bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image and Clinical Aspects of Congenital Zika Syndrome in 24 month-old Girl
Authors: Nogueira Pinheiro Maria Suelly , Sousa Barbosa Gabriele , De Jesus Silva Rondineia , Benício De Oliveira Júnior Vamberto , Gomes Silva Lucas Vinicius , Carvalho de Brito de Souza Liane , Alves Gomes Josenília Maria , Aspilicueta Pinto Filho Washington , Barros Jucá Carlos Eduardo
Published: January 2022

Not applicable.
Пандемія COVID-19 (штами «Дельта», «Омікрон»): особливості навчання на тематичному циклі «Загальна фармація на засадах фармацевтичного права»
Authors: Шаповалова Вікторія , Шаповалов Валерій , Шаповалов Валентин , Осинцева Аліна , Негрецький Сергій , Деркач Анатолій , Січкаренко Олександр
Published: January 2022

Пандемія COVID-19 (штами «Дельта», «Омікрон) сприяла оптимізації роботи в режимі он-лайн, що вимагало освоєння нових навичок роботи в мережі Інтернет та додаткового навантаження на професорсько-викладацький склад Кафедри (індивідуальна праця із слухачами, інтернами в зручний для них час та вихідні дні тощо). Професорсько-викладацький склад та науковці Кафедри ХМАПО успішно проводить цикли з використанням технологій дистанційного навчання і 98% слухачів задоволені пройденими курсами. Кафедра активно співпрацює з професорсько-викладацьким складом та науковцями ЛМІ та інших ВУЗів України, країн СНД та ЄС. Підкреслено, що розробка та просування національної стратегії вищої освіти з урахуванням світового досвіду здатна підвищити конкурентоспроможність вузів Україні на світовому освітньому ринку та задовольнити потреби національного та загальносвітового ринку праці.
Antibacterial activities of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil and ethanol extract
Authors: Yeddes Walid  , Hammami Majdi  , Khammassi Saber  , Grati Affes Taycir  , Aidi Wannes Wissem  , Saidani-Tounsi Moufida
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition and antibacterial potential of rosemary essential oil and ethanol extract to improve its physicochemical and antibacterial properties. the essential oil yield of rosemary leaves was 1.76 % and the predominant compounds were 1,8-cineole (57.55 %), camphor (8.82 %), α-pinene (8.83 %), borneol (5.54 %) and camphene (2.36 %). Rosemary extract had an important amount of total phenolic content with 28.47 mg GAE/g DW. However, flavonoids and condensed tannins were weakly present in rosemary extract having 2.59 mg QE/g and 1.02 mg CE/g, respectively. Rosemary ethanol extract was mainly characterized by the predominance of carnosic acid (58.71 mg /g) and rosmarinic acid (16.51 mg/g). The antibacterial activity of rosemary essential oil and ethanol extract was determined against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella enterica, Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis.
Two new species of Heteromastix (Cantharidae, Dysmorphocerinae) from New Guinea
Authors: Fabrizio Fanti , Menufandu Herlina
Published: January 2022

Two new Heteromastix Boheman, 1858 from Mount Arfak in New Guinea (Indonesia, West Papua) are described. Heteromastix casadioi sp. nov. is characterized by 12 antennomeres, a feature only known in one other species until now. Heteromastix colacurcioi sp. nov. is similar to H. elongatus Wittmer, 1959 but differs in the antennomeres X-XI. Furthermore, a redefinition of the species groups of the entire genus Heteromastix is provided.
16-An Exploration of The Multiple Role of Library in The Educational Activities at University Level
Authors: Minaz Dr Maksal , Shah Dr Rehmat , Habib Mrs Mehwish
Published: January 2022

The present specialized libraries are relied upon multi-disciplinary, multi-mode; multi-media as the specialized instruction requests it to assume the supporting part. This study focused on the objective to explore the multiple roles of library in students’ educational activities at university level. Therefore, a survey was conducted at the social science block of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan. Total Numbers of one hundred participants from social science discipline were randomly selected and data were collected through a self-made questionnaire. The questionnaire was pilot tested and gathers the data. Furthermore, data were analyzed by using percentage, mean scores and standard deviation were accordingly. Collected data showed that university students frequently visited library to boost-up their learning capabilities. The results of the collected data showed that library is a free source to educational activities and students easily access towards relevant material available at their approach. The major recommendation of study intensive on Higher Education Commission of Pakistan should take serious steps towards catalogue training for university teachers and students.
2- Evaluation of the Policy of Quality Assurance in Public and Private Sector Universities in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Mujtaba , Kayani Dr Muhammad Munir , Mahmood Dr Azhar
Published: January 2022

Quality assurance is increasingly becoming an important aspect of universities in developing countries. Development and implementation of quality assurance in universities is a challenge. The objectives of the study were to evaluate policy of quality assurance in public and private sector universities in Pakistan, to assess the practices of quality assurance in public and private sector universities in Pakistan, to find out the gap in policy and practices of quality assurance in public and private sector universities in Pakistan. Research design of the study was descriptive. The population of the study was 22 directors of quality enhancement cells, 3265 Ph.D. teachers and 288 heads of the department in sixteen public and six private sector universities in Islamabad. Through stratified random sampling technique, the sample of the study included 515 teachers, 215 HODs and 20 directors of QECs from the sixteen public and six private sector universities in Islamabad. Policy and practices of quality assurance in public and private sector universities was evaluated through questionnaire and interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed with the help of SPSS, Mean score, t-test and percentage. Public sector universities’ staff was more skilled and performing their duties according to required standard. Public sector universities promote research culture among faculty and students. It was recommended by the researcher that local and international training on policy and practices of quality assurance should be given to QECs staff, HODs and faculty members
COVID-19 Pandemic and Research on the Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity on the Relationship between Business Analytics Capability and Small-to-Medium-Sized Enterprise Performance
Authors: Holman Benjamin , Whitaker Christine
Published: January 2022

This initial study's key purpose was to investigate whether absorptive capacity performed a mediating role on the relationship between business analytics capability and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) performance in the United States. The study's findings are more relevant now as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) businesses in the United States. The study derived from the resource-based view approach, the dynamic capabilities dimension perspective, through the theoretical lens of the reconceptualization of absorptive capacity by Zahra and George (2002). The study empirically tested mediation through a series of regressions based on Baron and Kenny (1996). As recent extensions of the resource-based view theory, absorptive capacity and business analytics embody the dynamic capabilities, business intelligence, and knowledge management for modern business firms to align, modify, and reconfigure during a dynamic and volatile global business environment. Throughout the pandemic, it appears businesses have had to continually regain economic ground. This paper is an effort to apply the findings of research on the importance of absorptive capacity and business analytics capability as it pertains to the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic on SMEs. The study contributed to the theoretical body of knowledge on dynamic capabilities by empirically demonstrating how SMEs may manifest improvement in performance in the twenty-first century by utilizing data in collaboration with business analytics at the realized absorptive capacity dimension. In wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, exploring the research study's findings may provide insight to help SMEs survive during these difficult times, and even thrive, by increasing their absorptive capacity to utilize data analytics effectively.

Keywords: Resource-Based View, Absorptive Capacity, Business Analytics, Dynamic Capabilities, Information Technology, Small-To-Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME), COVID-19
Public health as a social science: reflections on the possibilities of a comprehensive public health
Authors: Sebastian Nicholas
Published: January 2022

Close historic relationships between medicine and public health have implied, as a consequence for the latter, the in-heritance of epistemological traits traditionally characteristic of a positivistic conception of science on which a major part of the theoretical development of modern medicine has been sup-ported. From the point of view of this ontological, epistemo-logical and methodological reference of positivism, health has been reduced to deterministic, linear and causalistic explana-tions that systematically cancel any reference to the lifeworld (Lebenswelt), both for the researcher and for the “objects” of re-search. The scientific pretensions of public health have become protruding over its political and ethical commitment, even widening the gap between scientific knowledge and the specific con-ditions of existence of social actors and their relation to health. This paper presents some reflections around the conditions of possibility for a comprehensive approach of public health prob-lems. These reflections are based on a conception of health as a social phenomenon, that is to say, as an emergent element from the complex web of intersubjective relationships among social actors, in a specific social and historic horizon. Epistemological, ethical and political implications of this perspective for research in public health are also discussed .
Characteristics Of the Fragmentation of Students' Thinking Structures with Cognitive Style Field Dependent on The Material Exponential Equation
Authors: Imam Muslim Rachmat , Usodo Budi , Pratiwi Hasih
Published: January 2022

Fragmentation of thinking structure is a condition where information storage does not work well. Related to processing information, one of the factors that affect an individual's ability to store information is cognitive style. Field Dependent (FD) cognitive style requires more guidance from others in order to understand the material well. With the characteristics possessed by students with FD cognitive style, it is very possible for students with FD cognitive style to experience fragmentation of thinking structures. Therefore, the researchers tried to explore the characteristics of the form of fragmentation that might occur in students with FD cognitive style on the exponential equation material. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method that describes the characteristics of the fragmentation of the thinking structure of students with FD cognitive style. From the results of the study, it was found that students with the FD cognitive style experienced all types of fragmentation of thinking structures. This is reflected in the difficulty of students in solving problems that have not been exemplified by the teacher. Even though the subject knows the concept, when faced with different problems, they have difficulty solving them
Recurrent Benign Phyllodes Presenting as High Grade Malignancy: A Case Report
Authors: Mehta Aditya , Manek Roshni , Suhas D
Published: January 2022

Johannes Muller initially described Phyllodes Tumours (PT) to be “cystosarcoma phyllodes” in 1838. The connotation for the term “phyllodes” is leaf like, which on pathologic examination gives appearance of typical papillary projections. The PT are fibroepithelial in nature and account for an unbefitting 1% of overall primary neoplasms of the breast. They are known for its rapid growth and seen in women of 35-55 years of age, with a mean age of presentation as 45 years. Regardless of the histology recurrence is very common, in both malignant and benign PT. The stromal pattern of expression of CD10 marker strongly correlates with the grade of PT thus helps in the differentiating between malignant and benign variants of PT. Authors hereby, discuss a case of 48-year-old female patient with recurrent PT of breast who underwent surgical excision of benign phyllodes tumour twice and presented with a briskly growing recurrent lump in the left breast for the third time, diagnosed as malignant PT. Very finite data is available on the outcome of surgical management and the advantage of adjuvant Radiation Therapy (RT) in PT. The PT carry high risk of recurrence as well as become aggressive when malignant in nature. Thus, wide local excision of the tumour with negative margins should be followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy to decrease the recurrence rate.
Leiomyosarcoma: A Rare Cause of Colocolic Intussusception
Authors: Puvvada Prashanth , Singh Nain , Pathania Om Prakash , Yelamanchi Raghav
Published: January 2022

Intussusception is an infrequent presentation in adult patients and accounts for less than 1% of all cases of adult bowel obstruction. Colon is most commonly involved site and in 56% cases, the underlying cause is a malignant neoplasm. Leiomyosarcoma of colon is an extremely rare tumour. A 30-year-old male patient presented to the Surgery Department with chief complaints of dull, diffuse and colicky abdominal pain associated with abdominal distension and vomiting for 15 days. On abdominal examination, abdomen was distended with generalised tenderness and rigidity. X-ray abdomen showed features suggestive of bowel obstruction. Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) revealed bowel within bowel appearance of a segment of descending colon suggestive of colocolic intussusception. Exploratory laparotomy revealed colocolic intussusception with a large obstructing growth in the descending colon acting as a lead point. Left hemicolectomy with colocolic anastomosis was done. Final histopathological report confirmed epithelioid leiomyosarcoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered and the patient is disease free at one year of follow-up. Present case report was a rare case of colonic leiomyosarcoma presenting with intussusception. The rarity of this disease and the rare presentation makes this an interesting case. Surgical management remains the mainstay of treatment of these cases.
Status of Coral Reefs in Lagonoy Gulf, Eastern Bicol, Philippines with Emphasis on Marine Protected Areas
Authors: Mendoza Antonino B. , Borejon Michael C. , B. Bista Joshua Karl
Published: January 2022

Status of coral reef health of 8 Marine Protected Areas (MPA), 6 adjacent MPA reefs and 5 regular reefs of Lagonoy Gulf were assessed from December 2017 to August 2018 and compared with previous gulf-wide assessment results in 1994 and 2004. Underwater photo transect (UPT) method was utilized to collect benthic lifeform information and coral point count with excel extensions (CPCe) was used to analyzed benthic data.  Results showed that present live coral cover in MPAs are low with 26% as compared to adjacent MPA reef areas (30%) and regular reef stations (33%). A downtrend was noted from 1993 – 2004 with 10% decline of MPA reefs while from 2004 to 2018 decrease was almost 20% and from 1993 to 2018 an average fall of 25% was detected.  Overall, Lagonoy Gulf reef health is declining and can be attributed to both natural and fisheries activities, as evidenced by almost 20 typhoons affecting the Region per year  with a super typhoon at least every 5-10 years and the heavy dependence of fishing communities on reef fishes respectively. However, non-MPA reefs decline was observed to very minimal as compared for both MPA and adjacent MPA reefs ranging from 1% to 6%.  With this, MPA management schemes should be revisited and amended to improve and strengthen MPA governance, direction and strategies.
Genetic Variability, Character Association and Path Analysis for Yield and its Related Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes
Authors: Singh S. K. , Singh Pooja , Khaire Amrutlal Ratilal , Korada Mounika , Singh D. K. , Majhi Prasanta Kumar , Jayasudha S.
Published: January 2022

Assessment of variability and trait associations in a crop helps to enhance selection efficiency. With this objective, a study was conducted to estimate the genetic variability, character association and path coefficient analysis for grain yield and its component traits in 80 rice genotypes during Kharif-2020. Eighty genotypes including eight checks were evaluated in alpha lattice design with three replications. For all of the traits studied, the results revealed significant variance in all genotypes.PCV was found to be slightly more than the corresponding GCV for all the characters, indicating the role of environment in the expression of these traits. However, high GCV and high PCV were observed for number of effective tillers, grain yield per plot, number of filled grains per panicle, number of unfilled grains per panicle, biomass yield, harvest index, grain yield per plant and grain yield per hectare. Furthermore, all of the variables investigated had strong heritability and high genetic progress as a percentage of mean, with the exception of days to 50% blooming, days to maturity, and kernel breadth. Days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, spikelet fertility percentage, number of filled grains per panicle, harvest index and kernel length showed a significant and positive association with grain yield per plot. Highest direct contribution to grain yield per plot was manifested by kernel length, harvest index and spikelet fertility percent. Days to first flowering, days to maturity, number of effective tillers, number of unfilled grains per panicle, test weight, biomass yield were also found to exert a positive effect on yield, thus can be considered as desirable traits for selection in high yielding genotypes.
Risk‐Perceptional and Feedback‐Controlled Response System Based on NO2‐Detecting Artificial Sensory Synapse
Authors: Qian Chuan , Choi Yongsuk , Kim Seonkwon , Kim Seongchan , Choi Young Jin , Roe Dong Gue , Lee Jung Hun , Kang Moon Sung , Lee Wi Hyoung , Cho Jeong Ho
Published: January 2022

Bio‐inspired artificial neural networks can be used to realize the efficient perception and parallel processing of unstructured data. This paper proposes a feedback‐controlled response system based on a NO2‐detecting artificial sensory synapse, which can process, judge, and react to a varying gas environment. The NO2‐detecting artificial sensory synapse adopts an organic heterostructure involving the charge trapping layer (pentacene) and hole‐conducting layer (copper‐phthalocyanine). The electron‐withdrawing nature of NO2 and its high compatibility with copper‐phthalocyanine induce the retentive behavior of an increase in the conductance at the hole conduction channel when consecutive positive pulses are applied to the gate terminal. The system consists of the artificial sensory synapse and artificial neuron circuits, which can provide systematic responses to varying NO2 conditions, thereby successfully simulating the efficient risk‐response system of biological neural networks. The proposed feedback‐controlled response system can facilitate the development of bionic electronics and artificial intelligence frameworks.
Theory of Chirality Induced Spin Selectivity: Progress and Challenges
Authors: Evers Ferdinand , Aharony Amnon , Bar‐Gill Nir , Entin‐Wohlman Ora , Hedegård Per , Hod Oded , Jelinek Pavel , Kamieniarz Grzegorz , Lemeshko Mikhail , Michaeli Karen , Mujica Vladimiro , Naaman Ron , Paltiel Yossi , Refaely‐Abramson Sivan , Tal Oren , Thijssen Jos , Thoss Michael , van Ruitenbeek Jan M. , Venkataraman Latha , Waldeck David H. , Yan Binghai , Kronik Leeor
Published: January 2022

A critical overview of the theory of the chirality‐induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect, that is, phenomena in which the chirality of molecular species imparts significant spin selectivity to various electron processes, is provided. Based on discussions in a recently held workshop, and further work published since, the status of CISS effects—in electron transmission, electron transport, and chemical reactions—is reviewed. For each, a detailed discussion of the state‐of‐the‐art in theoretical understanding is provided and remaining challenges and research opportunities are identified.
Multilayer Reservoir Computing Based on Ferroelectric α‐In2Se3 for Hierarchical Information Processing
Authors: Liu Keqin , Dang Bingjie , Zhang Teng , Yang Zhen , Bao Lin , Xu Liying , Cheng Caidie , Huang Ru , Yang Yuchao
Published: January 2022

Dynamic physical systems such as reservoir computing (RC) architectures show a great prospect in temporal information processing, whereas hierarchical information processing capability is still lacking due to the absence of advanced multilayer reservoir elements. Here, a stackable reservoir system is constructed based on ferroelectric α‐In2Se3 devices with voltage input and output, which is realized by dynamic voltage division between a ferroelectric field‐effect transistor and a planar device and therefore allows the reservoirs to cascade, enabling multilayer RC. Fast Fourier transformation analysis shows high‐harmonic generation in the first layer as a result of inherent nonlinearity of the reservoir, and progressive low‐pass filtering effect is realized where higher‐frequency components are progressively filtered in deeper‐layer RCs. Time‐series prediction and waveform classification tasks are also demonstrated, serving as evidence for the memory capacity and computing capability of the deep reservoir architecture. This work can provide a promising pathway in exploiting emerging 2D materials and dynamics for advanced neuromorphic computing architectures.
A Biomimetic Human Lung‐on‐a‐Chip with Colorful Display of Microphysiological Breath
Authors: Zhu Yujuan , Sun Lingyu , Wang Yu , Cai Lijun , Zhang Zhuohao , Shang Yixuan , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: January 2022

Lung‐on‐a‐chip models hold great promise for disease modeling and drug screening. Herein, inspired by the iridescence phenomenon of soap bubbles, a novel biomimetic 3D microphysiological lung‐on‐a‐chip system with breathing visualization is presented. The system, with an array of pulmonary alveoli at the physiological scale, is constructed and coated with structural color materials. Cyclic deformation is induced by regular airflow, resembling the expansion and contraction of the alveoli during rhythmic breathing. As the deformation is accompanied with corresponding synchronous shifts in the structural color, the constructed system offers self‐reporting of the cell mechanics and enables real‐time monitoring of the cultivation process. Using this system, the dynamic relationships between the color atlas and disease symptoms, showing the essential role of mechanical stretching in the phenotypes of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, are investigated. These features make this human lung system ideal in biological study, disease monitoring, and drug discovery.
Gold Nanoparticle‐Labeled CRISPR‐Cas13a Assay for the Sensitive Solid‐State Nanopore Molecular Counting
Authors: Liu Li , Xu Zhiheng , Awayda Kamel , Dollery Stephen J. , Bao Mengdi , Fan Jianlin , Cormier Denis , O'Connell Mitchell R. , Tobin Gregory J. , Du Ke
Published: January 2022

A gold nanoparticle (AuNP)‐labeled CRISPR‐Cas13a nucleic acid assay is developed for sensitive solid‐state nanopore sensing. Instead of directly detecting the translocation of RNA through a nanopore, the system utilizes non‐covalent conjugates of AuNPs and RNA targets. Upon CRISPR activation, the AuNPs are liberated from the RNA, isolated, and passed through a nanopore sensor. Detection of the AuNPs can be observed as increasing ionic current in the chip. Each AuNP that is detected is enumerated as an event, leading to quantitative of molecular targets. Leveraging the high signal‐to‐noise ratio enabled by the AuNPs, a detection limit of 50 fM before front‐end target amplification is achieved using SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA segments as a Cas13 target. Furthermore, a dynamic range of six orders of magnitude is demonstrated for quantitative RNA sensing. This simplified AuNP‐based CRISPR assay is performed at the physiological temperature without relying on thermal cyclers. In addition, the nanopore reader is similar in size to a smartphone, making the assay system suitable for rapid and portable nucleic acid biomarker detection in either low‐resource settings or hospitals.
Ultra‐Thin GeSe/WS2 Vertical Heterojunction with Excellent Optoelectronic Performances
Authors: Yan Bing , Ning Bo , Zhang Guoxin , Zhou Dahua , Shi Xuan , Wang Chunxiang , Zhao Hongquan
Published: January 2022

Heterostructural engineering of atomically thin 2D materials offers an exciting opportunity to fabricate atomically sharp interfaces for optoelectronic devices. Herein, GeSe/WS2 heterojunction devices composed of 2D WS2 (n‐type) and few‐layer GeSe (p‐type), are fabricated by transferring mechanically exfoliated GeSe to chemical vapor deposition (CVD)‐grown WS2. Excellent rectification behavior is observed from the I−V characteristics of the GeSe/WS2 heterojunction devices. The reverse photocurrent increases more rapidly than the forward photocurrent under a 635 nm laser illumination, indicating an effective separation of the photogenerated carriers under a minus bias. A large photocurrent on‐off ratio of 103 at −5 V bias, a high responsivity (Rλ) of 1.1 A W−1, a considerable specific detectivity (D*) of 1.3×1010 Jones, and a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 214.8%, are obtained. Owing to the large built‐in potential of the heterojunction, efficient charge transfer is achieved from the abrupt interfaces even though vastly different materials are used in the van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure. A convenient route is demonstrated for the preparation of ultra‐thin GeSe/WS2 vdW heterojunctions. The results reveal great potential of the present GeSe/WS2 vertical heterojunction for future applications in optoelectronics.
Extremely High Power Efficiency Solution‐Processed Orange‐Red TADF OLEDs via a Synergistic Strategy of Molecular and Device Engineering
Authors: Jiang Dehao , Sasabe Hisahiro , Arai Hiroki , Nakao Kohei , Kumada Kengo , Kido Junji
Published: January 2022

The development of high‐performance, solution‐processed, orange‐red organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters is a challenging endeavor. In this study, two orange‐red TADF emitters, namely 2DMAC‐DBP‐2tBuCz and 2SPAC‐DBP‐2tBuCz, are developed by a novel donor–acceptor–functional‐group (D‐A‐R) molecular design strategy. This design makes the molecules highly soluble and inhibits concentration quenching of excitons, rendering the emitter suitable for use in devices with high concentration to boost their performance. The solution‐processed, orange‐red OLEDs manufactured in this study achieve a state‐of‐the‐art maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) value of 23.7% and an extremely high maximum power efficiency (PEmax) of 48.8 lm W−1, which is nearly twice higher than the previously reported best value (27.1 lm W−1). Therefore, the collaboration of molecular engineering and sophisticated device design provides a novel method for extremely low power consumption solution‐processed OLEDs.
Targeting Cancer Metabolism Plasticity with JX06 Nanoparticles via Inhibiting PDK1 Combined with Metformin for Endometrial Cancer Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Yang Xiao , Cheng Yuan , Zhou Jingyi , Zhang Lingpu , Li Xingchen , Wang Zhiqi , Yin Shenyi , Zhai LiRong , Huang Ting , Wu Xiaotong , Shen Boqiang , Dong Yangyang , Zhao Lijun , Chi Yujing , Jia Yuanyuan , Wang Jiaqi , He Yijiao , Dong Xiying , Xiao Haihua , Wang Jianliu
Published: January 2022

Diabetes is closely related to the occurrence of endometrial cancer (EC) and its poor prognosis. However, there is no effective clinical treatment for EC patients with diabetes (patientEC+/dia+). To explore new therapeutic targets, Ishikawa is cultured with high glucose (IshikawaHG) mimicking hyperglycemia in patientEC+/dia+. Subsequently, it is discovered that IshikawaHG exhibits glucose metabolic reprogramming characterized by increased glycolysis and decreased oxidative phosphorylation. Further, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) is identified to promote glycolysis of IshikawaHG by proteomics. Most importantly, JX06, a novel PDK1 inhibitor combined metformin (Met) significantly inhibits IshikawaHG proliferation though IshikawaHG is resistant to Met. Furthermore, a reduction‐sensitive biodegradable polymer is adopted to encapsulate JX06 to form nanoparticles (JX06‐NPs) for drug delivery. It is found that in vitro JX06‐NPs have better inhibitory effect on the growth of IshikawaHG as well as patient‐derived EC cells (PDC) than JX06. Additionally, it is found that JX06‐NPs can accumulate to the tumor of EC‐bearing mouse with diabetes (miceEC+/dia+) after intravenous injection, and JX06‐NPs combined Met can significantly inhibit tumor growth of miceEC+/dia+. Taken together, the study demonstrates that the combination of JX06‐NPs and Met can target the cancer metabolism plasticity, which significantly inhibits the growth of EC, thereby provides a new adjuvant therapy for patientsEC+/dia+.
Reticulated Porous Perovskite Structures for Thermochemical Solar Energy Storage
Authors: Pein Mathias , Matzel Luca , de Oliveira Lamark , Alkan Gözde , Francke Alexander , Mechnich Peter , Agrafiotis Christos , Roeb Martin , Sattler Christian
Published: January 2022

The inherent capability of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants for sensible thermal energy storage ensures their continuous operation and is considered their most crucial competitive edge versus other renewable energy sources. The storage density of air‐operated CSP plants can be significantly increased by hybridizing sensible with thermochemical storage of solar heat, exploiting reversible air–solid oxide reduction–oxidation reactions. Thermochemical storage‐relevant‐protocols testing of in‐house manufactured lab‐scale reticulated porous ceramic foams made entirely of CaMnO3 perovskite reveals fully reversible reduction‐oxidation in up to 46 cycles between 300 and 1100 °C under air, without any deterioration of the foams’ structural integrity and exploitable endothermic/exothermic heat effects between 890 and 920 °C linked to an orthorhombic‐to‐cubic phase transition. Dilatometry experiments with CaMnO3 bars under identical cyclic conditions demonstrate the correlation of this phase transition to an increase in the thermal expansion coefficient but nevertheless, complete recovery of the initial specimen dimensions upon completion of a full heat‐up/cooldown redox cycle. The possibility of shaping into sturdy reticulated porous ceramic structures which exhibit complete dimensional reversibility upon cyclic redox operation, combined with the low cost, earth abundance and environmentally benign character of the constituting elements, render such perovskite compositions extremely attractive for the manufacture of large‐scale porous structured objects for exploitation in various thermochemical processes.
Development and validation of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous analysis of androgens, estrogens, glucocorticoids and progestagens in human serum
Authors: Iannone Michele , Dima Anna Pia , Sciarra Francesca , Botrè Francesco , Isidori Andrea M.
Published: January 2022

We present a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous analysis of 16 endogenous steroids (androgens, estrogens, glucocorticoids and progestogens) in human serum. Samples (250 μl of matrix) were extracted with t‐butylmethyl ether prior to LC–MS/MS analysis. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed‐phase column using a methanol–water gradient. The HPLC was coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source with acquisition in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated using surrogate matrices and human serum samples. The specificity of the method was confirmed for all of the considered steroids; linearity was also assessed (R2 > 0.99, lack‐of‐fit test) in the ranges of concentrations investigated. The lower limits of quantification were in the range 10–400 pg/ml depending on the target steroid. Accuracy was in the range 85–115% for all target steroids except for the lower limit of quantitation levels where it was 80–120%. The extraction recovery was always >65%. No significant matrix effects were observed. To test the reliability of the method, the analysis of serum samples collected from 10 healthy subjects (5 M/5F) was performed. The present method can be used to identify the trajectories of deviation from the concentration normality ranges applied to disorders of the gonadal and adrenal axes.
The occurrence and risk factors associated with post‐traumatic stress disorder among discharged COVID‐19 patients in Tianjin, China
Authors: Mei Zaoxian , Wu Xiaohui , Zhang Xueli , Zheng Xingjie , Li Wenxin , Fan Rui , Yu Hongwei , Zhang Shunming , Gu Yeqing , Wang Xuena , Xia Yang , Meng Ge , Shen Jun , Niu Kaijun
Published: January 2022

Background

Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event. We aimed to investigate the occurrence and risk factors of PTSD among discharged COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

This study included 144 discharged COVID‐19 patients. PTSD was assessed by using validated cut‐offs of the impact of event scale‐revised (IES‐R, score ≥25). All patients completed a detailed questionnaire survey, and clinical parameters were routinely measured in the hospital. Binary logistic regression models were applied to identify factors associated with PTSD.

Results

Of the 144 participants with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19, the occurrence of PTSD was 16.0%. In multivariable analyses, age above 40 years (adjusted OR [95% CI], 5.19 [2.17–12.32]), female sex (adjusted OR [95% CI], 7.82 [3.18–18.21]), current smoker (adjusted OR [95% CI], 6.72 [3.23–15.26]), and ≥3 involved pulmonary lobes (adjusted OR [95% CI], 5.76 [1.19–15.71]) were significantly associated with a higher risk of PTSD. Conversely, history of hypertension and serum hemoglobin levels were significantly associated with a lower risk of PTSD with adjusted ORs (95% CI) of 0.37 (0.12–0.87) and 0.91 (0.82–0.96), respectively.

Conclusion

Old age, gender (being female), current smoking, bacterial pneumonia, and ≥3 involved pulmonary lobes were associated with an increased occurrence of PTSD among discharged COVID‐19 patients.
Application of inline variable pathlength technology for rapid determination of dynamic binding capacity in downstream process development of biopharmaceuticals
Authors: Bhangale Rashmi P. , Ye Rui , Lindsey Thomas B. , Wolfe Leslie S.
Published: January 2022

Determination of dynamic binding capacity (DBC) for capture purification chromatographic step is usually the first experiment to be performed during downstream process development of biopharmaceuticals. In this work, we investigated the application of inline variable pathlength technology using FlowVPE for rapid determination of DBC on affinity resins for protein capture and proved its comparability with offline titer methods. This work also demonstrated that variable pathlength technology for DBC determination can be successfully applied to different classes of monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins. This enabled rapid screening of affinity resins and optimization of the capture chromatography step. Hence, use of inline variable pathlength technology eliminated the dependency on offline titer data, traditionally used for DBC determination and accelerated overall process development timelines with less cost.
Particle‐based analysis elucidates the real retention capacities of virus filters and enables optimal virus clearance study design with evaluation systems of diverse virological characteristics
Authors: Kayukawa Taiki , Yanagibashi Akiyo , Hongo‐Hirasaki Tomoko , Yanagida Koichiro
Published: January 2022

In virus clearance study (VCS) design, the amount of virus loaded onto the virus filters (VF) must be carefully controlled. A large amount of virus is required to demonstrate sufficient virus removal capability; however, too high a viral load causes virus breakthrough and reduces log reduction values. We have seen marked variation in the virus removal performance for VFs even with identical VCS design. Understanding how identical virus infectivity, materials and operating conditions can yield such different results is key to optimizing VCS design. The present study developed a particle number‐based method for VCS and investigated the effects on VF performance of discrepancies between apparent virus amount and total particle number of minute virus of mice. Co‐spiking of empty and genome‐containing particles resulted in a decrease in the virus removal performance proportional to the co‐spike ratio. This suggests that empty particles are captured in the same way as genome‐containing particles, competing for retention capacity. In addition, between virus titration methods with about 2.0 Log10 difference in particle‐to‐infectivity ratios, there was a 20‐fold decrease in virus retention capacity limiting the throughput that maintains the required LRV (e.g., 4.0), calculated using infectivity titers. These findings suggest that ignoring virus particle number in VCS design can cause virus overloading and accelerate filter breakthrough. This article asserts the importance of focusing on virus particle number and discusses optimization of VCS design that is unaffected by virological characteristics of evaluation systems and adequately reflect the VF retention capacity.
A tutorial on the analysis of multifactorial designs from one or more data sources using AComDim
Authors: de Figueiredo Miguel , Giannoukos Stamatios , Wüthrich Cedric , Zenobi Renato , Rutledge Douglas N.
Published: January 2022

To analyze data acquired from experiments based on multifactorial designs, approaches able to decompose and model the main sources of variation in the measurements are particularly useful. Although methods combining analysis of variance (ANOVA) with principal components analysis (PCA) or simultaneous components analysis (SCA), namely, ANOVA‐PCA (APCA) and ANOVA‐SCA (ASCA), have proven to be efficient to tackle such data structures, they require the construction and interpretation of a model for each experimental factor and interaction. Other methods like parallel factor analysis‐SCA (PARAFASCA), ANOVA multiblock orthogonal partial least squares (AMOPLS) and ANOVA‐Common Dimensions (AComDim) offer the possibility to have an overall picture of all the sources of variation by means of a single model. Moreover, acquiring data from one or multiple data sources through the same experimental design is becoming more common, and approaches able to cope with such complex data structures are needed. In this tutorial, an explanation of the theory and software implementation of AComDim as well as its usage for the analysis of data acquired from experimental designs is provided. Relying on the multiblock nature of AComDim, an extension to cases where data from multiple sources are acquired on the same samples is proposed.
Cuckoo search optimization‐based image color and detail enhancement for contrast distorted images
Authors: Subramani Bharath , Veluchamy Magudeeswaran
Published: January 2022

Researchers have developed various contrast enhancement techniques to provide perceptually good quality images for many vision‐based applications. An exposure‐based optimally weighted gamma correction framework is proposed in this work to overcome the drawback of low contrast and unclear detail in contrast distorted image. At first, the intensities of the input image are expanded and compressed to increase the fine details and reduce the viewable artifacts. The gamma correction and weighted sum approach are then introduced to provide good contrast and natural‐looking images with optimal gamma values. Besides, the cuckoo search algorithm is employed to calculate the optimum value of the gamma function. In this work, the mean squared error is used as the objective function to maximize the information content of the enhanced image. The simulation results reveal the efficiency of the proposed method in enhancing the image for various levels of contrast distortion. Besides, quantitative and qualitative comparisons with the recently published methods demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm in improving details and natural color of the contrast distorted images.
Hybrid zone of a tree in a Cerrado/Atlantic Forest ecotone as a hotspot of genetic diversity and conservation
Authors: Muniz André Carneiro , Pimenta Ricardo José Gonzaga , Cruz Mariana Vargas , Rodrigues Jacqueline Gomes , Buzatti Renata Santiago de Oliveira , Heuertz Myriam , Lemos‐Filho José P. , Lovato Maria Bernadete
Published: January 2022

The Cerrado, the largest Neotropical savanna, and the Brazilian Atlantic Forest form large ecotonal areas where savanna and forest habitats occupy adjacent patches with closely related species occurring side by side, providing opportunities for hybridization. Here, we investigated the evolutionary divergence between the savanna and forest ecotypes of the widely distributed tree Plathymenia reticulata (n = 233 individuals). Genetic structure analysis of P. reticulata was congruent with the recognition of two ecotypes, whose divergence captured the largest proportion of genetic variance in the data (FCT = 0.222 and FST = 0.307). The ecotonal areas between the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest constitute a hybrid zone in which a diversity of hybrid classes was observed, most of them corresponding to second‐generation hybrids (F2) or backcrosses. Gene flow occurred mainly toward the forest ecotype. The genetic structure was congruent with isolation by environment, and environmental correlates of divergence were identified. The observed pattern of high genetic divergence between ecotypes may reflect an incipient speciation process in P. reticulata. The low genetic diversity of the P. reticulata forest ecotype indicate that it is threatened in areas with high habitat loss on Atlantic Forest. In addition, the high divergence from the savanna ecotype suggests it should be treated as a different unit of management. The high genetic diversity found in the ecotonal hybrid zone supports the view of ecotones as important areas for the origin and conservation of biodiversity in the Neotropics.
Infection by dsRNA viruses is associated with enhanced sporulation efficiency in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Travers Cook Thomas J. , Skirgaila Christina , Martin Oliver Y. , Buser Claudia C.
Published: January 2022

Upon starvation diploid cells of the facultative sexual yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergo sporulation, forming four metabolically quiescent and robust haploid spores encased in a degradable ascus. All endosymbionts, whether they provide net benefits or costs, utilize host resources; in yeast, this should induce an earlier onset of sporulation. Here, we tested whether the presence of endosymbiotic dsRNA viruses (M satellite and L‐A helper) correspond with higher sporulation rate of their host, S. cerevisiae. We find that S. cerevisiae hosting both the M and L‐A viruses (so‐called “killer yeasts”) have significantly higher sporulation efficiency than those without. We also found that the removal of the M virus did not reduce sporulation frequency, possibly because the L‐A virus still utilizes host resources with and without the M virus. Our findings indicate that either virulent resource use by endosymbionts induces sporulation, or that viruses are spread more frequently to sporulating strains. Further exploration is required to distinguish cause from effect.
Nomogram predicting death and heart transplantation before appropriate ICD shock in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Deng Yu , Zhang Nixiao , Hua Wei , Cheng Sijing , Niu Hongxia , Chen Xuhua , Gu Min , Cai Chi , Liu Xi , Huang Hao , Cai Minsi , Zhang Shu
Published: January 2022

Aims

This study aimed to develop and validate a competing risk nomogram for predicting all‐cause mortality and heart transplantation (HT) before first appropriate shock in non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients receiving implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICD).

Methods and results

A total of 218 consecutive DCM patients implanted with ICD between 2010 and 2019 at our institution were retrospectively enrolled. Cox proportional hazards model was primarily built to identify variables associated with death and HT. Then, a Fine–Gray model, accounting for the appropriate shock as a competing risk, was constructed using these selected variables along with implantation indication (primary vs. secondary). Finally, a nomogram based on the Fine–Gray model was established to predict 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year probabilities of all‐cause mortality and HT before first appropriate shock. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), Harrell's C‐index, and calibration curves were used to evaluate and internally validate the performance of this model. The decision curve analysis was applied to assess its clinical utility. The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year cumulative incidence of all‐cause mortality and HT without former appropriate shock were 5.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9–9.9%], 16.6% (95% CI 11–25.0%), and 25.3% (95% CI 17.2–37.1%), respectively. Five variables including implantation indication, left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter, N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker, and amiodarone treatment were independently associated with it (all P < 0.05) and were used for constructing the nomogram. The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year AUC of the nomogram were 0.83 (95% CI 0.73–0.94, P < 0.001), 0.84 (95% CI 0.75–0.93, P < 0.001), and 0.85 (95% CI 0.77–0.94, P < 0.001), respectively. The Harrell's C‐index was 0.788 (95% CI 0.697–0.877, P < 0.001; 0.762 for the optimism‐corrected C‐index), showing the good discriminative ability of the model. The calibration was acceptable (optimism‐corrected slope 0.896). Decision curve analysis identified our model was clinically useful within the entire range of potential treatment thresholds for ICD implantation. Three risk groups stratified by scores were significantly different between cumulative incidence curves (P < 0.001). The identified high‐risk group composed 17.9% of our population and did not derive long‐term benefit from ICD.

Conclusions

The proposed nomogram is a simple, useful risk stratification tool for selecting potential ICD recipients in DCM patients. It might facilitate the shared decision‐making between patients and clinicians.