bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Composition and in vitro Antioxidant Potential of Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth
Authors: Anand Mukul , R. Basavaraju
Published: November 2022

Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth (Bignoniaceae), commonly called yellow-bells, has found wide applications in traditional medicine. In the present study, the nutritional composition, phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of Tecoma stans plant parts was investigated. Carbohydrates ranked first among the macronutrients tailed by protein and ash. Seed displayed significant levels of protein, fat and ash, whereas leaf showed substantial amount of calcium and iron. Polyphenols and flavonoids were predominant in seed and leaf crude ethanolic extracts and fractions as compared to the flower sample. The crude ethanolic extracts and fractions were also evaluated for their scavenging action against DPPH, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals. Higher radical scavenging potential was observed in seed and leaf crude extracts and fractions. Among the fractions, n-butanol and ethyl acetate were significantly more efficient than the other fractions against the studied free radicals (p<0.05). These fractions also contained relatively higher levels of total polyphenols and flavonoids than the other fractions of the plant parts. All the crude ethanolic extracts and fractions of the samples showed a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent radical scavenging action. Strong and positive correlations between phenolic compounds and free radical scavenging activities of Tecoma crude ethanolic extracts and fractions were observed. The obtained results exhibit that the studied plant parts are nutritionally valuable and excellent source of natural bioactive compounds.
Nocturnal Fat Oxidation and Metabolic Flexibility of Young Male Indian Adults Using Indirect Calorimetry
Authors: Sinha Srishti , Kuriyan Rebecca
Published: November 2022

Indian adults tend to inappropriately accumulate body fat even at low Body Mass Index (BMI). Usually, fat that is stored in the fed state is mobilized for energy during nocturnal fasting, thus achieving daily fat balance. This is called metabolic flexibility, which may be lost in some individuals leading to body fat accumulation. Measuring fat balance requires 24h measurement of fat oxidation, but nocturnal fat oxidation could be a reasonable surrogate. The variability of nocturnal fat oxidation is also unknown. A retrospective analysis on 24h fat oxidation in adult men (n=18) was carried out to test the former hypothesis, while the variability of nocturnal fat oxidation was measured prospectively in 5 adult men, who were fed the same diet for 2 days prior to the measurement. Whole-body indirect calorimetry was used for measuring Respiratory Quotient (RQ), energy expenditure and fat oxidation. In 24h analyses, nocturnal (0.44 ± 0.21 g/kg) was significantly higher than diurnal fat oxidation (0.24 ± 0.21 g/kg) and was 64.5% of the total 24h value. Nocturnal fat oxidation was positively correlated with 24h fat oxidation (r = 0.937; p<0.01) and inversely correlated with 24h fat balance (r = -0.850; p<0.01). Metabolic flexibility, measured as the Fed: Fasted RQ ratio, was negatively correlated with BMI (r = -0.226; p=0.366). The intra- and inter-individual variability of 12h nocturnal fat oxidation was low, at 4.7% and 7.2%, respectively. Nocturnal fat oxidation has a low variability when prior diets over 2 days are constant and the Fed: Fasted RQ ratio is an index of metabolic flexibility, which relates to BMI in young adults.
Dietary Intake and Metabolic Syndrome in Kolagur Tribal Women, Yercaud
Authors: Durga Priyadarshini R. , Annette Beatrice D.
Published: November 2022

With increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome among tribal population in India, the present study aimed to assess the incidence of metabolic syndrome and examine the differences in the dietary intake of tribal women residing in Kolagur, a hamlet in Yercaud block, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. One hundred women between the age of 18-60 years were randomly selected and information pertaining to their socio-demographic profile were elicited using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary parameters were assessed using appropriate validated tools. Nutrient intake was computed using Diet Cal software and the statistical analysis was done using ‘R' statistical software. Of the 100 tribal women, 26% were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome majorly prevalent among the age group of 40-60 years (53.8%). The most common feature of metabolic syndrome was low HDL cholesterol (88.5%). There were no significant differences in the socio-demographic profile of tribal women from both groups. Women with metabolic syndrome were found to have significant difference in all the anthropometric parameters with higher mean BMI (p<0.000), mean waist-to-hip ratio (p<0.000) and mean body fat (p<0.000) than those without metabolic syndrome. The mean fasting plasma glucose (p<0.000), mean triglycerides (p<0.000), mean total cholesterol: HDL cholesterol ratio (p=0.0007), mean systolic blood pressure level (p<0.000) and mean diastolic blood pressure level (p<0.000) were significantly higher and mean HDL - cholesterol was significantly lower (p=0.011) among those with metabolic syndrome. With respect to dietary intake, the mean intake of energy (p=0.012) and carbohydrates (p=0.034) of women with metabolic syndrome were significantly lesser than those without metabolic syndrome. These results imply the need for a cohort with larger sample size to gain more insight into the plausible diet-disease relationship. Long term interventions aimed to treat women with metabolic syndrome is crucial to prevent the onset of non-communicable diseases.
Training Needs on Climate Resilient Farm Technologies for Improving the Livelihood and Nutritional Security of Farming Community in Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu
Authors: S. Kathiresan , T. Raj Pravin
Published: November 2022

Farming remains as a risky profession in drought prone areas as a result of many climate change issues affecting the lives and livelihoods of many farm families. The periodical and sudden occurrence of natural vagaries in the past few years has become a new normal, resulting in the farming communities suffering huge productivity losses in farming and allied sectors. Over a period of time with their resultant farming experience over years, the farming community has diversified their farm related production activities. No longer are they entirely dependent on farming for their livelihood needs but derive more economic and nutritional gains from allied sectors. On the other hand, they also adopt modern and indigenous climate resilient farm technologies to mitigate climate change issues as a part oftheir farming activities. However, over a period of time they need to be trained on many climate resilient farm technologies to improve their farm yields, reduce losses and achieve sustainable farm production. Keeping this in view, a study was undertaken in Erumapatty block to study the training needs of farmers on climate resilient farm technologies for improving the livelihood and nutritional security of farming community in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. About 120 farm respondents were selected for the study where National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) scheme was launched in different modules. Training needs related to capacity building and blending of local resources, creation of water harvesting structures and new irrigation management practices for taking up mitigation measures was assessed as a part of the study. This identified training needs coupled with developing a new extension model for addressing climate change issues in Namakkal district as a part of the study is sure to address many climate change related issues affecting farmers. It will also assist in improving the livelihood and nutritional security of farming community in the near future.
Impact of Targeted Public Distribution System on Food and Nutrition Security of Households from Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Authors: Chandorkar Suneeta , Ahuja Ria
Published: November 2022

The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), a major food safety net program in India, aims at alleviating food and nutrition insecurity among the undernourished population through supply of grains at subsidised rates by Filling up the Nutrition Gap (FNG). The TPDS, being the major food safety net program, is pivotal in implementation of National Food Security Act that makes right to food a legal entitlement. TPDS has undergone several reforms, the latest being the digitalisation of the system. Digitalisation was adopted by 29 states to plug the gaps and improve the impact of TPDS. The present study was undertaken to assess the functioning of the modified TPDS and Food and Nutrition Security in Urban Population of Vadodara, Gujarat, India. The major findings from the study indicate that the presence of Fair Price Shops and their regular functioning ensured food availability however, misclassification of the target households thwarted the accessibility to food grains at subsidised rates to the deserving households. TPDS was instrumental in promoting food and nutrition security in the households utilising the services.
Formulation and Quality Assessment of Black Rice Milk Assimilated Paneer
Authors: J. A. Aysha Thaseen , V. Subasshini
Published: November 2022

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Development and Quality Evaluation of Millet Based Nutri-Composite Ladoos Incorporated with Soy Flour and Jack Fruit Seed Flour
Authors: M. Sivasakthi
Published: November 2022

Millets are in the family of cereals grown globally with differential importance across continents and within regions of the world. Grains provide approximately two-thirds of the energy and protein intake in the world, especially in developing countries, and about one-quarter of energy intake in the United States. The study was conducted to develop millet based nutri- composite ladoos incorporated with soy flour and jack fruit seed flour. In the product sorghum flour, soy flour, jack fruit seed flour was added at different proportions. A10 g oats, 10 g jaggery, 10 g almonds and 5 g ghee were added. There were two variations prepared and in variation I sorghum flour, soy flour, jackfruit seed flour were added in the ratio of 50:10:5. In variation II sorghum flour, soy flour, jack fruit seed flour were added in the ratio of 40:15:10. The standardized best nutricomposite ladoos (variation II) was evaluated for sensory quality, physico-chemical, nutritional characteristics, shelf life with respect to control. The organoleptic score for the variation II has got highest mean score for all sensory attributes, namely appearance (4.75), colour (4.95), flavour (4.7), texture (4.95), taste (4.7) and overall acceptability (4.7). The proximate properties such as energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, moisture, calcium, iron, vitamin C were analysed and have contributed favourable results.
Phytochemical Screening and Spectral Characterization of Portieria hornemannii from South East Coast of Tamil Nadu
Authors: C. Prabhavathy , S. Thilagavathi
Published: November 2022

Seaweeds are macrothallus with numerous industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Recently researchers are gaining more interest in nutraceutical applications of seaweeds. Hence the present work focused on the nutraceutical importance, phytochemical importance and spectral characterisation of red seaweed Portieria hornemannii. Preliminary screening shows the presence of proteins, tannins, terpenoids, flavoniods, phenols, coumarins, quinones etc. The spectral characterization UV showed the peaks at 205 and 220 nm in 4.0 and 3.379 absorbence and FTIR shows the presence of functional groups such amine, amide, alkene etc., and from the GC-MS analysis the major active compounds was determined such as, n-hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, neophytadiene, octadecanoic acid. The bioactive compounds present revealed its antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract against the human pathogens such as Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli (5.2 ± 2.7 mm) Staphylococcus aureus (8.8 ± 7.3 mm) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.7 ± 2.0 mm). The Portieria hornemannii red seaweed pave way to discover new drugs and food supplements and could be a novel source for nutraceuticals.
Process Development and Quality Evaluation of Fruit Leather Enriched with Iron and Vitamin C
Authors: P. Prinisha Prema Dharshini , K. Devi
Published: November 2022

Fruit leather, a preserved dehydrated confectionary product, can be conveniently value added towards the ever existing iron deficiency anemia and increasing prevalence of oxidative stress related diseases. The objectives of the study was to process fruit leather with the fruits rich in iron and vitamin C with and without preservatives and evaluate physiochemical and sensory quality of fruit leathers. Fruit leathers were prepared out of the pulp of guava mixed with each of pomegranate, dates and watermelon along with sugar and pectin, totally three types of mixture of pulp in two variations with and without citric acid. The mixture of fruit pulp was smeared in to thin layers and dried at 60°C for 5 to 6 hours. Sensory evaluation was carried out for the storage life and the fruit leather with best acceptability was analysed for physiochemical and microbial analysis. Results showed that the sensory quality of fruit leathers with the significant amount of iron and vitamin C levels. Microbial analysis showed the absence of coliforms and presence of bacterial count was 20 cfu/gm, within the microbial limits of the product. FESEM showed the significant structural difference among types of fruit leathers along with the presence of Mg, K and Ca. EDAX and FTIR revealed the presence of functional components belonging to fruits added in fruit leathers. Hence fruit leathers with guava pulp mixed with pomegranate, dates and watermelon showed the significant amount of iron and vitamin C with the presence of antioxidative compounds.
Perilunate Dislocations
Authors: Fisher Nina D. , Bi Andrew S. , De Tolla Jadie E.
Published: November 2022

» Approximately 25% of all patients who sustain perilunate dislocations present in a delayed fashion.

» While management of acute injuries is relatively well-described, treatment of chronic injuries can be complex and there is a paucity of scientific evidence to guide management.

» Treatment options include open reduction internal fixation, proximal row carpectomy, scaphoid or lunate excision with or without arthrodesis, and total wrist arthrodesis, although indications vary based on chronicity of injury and patient factors.

» The purpose of this article was to determine the quality of evidence supporting surgical options for the treatment of these injuries.
Chronology of Alkaline Magmatism and Gold Mineralization in the Central Aldan Ore District (Southern Yakutia)
Authors: Gaskov I.V. , Borisenko A.S. , Borisenko I.D. , Izokh A.E. , Ponomarchuk A.V.
Published: November 2022

—The Central Aldan ore district (CAOD) is unique by the abundance of gold deposits associated with Mesozoic alkaline magmatism. Four types of gold deposits are established here: porphyry gold, gold–sulfide, gold–argillizite-K-feldspar–quartz, and gold–uranium. The available geochronological data on the age of igneous rocks and gold mineralization in the CAOD show that the latter formed in the period 151–120 Ma. These data also agree with the results of the U–Pb dating of the El’kon gold–uranium ore-magmatic system (143–125 Ma). Analysis of our and earlier published geochronological data showed two stages of magmatism evolution in this region. At the early stage (151–130 Ma), most of the alkali syenites, monzonites, and their analogues (sills, stocks, ring intrusions, and volcanic sequences) and ores formed. They are widespread in various deposits and massifs. In the Ryabinovyi massif, this stage is marked by the formation of most of the alkaline rocks (Aldan Complex) and ores: aegirine syenites, 151.4 ± 1.9 Ma; pyroxene–K-feldspar pegmatites, 144.8 ± 1.5 Ma; and Au–Cu ores, 137.5 ± 1.7—131.1 ± 16 Ma. The crystallization of amphibole in the syenite of the Lunnoe deposit (143.1 ± 2.0 Ma) and in the clinopyroxenite of the Inagli massif (142.4 ± 2.0 Ma) and the formation of most of the alkaline rocks of its ring framing also took place at this stage. At the Samolazovskoe deposit, this stage is marked by the formation of zircon in pseudoleucite syenite, 135.9 ± 1.9 Ma, and in different syenite porphyry phases, 141.39 ± 0.90—142.4 ± 5.0 and 134.25 ± 0.70—129.9 ± 2.6 Ma, as well as gold–skarn mineralization, 129.9 ± 2.6—134.9 ± 2.8 Ma. The same period included the formation of primary ores at the Kuranakh deposit, 136.2 ± 1.7 Ma, and the deposition of brannerite mineralization at the Lunnoe deposit, 132.4 ± 1.6 Ma. Early intrusive phases, such as potassic picrites, shonkinites, and lamprophyres, are scarce among the products of this stage of magmatism, which is possibly due to their burial beneath large volumes of later formed alkali syenites and monzonite–syenites. The second stage (128–120 Ma) was distinguished within the Ryabinovyi massif as small intrusions and dikes of olivine lamproites, shonkinite porphyry, minettes, and syenite porphyry. We revealed explosive breccias with an age of 127 Ma at the Samolazovskoe deposit. Magmatism of this stage was of limited occurrence in the CAOD and did not produce alkali syenites, monzonite–syenites, and ores. At the same time, rocks with an age of 121.1 ± 1.3—115.5 ± 1.6 Ma are widespread in the large (120 km2) Dzheltula ring massif of the Tyrkanda ore district, located east of the Central Aldan region.
Estilo de vida en pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 del Centro de Salud San Juan de Miraflores, 2021
Authors:   , Gutierrez Aroni Cinthya Maribel , Yllanes Blas Claudia Alexandra
Published: November 2022

Objetivo: Determinar el estilo de vida en los pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus tipo ll del Centro de Salud San Juan de Miraflores. Metodología: Estudio realizado fue de tipo aplicada, con enfoque cuantitativo de nivel descriptivo, con un diseño no experimental de corte transversal y una población de 160 pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus tipo ll que acuden al Centro de San Juan de Miraflores, obteniendo una muestra de 114 pacientes, utilizando el muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Resultado: En relación con el estilo de vida de los pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo ll, el 43% fue adecuado que consiste en las actividades cotidianas donde la frecuencia era regular, pero podían mantener una conducta saludable y el 21% presentó un buen trabajo, por lo cual en esta clasificación las conductas habituales eran buenas y se realizaban de forma constante. Conclusión: El estilo de vida de los pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus tipo ll del Centro de Salud San Juan de Miraflores fue adecuado.
Recuperación de la fertilidad y carbono orgánico total del suelo mediante la implementación del sistema de agricultura sintrópica en la región de Ucayali
Authors:   , Rojas Ramirez Milenka
Published: November 2022

Se implementó un sistema sintrópico en la región de Ucayali con el objetivo de recuperar la fertilidad y carbono orgánico del suelo, debido a la necesidad de establecer un sistema agrícola capaz de producir alimentos de manera sostenible, se estudió la implementación de dos sistemas: agricultura sintrópica y agricultura convencional de roza y quema (control), así como la condición inicial del área (antes de la implementación de los sistemas). En ambos sistemas se sembraron los cultivos de mombasa (Panicum máximum), frijol de palo (Cajanus cajan), plátano (Musa paradisiaca), yuca (Manihot esculenta), cacao (Theobroma cacao), copoazú (Theobroma grandiflorum) y huasaí (Euterpe oleracea). Las muestras de suelo fueron colectadas a 0-10 cm de profundidad para la determinación de atributos químicos, carbono orgánico total y de las sustancias húmicas (humina, ácido húmico y ácido fúlvico). En el suelo bajo agricultura sintrópica (AS) se observó un aumento en el contenido de K+ respecto al control y a la condición inicial, asimismo una reducción de Al+3 y un incremento en la saturación de bases, conductividad eléctrica y carbono orgánico de la fracción humina respecto a la condición inicial. En el sistema sintrópico, los consorcios “Plátano” y “Yuca” aportaron mayor contenido de K+ respecto al área con mombasa y a los consorcios del control. El suelo bajo mombasa evidenció incremento en el contenido de Ca+2 y carbono de la fracción ácido húmico. El sistema sintrópico promovió un incremento del contenido de nutrientes y carbono en las fracciones orgánicas de las sustancias húmicas, garantizando una mejora gradual de la calidad del suelo.
In-Situ Steam Generation Using Mist Water-Air Injection as Enhanced Oil Recovery and Energy Efficiency Process: Kinetic Modeling and Numerical Simulation Approach
Authors: Pérez-Romero Romel , Guerrero-Arrieta Javier , Rodríguez-Prada Héctor
Published: November 2022

In the current energy transition era, oil exploitation and especially the development of heavy oil reservoirs are facing big challenges to overcome the possible limitations in terms of economy (oil price), energy efficiency, and carbon footprint. Particularly, thermal enhanced oil recovery processes need to be re-evaluated in an attempt to harness the injected and produced energy. In that sense, Ecopetrol is evaluating new strategies to optimize the current steam injection process using different hybrid technologies from laboratory to field scale.

One of the most attractive initiatives is evaluating the in-situ steam generation using mist water-air injection. This process involves simultaneous air and water injection into the formation through a set of nozzles. It looks to use part of the in-situ oil as a fuel, using the reservoir not only as a tank of energy but also as a steam generator. The main contribution of the technique concerning conventional steam generation is the use of the heat from the combustion of the residual oil to generate an in-situ steam front to transfer the uncontacted oil. This is reflected in reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, reduced fuel and water requirements, and increased oil production and net energy recovery.

This article describes the methodology, results, history matching, and kinetic modeling of experimental evaluations and the upscaling of the experimental observations to a representative sector model from a Colombian heavy oil field. Results are described in terms of incremental oil recovery, energy efficiency, and carbon intensity compared with the baseline (a traditional steamflooding scenario).

The technology of in-situ steam generation using mist waterair injection led to benefits in terms of better energy use and reducing the external fuel dependency for steam generation at the surface. Additionally, it was possible to identify improvements in incremental oil recovery (around 90%), energy efficiency (about 10 times less energy required to produce 1 m3 of oil), and reduction in carbon intensity (up to 91%) considering as baseline a conventional steamflooding scenario. These results will be key input parameters for designing and commissioning future applications in the Colombian fields.
Retrospective review of antimicrobial use for gastroschisis patients in Kigali, Rwanda: can improved stewardship reduce late inpatient deaths?
Authors: Diehl Thomas M. , Davis James R. , Nsengiyumva Alice , Igiraneza Deborah , Hong Philip , Umutoni Rosine , Neal Dan , Ndibanje Alain Jules , Bunogerane Gisèle Juru , Petroze Robin T. , Ntaganda Edmond
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Gastroschisis mortality is 75–100% in low-resource settings. In Rwanda, late deaths are often due to sepsis. We aimed to understand the effect of antimicrobial use on survival.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective review of gastroschisis patients at a tertiary hospital in Kigali, Rwanda between January 2016—June 2019. Demographics, antimicrobial use, culture data, and outcome were abstracted. Descriptive and univariate analyses were conducted to assess factors associated with improved survival.
Results
Among 92 gastroschisis patients, mortality was 77%(n = 71); 23%(n = 21) died within 48 hours. 98%(n = 90) of patients received antibiotics on arrival. Positive blood cultures were obtained in 41%(n = 38). Patients spent 86%(SD = 20%) of hospital stay on antibiotics and 38%(n = 35) received second-line agents. There was no difference in age at arrival, birth weight, gestational age, silo complications, or antimicrobial selection between survivors and non-survivors. Late death patients spent more total hospital days and post-abdominal closure days on antibiotics (p < 0.001) compared to survivors. There was no difference in the proportion of hospital stay on second-line antibiotics (p = 0.1).
Conclusion
Frequent late deaths due to sepsis, prolonged antibiotic courses, and regular use of second-line antibiotic agents were identified in this retrospective cohort of gastroschisis patients. Future studies are needed to evaluate antimicrobial resistance in Rwanda.
Hospital Admission and Hospital Course Predictors of Severity of Post-covid-19 Condition
Authors: TRAN KAREN C. , LEE TERRY , LEVIN ADEERA , RYERSON CHRISTOPHER J. , WONG ALYSON , SWEET DAVID , WALLEY KEITH R. , BOYD JOHN H. , SINGER JOEL , KOELWYN GRAEME J. , Sc PUNEET MANN M , Sc KATHRYN DONOHOE B , Russell James
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND Prediction of severity of Post-COVID-19 condition is not clear. We determined whether hospital course variables correlated with objective and subjective outcomes 3- and 6-months post-COVID-19 onset. METHODS Adults admitted to hospital with acute COVID-19 were recruited (Feb 15, 2020-April 1, 2021) from two tertiary hospitals in Vancouver, Canada. We recorded baseline characteristics, COVID severity score, organ function, ICU and hospital length of stay. Survivors were evaluated at 3- and 6-months post- COVID-19 onset: subjective: University of California San Diego Shortness of Breath Score, EuroQol 5D Visual Analogue Scale, Frailty Index; Objective: functional capacity (6-minute walk test), pulmonary (pulmonary function tests), cardiac (echocardiography, BNP), renal (creatinine), hepatic (AST, ALT, bilirubin), and coagulation (aPTT, INR, D-dimers, fibrinogen). RESULTS In 133 post-COVID-19 patients (age 62 ± 14 years, 65% male with frequent comorbidities [hypertension (42%), diabetes (29%), chronic cardiac (22%)), 42% were admitted to Intensive Care Unit: 23%, 23% and 2% required ventilation, vasopressors or renal support, respectively. One-third had restrictive lung function (< 80% predicted FVC %, TLC%, or DLCO%) at 3 months. Novel findings were correlations of (1) acute hepatic dysfunction with restrictive lung function at 3 months post COVID-19 onset; (2) more severe acute COVID-19 with later pro-thrombotic phenotype and (3) greater acute organ dysfunction with later objective organ dysfunction at 3- and 6-months. No hospital course variables were associated with subjective outcomes at 3- and 6-months. CONCLUSIONS Early organ dysfunction predicts later objective pathology especially restrictive lung disease and a pro-coagulant state. These hypothesis-generating findings require further validation in additional patients.
Movement, ranging behavior and habitat selection by Himalayan wolves in a high elevation cold desert landscape
Authors: Lyngdoh Salvador , Habib Bilal
Published: November 2022

1. Abstract
Wolves constitute an essential part of the carnivore predator complex in the Himalayan region as an umbrella species. The present chapter thus deals with the description of movement, home range, and the patterns of habitat selection in the context of Himalayan wolves, an apex predator in the Spiti region of the Cold Western desert of Himalaya. The study hypothesized that wolves’ habitat selection would be strongly driven not only by the quantity of refuge (habitat type) available but also by its quality (intra habitat factors) and by the level of human activity in the surrounding areas.
To undertake the study, three individuals were GPS-tagged between 2015-2017. It was observed that the 50% MCP home ranges of wolves were 338.59 ± 122.80 km2. The 50 % Kernel Utilisation Distribution (KUD) Home Ranges was 86.38 ± 81.50 km2. The 95% of home ranges were 1044.26 ± 56.27 km2 and 449.53 ± 407.99 km2 for MCP and KUD, respectively. The 95 % Biased Random Bridge Utilisation (BRB), intensity, and recursion utilization distributions were computed for Leica as 433.9 km2, 765.5 km2, and 823.1 km2 respectively. Similarly, for Kunzum is was calculated as 229.7 km2, 342.4 km2, and 353.8 km2. For Dhankar, it was computed as 180.4 km2, 358.2 km2, and 326.4 km2. The home ranges were also tabulated for 30 % and 50%, respectively, for all the individuals. The AKDE movement models generated a home range of Leica, Kunzum and Dhankar were 2938.14 km2, 3045.82 km2, and 978.34 km2, respectively. It was found that wolves used much of the landscape in juxtaposition with human dominance. BRB movement models depicted better utilization of space by wolves. The study shows that wolves avoided highly urbanized areas and were mostly in areas with lower road densities. The movement trajectories of wolves showed by FPT analysis showed peaks and valleys of intensive space use as well as transience. The highlights of space use and choices made by individual wolves in the region are described in the study.
Evaluation of circulating renin-angiotensin system components in pediatric patients with acute leukemia: a pilot study
Authors: Pena Ana Luísa Batista , de Castro Pedro Alves Soares Vaz , Severo Renata Gomes , Ribeiro João Paulo Ferreira , Silva Ana Cristina Simões e
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Acute leukemia (AL) is the most common cancer of childhood. Recently, an important advance in the survival rate of these patients. The objective of this study was to assess whether there is an association between the blood levels of Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) molecules in children with acute AL and disease presentation and evolution in pediatric patients.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in a group of pediatric patients with AL. We measured blood levels of Angiotensin II (Ang II) and Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] by enzyme immunoassay. The Ang-(1-7)/Ang II ratio was calculated as a parameter of the balance between the alternative and classical axes of the RAS.
Results: Eleven patients with AL and 20 healthy controls matched by sex and age were included. Patients with AL had significantly higher levels of both peptides when compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the Ang-(1-7)/Ang II ratio between the two groups. A strong and positive correlation was detected between Ang II and Ang-(1-7) levels in patients with AL (r = 0.853; p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between the levels of Ang II and Ang-(1-7), as well as the Ang-(1-7)/Ang II ratio, the type of AL and clinical outcomes.
Conclusion: Both Ang-(1-7) and Ang II seem to be involved in the physiopathology of AL and other molecules of the RAS could be potentially explored for the development of new therapeutic options for AL.
Complex and alternate consent pathways in clinical trials: methodological and ethical challenges encountered by underserved groups and a call to action
Authors: Russell Amy M. , Shepherd Victoria , Woolfall Kerry , Young Bridget , Gillies Katie , Volkmer Anna , Jayes Mark , Huxtable Richard , Perkins Alexander , Noor Nurulamin M. , Nickolls Beverley , Wade Julia
Published: November 2022

Background
Informed consent is considered a fundamental requirement for participation in trials, yet obtaining consent is challenging in a number of populations and settings. This may be due to participants having communication or other disabilities, their capacity to consent fluctuates or they lack capacity, or in emergency situations where their medical condition or the urgent nature of the treatment precludes seeking consent from either the participant or a representative. These challenges, and the subsequent complexity of designing and conducting trials where alternative consent pathways are required, contribute to these populations being underserved in research. Recognising and addressing these challenges is essential to support trials involving these populations and ensure that they have an equitable opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, research. Given the complex nature of these challenges, which are encountered across both adults and children, a cross-disciplinary approach is required.
Discussion
A UK-wide collaboration, a sub-group of the Trial Conduct Working Group in the MRC-NIHR Trial Methodology Research Partnership, was formed to collectively address these challenges. Members are drawn from disciplines including bioethics, qualitative research, trials methodology, healthcare professions, and social sciences. This commentary draws on our collective expertise to identify key populations where particular methodological and ethical challenges around consent are encountered, articulate the specific issues arising in each population, summarise ongoing and completed research, and identify targets for future research. Key populations include people with communication or other disabilities, people whose capacity to consent fluctuates, adults who lack capacity to consent, and adults and children in emergency and urgent care settings. Work is ongoing by the sub-group to create a database of resources, update NIHR guidance and to develop proposals to address identified research gaps.
Conclusion
Collaboration across disciplines, sectors, organisations, and countries is essential if the ethical and methodological challenges surrounding trials involving complex and alternate consent pathways are to be addressed. Explicating these challenges, sharing resources, and identifying gaps for future research is an essential first step. We hope that doing so will serve as a call to action for others seeking ways to address the current consent-based exclusion of underserved populations from trials.
Characteristics and mechanism of spatial-temporal changes of fluorosis in typical high fluoride areas of Northwest China over the past 40 years
Authors: Liu Xinlei , Li Xuxiang , Fu Hao , Zhou Pengyun
Published: November 2022

Since the 1980s, China, especially the northwest part had carried out extensive water-improving project to reduce fluoride, but the fluorosis has not been completely eliminated. Through historical data comparison, on-site investigation and sample detection, combined with hydrochemical analysis and spatial analysis, this paper studied the 40 years’ changes of water fluoride and the control effect of fluorosis in the typical fluorosis areas Dali County of northwest China. Results show that from 1980 to 2017, benefited from the water-improving project, the fluoride in local residents' drinking water significantly decreased, with the median value declined from 2.40 to 1.26 mg/L, which further reduced fluorosis. As a typical water-improving area by low-fluoride water sources developing, in Dali, the generally dropped fluoride of groundwater is the root cause for the controlled endemic fluorosis. The enrichment of fluoride in groundwater here is controlled by the fluoride-rich geological background, landform and evaporative climate. The water environment characterized by slight alkalinity, rich sodium and low calcium is also an important factor. For the temporal changes of groundwater, human irrigation activities were considered as the primary role. Although the fluorosis has improved significantly, low residents' satisfaction and the rise of fluoride concentration in some water sources have led to a continuous high fluoride water drinking and fluorosis in some areas. It is suggested that the local government should strengthen water quality improvement from the aspects of low fluoride water source development and water supply management to consolidate the effect of fluorosis prevention and control.
Contribution of rare coding variants to complex trait heritability
Authors: Pathan Nazia , Deng Wei Q. , Khan Mohammad , Scipio Matteo Di , Mao Shihong , Morton Robert W. , Lali Ricky , Pigeyre Marie , Chong Michael R. , Paré Guillaume
Published: November 2022

It has been postulated that rare coding variants (RVs; MAF<0.01) contribute to the “missing” heritability of complex traits. We developed a novel framework, the Rare variant heritability (RARity) estimator, to assess RV heritability (h2RV) without assuming a particular genetic architecture. We applied RARity to 31 complex traits in the UK Biobank (N=167,348) and showed that gene-level RV aggregation suffers from 79% (95% CI: 68-93%) loss of h2RV. Using unaggregated variants, 27 traits had h2RV>5%, with height having the highest h2RV at 21.9% (95% CI: 19.0-24.8%). The total heritability, including common and rare variants, recovered pedigree-based estimates for 11 traits. RARity can estimate gene-level h2RV, enabling the assessment of gene-level characteristics and revealing 12 novel gene-phenotype relationships. Finally, we demonstrated that in silico pathogenicity prediction (variant-level) and gene-level annotations do not generally enrich for RVs that over-contribute to complex trait variance, and thus, novel methods are needed to predict RV functionality.
Relationship between depressive disorders and biochemical indicators in adult men and women
Authors: Li Xinyuan , Mao Yafei , Zhu Shumin , Gao Shichao , Jin Xiuyu , Geng Yulan , Ma Jin , Wei Zishuan
Published: November 2022

Background Depression is a psychiatric disorder with global public health concerns. In spite of the fact that a number of risk factors have been identified for depression, there is no clear relationship between biochemistry and depression. In this study, we assessed whether depressive disorders are significantly associated with biochemical indicators.
Methods Our study included 17561 adults (age ≥18 years) participating in the 2009-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The relationship between depression and biochemical and obesity indicators was analyzed by logistic regression
Results As compared to the control group, men with depression showed significantly higher levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase, glucose, and triglycerides, and lower levels of albumin and total bilirubin. The depressed group had higher levels of alkaline phosphatase, bicarbonate, and sodium than the control group.
Conclusion A number of biochemical and anthropometric indices were associated with depression in this study. It would be interesting to further analyze their cause-effect relationship
Limitations This study is a cross-sectional study. The population is less restricted and does not exclude people with diabetes, pregnancy, etc., so it is less significant for a specific population. Dietary information was not included, as diet plays an important role in many indicators.
Epithelial Plasticity and Innate Immune Activation
Promote Lung Tissue Remodeling following Respiratory Viral Infection.
Authors: Beppu Andrew , Zhao Juanjuan , Yao Changfu , Carraro Gianni , Israely Edo , Coelho Ana Lucia , Hogaboam Cory , Parks William , Kolls Jay , Stripp Barry
Published: November 2022

Epithelial plasticity has been suggested in lungs of mice following genetic depletion of stem cells but is of unknown physiological relevance. Viral infection and chronic lung disease share similar pathological features of stem cell loss in alveoli, basal cell (BC) hyperplasia in small airways, and innate immune activation, that contribute to epithelial remodeling and loss of lung function. We show that a novel subset of distal airway secretory cells, intralobar serous (IS) cells, are activated to assume BC fates following influenza virus infection. Injury-induced hyperplastic BC (hBC) differ from pre-existing BC by high expression of IL-22Ra1 and undergo IL-22-dependent expansion for colonization of injured alveoli. Resolution of virus-elicited inflammation resulted in BC>IS re-differentiation in repopulated alveoli, and increased local expression of antimicrobial factors, but failed to replace normal alveolar epithelium. Epithelial plasticity therefore protects against mortality from acute respiratory viral infection but results in distal lung remodeling and loss of lung function.
Dual-signal readout paper-based wearable biosensor for multiplexed analyte detection in sweat with 3D origami structure
Authors: WANG KAN , Cheng Yuemeng , Feng Shaoqing , Ning Qihong , Li Tangan , Xu Hao , Sun Qingwen , Cui Daxiang
Published: November 2022

In this research, we designed and implemented a small, convenient, and non-invasive paper-based microfluidic sweat sensor that can simultaneously detect multiple key biomarkers in human sweat. The origami structure of the chip includes colorimetric and electrochemical sensing regions. Different colorimetric sensing regions are modified with specific chromogenic reagents to selectively identify glucose, lactate, uric acid, and magnesium ions in sweat, as well as its pH value. The regions of electrochemical sensing identify cortisol in sweat by molecular imprinting. The entire chip is composed of hydrophilic- and hydrophobically-treated filter paper, and 3D microfluidic channels are constructed by using folding paper. The thread-based channels formed after hydrophilic and hydrophobic modifications are used to control the rate of flow of sweat, which in turn can be used to control the sequence of reactions in the differently colored regions of development to ensure that signals of the best color can be captured simultaneously in the colorimetric sensing regions. Finally, the results of on-body experiments verified the reliability of the proposed sweat sensor and its potential for the non-invasive identification of a variety of sweat biomarkers.
Response to Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s “Consultation on proposals for legislative changes for clinical trials”
Authors: Law Martin , Couturier Dominique-Laurent , Choodari-Oskooei Babak , Crout Phillip , Gamble Carrol , Pallmann Philip , Pilling Mark , Robertson David , Robling Michael , Sydes Matthew R. , Villar Sofía S. , Wason James , Wheeler Graham , Williamson S. Faye , Yap Christina , Jaki Thomas
Published: November 2022

In the United Kingdom, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency consulted on proposals “to improve and strengthen the UK clinical trials legislation to help us make the UK the best place to research and develop safe and innovative medicines”. The purpose of the consultation was to help finalise the proposals and contribute to the drafting of secondary legislation. We discussed these proposals as members of the Trials Methodology Research Partnership Adaptive Designs Working Group, which is jointly funded by the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Two topics arose frequently in the discussion: the emphasis on legislation, and data sharing. It is our opinion that the proposals rely heavily on legislation to change practice. However, clinical trials are heterogeneous, and as a result some trials will struggle to comply with all of the proposed legislation. Furthermore, adaptive design clinical trials are even more heterogeneous than their non-adaptive counterparts, and face more challenges. Consequently, it is possible that increased legislation could have a greater negative impact on adaptive designs than non-adaptive designs. Overall, we are skeptical that the introduction of legislation will achieve the desired outcomes, with some exceptions. Meanwhile the topic of data sharing – making anonymised individual-level clinical trial data available to other investigators for further use – is entirely absent from the proposals. However, as an aspect of the wider concept of open science and reproducible research, data sharing is an increasingly important aspect of clinical trials. The benefits of data sharing include faster innovation, improved surveillance of drug safety and effectiveness and decreasing participant exposure to unnecessary risk. There are already a number of UK-focused documents that discuss and encourage data sharing, for example, the Concordat on Open Research Data and the Medical Research Council’s Data Sharing Policy. We strongly suggest that data sharing should be the norm rather than the exception, and hope that the forthcoming proposals on clinical trials  address this important topic.
Rapid TCR:Epitope Ranker (RAPTER): A primary human T cell reactivity screening assay pairing epitope and TCR at single cell resolution
Authors: Deering Raquel P. , Blumenberg Lili , Li Lianjie , Dhanik Ankur , Jeong Se , Pourpe Stephane , Song Hang , Boucher Lauren , Ragunathan Shoba , Li Yanxia , Zhong Maggie , Kuhnert Jessica , Adler Christina , Hawins Peter G. , Gupta Namita T. , Moore Michael , Ni Min , Hansen Johanna , Wei Yi , Thurston Gavin
Published: November 2022

Identifying epitopes that T cells respond to is critical to understanding T cell-mediated immunity. Traditional multimer and other single cell assays often require large blood volumes and/or expensive HLA-specific reagents and provide limited phenotypic and functional information. Here, we present the Rapid TCR:Epitope Ranker (RAPTER) assay, a single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-SEQ) method that uses primary human T cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs) to assess functional T cell reactivity at single cell resolution. Using hash-tag oligonucleotide (HTO) coding and T cell activation-induced markers (AIM), RAPTER defines paired epitope specificity and TCR sequence and can include RNA- and protein-level T cell phenotype information. We demonstrate that RAPTER identified specific reactivities to viral and tumor antigens at sensitivities as low as 0.15% of total CD8+ T cells, and deconvoluted low-frequency circulating HPV16-specific T cell clones from a cervical cancer patient. The specificities of TCRs identified by RAPTER for MART1, EBV, and influenza epitopes were functionally confirmed in vitro. In summary, RAPTER identifies low-frequency T cell reactivities using primary cells from low blood volumes, and the resulting paired TCR: ligand information can directly enable immunogenic antigen selection for vaccine epitope inclusion, antigen-specific TCR tracking, and TCR cloning for further therapeutic development.