bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pilot Proficiency Testing Study for Assessing Cancer Gene Panel using Patient Samples and Next-generation Sequencing in Japan
Authors: Maekawa Masato , Taniguchi Terumi , Nishio Kazuto , Sakai Kazuko , Matsushita Kazuyuki , Ishige Takayuki , Nakatani Kaname , Ikejiri Makoto , Nishihara Hiroshi , Sunami Kuniko , Yatabe Yasushi , Hatanaka Kanako , Hatanaka Yutaka , Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Fukuyama Keita , Oda Shinya , Saito Kayoko , Yokomura Mamoru , Kubo Yuji , Sato Hiroko , Tanaka Yoshinori , Fuchioka Misa , Yamasaki Tadashi , Matsuda Koichiro , Kurachi Kiyotaka , Funai Kazuhiro , Baba Satoshi , Iwaizumi Moriya
Published: September 2021

To implement precision oncology, analytical validity as well as clinical validity and utility are important. However, proficiency testing (PT) to assess validity has not yet been systematically performed in Japan. To investigate the quality of next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms and cancer genome testing prevalent in laboratories, we performed pilot PT using patient samples. We prepared 5 samples from patients with lung or colorectal cancer, extracted genomic DNA from the cancer tissue and peripheral blood, and distributed these to 15 laboratories. Most participating laboratories successfully identified the pathogenic variants, except for two closely located KRAS variants, and 25-bp delins in the EGFR exon 19, not identified by the in vitro diagnostics testing. Conversely, the EGFR L858R variant was successfully identified, and the allele frequency was similar for all the laboratories. A high DNA integrity number led to excellent depth and reliable NGS results. All NGS platforms and bioinformatics pipelines have advantages and disadvantages. We propose the use of a PT program using patient samples to ascertain the quality status of cancer gene testing in laboratories and to ensure that laboratories have sufficient information to develop advancements in precision medicine for cancer.
Sugary beverage intake and genetic risk of dementia in relation to incident dementia and brain structure: evidence from the UK Biobank
Authors: Chen Hui , Chen Jie , Cao Yaying , Sun Yuhao , Huang Liyan , Ji John S. , Shen Jie , Zheng Yan , Zong Geng , Yuan Changzheng
Published: September 2021

Importance: Sugary beverage intake was associated with higher risk of dementia, but the specific amounts and types related to it and its interactions with genetic predisposition to dementia remained poorly understood.Objective: To investigate the relation of sugary beverage intake and genetic preposition to the long-term risk of dementia and brain structure.Design, Setting, and Participants: We leveraged data of 187,994 UK Biobank participants without dementia at baseline and followed them until March 2021.Exposures: Intake of sugary beverages (SBs, one unit=250 ml), including sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), artificially-sweetened beverages (ASB), and natural sweet juices (NSJ), was assessed using repeated web-based 24-h dietary recall from 2009 to 2012. A polygenic risk score (PRS) was calculated to capture each participant’s load of common genetic variants related to the risk of dementia.Main Outcomes and Measures: Incident dementia was identified through hospital admissions and death registries. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was conducted in a subgroup of 12,566 participants in 2014.Results: During a total of 1,790,996 person-years of follow up, 1,351 incident dementia cases were identified. Higher intake of SSB and ASB (>2 units/d v. none) was independently associated with a substantially increased risk of dementia (p-trend=0.013 for SSB, and <0.001 for ASB). The corresponding multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio [HR] and 95% confidence intervals [CI] were 1.47 (1.13~1.92), and 1.41 (1.00~1.99), respectively. The significant association of ASB was observed among ASB consumptions regardless of the intake level. In contrast, moderate intake of NSJ (0~1 unit/d v. none) was related to a decreased risk of dementia (HR=0.80, 0.71~0.90) and a larger volume of brain grey matter (beta=0.03, 0.01~0.06) and a lower volume of white matter hyperintensities (beta=-0.08, -0.13~-0.02). Moreover, the genetic risks were significantly magnified by higher intake of SSB and ASB, and was instead attenuated by moderate intake of NSJ (P-interaction<0.002).Conclusions and Relevance: Higher intake of SSB and ASB was associated with higher risk of dementia, especially among individuals at high genetic risk for dementia. Inversely, moderate NSJ intake was associated with a reduced risk of dementia, possibly through the beneficial role maintaining brain grey matter volume and reducing white matter hyperintensities.
Cosmic Gas Thermodynamics at z = 1090 and z = 0
Authors: Johnson Martin R.
Published: September 2021

Dark energy is shown to be the internal kinetic energy of intergalactic plasma.
Forecast of COVID-19 progress considering the seasonal fluctuations
Authors: Kascha Mariya , Palienko Maksym , Marchenko Roman
Published: September 2021

This study aims to analyze the course of the COVID-19 disease and forecast its progress. Systematization of scientific background concerning the issues under investigation indicated the snowballing growth of scientific publications devoted to COVID-19. The urgency of the research rests on the negative influence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on all spheres that deepen the global economic crisis. The forecast of the COVID-19 progress in Ukraine was carried out in the following logical sequence: 1) collection and analysis of statistical data; 2) testing stationarity and periodicity of the time series, using software Statistica (portable); 3) constructing the trend component 4) detecting the seasonal component by the fast Fourier transformation under excluded trend; 5) building the general model, checking its quality and adequacy; 6) forecast and elaboration on the recommendations. The methodological tools of the study were the regression and correlation analysis, the Dickie-Fuller test, decomposition of the additive model into cyclic and trend components, and the fast Fourier transformation, using software MathCAD(portable). The empirical research was conducted based on panel data from 22 January 2020 to 2 May 2021. The object of the study was selected the population of Ukraine who were infected with coronavirus during the study period. The study empirically confirmed and theoretically proved that if the pandemic tendency persists and the absence of carefully planned COVID-19 preventive work in Ukraine, a new wave of the disease may occur from mid-August to early September. Besides, the growth of the load on the medical sector and the increase in COVID-19 deaths among the population may lead to the introduction of new restrictive quarantine measures. In turn, it would result in an economic shutdown and the decline of small and medium businesses. Therefore, it is necessary to direct the Government’s policy to eliminate the myths about vaccination, to increase confidence in vaccination among the population, which will avoid the next wave of diseases.
Development of the voluntary health insurance market in Ukraine
Authors: Zhuravka Olena , Daher Katherina , Bosak Irina
Published: September 2021

This paper is aimed to study the development trends of the domestic voluntary health insurance market. The authors analyzed the current state of the domestic voluntary health insurance market by its types. In the study framework, the main tendencies were determined, while the relative ratios of voluntary health insurance market functioning were calculated. Health insurance has a great potential to be a promising source of additional funding for medicine in Ukraine. However, the systematization of scientific sources indicated that unresolved issues of further development of health insurance and the search for effective external funding sources for medicine in Ukraine, one of which may be the market of voluntary health insurance. This research’s urgency consists of insufficient healthcare budgetary funding and low healthcare quality, provoking external funding sources’ growth in national healthcare facilities such as voluntary health insurance. The study of the features of the voluntary health insurance market development was carried out in the following logical sequence: determining the relevance of the research topic; investigating the scientific background on the research topic; establishing the methodological basis; analyzing the indicators of voluntary medical insurance market development; considering the structure of health funding sources in Ukraine and some countries of Eastern Europe. The authors determined a need to develop voluntary health insurance in Ukraine as an external health funding source based on the findings. The conclusions and recommendations were formed. The study involved the methods of deduction and induction, analogy and comparative analysis, graphical method, method of statistical comparison. The research object is the voluntary health insurance market in Ukraine. The research period is 2012-2020. The obtained results indicated that the voluntary health insurance market is undoubtedly an essential component of the Ukrainian insurance market. The authors noted that it is an effective additional way for actual funding the social needs in medicine. Therefore, it calls for further in-depth study and more attention from the population. The results of this study could be helpful for scientists, health and insurance professionals.
Effect of work environment on employee engagement: Mediating role of ethical decision-making
Authors: Judeh Mahfuz
Published: September 2021

Organizations are increasingly being responsible for providing good and healthy work environment that can help in supporting employees performing their duties. Supportive work environment can increase the degree of employee engagement, which in turn, makes them more attached to their roles. The purpose of the current study is two-folded: to investigate the effect of work environment on engagement, and to test ethical decision making as a mediator between environment and engagement. Data were collected from a sample of 237 employees from transportation corporations listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (2019) in Jordan. Structural equation modeling was utilized to test the model. Results proposed that engagement was significantly related to work environment and ethical decision-making. Work environment has a greater effect on employee engagement than on ethical decision-making. Moreover, the effect of ethical decision-making on employee engagement was greater than the effect of work engagement on ethical decision-making. Furthermore, the study yielded support for the claim that ethical decision-making played a significant role in the relationship between work environment and employee engagement. Therefore, employees having good working conditions and making ethical decisions tend to get higher levels of employee engagement.
Closed-Loop Bioconversion of Plant Material into Ethanol and Feed
Authors: Turshatov М.V. , Krivchenko V.А. , Solovyev А.О. , Nikitenko V.D.
Published: September 2021

At present, the production of ethyl alcohol in accordance with the current legislation is possible only on condition of complete processing or disposal of waste from the main process. The article discusses the possibility of partial replacement of industrial water at the stage of the mixture preparation with stillage filtrate and its condensate resulting from the evaporation in a vacuum unit. The data obtained showed that partial replacement of process water with the indicated substances does not lead to a decrease in the quality of the target product, while complete fermentation of raw materials occurs with the formation of alcohol in an amount exceeding the established rate. The closed production cycle reduces the negative impact of distilleries on the environment by reducing harmful emissions and ensuring the more complete and efficient processing of raw materials. In addition, this approach makes it possible to reduce the costs of production and the final product.

Key words: complex processing of raw materials, waste, closed-loop process, grain stillage, feedstuffs, sour condensate, alcohol production

Funding - Research work on the preparation of the manuscript was carried out at the expense of subsidy for the implementation of state assignment no. 0529-2019-0066.
Cyber-physical universal safety and crash detection system for autonomous robot
Authors: Pikner Heiko , Malayjerdi Mohsen
Published: September 2021

Multi-purpose mobile robots with a modular layout have become a hot research topic in recent years. The safe performance of these robot’s operations is relying on the low-level cyber-physical system (CPS). In this paper, the scientific goals underscore the analysis of the computational (cyber) units for low-level real-time fault monitoring. The purpose of these units is to monitor control signals issued by other (cyber) units or sensors and if there is a safety-critical problem, then predefined actions can be triggered. The safety controller was built and tested on the TalTech iseAuto platform. Based on the results, a new multi-layer universal safety system was developed. In the first layer, all signals and messages are checked to be in a suitable range or order. The second layer detects if an accident is happening using crash sensors. The third layer includes remote control switches support. If a failure or malfunction occurs, the emergency action plan is executed to stop the vehicle safely.
Estimation of groundwater recharge using multiple climate models in Bayesian frameworks
Authors: Achieng Kevin O. , Zhu Jianting
Published: September 2021

Groundwater recharge plays a vital role in replenishing aquifers, sustaining demand, and reducing adverse effects (e.g. land subsidence). In order to manage climate change-induced effects on groundwater dynamics, climate models are increasingly being used to predict current and future recharges. Even though there has been a number of hydrological studies that have averaged climate models’ predictions in a Bayesian framework, few studies have been related to the groundwater recharge. In this study, groundwater recharge estimates from 10 regional climate models (RCMs) are averaged in 12 different Bayesian frameworks with variations of priors. A recession-curve-displacement method was used to compute recharge from measured streamflow data. Two basins of different sizes located in the same water resource region in the USA, the Cedar River Basin and the Rainy River Basin, are selected to illustrate the approach and conduct quantitative analysis. It has been shown that groundwater recharge prediction is affected by the Bayesian priors. The non-Empirical Bayes g-Local-based Bayesian priors result in posterior inclusion probability values that are consistent with the performance of the climate models outside the Bayesian framework. With the proper choice of priors, the Bayesian frameworks can produce good results of groundwater recharge with R2, percent bias error, and Willmott's index of agreement of >0.97, <2%, and >0.97, respectively, in the two basins. The Bayesian framework with an appropriate prior provides opportunity to estimate recharge from multiple climate models.
Hydrogeological research in the Tuyajto Lake at the Flamingo National Reserve (Atacama, Chile)
Authors: Herrera Lameli Christian , Urrutia Meza Javier , Jódar Bermúdez Jorge , Lambán Jiménez Luis Javier , Custodio Gimena Emilio , Gamboa Palacios Carolina
Published: September 2021

The Tuyajto Lake is a saline lake located in the Andean Altiplano of northern Chile, at the foot of the volcano of the same name. It is fed by springs located on its eastern and northern boundaries. These springs discharge groundwater from a volcanic aquifer. Arid conditions dominate in the area, with an average precipitation of less than 200 mm/year. The tritium content in some groundwater samples shows the contribution of modern recharge to the total groundwater flow. Recharge occurs by infiltration of snowmelt in the austral winter months and to a lesser extent by short but intense precipitation events during the summer. According to the vertical gradients of precipitation and its rainfall isotopic content (δ18O, δ2H), the recharge zone of the springs is located at the northern area of the lake, above 4,900 m a.s.l., along the slopes of the Tuyajto volcano, whereas the recharge to the springs discharging on the eastern area of the lake originates in the adjacent basins of Pampa Colorada and Pampa Las Tecas, at altitudes of between 4,400 and 4,700 m a.s.l. The water of these springs may contain measurable tritium. The chemical composition of groundwater is the result of meteoric water evaporation processes, high temperature water-rock interaction and the dissolution of buried old salt flat deposits. The groundwater flow is shallow, due to the presence of a regional low permeability ignimbrite formation, which precludes the formation of deep convective groundwater flow cells due to the high density. At the local scale, the Laguna Tuyajto behaves as a flow-through system compared to the regional groundwater flow. The persistence of the springs is essential for the existence of the brine sheet and maintaining the ecological conditions for the waterfowl.
Narrativa de vida de Maria Fernandes de Queiroga (irmã Ana, OSF): memória, história e identidade docente
Authors: Barreto Iolanda de Sousa , Machado Charliton José dos Santos , Nunes Maria Lúcia da Silva
Published: September 2021

Este artigo objetiva delinear o percurso de construção da identidade docente da educadora e religiosa Maria Fernandes de Queiroga (Irmã Ana, OSF), que tem atuado por mais de cinco décadas na formação de professoras/es, no Colégio Normal Francisca Mendes (CNFM), em Catolé do Rocha/PB, a partir de uma leitura de sua trajetória de vida e atuação educativa. Pautado nas ideias difundidas pela Nova História Cultural, nos modos investigativos da (auto)biografia, da micro história e da história oral, desenvolve uma abordagem histórica das fontes constituídas por entrevistas de história oral, cadernos e escritos da educadora, documentos referentes ao CNFM, entre outros. Irmã Ana vem edificando sua identidade docente no acolhimento, na reflexão e na adaptação das influências dos grupos – referências às quais esteve ligada ao longo de sua vida: a família, a congregação religiosa, as instituições formativas e o(s) lugar(es) de atuação profissional.
A configuração subjetiva da docência de uma professora da educação especial e suas implicações na prática pedagógica
Authors: Santos Geandra Claudia Silva , Mitjáns Martínez Albertina , Anache Alexandra Ayach
Published: September 2021

O presente artigo objetivou analisar a configuração subjetiva da docência de uma professora da Educação Especial e como se constitui a sua prática pedagógica junto aos alunos com deficiência. A pesquisa foi orientada pela Metodologia construtivo-interpretativa elaborada por González Rey, fundamentada nos princípios da Epistemologia Qualitativa. Participou da pesquisa uma professora da Educação Especial de uma escola pública de Ensino Fundamental. Utilizou-se como instrumentos entrevista, dinâmicas conversacionais, questionário, redação, completamento de frases e observações. A análise possibilitou compreender que a configuração subjetiva da docência da professora está constituída por sentidos subjetivos associados à relação com seus familiares, com a falta de identificação com o magistério e a baixa valoração da Educação Especial na subjetividade social da escola. Essa configuração, em articulação com o contexto de trabalho e a subjetividade social da instituição, implicou na prática pedagógica da professora, resultando em limitações relacionadas à efetivação da inclusão na escola.
O PIBID e a aprendizagem do fazer docente em tempos de pandemia
Authors: Alves Francione Charapa , Martins Elcimar Simão , Leite Maria Cleide da Silva Ribeiro
Published: September 2021

A formação inicial de professores é sempre posta em xeque, seja quanto à organização curricular ou quanto aos seus métodos pedagógicos ou avaliativos. Assim, existem iniciativas como o Programa Institucional de Bolsa de Iniciação à Docência (PIBID), criado em 2007, que visa fortalecer as licenciaturas. Com o olhar nesta temática, este texto objetiva refletir sobre as trajetórias do PIBID em três instituições federais brasileiras, evidenciando suas experiências em tempos de pandemia. De abordagem qualitativa, com uso da pesquisa documental, analisaram-se documentos referentes à edição 2020-2022. Conclui-se que, apesar de todos os desafios que o PIBID tem enfrentado, as instituições de ensino não medem esforços para a superação dos problemas em um contexto de trabalho remoto, fortalecendo os vínculos sociais e profissionais por meio de parcerias com outras instituições, fazendo uso dos recursos midiáticos e ferramentas virtuais com o fito de formar futuros professores capazes de atuar com êxito na profissão.
Programa Especial de Formação Pedagógica, uma reflexão histórica
Authors: Gonçalves Maria Isa Pinheiro Cardoso , Noronha Isabelle de Luna Alencar , Queiroz Zuleide Fernandes
Published: September 2021

A formação docente é uma temática sempre em evidência, sob os mais diferentes enfoques, em estudos no meio educacional. Para este artigo, tomaremos, de forma não excludente, as dimensões política, histórica e pedagógica da formação, enfatizando a que é construída pelo Programa Especial de Formação Pedagógica no âmbito da Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA. Neste sentido o texto está organizado da seguinte forma: inicialmente, apresentamos uma abordagem histórica do citado programa e sua inserção (1998-2019) na referida IES, procurando identificar os impactos que o mesmo causa na região do Cariri cearense. A seguir refletimos sobre a formação dos sujeitos (discentes do programa) à luz dos objetivos aos quais o Programa Especial de Formação Pedagógica se propõe e por meio de suas próprias palavras em depoimentos colhidos por questionários eletrônicos aplicados entre os meses de outubro e novembro de 2020. O texto traz resultados de uma pesquisa etnográfica assim caracterizada em virtude do envolvimento das autoras com o objeto de investigação. Por fim, defendemos a permanência do Programa Especial de Formação Pedagógica em solo caririense.
The 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Nitrile Oxides in Water Media
Authors: Plumet Joaquín
Published: September 2021

The 1,3-dipolar Cycloadditions (DCs) of Nitrile Oxides (NOs) have been used as a
powerful tool in synthetic organic chemistry. The cycloadducts arising from Cycloadditions
(CAs) of NOs to alkenes and alkynes (2-isoxazolines and isoxazoles respectively) are valuable
synthetic intermediates because, among others, their capacity to mask other functionalities
including α, β -unsaturated ketones, β -hydroxy carbonyl compounds and 1,3-
aminoalcohols. In particular, the β-hydroxy ketone functionality is an illustrative example,
making the NOs alkenes CAs reactions a synthetically equivalent methodology of aldol reactions.
The vast majority of these reactions are carried out in organic solvents. Nevertheless,
the use of water as an alternative solvent has evident advantages on the “Green Chemistry”
concept. The critical discussion on the use of water instead of “conventional” solvents in the 1,3-DCs reactions of
NOs is the objective of the present review.
Neuroprotective Effects of Neuropeptide Y against Neurodegenerative
Disease
Authors: Pain Stéphanie , Brot Sébastien , Gaillard Afsaneh
Published: September 2021

:

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36 amino acid peptide, is widely expressed in the mammalian
brain. Changes in NPY levels in different brain regions and plasma have been described in several neurodegenerative
diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis, and Machado-Joseph disease. The changes in NPY levels may reflect the
attempt to set up an endogenous neuroprotective mechanism to counteract the degenerative process.
Accumulating evidence indicates that NPY can function as an anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and
pro-phagocytic agent, which may be used effectively to halt or to slow down the progression of the
disease. In this review, we will focus on the neuroprotective roles of NPY in several neuropathological
conditions, with a particular focus on the anti-inflammatory properties of NPY.
In Silico Identification of New Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents from Bioactive Phytocompounds Targeting the Viral Spike Glycoprotein and Human TLR4
Authors: Das Nabarun Chandra , Labala Rajendra Kumar , Patra Ritwik , Chattoraj Asamanja , Mukherjee Suprabhat
Published: September 2021

Background:

The recent outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused
by SARS-CoV-2 has posed a tremendous threat to mankind. The unavailability of a specific drug or vaccine
has been the major concern to date. Spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 plays the most crucial
role in viral infection and immunopathogenesis, and hence this protein appears to be an efficacious target
for drug discovery.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to identify potent bioactive phytocompound that can target
viral spike (S) glycoprotein and human TLR4 to reduce immunopathological manifestations of COVID-
19.

Method:

A series of thirty (30) bioactive phytocompounds, previously documented for antiviral activity,
were theoretically screened for their binding efficacy against key proteins related to the pathogenesis of
SARS-CoV-2, namely viral spike (S) glycoprotein, and human TLR4. MD simulation was employed to
verify the postulations of molecular docking study, and further ADME analysis was performed to predict
the most effective one.

Results:

Studies hypothesized that two new phytochemicals, viz. cajaninstilbene acid (-8.83 kcal/mol)
and papaverine (-5.81 kcal/mol), might be the potent inhibitors of spike glycoprotein with stout binding
affinity and favourable ADME attributes. MD simulation further ratified the stability of the docked complexes
between the phytochemicals and S protein through strong hydrogen bonding. Our in silico data
also indicated that cajaninstilbene acid and papaverine might block human TLR4, which could be useful
in mitigating SARS-CoV-2-induced lethal proinflammatory responses.

Conclusion:

Experimental data collectively predict cajaninstilbene acid as the potential blocker of S protein
which may be used as an anti-viral against COVID-19 in the future. However, further experimental
validations alongside toxicological detailing are needed for claiming the candidature of these molecules
as future anti-corona therapeutics.
Clinical and Imaging Features of Tumors in the Scapula
Authors: Zhong Zhi-Wei , Wu Wen-Juan , Song Yan , Liu Jie , Cao Lei , Yu Bao-Hai , Sun Tao , Shi Liang , Shi Yun-Heng , Gao Bu-Lang
Published: September 2021

Background:

The scapula is a small irregular-shaped flat bone, which may suffer from a
variety of tumors or tumor-like lesions. As the imaging manifestations are complex and changeable,
correct imaging diagnosis is difficult.

Introduction:

At present, there are few related radiology literatures, and it is necessary to fully analyze
the imaging signs of different types of benign and malignant tumors in scapula to guide clinical
treatment. This study was to investigate clinical and imaging presentations of tumors and tumor-
like lesions in the scapula so as to increase the diagnostic accuracy of diseases in the scapula.

Methods:

Patients with scapular tumors confirmed by pathology were enrolled. The imaging and
clinical data were analyzed.

Result:

Among 108 patients, benign tumors were in 53 (49.1%) cases, intermediate in seven
(6.5%), and malignant in 48 (44.4%) involving 16 diseases. Osteochondroma was the first benign
tumors in 45 cases accounting for 84.9% of all benign scapular tumors, followed by chondroma in
four cases (7.5%). The intermediate tumors were mainly eosinophilic granuloma in four cases. Metastatic
tumors were the commonest malignant tumor (27 cases or 56.2% of all malignant tumors),
followed by chondrosarcoma (in 13 cases). Except for the one case of chondroblastoma in which
the lesion involved the glenoid cavity, all the other cartilaginous tumors were located in the scapular
body and processes. The type of lesions in the bony processes is the same as in the scapular
body, the common lesions in the central area of the body were malignant tumors, and the commonest
lesions in the glenoid area were metastasis. Common imaging features of malignant scapular tumors
were ill-defined margins, cortical destruction and soft tissue involvement. The imaging features
of chondrosarcoma lack specificity except for calcification. Benign lesions usually had a clear
boundary and marginal sclerosis.

Conclusion:

A wide variety of benign and malignant tumors may occur in the scapula with mostly
cartilaginous and metastatic tumors, and the location and distribution of lesions are similar in the
scapula to those in the long bones.
Integration of Multi-Omics Data Using Probabilistic Graph Models and
External Knowledge
Authors: Tripp Bridget A. , Otu Hasan H.
Published: September 2021

Background:

High-throughput sequencing technologies have revolutionized the ability to
perform systems-level biology and elucidate molecular mechanisms of disease through the comprehensive
characterization of different layers of biological information. Integration of these heterogeneous
layers can provide insight into the underlying biology but is challenged by modeling complex interactions.

Objective:

We introduce OBaNK: omics integration using Bayesian networks and external knowledge,
an algorithm to model interactions between heterogeneous high-dimensional biological data to elucidate
complex functional clusters and emergent relationships associated with an observed phenotype.

Method:

Using Bayesian network learning, we modeled the statistical dependencies and interactions
between lipidomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data. The strength of a learned interaction between
molecules was altered based on external knowledge.

Results :

Networks learned from synthetic datasets based on real pathways achieved an average area under
the curve score of ~0.85, an improvement of ~0.23 from baseline methods. When applied to real
multi-omics data collected during pregnancy, five distinct functional networks of heterogeneous biological
data were identified, and the results were compared to other multi-omics integration approaches.

Conclusion:

OBaNK successfully improved the accuracy of learning interaction networks from data integrating
external knowledge, identified heterogeneous functional networks from real data, and suggested
potential novel interactions associated with the phenotype. These findings can guide future hypothesis
generation. OBaNK source code is available at: https://github.com/bridgettripp/OBaNK.git, and a
graphical user interface is available at: http://otulab.unl.edu/OBaNK.
Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Activities of Jasminum multiflorum (Burm. F.) Andrews Leaves towards MCF-7 Breast Cancer and HCT 116 Colorectal Cell Lines and Identification of Bioactive Metabolites
Authors: El-Hawary Seham S. , EL-Hefnawy Hala M. , Osman Samir M. , El-Raey Mohamed A. , Mokhtar Fatma A. , Ibrahim Haitham A.
Published: September 2021

Background:

The plants of high phenolic contents are perfect antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents and
participate in biological studies as effective agents towards different cancer cell lines.

Objective:

To investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of the hydromethanolic leaf extract
of Jasminum multiflorum (Burm. f.) Andrews. (J. multiflorum), and phenolic profiling of the extract.

Methods:

The antioxidant activity for the extract was estimated using β-Carotene-linoleic and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant
Power (FRAP) assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by histamine release assay. Cytotoxicity of
J. multiflorum was performed using a neutral red uptake assay towards breast cancer (MCF-7) and colorectal cancer
(HCT 116) cell lines. Phenolic profiling of the leaves was characterized using high performance liquid chromatography
coupled to photodiode array detector-mass spectroscopy-mass spectroscopy (HPLC-PDA-MS/MS), and chromatographic
isolation and identification of the isolated compounds were performed using spectroscopic and NMR data, and
virtual docking was performed to the isolated compounds against HSP90 (HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 90).

Results :

At a concentration of 75 μg mL-1, J. multiflorum extract showed high antioxidant power; 68.23±0.35 % inhibition
and 60.30±0.60 a TEAC (μmol Trolox g-1) for β-Carotene-linoleic assay and FRAP assay; respectively, and
possessed anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 67.2 μg/ml. J. multiflorum showed high cytotoxic activity with IC50 of
24.81 μg/ml and 11.38 μg/ml for MCF-7 and HCT 116 cell lines, respectively. HPLC-PDA-MS/MS analysis tentatively
identified 39 compounds; major compounds are secoiridoid glycosides, kaempferol, and quercetin glycosides, in
addition to simple phenylethanoid compounds. Isolation of active metabolites was performed and led to the isolation
and identification of four compounds. On the basis of docking study using HSP90 legend, kaempferol neohesperidoside
showed a high cytotoxic potential supported by a high affinity score towards HSP90 legend protein.

Conclusion:

Jasminum multiflorum is a good candidate to isolate cytotoxic agents.
Cholesterol Decorated Pyridinium Urea and Carbamate as π-Gelators for
Selective Recognition of F- Ions
Authors: Panja Santanu , Ghosh Kumaresh
Published: September 2021

Aim:

The design and synthesis of new molecules capable of forming self-assembled gels
are indispensable to harvest new functional materials. Supramolecular gels have potential in many areas,
particularly in biology and materials chemistry. Of the different types of applications, visual sensing
of biologically relevant ionic analytes is a fairly recent trend. Here we describe naked-eye detection
of fluoride ions involving sol-gel methodology.

Methods:

To execute this, cholesterol substituted pyridinium salts 1-4 have been designed and synthesized,
of which compounds 3 and 4 served as potential gelators for the naked-eye detection of F- ions
in DMSO and DMSO-H2O (1:1, v/v), respectively.

Results:

Addition of F- ions to the solutions of 3 and 4 in DMSO and DMSO: H2O (1:1, v/v) respectively,
resulted in the formation of yellow and brown colored gels instantly at room temperature.

Conclusion:

Gelation study reveals that not only the aromatic surface is crucial for the selfaggregation
of molecules via π-π stacking interactions, but also polarity, rigidity, and conformational
flexibility of the molecules that govern the intermolecular association of gelators are important. Moreover,
the incorporation of fluorophore (naphthalene) as an aromatic surface in the molecular designs
enables the gelator molecules to execute the sensing of F- with a high degree of sensitivity in the solution
phase.
Evaluación de diez genotipos de melón cultivados bajo invernadero
Authors: Monge Pérez José Eladio , Loría-Coto Michelle
Published: September 2021

Se evaluó el rendimiento y la calidad de diez genotipos de melón (Cucumis melo L.) producidos bajo invernadero, por medio de seis variables cuantitativas. Los datos muestran una amplia variabilidad entre los genotipos en cuanto a edad al inicio de la cosecha (70 - 88 días después del trasplante), peso promedio del fruto (506,37 - 948,68 g), número de frutos/m2 (0,65 - 7,39), rendimiento por área (0,56 - 5,05 kg/m2), porcentaje de sólidos solubles totales (10,35 - 12,29 °Brix), y firmeza de la pulpa del fruto (16,89 - 40,21 N). El número de frutos/m2 y el rendimiento por área fueron significativamente mayores para los genotipos JMX-207 (7,39 frutos/m2; 5,05 kg/m2), Oui (5,69 frutos/m2; 3,77 kg/m2) y Brilliant (6,09 frutos/m2; 3,49 kg/m2), y fueron significativamente menores para el genotipo JMX-801 (0,65 frutos/m2; 0,56 kg/m2). La investigación proporciona información que permite a los agricultores seleccionar el genotipo a cultivar en su finca, según el mercado. Todos los genotipos se destacaron por su alto contenido de sólidos solubles, y constituyen opciones válidas para los consumidores que buscan melones de alta calidad.
Machine Learning Analysis of Time-Dependent Features for Predicting Adverse Events During Hemodialysis Therapy: Model Development and Validation Study
Authors: Liu Yi-Shiuan , Yang Chih-Yu , Chiu Ping-Fang , Lin Hui-Chu , Lo Chung-Chuan , Lai Alan Szu-Han , Chang Chia-Chu , Lee Oscar Kuang-Sheng
Published: September 2021

Background

Hemodialysis (HD) therapy is an indispensable tool used in critical care management. Patients undergoing HD are at risk for intradialytic adverse events, ranging from muscle cramps to cardiac arrest. So far, there is no effective HD device–integrated algorithm to assist medical staff in response to these adverse events a step earlier during HD.

Objective

We aimed to develop machine learning algorithms to predict intradialytic adverse events in an unbiased manner.

Methods

Three-month dialysis and physiological time-series data were collected from all patients who underwent maintenance HD therapy at a tertiary care referral center. Dialysis data were collected automatically by HD devices, and physiological data were recorded by medical staff. Intradialytic adverse events were documented by medical staff according to patient complaints. Features extracted from the time series data sets by linear and differential analyses were used for machine learning to predict adverse events during HD.

Results

Time series dialysis data were collected during the 4-hour HD session in 108 patients who underwent maintenance HD therapy. There were a total of 4221 HD sessions, 406 of which involved at least one intradialytic adverse event. Models were built by classification algorithms and evaluated by four-fold cross-validation. The developed algorithm predicted overall intradialytic adverse events, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83, sensitivity of 0.53, and specificity of 0.96. The algorithm also predicted muscle cramps, with an AUC of 0.85, and blood pressure elevation, with an AUC of 0.93. In addition, the model built based on ultrafiltration-unrelated features predicted all types of adverse events, with an AUC of 0.81, indicating that ultrafiltration-unrelated factors also contribute to the onset of adverse events.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that algorithms combining linear and differential analyses with two-class classification machine learning can predict intradialytic adverse events in quasi-real time with high AUCs. Such a methodology implemented with local cloud computation and real-time optimization by personalized HD data could warn clinicians to take timely actions in advance.
Self-Care Oriented Smartphone Apps for Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Gosak Lucija , Fijačko Nino , Ooge Jeroen , Kamenšek Janja , Debeljak Nika , Verbert Katrien , Štiglic Gregor
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a common cause of mortality worldwide: each year, the chronic disease kills over one million people, making it the ninth leading cause of death. The growing use of smartphone applications (apps) led to focusing on mobile health, which is increasingly oriented towards self-care of T2DM. With smartphone apps, patients can improve their self-care behavior and prevent complications of the disease.

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to search, analyze, and evaluate the quality of existing smartphone apps for self-care of diabetic patients to improve disease control and health status.

METHODS

In the Google Play Store and iPadian emulator, we systematically searched for Android and iOS smartphone apps. Smartphone apps that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed and evaluated with the American Association of Diabetes Educators’ self-care tool and the user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale, which assesses the integration of self-care behavior functions, and overall quality, respectively.

RESULTS

Out of 798 smartphone apps, we identified 12 relevant smartphone apps that included 51 out of 88 predefined self-care behavior functions. The average score for overall quality was 3.76/5 (SD=0.31), and the smartphone apps WeCheck -Diabetes lifelog, Blood Glucose Level, Smart e-SMBG - Diabetes lifelog, and Blood Glucose contained the most self-care behavior functions.

CONCLUSIONS

We argue that T2DM monitoring can be improved by implementing the correct quantity of self-care behavior functions and including elements related to the prevention of complications due to the T2DM.
Ethical Considerations for Common Mouse Models of Cancer (Preprint)
Authors: Aghamir Sr Seyed Mohammad Kazem , Khatami Fatemeh , Asadian Sr Mahan , Mashhadi Rahil , Pakseresht Keshavarz Behta
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) are concerning possibilities for public participation in the regulation of animal research. AECs are accountable for approving and monitoring research within Accredited Animal Research Establishments (AARE) (https://www.animalethics.org.au/animal-ethics-committees). In the way of making mouse models of cancer, several new considerations should be mentioned before the study design.

OBJECTIVE

To consider both personnel and animal welfare decisions at each stage of making mouse models of cancer, it is essential to have comprehensive information on the animal models.

METHODS

Three main cancer models are including; chemically induced mouse models, genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), xenograft nude mice, and Avatar. Some genetic changes in GEMMs are passing through next generations and not only do they have pain and suffering but also, they impose some environmental changes on mice.

RESULTS

Several phenotypes are required regarding the target of tumor model that expressed research are typically wisely investigated, but those that have an influence on the animal's welfare but have little or no effect on the disease procedure are often less carefully considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Complete analysis and regulations of animal welfare can offer beneficial information for researchers. This information is similarly essential to allow members of the institutional animal care and use committee to make necessary cost: benefit ethical review of animal studies.

CLINICALTRIAL

Not Applicable
Sleep disturbance among Type II diabetic patients and influence of glycemic control (Preprint)
Authors: Al Nefaie Turk , Alnefaie Ghaliah , Alqahtani Shahad , Alqasem Sarah , Althobaiti Albatoul , Alharthi Abeer , Allah Ahmad
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Experimental and observational studies have indicated that poor sleep quantity and quality are associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases including insulin resistance. Additionally, sleep disorders has been reported aggravating diabetes due to decreased glucose metabolism and elevated cortisol levels as well as it can increases the risk for the development of diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the sleep quality and its determinants and impact on glycemic control of type II diabetic patients.

METHODS

A cross sectional study was adopted among a representative sample of patients diagnosed with type II Diabetes seen in Prince Mansoure Military Hospital Diabetic Center in Taif throughout the study period (March-July 2021). A self-administered questionnaire was utilized in the present study including 5 main parts: demographic data of the patients, medical and social history, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess the subjective sleep quality, weight and height measurements and the most recent glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level.

RESULTS

The study included 270 type 2 diabetic patients out of a targeted 282 with a response rate of 95.7%. Most of them aged either between 51 and 60 years (34.8%) or over 60 years (42%). Females represent 63% of them. Majority of patients (87.8%) had HbA1c ≥7%, indicating uncontrolled blood glucose level. Overall, poor sleep quality, based on PSQI was observed among 41.1% of type II diabetic patients. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to patients whose income was lower than 5000 SR/month, those with income of 50001-1000 and >15000 SR/month were at lower significant risk for having poor sleep (Adjusted odds ratio “AOR” =0.44, 95% confidence interval “CI” =0.22-0.86, p=0.016 and AOR=0.21, 95%CI=0.06-0.77, p=0.019; respectively). Opposed to diabetic patients with duration of less than one year of DM, those with duration exceeded 10 years were at almost 6-folds higher risk for poor sleep quality (AOR=6.39, 95%CI=1.12-36.43, p=0.037). Patients with history of social stressors were at higher significant risk for poor sleep quality compared to those without such history (AOR=4.99, 95%CI=1.71-14.67, p=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable proportion of type II diabetic patients attending the diabetic center, Prince Manasour Military hospital in Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed poor sleep quality. However, there was no association between glycemic control level and poor sleep quality.
Considering Ethics in Agricultural Experimental Research with Special Mention to Agricultural Biotechnology Research
Authors: Diptaningsari Danarsi , Martono Edhi
Published: September 2021

Ethics in experimental research equals scientific integrity, a notion principle particularly stressing honesty while implementing discipline concepts on what is excellent and terrible. Some moral responsibility is defined through specifically agreed standards in doing experimental research. Ethics of experimental research in agriculture involves all activities done before, during, and after the study, consisting of personal, research, and social ethics. Ethical code and policy include, but are not limited to, honesty, objectivity, integrity, carefulness, openness, intellectual right recognition, confidentiality, responsible publication, social responsibility, competency, legality, and protecting research object/subject (plant, animal, human) from possible unfair manipulation. One development triggering the controversy of agriculture’s experimental ethics is the progress of agricultural biotechnology which resulted in genetic engineering products. Rules, regulations, and laws concerning the use and development of genetic engineering in agriculture to avoid adverse effects of these products, such as rising environmental hazards, increasing human health degradation, and unfair economic competition, should be considered and implemented.
Effectiveness of Secondary Metabolites from Entomopathogenic Fungi for Control Nilaparvata lugens Stål. in the Laboratory Scale
Authors: Minarni Endang Warih , Soesanto Loekas , Suyanto Agus , Rostaman Rostaman
Published: September 2021

Nilaparvata lugens Stål. is an essential pest in rice plants. This pest attack can reduce crop yields and even crop failure. This research was conducted to obtain secondary metabolites that are effective in controlling brown planthopper (BPH). A randomized block design was used to test the effectiveness of secondary metabolites against BPH. The treatments tested were secondary metabolites produced by eight isolates of fungi consist of three concentrations: 5, 10, and 15%. Water and imidacloprid insecticide were used as control. The eight isolates were: J11 (Aspergillus sp.), J22 (Lecanicillium saksenae), J34 (Myrothecium sp.), J35 (Beauveria sp.), J41 (Fusarium sp.), J56 (Fusarium sp), J60 (Simplicillium sp.), and J65 (Curvularia sp.). Each treatment was repeated three times. The variables observed were mortality and time of death of BPH. Data were analyzed using the F test and followed by a DMRT if significant differences existed. The results showed that the secondary metabolites of the Lecanicillium saksenae, Myrothecium sp., and Simplicillium sp. fungi effectively controlled BPH pests by 80‒100% within 3.22‒5.47 days. The fungus L. saksenae, Myrothecium sp., and Simplicillium sp. contain insecticidal compounds, clogging the insect spiraculum, antifeedant, repellant, and antimicrobial.