft’s energy-related metrics and investigates the influence of non-weather-related factors on unstable approaches through a publicly available source, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) flight data. To evaluate the influence of weather- and non-weather-related factors, the outliers of each group classified by weather labels are detected and eliminated from the analysis by applying hierarchical density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (HDBSCAN), which is utilized for detecting abnormal flights that are spatial anomalies. The deep learning method was adopted to detect and predict unstable arrival flights landing at Taipei Songshan Airport. The accuracy of the prediction for the normalized total energy and trajectory deviation of all flights is 85.15% and 82.11%, respectively. The results show that in different kinds of weather conditions, or not considering the weather, the models have similar good performance. The input features were analyzed after the model was obtained, and the flights detected as abnormal are discussed.
Assessing the Efficiency of Different Nitrogen Fertilization Levels on Sorghum Yield and Quality Characteristics
Authors: Bartzialis Dimitrios , Giannoulis Kyriakos D. , Gintsioudis Ippolitos , Danalatos Nicholaos G.
Published: June 2023

Sorghum is a Poaceae family plant that produces a lot of hay. A field experiment was carried out at the University of Thessaly’s experimental farm to investigate the hay yield and quality characteristics of six different sorghum varieties (V1: Buffalo grain, V2: Elite, V3: Big Kahuna, V4: 25K1009, V5: 4264, and V6: 5D61) under different nitrogen fertilization levels (N1: 0, N2: 80, N3: 160, and N4: 240 kg ha−1, using urinary ammonia 40-0-0). Pea for silage production was established in the same field prior to sorghum cultivation. Hay yield was found to differ significantly between the tested varieties and was also influenced by nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilization has a statistically significant effect on sorghum production, with a higher nitrogen supply contributing to a higher protein content in the sorghum yield. Other hay quality indicators, such as ash, NDF, and ADF, demonstrated differences between the different varieties and nitrogen fertilizer levels. According to the study, the variety that had stable output was “Elite”, which had good quality attributes and could be used as an alternative to feed production before sorghum development.
A Multistep Interval Prediction Method Combining Environmental Variables and Attention Mechanism for Egg Production Rate
Authors: Yin Hang , Wu Zeyu , Wu Jun-Chao , Chen Yalin , Chen Mingxuan , Luo Shixuan , Gao Lijun , Hassan Shahbaz Gul
Published: June 2023

The egg production rate is a crucial metric in animal breeding, subject to biological and environmental influences and exhibits characteristics of small sample sizes and non-linearity. Currently, egg production rate prediction research predominantly focuses on single-step point prediction, lacking multistep and interval prediction exploration. To bridge these gaps, this study proposes a recursive, multistep interval prediction method for egg production rates, integrating environmental variables and attention mechanisms. Initially, this study employed three gradient boosting tree models (XGBoost, LightGBM, CatBoost) and the recursive feature elimination (RFE) method to select critical environmental variables and reduce data dimensionality. Subsequently, by scaling the time scale of important environmental variables and utilizing the variational modal decomposition improved by the grey wolf optimization (GWO-VMD) method for time-series decomposition, the volume of important environmental variable data is augmented and its complexity is reduced. Applying the long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network to obtain direct multistep predictions on IMFs, the predicted outcomes are averaged daily to yield the environmental variables for the upcoming two days. Finally, a multistep interval prediction model based on Seq2seq-Attention and Gaussian distribution is proposed in this study, and parameter optimization is carried out using the multi-objective grey wolf optimization algorithm (MOGWO). By inputting the historical egg production rate data and environmental variables into the proposed model, it is possible to achieve multistep point and interval prediction of egg production rates. This method was applied to analyze a dataset of egg production rates of waterfowl. The study demonstrated the feasibility of the recursive multistep prediction approach combined with environmental variables and guides egg production estimation and environmental regulation in animal husbandry.
Characteristics of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baillon Collected in Habitats of South Korea
Authors: Kim Beung Sung , Kim Jong Soo , Seo Young Jin , Oh Tae Young , Lee Jeong-Dong
Published: June 2023

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. has been traditionally used as a medicine for bronchial tube ailments in Northeast Asia. Recently, the demand for S. chinensis has increased for use as food and medicine because of the lignans found in its fruits. However, the species germplasm collection has rarely been studied to evaluate their phenotypic traits in Korea. In this study, 96 accessions of S. chinensis were collected in South Korea for two years to evaluate their phenotypes, and principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were conducted. Significant variations among the measured phenotypic traits were observed. The total bunch weight produced from a single tree ranged from 109 to 5844 g; the contents in schizandrin, gomisin A, and gomisin N—three types of lignan—were 2.2–14.5, 0.9–9.8, and 2.1–12.2 mg/g, respectively. Gomisin N positively correlated with flowering traits (flowering start, period, and peduncle length) and leaf characteristics (leaf width and length). PCA and cluster analyses revealed four clusters among the 96 S. chinensis accessions. These results provide valuable information for systematic characterization of species germplasm collections and tools for further research.
Chemical Diversity, Yield, and Quality of Aromatic Plants
Authors: Nurzyńska-Wierdak Renata
Published: June 2023

Natural products, i.e., food, drugs, cosmetics, flavors, dyes, and preservatives, have recently become a subject of great interest. There is no doubt that the primary condition for the suitability and use of these products is a solid scientific basis, especially in terms of biological activity. Medicinal aromatic plants (MAPs) play a valuable and vital role in the economic, social, cultural, and ecological aspects of local communities worldwide. MAPs, commonly known as herbs or spices, are distinguished by their original aroma and valuable healing effects. They are common in folk medicine and have modern proven healing effects. These plants are characterized by great diversity both morphologically and chemically, as well as in terms of biological activity. Their properties are modified by various factors of variation: genetic, ontogenetic, environmental, and post-harvest. This review presents the results of the latest research on the use of wild and cultivated aromatic plants in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food production sectors. In addition, the relationship between the quantity and quality of MAP yield and the genetic, environmental, and agrotechnical factors involved was discussed.