bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of serum neopterin in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autistic spectrum disorder: Fayoum Governorate, Egypt
Authors: Abdel Ghaffar Hadeer Mahmoud Gamal El-Deen , Abdelghaffar Noha Khalifa , Ahmed Hanaa Hanafi , Dawoud Mariam Ehab
Published: February 2022

Background

There is evidence supporting that cellular immunity may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neopterin, a pteridine mainly synthesized by activated macrophages, is a marker of inflammation, immune system activation that may be involved in the pathophysiology of both disorders.

Methods

Fifty drug-naïve patients were diagnosed according to DSM-5 (25 with ASD, 25 with ADHD), in addition to 25 healthy volunteers matched in age and gender with the patients were included. The CARS, Conners’ scales used to assess the severity of the disorders, respectively. Serum neopterin level was measured using ELISA technique for all participants.

Results

Statistically nonsignificant difference in mean neopterin level between control and both patients groups with significant negative correlation between neopterin level and younger ages in ASD group were found. Statistically nonsignificant difference also was found between its levels among subtypes of ADHD as well and with the degree of ASD symptoms severity.

Conclusions

There was no statistically significant difference between serum neopterin level in ADHD, ASD patients groups and control group reference.
Plasma glutathione as a risk marker for the severity and functional outcome of acute atherothrombotic and cardioembolic stroke
Authors: Ivanov Alexander Vladimirovich , Maksimova Marina Yurievna , Nikiforova Ksenya Alexandrovna , Ochtova Fatima Ramazanovna , Suanova Ekaterina Taymurazovna , Alexandrin Valery Vasil’evich , Kruglova Maria Petrovna , Piradov Mikhail Aleksanrovich , Kubatiev Aslan Amirkhanovich
Published: February 2022

Objective

Glutathione (GSH) is a major intracellular thiol-containing antioxidant. We tried to determine whether blood plasma GSH level is a marker for the severity of the two subtypes of acute stroke (large-artery atherosclerosis, LA and cardioembolic, CE). Forty-three patients with LA and 36 patients with CE aged 65 (47–82) years were included in the study. Thirty-one patients with cerebral microangiopathy were included for comparison. Total (t) and reduced (r) GSH levels were determined at admission. Neurological deficit was assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on the first day, functional outcome and independence were assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRs) and Bartel index (BI), respectively, after 21 days.

Results

The tGSH and rGSH levels in acute stroke were significantly lower than cerebral microangiopathy patients. Low tGSH (≤ 1.45 μM) and rGSH (≤ 30 nM) levels were risk markers for stroke severity at admission (NIHSS > 10) in patients with LA: age and gender adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was 4.95, 95% coincidence interval (CI) 1.31–18.7, AOR = 9.141, CI 1.84–45.3 for t- and rGSH, respectively. A low level of rGSH (≤ 30 nM) was found as risk marker for functional independence (BI ≤ 60: AOR = 15.9, CI 2.22–114.2) in patients with LA. Low tGSH level (≤ 1.1 μM) was associated with the reduction of poor outcome risk (mRs > 2: AOR = 0.154, CI 0.029–0.809) in CE group.

Conclusions

Low t- and rGSH levels may be considered potential risk markers for severity and insufficient functional independence in LA. Conversely, low tGSH level reduce the risk of poor stroke outcome only for CE.
Comparative study between intraoperative and postoperative analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block versus pectoral nerve block in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ahmed Mostafa Adel Mohamed , Elhenawy Ahmed Mohamed Elsayed , Awad Hala Gomaa Salama , Ali Amr Hosney Hamza , Elfawy Dalia Mahmoud Ahmed
Published: February 2022

Background

The primary goal of modified radical mastectomy is to remove cancerous cells and reduce the risk of breast cancer spreading. This operation is associated with considerable acute postoperative pain and restricted shoulder movement. If this acute pain is neglected most patients will develop chronic post-mastectomy pain, which reduces the quality of life. Regional anesthesia using ultrasound-guided paravertebral nerve block or pectoral nerve block has become an ideal addition to general anesthesia for providing analgesia after breast cancer surgery. This was a randomized clinical trial conducted between February 2018 and February 2019. This study compared between the two nerve blocks regarding the efficacy in terms of analgesic consumption.

Results

The study included 30 female patients who were undergoing modified radical mastectomy under general anesthesia and randomly divided into 2 groups of 15 patients in each. This study showed there was a statistically significant increase in the amount of total fentanyl used intraoperatively in TPVB group than PECs group with p value = 0.008. Less VAS score in PECS group with statistically significant difference between groups at 4 h, 5 h, 6 h, and 8 h. More time needed for 1st requested rescue analgesia in PECS group with P value = 0.013. Patients in PECS group received a less total dose of fentanyl in the first 24 h postoperative with P value = 0.040. There was no statistically significant difference found between groups regarding postoperative complications.

Conclusions

In female patients undergoing breast surgeries, the PECs block can be used efficiently and safely, providing better pain relief than the TPVB and reducing intraoperative and postoperative opioids use.
Catheter ablation of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmia with intracardiac echocardiography assistance
Authors: Choi Ji-Hoon , Park Kyoung-Min
Published: February 2022

As the indications for catheter-based electrophysiologic procedures become more diverse and complex, accurate assessment of the anatomy of intracardiac structure has become essential for the optimal clinical outcome. Since intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) was first introduced in 1980, it has become an integral part of various electrophysiologic procedures enabling accurate visualization of cardiac structures and continuous monitoring of catheter position, with integration of real-time images and electroanatomic mapping. Catheter ablation for outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (OTVAs) has been actively performed in symptomatic patients. However, the anatomic complexity of OT serves as the biggest obstacle to obtain the optimal results. In OTVAs, ICE has played an invaluable role in precisely defining the anatomic shell of OT beyond fluoroscopy and in guiding catheter manipulation in relation to critical structures like the conduction system and coronary arteries. This review article provides detailed information on comprehensive application of ICE for catheter ablation of OTVAs.
Augmented Intelligence in Joint Replacement Surgery: How can artificial intelligence (AI) bridge the gap between the man and the machine?
Authors: Bagaria Vaibhav , Tiwari Anjali
Published: February 2022

Robot-assisted arthroplasty is likely to grow exponentially in the years to come. While most surgeons recognize their superiority in refining alignment and improving component positioning accuracy, the universal adaptability of robots remains slow due to certain technological and behavioural gaps. Endoprosthesis robots currently suffer from increased reaction time, lack of natural adaptation to the surgeon's abilities, and unavailability and inapplicability in different surgical contexts. As humans and machines have to move forward into the next phase of their relationship, robots enabled with artificial intelligence (AI) may become more advanced and an alternative to overcome existing challenges like cost, training, and improve performance based on feedback provided by surgeons. Augmented intelligence is perhaps a more apt word than artificial, as it reflects more human-machine fusion and several areas are already proactively adopting the terminology. Arthroplasty robots can benefit from AI by using computer vision models, applying sensors, and integrating feedback and loop execution. All of this would help achieve a technical superiority to the surgeon alone. This brief perspective on how humans and machines are likely to benefit from the integration of AI outlines the technical side of this enablement.
MDCT diagnosis of synchronous primary gastrointestinal tract carcinoma and other solid malignancies: case series study
Authors: El-Badrawy Adel , Shebel Haytham , El Atta Heba M. Abou
Published: February 2022

Background

The presentation of synchronous multiple primary tumors is rare. The aim of this report was to report an uncommon series of cases diagnosed with synchronous gastrointestinal tract carcinoma and other solid malignancies by multidetector computed tomography.

Case presentation

Our report included 34 patients with synchronous gastrointestinal tract carcinoma and other solid malignancies from November 2009 to September 2019. They were 14 men and 20 women (mean age, 65.5 year; range, 52–82 years). The highest number of GIT cases were colonic carcinomas detected in 70% (24/34) of the patients. The most frequent extra-gastrointestinal primary malignancy sites were renal cell and breast carcinomas, 17.6% (6/34) of each.

Conclusions

Careful preoperative evaluation is recommended to detect this pattern of synchronous extra-gastrointestinal tumors. More reports of such cases should help to clarify the pathogenesis of this phenomenon and may lead to a new treatment strategy for synchronous gastrointestinal malignancy and other solid malignancies.
Implementing an electronic health record dashboard for safe anticoagulant management: learning from qualitative interviews with existing and potential users to develop an implementation process
Authors: Barnes Geoffrey D. , Sippola Emily , Ranusch Allison , Takamine Linda , Lanham Michael , Dorsch Michael , Sales Anne , Sussman Jeremy
Published: February 2022

Background

Facilitating appropriate care delivery using electronic health record (digital health) tools is increasing. However, frequently used determinants frameworks seldom address key barriers for technology-associated implementation.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted in two contexts: the national Veterans Health Affairs (VA) following implementation of an electronic dashboard, a population health tool, and the Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative (MAQI2) prior to implementation of a similar electronic dashboard. The dashboard is designed for pharmacist or nurse use to monitor safe outpatient anticoagulant prescribing by physicians and other clinicians We performed rapid qualitative inquiry analysis and selected implementation strategies. Through a stakeholder focus group session, we selected implementation strategies to address determinants and facilitate implementation in the MAQI2 sites.

Results

Among 45 interviewees (32 in VA, 13 in MAQI2), we identified five key determinants of implementation success: (1) clinician authority and autonomy, (2) clinician self-identity and job satisfaction, (3) documentation and administrative needs, (4) staffing and work schedule, and (5) integration with existing information systems. Key differences between the two contexts included concerns about information technology support and prioritization within MAQI2 (prior to implementation) but not VA (after implementation) and concerns about authority and autonomy that differed between the VA (higher baseline levels, more concerns) and MAQI2 (lower baseline levels, less concern).

Conclusions

The successful implementation of electronic health record tools requires unique considerations that differ from other types of implementation, must account for the status of implementation, and should address the effects of the tool deployment on clinical staff authority and autonomy. Interviewing both post-implementation and pre-implementation users can provide a robust understanding of implementation determinants.
Clinical and Molecular Characterization ofPOLEMutations as Predictive Biomarkers of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Cancers
Authors: Garmezy Benjamin , Gheeya Jinesh , Lin Heather Y. , Huang Yuefan , Kim Taebeom , Jiang Xianli , Thein Kyaw Z. , Pilié Patrick G. , Zeineddine Fadl , Wang Wanlin , Shaw Kenna R. , Rodon Jordi , Shen John Paul , Yuan Ying , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Chen Ken , Yap Timothy A.
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE

DNA polymerase epsilon is critical to DNA proofreading and replication. Mutations in POLE have been associated with hypermutated tumors and antitumor response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. We present a clinicopathologic analysis of patients with advanced cancers harboring POLE mutations, the pattern of co-occurring mutations, and their response to ICI therapy within the context of mutation pathogenicity.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of next-generation sequencing data at MD Anderson Cancer Center to identify patient tumors with POLE mutations and their co-occurring mutations. The pathogenicity of each mutation was annotated using InterVar and ClinVar. Differences in therapeutic response to ICI, survival, and co-occurring mutations were reported by POLE pathogenicity status.

RESULTS

Four hundred fifty-eight patient tumors with POLE mutations were identified from 14,229 next-generation sequencing reports; 15.0% of POLE mutations were pathogenic, 15.9% benign, and 69.1% variant of unknown significance. Eighty-two patients received either programmed death 1 or programmed death ligand-1 inhibitors as monotherapy or in combination with cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte-4 inhibitors. Patients with pathogenic POLE mutations had improved clinical benefit rate (82.4% v 30.0%; P = .013), median progression-free survival (15.1 v 2.2 months; P < .001), overall survival (29.5 v 6.8 months; P < .001), and longer treatment duration (median 15.5 v 2.5 months; P < .001) compared to those with benign variants. Progression-free survival and overall survival remained superior when adjusting for number of co-occurring mutations (≥ 10 v < 10) and/or microsatellite instability status (proficient mismatch repair v deficient mismatch repair). The number of comutations was not associated with response to ICI (clinical benefit v progressive disease: median 13 v 11 comutations; P = .18).

CONCLUSION

Pathogenic POLE mutations were associated with clinical benefit to ICI therapy. Further studies are warranted to validate POLE mutation as a predictive biomarker of ICI therapy.
The Importance of the Temporary Clip Removal Phase on Exposure to Hypoxia: On-Line Measurement of Temporal Lobe Oxygen Levels During Surgery for Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms
Authors: Silva Pedro Alberto , Dias Celeste , Vilarinho António , Vaz Ferreira Ana , Cerejo António , Vaz Rui
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND:

Most studies concerning intraoperative temporary arterial occlusion overlook the period between and after clip placement.

OBJECTIVE:

To analyze the brain tissue oxygen tension through the process by which anterograde arterial blood flow is re-established after temporary clipping (TR).

METHODS:

In this prospective observational study, patients who presented to surgery for middle cerebral artery aneurysms were continuously monitored with ICM+, to obtain temporal (downstream) PbtO2 levels while M1 segment temporary clips were applied and removed. PbtO2 changes were analyzed and compared with the clipping phase, and measures of exposure to hypoxia were defined and assessed during both phases and used in a model to test the impact of extending them.

RESULTS:

Eighty-six TRs (20 patients) were recorded. The mean acquired amount of time per clip release (CR) event was 336.7 seconds. Temporary clip removal produced specifically shaped, highly individual PbtO2 curves that correlated with their corresponding clipping phase events but developing slower and less consistently. The CR phase was responsible for greater cumulative exposure to hypoxia than the clip application phase through the first and second minutes of each. In our model, the duration of the TR phase was mostly responsible for the total exposure to hypoxia, and longer CR phases reduced the mean exposure to hypoxia.

CONCLUSION:

During the clip removal phase, the brain tissue is still exposed to oxygen levels that are significantly below the baseline, reverting through a singular, dynamic process. Therefore, it must be regarded by surgeons with the same degree of attention as its counterpart.
Perinatal exposure to synergistic multiple stressors leads to cellular and behavioral deficits mimicking Schizophrenia-like pathology
Authors: Sarkar Tiyasha , Patro Nisha , Patro Ishan Kumar
Published: February 2022

Protein malnourishment and immune stress are potent perinatal stressors, encountered by children born under poor socioeconomic conditions. Thus, it is necessary to investigate how such stressors synergistically contribute towards developing neurological disorders in affected individuals. Pups from Wistar females, maintained on normal (high-protein, HP:20%) and low-protein (LP:8%) diets were used. Single and combined exposures of Poly I:C (viral mimetic: 5 mg/kg body weight) and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; bacterial endotoxin: 0.3 mg/kg body weight) were injected to both HP and LP pups at postnatal days (PND) 3 and 9 respectively, creating eight groups: HP (control); HP+Poly I:C; HP+LPS; HP+Poly I:C+LPS; LP; LP+Poly I:C; LP+LPS; LP+Poly I:C+LPS (multi-hit). The effects of stressors on hippocampal cytoarchitecture and behavioral abilities were studied at PND 180. LP animals were found to be more vulnerable to immune stressors than HP animals and symptoms like neuronal damage, spine loss, downregulation of Egr 1 and Arc proteins, gliosis and behavioral deficits were maximum in the multi-hit group. Thus, from these findings it is outlined that cellular and behavioral changes that occur following multi-hit exposure may predispose individuals to developing Schizophrenia-like pathologies during adulthood.
shRNAs targeting mouseAdam10diminish cell response to proinflammatory stimuli independently ofAdam10silencing
Authors: Czarnek Maria , Stalińska Krystyna , Sarad Katarzyna , Bereta Joanna
Published: February 2022

RNA interference is one of the common methods of studying protein functions. In recent years critical reports have emerged indicating that off-target effects may have a much greater impact on RNAi-based analysis than previously assumed. We studied the influence of Adam10 and Adam17 silencing on MC38CEA cell response to proinflammatory stimuli. Eight lentiviral vector-encoded shRNAs that reduced ADAM10 expression, including two that are specific towards ADAM17, caused inhibition of cytokine-induced Nos2 expression presumably via off-target effects. ADAM10 silencing was not responsible for this effect because: (i) CRISPR/Cas9 knockdown of ADAM10 did not affect Nos2 levels; (ii) ADAM10 inhibitor increased rather than decreased Nos2 expression; (iii) overexpression of ADAM10 in the cells with shRNA-silenced Adam10 did not reverse the effect induced by shRNA; (iv) shRNA targeting ADAM10 resulted in decrease of Nos2 expression even in ADAM10-deficient cells. The studied shRNAs influenced transcription of Nos2 rather than stability of Nos2 mRNA. They also affected stimulation of Ccl2 and Ccl7 expression. Additionally, we used vectors with doxycycline-inducible expression of chosen shRNAs and observed reduced activation of NF-κB and, to a lesser extent, AP-1 transcription factors. We discuss the requirements of strict controls and verification of results with complementary methods for reliable conclusions of shRNA-based experiments.
The EDA-deficient mouse has Zymbal's gland hypoplasia and acute otitis externa
Authors: del-Pozo Jorge , Headon Denis J. , Glover James D. , Azar Ali , Schuepbach-Mallepell Sonia , Bhutta Mahmood F. , Riddell Jon , Maxwell Scott , Milne Elspeth , Schneider Pascal , Cheeseman Michael
Published: February 2022

In mice, rats, dogs and humans, the growth and function of sebaceous glands and eyelid Meibomian glands depend on the ectodysplasin signalling pathway. Mutation of genes encoding the ligand EDA, its transmembrane receptor EDAR and the intracellular signal transducer EDARADD leads to hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, characterised by impaired development of teeth and hair, as well as cutaneous glands. The rodent ear canal has a large auditory sebaceous gland, the Zymbal’s gland, the function of which in the health of the ear canal has not been determined. We report that EDA-deficient mice, EDAR-deficient mice and EDARADD-deficient rats have Zymbal’s gland hypoplasia. EdaTa mice have 25% prevalence of otitis externa at postnatal day 21 and treatment with agonist anti-EDAR antibodies rescues Zymbal’s glands. The aetiopathogenesis of otitis externa involves infection with Gram-positive cocci, and dosing pregnant and lactating EdaTa females and pups with enrofloxacin reduces the prevalence of otitis externa. We infer that the deficit of sebum is the principal factor in predisposition to bacterial infection, and the EdaTa mouse is a potentially useful microbial challenge model for human acute otitis externa.
Misregulation of Nucleoporins 98 and 96 leads to defects in protein synthesis that promote hallmarks of tumorigenesis
Authors: Pulianmackal Ajai J. , Kanakousaki Kiriaki , Flegel Kerry , Grushko Olga G. , Gourley Ella , Rozich Emily , Buttitta Laura A.
Published: February 2022

Nucleoporin 98KD (Nup98) is a promiscuous translocation partner in hematological malignancies. Most disease models of Nup98 translocations involve ectopic expression of the fusion protein under study, leaving the endogenous Nup98 loci unperturbed. Overlooked in these approaches is the loss of one copy of normal Nup98 in addition to the loss of Nup96 – a second Nucleoporin encoded within the same mRNA and reading frame as Nup98 – in translocations. Nup98 and Nup96 are also mutated in a number of other cancers, suggesting that their disruption is not limited to blood cancers. We found that reducing Nup98-96 function in Drosophila melanogaster (in which the Nup98-96 shared mRNA and reading frame is conserved) de-regulates the cell cycle. We found evidence of overproliferation in tissues with reduced Nup98-96, counteracted by elevated apoptosis and aberrant signaling associated with chronic wounding. Reducing Nup98-96 function led to defects in protein synthesis that triggered JNK signaling and contributed to hallmarks of tumorigenesis when apoptosis was inhibited. We suggest that partial loss of Nup98-96 function in translocations could de-regulate protein synthesis, leading to signaling that cooperates with other mutations to promote tumorigenesis.
Core-shell Metal Oxide Nanowire Array to Analyze Adsorption Behaviors of Volatile Molecules
Authors: Li Wenjun , Nagashima Kazuki , Hosomi Takuro , Liu Jiangyang , Takahashi Tsunaki , Zhang Guozhu , Tanaka Wataru , Kanai Masaki , Yanagida Takeshi
Published: February 2022

We investigated material dependent molecule-to-surface interactions of volatile molecules using a core-shell metal oxide nanowire array. Varying the metal oxide species (ZnO, ZrO2 and TiO2), we clearly observed the metal cation dependence on the bonding strength of 2-nonanone. In addition, the quantitative analysis of molecular adsorption amount was successfully performed using the nanowire array. The results highlighted that the core-shell nanowire array provides a foundation for understanding and designing the molecule-to-surface interactions on various applications.
Stochastic Equilibria: Noise in Actions or Beliefs?
Authors: Friedman Evan
Published: February 2022

We introduce noisy belief equilibrium (NBE) for normal-form games in which players best respond to noisy belief realizations. Axioms restrict belief distributions to be unbiased with respect to and responsive to changes in the opponents’ behavior. The axioms impose testable restrictions both within and across games, and we compare these restrictions to those of regular quantal response equilibrium (QRE) in which axioms are placed on the quantal response function as the primitive. NBE can generate similar predictions as QRE in several classes of games. Unlike QRE, NBE is a refinement of rationalizability and invariant to affine transformations of payoffs. (JEL C72, D83, D91)
Optimal Arrangements for Distribution in Developing Markets: Theory and Evidence
Authors: Fuchs William , Green Brett , Levine David
Published: February 2022

A large literature examines demand-side barriers to product adoption. In this paper, we examine supply-side barriers in a setting with limited contract enforcement. We model the relationship between a distributor and its credit-constrained vendors. We show that the optimal self-enforcing arrangement can be implemented by providing vendors with a line of credit and the option to buy additional units at a fixed price. Moreover, the structure of this arrangement is optimal both for profit-maximizing firms and for nonprofit organizations with limited resources. We test the arrangement using a field experiment in rural Uganda. We find that the model-implied optimal arrangement increased distribution significantly compared to a standard contract. However, growth was lower than predicted by the model because vendors were unwilling to extend credit to customers and did not have access to a reliable savings technology. We discuss several recent technological innovations that help to overcome both of these challenges. (JEL C93, D86, G31, L14, L26, L31, O14)
How Bayesian Persuasion Can Help Reduce Illegal Parking and Other Socially Undesirable Behavior
Authors: Hernández Penélope , Neeman Zvika
Published: February 2022

We consider the question of how best to allocate enforcement resources across different locations with the goal of deterring unwanted behavior. We rely on “Bayesian persuasion” to improve deterrence. We focus on the case where agents care only about the expected amount of enforcement resources given messages received. Optimization in the space of induced mean posterior beliefs involves a partial convexification of the objective function. We describe interpretable conditions under which it is possible to explicitly solve the problem with only two messages: “high enforcement” and “enforcement as usual.” We also provide a tight upper bound on the total number of messages needed to achieve the optimal solution in the general case as well as a general example that attains this bound. (JEL D83, K42, R41)
Persistent microvascular obstruction-like lesion after ventricular tachycardia ablation detected by novel dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement
Authors: Pype Lobke L , Holtackers Robert J , Paelinck Bernard P , Bekelaar Thalia , Heidbuchel Hein , Van De Heyning Caroline M
Published: February 2022

Microvascular obstruction is a transient phenomenon of “no reflow” after myocardial infarction or radiofrequency ablation, diagnosed using late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI. We present a patient with a persistent microvascular obstruction-like lesion following radiofrequency ventricular tachycardia ablation post-myocardial infarction, which was best characterized by a novel dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement technique.
The effects of desiccation stress on nursery stock of Prunus Avium and P. cerasifera and its role in the development of protocols for plant quality assessment
Authors: Συμεωνίδου Μαρία
Published: February 2022

Η σοβαρή αφυδάτωση δενδρυλλίων σε λήθαργο κερασιάς (Prunus avium) και δαμάσκηνο-κερασιού (P. cerasifera) δεν επηρέασε την άμεση επιβίωσή τους, αλλά προκάλεσε σημαντικές μειώσεις στην επακόλουθη ανάπτυξη των βλαστών και τον όγκο των ριζών που δεν ανακτήθηκαν σε μία μόνο καλλιεργητική περίοδο. Το μήκος των πλευρικών οφθαλμικών μεσοδιαστημάτων και η διάμετρος του περιλαίμιου ρίζας ήταν τα χαρακτηριστικά που επηρεάστηκαν περισσότερο από την αφυδάτωση των ριζών στο Prunus avium και το P.cerasifera αντίστοιχα. Η απώλεια υγρασίας ρίζας, η μείωση του δυναμικού του νερού του στελέχους και η βλάβη στις λεπτές ρίζες, όπως υποδεικνύεται από τα φυσιολογικά χαρακτηριστικά ποιότητας των φυτών της απορρόφησης τετραζόλιου και της διαρροής ηλεκτρολυτών ρίζας, αυξήθηκαν γρήγορα σε διαφορετικές περιόδους στρες αφυδάτωσης. Όλα τα μέτρα φυσιολογικής ποιότητας των φυτών στην αρχή της καλλιεργητικής περιόδου ήταν αποτελεσματικά ως προγνωστικά της απόδοσης των φυτών στο τέλος. Στο είδος που δοκιμάστηκε, η πιο οικονομική ρουτίνα είναι πιθανό να είναι η διαρροή ηλεκτρολυτών λεπτής ρίζας, με δοκιμές τετραζόλιου που απαιτούν πιο εξελιγμένο εξοπλισμό και περιεκτικότητα σε υγρασία ρίζας και νερό μίσχων που απαιτούν μεγαλύτερη αναπαραγωγιμότητα. Το κλάδεμα των ριζών πριν από τη φύτευση δεν μείωσε τη βλάβη αφυδάτωσης και το σοβαρό κλάδεμα ήταν ιδιαίτερα επιβλαβές για την επακόλουθη ανάπτυξη του Prunus avium και του P.cerasifera 1+0 δενδρύλλια. Η αφυδάτωση των ριζών σε συνδυασμό με το καθεστώς χαμηλής υγρασίας του εδάφους που εφαρμόστηκε για περίοδο 5 μηνών σε φυτά Prunus avium 1+0, είχε ως αποτέλεσμα την αύξηση της προλίνης των φύλλων, της πυκνότητας των φύλλων και του τριχώματος και της περιοχής των φύλλων σε σύγκριση με τα φυτά που αναπτύσσονται σε υψηλότερα επίπεδα υγρασίας του εδάφους. Η αφυδάτωση της ρίζας που εφαρμόζεται σε φυτά 3-4 μηνών P.avium που αναπτύχθηκαν σε καλλιέργεια νερού, είχε ως αποτέλεσμα άμεση απώλεια τριχιδίων ρίζας, δυσπλασία της κορυφής ρίζας, αυξημένη πρωτόλυση ρίζας και μειωμένους φωτοσυνθετικούς ρυθμούς σε σύγκριση με τα φυτά μάρτυρες. Μετά από περίοδο αποκατάστασης δύο εβδομάδων στην καλλιέργεια νερού, τα φυτά που υποβλήθηκαν σε επεξεργασία δεν ανέκτησαν υψηλούς φωτοσυνθετικούς ρυθμούς και η ανάπτυξη τους παρέμεινε κατεσταλμένη σε σύγκριση με τα φυτά μάρτυρες.
In silico design of short hairpin RNA (shRNA)Molecules for DNA pol gene of Contagious Ecthyma virus (ORFV)
Authors: ASADI SAMANI L , SAFFAR B , MOKHTARI A , AREFIAN E
Published: February 2022

Contagious ecthyma is an infectious skin disease of ruminants caused by the ORF virus (ORFV) that is a member of genus Parapoxvirus of the Poxviridae family. In addition to the significant effects on lambs and human, ORFVs have been recently shown to infect other hosts. The disease causes significant economic damages to the sheep industry, so attempts to eliminate it must be taken into.RNA interference (RNAi) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism in which the expression of homologous target genesis is suppressed by means of double-stranded RNA molecules. Since RNAi can be considered as a therapeutic method for viral gene silencing, we tend to make the most of this capability. The present study aims to design potential shRNAs to knockdown the DNA-polymerase gene coded by ORF025.A significant number of computational methods such as clustal omega website to target alignment, BLAST-NCBI to similarity search, CLC software to secondary structure prediction, BLOCK-iTRNAi Designer and WI siRNA Selection Program and Software to design of shRNA molecules and scoring have been applied for shRNA molecules designing against the ORF025-DNA pol gene of ORFV. Then three shRNA molecules were logically designed against the ORF025-DNA pol gene. In conclusion the present study provides a strong and superior approach for achieving a validated strategy to design an antiviral shRNA molecule that meets many sequence features for efficient ORFV knockdown and treatment at the mRNA level. The efficiency of these anti ORFV shRNAs need to be tested
Effect of hempseed meal on performance, egg quality and egg yolk fatty acids content in laying quails
Authors: CUFADAR Y , GÖÇMEN R , KANBUR G , PARLAT SS
Published: February 2022

In this study, the laying performance, external egg quality, egg yolk colour and fatty acids profile of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed on diets containing hemp seed meal (HSM) were determined. During 8 weeks trial, a total of 150, 10-weeks-old laying quails were used. Five diets were formulated to contain HSM at the level of 0 (control),5, 10, 15, and 20% that represented as 0 HSM, 5 HSM, 10 HSM, 15 HSM and 20 HSM, respectively.The performance parameters were not significantly (P>0.05)influenced by the dietary HSM contents. Eggshell ratio, eggshell breaking strength, egg shape index, egg yolk index and egg yolk colour values were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the dietary HSM, whereas eggshell thickness was significantly (P<0.05) affected. The albumen index has been significantly (P<0.05) increased by increasing in the HSM level in the diets. The HSM supplementation to the diets was effective on fatty acid composition and total saturated fatty acids, total mono unsaturated fatty acids and total polyunsaturated fatty acids content of the egg yolk depending on the addition level. In conclusion, HSM can be used to increase egg total monounsaturated fatty acids and especially omega-3 fatty acids without unfavourable effects on the performance and egg quality parameters.
Effect of the addition of bee pollen to the diet on performance, eggshell quality and serum parameters in layer quails
Authors: OLGUN O , YILDIZ AÖ , ŞENTÜRK ET , ABDULQADER AF
Published: February 2022

This study was carried out to determine the effect of bee pollen addition to quail diets on performance, eggshell quality and serum biochemical properties. In the experiment, 120 quails aged 70 days were randomly distributed to 6 treatment groups with 4 replicates. The quails were fed for 10 weeks with 6 trial diets with 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 g/kg bee pollen added. The body weight change, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, damaged eggs, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness and serum glucose, creatinine, albumin, globulin and total protein levels of quails were not affected by the addition of bee pollen to the diet (P>0.05). The addition of 10 g/kg bee pollen to the diet significantly decreased feed intake compared to the control group (0 g/kg). Eggshell breaking strength was decreased by adding bee pollen to the diet and the lowest value was observed at the group fed the diet containing 6 g/kg bee pollen.Serum cholesterol concentration was minimized when 10 g/kg bee pollen was added to the diet(P<0.05). In addition, serum calcium and phosphorus contents were increased compared to the control (0 g/kg) group and these parameters reached the maximum at the 10 g/kg bee pollen level (P<0.01).According to the results of the experiment, the addition of bee pollen to the diet had a positive effect on serum cholesterol, calcium and phosphorus levels in layer quails, however, it had a negative effect on eggshell breaking strength.
Student biocuration projects as a learning environment
Authors: Thurlow Katherine E. , Lovering Ruth C. , De Miranda Pinheiro Sandra
Published: February 2022

Background: Bioinformatics is becoming an essential tool for the majority of biological and biomedical researchers. Although bioinformatics data is exploited by academic and industrial researchers, limited focus is on teaching this area to undergraduates, postgraduates and senior scientists. Many scientists are developing their own expertise without formal training and often without appreciating the source of the data they are reliant upon. Some universities do provide courses on a variety of bioinformatics resources and tools, a few also provide biocuration projects, during which students submit data to annotation resources.

Methods: To assess the usefulness and enjoyability of annotation projects a survey was sent to University College London (UCL) students who have undertaken Gene Ontology biocuration projects.

Results: Analysis of survey responses suggest that these projects provide students with an opportunity not only to learn about bioinformatics resources but also to improve their literature analysis, presentation and writing skills.

Conclusion: Biocuration student projects provide valuable annotations as well as enabling students to develop a variety of skills relevant to their future careers. It is also hoped that, as future scientists, these students will critically assess their own manuscripts and ensure that these are written with the biocurators of the future in mind.
Protein-Energy Nutritional Status of Moderately Low Protein Intake-Sago Diets Compared to Sufficiently Protein Intake-Rice Diets in Well-Nourished Lowlanders in Papua, Indonesia
Authors: Syauki A. Yasmin , Ogawa Aki , Simanjuntak Uli Rina Pelegia , Mangiwa Ingrid Gloria , Doi Miki , Kageyama Suzumi , Inoue Rikako , Taslim Nurpudji A. , Irie Yasuyuki
Published: February 2022

Background: Protein inadequacy is prevalent in developing countries because of the high consumption of starchy staple foods. Sago, as a staple food in Papua Province, was eaten with less protein. This study aimed to analyze the nutritional status of protein-energy in well-nourished adults of the moderately low protein in-take (MLP)-sago group compared to the sufficient protein intake (SP)-rice group, in lowland Mimika, Papua.

Methods: This cross-sectional-analytic study was conducted on 50 participants. Twenty-four-hour food recall, body composition, albumin, and complete blood count were used to assess the nutritional status.

Results: There were no differences in the body compositions and albumin levels between the MLP-sago and SP-rice groups. Multivariate linear regression showed that the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (β = -0.524, P = 0.007) was a predictive factor for albumin in the sago group, while in the rice group, hemoglobin (β = 0.354 P = 0.089) and white blood cell counts (β = 0.396, P = 0.059) were predictive factors.

Conclusions: The MLP-sago and SP-rice groups exhibited no differences in the  body and visceral protein; however different predictors of albumin were found be- tween the groups, suggesting an adaptive mechanism in the MLP-sago group to  maintain normal albumin levels.
The genome sequence of a hoverfly, Xanthogramma pedissequum (Harris, 1776)
Authors: Sivell Olga , Sivell Duncan ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Xanthogramma pedissequum (Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syrphidae). The genome sequence is 977 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly (95.94%) is scaffolded into six chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X and Y sex chromosomes assembled.
Production Functions of Labor Productivity in Modern Russia
Authors: Basovskiy Leonid , Basovskaya Elena
Published: February 2022

To identify the determinants of labor productivity, estimates of the relationship between labor productivity and indicators reflecting the influence of a wide range of socio-economic and innovative factors in the regions of Russia for 2015-2018 were obtained. For 2018 and the aggregate of data for 2015-2018, according to statistics from 82 regions of Russia, econometric models were built in the form of a standard internally linear function - an analogue of the Cobb-Douglas production function. The resulting models made it possible to establish the following. The capital-labor ratio, average monthly wages, the ratio of funds (indicator of income inequality), innovative activity of organizations and exports have a significant positive effect on labor productivity in the region. The number of researchers with advanced degrees and the import of machinery and equipment have a significant negative impact on labor productivity in the region. The negative impact on labor productivity in the number of researchers with advanced degrees is associated with problems caused by the command and control principles of science and education management. The ineffectiveness of the import of machinery and equipment testifies to the imperfection of foreign economic relations.
The Industry Practices of Higher Labour Productivity in Actual Russian Tendencies
Authors: Lomovcev D. , Vinichenko A. , Potvorov A.
Published: February 2022

The article is devoted to the industry factors of higher labour productivity of the Russian industrial enterprises. Their experience of participation in the federal project «Targeted support of enterprises with higher labour productivity» is researched. The authors reveal the branch specificity of the corporative programme development dedicated higher labour productivity.
Regional Factors of the Effectiveness of the Strategy of Enterprises and Or-ganizations
Authors: Basovskaya Elena , Basovskiy Leonid
Published: February 2022

The purpose of the work was to assess the influence of regional factors on the ef-fectiveness of strategies of enterprises and organizations in the regions. The assessment of the correlation between the profitability of assets of enterprises and the organization, including enterprises of the extractive and manufacturing industries, with indicators characterizing the economy of the regions of Russia is carried out. The data of Rosstat were used. It was found that regional factors have little impact on the effectiveness of the strategy of enterprises and organizations. The influence of regional factors is contradictory. First of all, new fixed assets and inequality of income distribution, productivity and capital-labor ratio can have a positive impact on the profitability of assets of enterprises and organizations. The negative impact on the profitability of assets of enterprises and organizations, first of all, can be caused by the innovative activity of organizations and the export of machinery and equipment. The results obtained suggest that in the context of the continuing dominance of the industrial technological order in the Russian economy, machines and equipment can be offered for export, the competitiveness of which is ensured by low prices. It is possible that the statistics of innovation activity does not reflect the essence of innovations, which can be essentially innovations of in-dustrial technological structures.
Promoting Mobile Payment with Price Incentives
Authors: Ho Chun-Yu , Kim Nayoung , Rong Ying , Tian Xin
Published: February 2022

Using a proprietary data set containing more than 10 million transactions over 14 months from hundreds of grocery stores, we examine consumer payment choices at point of sale (POS) between cash and mobile, where the use of other methods (including cards) is minimal. We find that cash is the dominant method of payment. Nonetheless, the share of mobile payments has increased at the expense of cash payments over time. Importantly, we exploit price incentives for consumers using mobile payment to examine the price substitution between cash and mobile payments. Our results show that consumers are more likely to use mobile payment when they receive price incentives for doing so, and such an effect persists for a few days, even after the price incentive expires. Nonetheless, the price incentives are unlikely financed by additional transactions paid via mobile but subsidized by mobile payment providers. Interestingly, we find several factors that enhance and supplement the steering effect of price incentives. First, a larger monetary reward seems to induce a stronger impact of price incentive on mobile payment. Second, the steering effect of price incentive is stronger for stores that serve consumers who have frequently been using mobile payment and for price-sensitive consumers. Third, the additional mobile payments come from transactions that would not have occurred with price incentive and those that switch from cash transactions.

This paper was accepted by Eric Anderson, marketing.
An Optimal Streaming Algorithm for Submodular Maximization with a Cardinality Constraint
Authors: Alaluf Naor , Ene Alina , Feldman Moran , Nguyen Huy L. , Suh Andrew
Published: February 2022

We study the problem of maximizing a nonmonotone submodular function subject to a cardinality constraint in the streaming model. Our main contribution is a single-pass (semi) streaming algorithm that uses roughly [Formula: see text] memory, where k is the size constraint. At the end of the stream, our algorithm postprocesses its data structure using any off-line algorithm for submodular maximization and obtains a solution whose approximation guarantee is [Formula: see text], where α is the approximation of the off-line algorithm. If we use an exact (exponential time) postprocessing algorithm, this leads to [Formula: see text] approximation (which is nearly optimal). If we postprocess with the state-of-the-art offline approximation algorithm, whose guarantee is [Formula: see text], we obtain a 0.2779-approximation in polynomial time, improving over the previously best polynomial-time approximation of 0.1715. It is also worth mentioning that our algorithm is combinatorial and deterministic, which is rare for an algorithm for nonmonotone submodular maximization, and enjoys a fast update time of [Formula: see text] per element.
February 2022 Medical Image of the Month: Multifocal Micronodular Pneumocyte Hyperplasia in the Setting of Tuberous Sclerosis
Authors:   Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ USA, Jokerst Clinton , Rojas Carlos , Panse Prasad , Cummings Kris , Jensen Eric , Gotway Michael
Published: February 2022

No abstract available. Article truncated at 150 words. A 22-year-old man with a known diagnosis of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) presents for a follow-up unenhanced chest CT to re-evaluate pulmonary nodules seen in the lung bases on a prior abdominal CT. The patient also has a history of multiple renal lesions consistent with lipid-poor angiomyolipomas based on previous abdominal MRI findings. The chest CT demonstrated multiple scattered, randomly distributed sub-centimeter pulmonary nodules of solid or subsolid morphology [Figure 1A]. Those nodules visible in the lung bases on the prior abdominal CT had remined stable over the 12-month interval consistent with multifocal microscopic pneumocyte hyperplasia (MMPH)[Figure 1B,C]. Myocardial fatty foci (MFF) were visualized in the heart on soft tissue window display settings [Figure 2A] as were multiple scattered sclerotic bone lesions on bone window display settings [Figure 2B,C]. No pulmonary cysts were seen to suggest lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and there were no thoracic lymphangiomas. MMPH represents a benign hamartomatous proliferation …
Histological image color normalization using a skewed normal distribution mixed model
Authors: Fan Xiaoyan , Sun Zhanquan , Tian Engang
Published: February 2022

Color variation between histological images may influence the performance of computer-aided histological image analysis. Therefore, among the most essential and challenging tasks in histological image analysis are the reduction of the color variation between images and the preservation of the histological information contained in the images. In recent years, many methods have been introduced with respect to the color normalization of histological images. In this study, we introduce a new clustering method referred to as the skewed normal distribution mixed model clustering algorithm. Realizing that the color distribution of hue values approximates the combination of several skewed normal distributions, we propose to use the skewed normal distribution mixture model to analyze the hue distribution. The proposed skewed normal distribution mixture model clustering algorithm includes saturation-weighted hue histograms because it takes into account the saturation and hue information of a particular histogram image, which can diminish the influence of achromatic pixels. Finally, we conducted extensive experiments based on three data sets and compared them with commonly used color normalization methods. The experiments show that the proposed algorithm has better performance in stain separation and color normalization compared to other methods.