bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumo de antibióticos em um hospital de alta complexidade: padrão de utilização em diferentes enfermarias
Authors: Pereira Lucas Borges , Zanetti Maria Olívia Barboza , Rodrigues João Paulo Vilela , Pereira Leonardo Régis Leira
Published: January 2022

Objetivo: Avaliar o padrão de utilização de antibióticos entre as diferentes enfermarias de um hospital universitário de alta complexidade. Métodos: Estudo descritivo realizado no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. Buscou-se no prontuário e prescrição eletrônicos dados clínicos e de medicamentos dos pacientes internados, com 18 anos ou mais, que receberam prescrição de antibiótico no ano de 2014. As prescrições de antibióticos foram classificadas em tratamento empírico (TE) e tratamento direcionado (TD), e seu consumo foi calculado por meio da dose diária definida por 1.000 pacientes-dia, e apresentado por meio do método de Utilização de Medicamentos 90%. Resultados: 4.102 indivíduos tiveram prescrições de antibióticos com finalidade terapêutica. 63.985 (84,6%) prescrições foram classificadas como TE, e 11.660 (15,4%) prescrições foram classificadas como TD. As cefalosporinas de 4ª geração e os glicopeptídeos estão entre aqueles que representaram 90% do consumo em todas as enfermarias. No grupo TD, antibióticos de amplo espectro de ação mantiveram elevado consumo nas unidades, como os carbapenêmicos que foram os mais utilizados em três unidades, e a polimixina mais utilizada na unidade de terapia intensiva. Por outro lado, as penicilinas resistentes à betalactamase passaram a ser representadas em um número maior de enfermarias em relação à TE. Conclusão: O perfil de consumo de antibióticos sugere a hipótese de que os exames de antibiograma estão sendo realizados com o objetivo de investigar o perfil de sensibilidade bacteriana quando há falha terapêutica, e não para descalonar o tratamento.
Abordagem geral frente ao processo de transexualização: uma revisão narrativa da literatura
Authors: Araújo Ana Paula Ferreira , Costa Aline Paiva , Figueiredo Bárbara Queiroz de , Rosa Francisca Rafaela Pereira de Anorin Castro , Gonçalves Isadora de Olivera , Alves Júlia de Oliveira , Gomes Maria Jacilene de Araújo , Silva Murilo Henrique da
Published: January 2022

Introdução: O processo de transexualização é definido como: transformar-se para ser aceita/o socialmente e evitar o sofrimento gerado por um corpo que não se habita. De acordo com o filósofo alemão Hans Jonas, a vida é uma unidade formada por corpo e alma, permitindo a liberdade de escolha. Com isso, não há como promover o conceito de saúde sem um pleno estado de bem-estar físico, mental e social. Objetivo: analisar o processo de transexualização envolvendo os aspectos biopsicossociais. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa da literatura, com artigos selecionados nas bases de dados: National Library of Medicine (PubMed MEDLINE), EbscoHost, Google Scholar, Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SCIELO) e Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS) Resultados: De acordo com a revisão realizada, constatou-se que os aspectos mais relevantes para a discussão do processo de transexualização são as práticas cirúrgicas de redesignação sexual, além das alterações corporais advindas através da hormonioterapia e importância de entender o indivíduo em seu aspecto biopsicossocial, verificando as dificuldades enfrentadas durante esse período transicional. Ademais, é importante salientar que a hormonioterapia pode acarretar alguns riscos, sendo o mais prevalente o aumento dos índices de tromboembolismo venoso. Conclusão: De acordo com a revisão realizada, o processo de transexualização é algo que deve ser desmitificado pela sociedade hodierna, com isso, intervenções são necessárias para que exista vivência plena do processo transexualizador. Além disso, é de suma importância medidas socioeducativas que tratem a sexualidade das pessoas trans, auxiliando na prevenção das IST’s.
Sensing Willa Cather
Authors: Reynolds Guy J.
Published: January 2022

Deploying the concepts and techniques of Body Studies, this book remaps Willa Cather’s writing from the 1890s through to 1940. This study of embodiment and narrative focuses on the senses and reads Cather as a writer at the transition from late Victorian to Modernist models of representation. The book presents suggestive new ways of understanding her depictions of disability , male bodies and Native American culture, not to mention her narratives of whiteness and of the black body. The book explores Cather’s ‘sensorium’ – her imaginative exploration of sounds, sights, tastes, smells and the tactile. Sensing Willa Cather draws on recent work in queer, disability, ageing and food studies to re-contextualize her fiction.
The first three chapters explore Cather’s writing in relationship to sense studies, and also such movements as Aestheticism and Modernism. The next five, roughly tracing the evolution of her career from an apprenticeship as a reviewer and journalist through to the established novelist, focus on the five senses. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell: each sense is successively linked to Cather’s work, and used to explore her profound interest in corporealism. The final chapter. ‘The Body of the Author’, then examines Cather’s last novel, Sapphira and the Slave Girl, and Cather’s representation both of her own bodily presence and that of other writers.
AUDIT OF CALCULATIONS FOR PAYMENTS TO EMPLOYEES AT THE ENTERPRISE
Authors: Bunda Olga , Kozlenko Bunda
Published: January 2022

The purpose of the article is to study the organization and methodology of audit of payments to employees at the enterprise.

The methodology consists in the
use of the following methods: method of observation, methods of analysis and synthesis, monographic method, method of generalization.

The scientific novelty of the work is to improve the organization and methodology of audit of payments
to employees, which will objectively evaluate the level of these payments in the total costs of the enterprise, to verify the correctness of the formation of employee
benefits under current legislation at enterprises.

Conclusions. In modern business conditions, accounting of payments to employees of constant control and improvement. Any incorrect entry, error in calculations, lack of documentation, incorrect approach to the formation of wages, other payments can cause not only
problems with the calculation of wages and other payments to employees, but also lead to incorrect reflection of other economic indicators of the enterprise. Audit of employee benefits usually takes up a significant portion of the audit, as this area of accounting is quite specific and requires the auditor to pay more attention and concentration. However, it should be noted that there is no single approach to the organization and methodology of the audit, namely: experts suggest considering the audit of payments as a list of issues to be investigated. The lack of a systematic approach to the audit of payment settlements makes it impossible to consider this process comprehensively, in accordance with a clearly defined purpose and objectives of the audit. Payments, as the object of the audit, need special attention because it is a time-consuming and voluminous stage, during which it is impossible to conduct a continuous audit. At the enterprises with a significant number of employees, it is almost impossible to verify salary transactions in a continuous manner in the short period of time allotted for the for the conduction of audit. That is why the audit mainly uses a selective method of checking documents and transactions on salary, which is justified and appropriate, although not sufficiently developed. That is why audit the calculations of payments to employees at the enterprise is important.

Keywords: audit, payments to employees, salary, audit of payment settlements.
Towards Human in the Loop Analysis of Complex Point Clouds: Advanced Visualizations, Quantifications, and Communication Features in Virtual Reality
Authors: Blanc Thomas , Verdier Hippolyte , Regnier Louise , Planchon Guillaume , Guérinot Corentin , El Beheiry Mohamed , Masson Jean-Baptiste , Hajj Bassam
Published: January 2022

Multiple fields in biological and medical research produce large amounts of point cloud data with high dimensionality and complexity. In addition, a large set of experiments generate point clouds, including segmented medical data or single-molecule localization microscopy. In the latter, individual molecules are observed within their natural cellular environment. Analyzing this type of experimental data is a complex task and presents unique challenges, where providing extra physical dimensions for visualization and analysis could be beneficial. Furthermore, whether highly noisy data comes from single-molecule recordings or segmented medical data, the necessity to guide analysis with user intervention creates both an ergonomic challenge to facilitate this interaction and a computational challenge to provide fluid interactions as information is being processed. Several applications, including our software DIVA for image stack and our platform Genuage for point clouds, have leveraged Virtual Reality (VR) to visualize and interact with data in 3D. While the visualization aspects can be made compatible with different types of data, quantifications, on the other hand, are far from being standard. In addition, complex analysis can require significant computational resources, making the real-time VR experience uncomfortable. Moreover, visualization software is mainly designed to represent a set of data points but lacks flexibility in manipulating and analyzing the data. This paper introduces new libraries to enhance the interaction and human-in-the-loop analysis of point cloud data in virtual reality and integrate them into the open-source platform Genuage. We first detail a new toolbox of communication tools that enhance user experience and improve flexibility. Then, we introduce a mapping toolbox allowing the representation of physical properties in space overlaid on a 3D mesh while maintaining a point cloud dedicated shader. We introduce later a new and programmable video capture tool in VR and desktop modes for intuitive data dissemination. Finally, we highlight the protocols that allow simultaneous analysis and fluid manipulation of data with a high refresh rate. We illustrate this principle by performing real-time inference of random walk properties of recorded trajectories with a pre-trained Graph Neural Network running in Python.
Synthetic Biology-Driven Microbial Production of Resveratrol: Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Feng Chao , Chen Jing , Ye Wenxin , Liao Kaisen , Wang Zhanshi , Song Xiaofei , Qiao Mingqiang
Published: January 2022

Resveratrol, a bioactive natural product found in many plants, is a secondary metabolite and has attracted much attention in the medicine and health care products fields due to its remarkable biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, anti-aging, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection and anti-glycation. However, traditional chemical synthesis and plant extraction methods are impractical for industrial resveratrol production because of low yield, toxic chemical solvents and environmental pollution during the production process. Recently, the biosynthesis of resveratrol by constructing microbial cell factories has attracted much attention, because it provides a safe and efficient route for the resveratrol production. This review discusses the physiological functions and market applications of resveratrol. In addition, recent significant biotechnology advances in resveratrol biosynthesis are systematically summarized. Furthermore, we discuss the current challenges and future prospects for strain development for large-scale resveratrol production at an industrial level.
Single-Cell RNA-Seq Reveals the Promoting Role of Ferroptosis Tendency During Lung Adenocarcinoma EMT Progression
Authors: Yao Jiaxi , Zhang Yuchong , Li Mengling , Sun Zuyu , Liu Tao , Zhao Mingfang , Li Zhi
Published: January 2022

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and ferroptosis are two important processes in biology. In tumor cells, they are intimately linked. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate the regulatory connection between EMT and ferroptosis tendency in LUAD epithelial cells. We used Seurat to construct the expression matrix using the GEO dataset GSE131907 and extract epithelial cells. We found a positive correlation between the trends of EMT and ferroptosis tendency. Then we used SCENIC to analyze differentially activated transcription factors and constructed a molecular regulatory directed network by causal inference. Some ferroptosis markers (GPX4, SCP2, CAV1) were found to have strong regulatory effects on EMT. Cell communication networks were constructed by iTALK and implied that Ferro_High_EMT_High cells have a higher expression of SDC1, SDC4, and activation of LGALS9-HARVCR2 pathways. By deconvolution of bulk sequencing, the results of CIBERSORTx showed that the co-occurrence of ferroptosis tendency and EMT may lead to tumor metastasis and non-response to immunotherapy. Our findings showed there is a strong correlation between ferroptosis tendency and EMT. Ferroptosis may have a promotive effect on EMT. High propensities of ferroptosis and EMT may lead to poor prognosis and non-response to immunotherapy.
Optimisation of Water-Energy Networks in Process Industry: Implementation of Non-Linear and Multi-Objective Models
Authors: Oliveira Miguel Castro , Vieira Susana M. , Iten Muriel , Matos Henrique A.
Published: January 2022

The improvement of water and energy use in the industrial sector is an important concern to improve the overall techno-economic performance of single plants. The most recent EU strategy for energy system integration has been treating these issues in the redaction of its first pillar, which is based on the relations between the promotion of circular economy and energy efficiency and it has as specific objectives the promotion of waste heat recovery and energy recovery from wastewater. Although on the context of research and industrial appliance both waste heat recovery and water recycling and reuse have been extensively explored, it is still verifiable a lack of comprehension and application of methods to simultaneously improve the use of both water and energy in a plant. In this work, two approaches for the solving of an optimisation problem related to the improvement of water and energy use in a process industry plant (three water-using processes) are implemented. These approaches consist on the development of a mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) model and a multi-objective programming (MOP) model using the Python language. In addition, a complementary approach based on the development of a non-linear programming (NLP) model for further heat integration is also developed. Within the three applied methodologies (MINLP, MOP and integrated MINLP and NLP), the integrated MINLP and NLP model was the one in which the most favourable results were obtained, with 33.7% freshwater savings, 73.2% energy savings and 67.2% total economic savings.
Synthesis of New 3-Arylcoumarins Bearing N-Benzyl Triazole Moiety: Dual Lipoxygenase and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors With Anti-Amyloid Aggregation and Neuroprotective Properties Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Pourabdi Ladan , Küçükkılınç Tuba Tüylü , Khoshtale Fatemeh , Ayazgök Beyza , Nadri Hamid , Farokhi Alashti Farid , Forootanfar Hamid , Akbari Tayebeh , Shafiei Mohammad , Foroumadi Alireza , Sharifzadeh Mohammad , Shafiee Ardestani Mehdi , Abaee M. Saeed , Firoozpour Loghman , Khoobi Mehdi , Mojtahedi Mohammad M.
Published: January 2022

A novel series of coumarin derivatives linked to the N-benzyl triazole group were synthesized and evaluated against 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX), and acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE and BuChE) to find the most potent derivative against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Most of the compounds showed weak to moderate activity against ChEs. Among the most active BuChE and 15-LOX inhibitors, 8l and 8n exhibited an excellent neuroprotective effect, higher than the standard drug (quercetin) on the PC12 cell model injured by H2O2 and significantly reduced aggregation of amyloid Aβ1-42, with potencies of 1.44 and 1.79 times higher than donepezil, respectively. Compound 8l also showed more activity than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as the reference antioxidant agent in reducing the levels of H2O2 activated by amyloid β in BV2 microglial cells. Kinetic and ligand–enzyme docking studies were also performed for better understanding of the mode of interaction between the best BuChE inhibitor and the enzyme. Considering the acceptable BuChE and 15-LOX inhibition activities as well as significant neuroprotection, and anti-amyloid aggregation activities, 8l and 8n could be considered as potential MTDLs for further modification and studies against AD.
Stability Optimization Strategies of Cathode Materials for Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries: A Mini Review
Authors: Gan Yi , Wang Cong , Li Jingying , Zheng Junjie , Wu Ziang , Lv Lin , Liang Pei , Wan Houzhao , Zhang Jun , Wang Hao
Published: January 2022

Among the new energy storage devices, aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have become the current research hot spot with significant advantages of low cost, high safety, and environmental protection. However, the cycle stability of cathode materials is unsatisfactory, which leads to great obstacles in the practical application of AZIBs. In recent years, a large number of studies have been carried out systematically and deeply around the optimization strategy of cathode material stability of AZIBs. In this review, the factors of cyclic stability attenuation of cathode materials and the strategies of optimizing the stability of cathode materials for AZIBs by vacancy, doping, object modification, and combination engineering were summarized. In addition, the mechanism and applicable material system of relevant optimization strategies were put forward, and finally, the future research direction was proposed in this article.
Influence of Changes in Meteorological Observational Environment on Urbanization Bias in Surface Air Temperature: A Review
Authors: Shi Tao , Yang Yuanjian , Sun Dabing , Huang Yong , Shi Chune
Published: January 2022

It is important to quantify changes in the local meteorological observational environment (MOE) around weather stations if we are to obtain accurate assessments of the regional warming of the surface air temperature (SAT) in relation to urbanization bias. Current studies often use two-dimensional parameters (e.g., the land surface temperature, land use/land cover and the normalized difference vegetation index) to characterize the local MOE. Most of the existing models of the relationship between urbanization bias in SAT series and MOE parameters are linear regression models, which ignore the non-linear driving effect of MOE changes on SAT series. By contrast, there is a lack of three-dimensional parameters in the characterization of the morphological features of the MOE. Changes in the MOE related to urbanization lead to uncertainties in the contribution of SAT series on different scales and we need to introduce vertical structure indexes to enrich the three-dimensional spatial morphology of MOE parameters. The non-linear response of urbanization bias in SAT series to three-dimensional changes in the MOE and its scale dependence should be explored by coupling computational fluid dynamics model simulations with machine learning.
Transcatheter Mitral Valve-in-Valve Implantation With a New Transcatheter Heart Valve for Bioprosthetic Degeneration
Authors: Lu Yuntao , Yang Ye , Wang Wenshuo , Chen Jinmiao , Yin Minyan , Huang Liqi , Dong Lili , Wang Chunsheng , Wei Lai
Published: January 2022

Background

Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve (TMVIV) procedure with aortic transcatheter heart valves has recently become a less invasive alternative for patients with mitral bioprosthetic dysfunction. This study reports the initial experience of TMVIV implantation using the J-Valve System (JieCheng Medical Technology Corporation Ltd., Suzhou, China).

Methods

A retrospective observational multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the short-term outcomes of TMVIV. In total, 26 consecutive patients with symptomatic bioprosthetic failure at eight hospitals underwent TMVIV using the J-Valve System between May 2019 and June 2021. Procedural results and clinical outcomes were analyzed using the Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria.

Results

The mean age was 75.3 ± 7.1 years and 69.2% of patients were female. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 12.3 ± 8.3%. The technical success rate was 96.2%. Nine of the 26 patients (34.6%) were implanted with a J-Valve of a size equal to the internal diameters of the deteriorated prostheses. At the 30-day and 1-year follow-ups, all-cause mortality was 3.8 and 16.0% and the stroke rates were 0 and 12.0%, respectively. Device-related mortality was 0% and the mean mitral valve gradient was 6.4 ± 2.7 mm Hg. No patient experienced device embolization, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, or mitral valve reintervention. Postprocedural mitral regurgitation was none or trace in all the patients. All the patients were in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≤ II at the last follow-up.

Conclusion:

Transcatheter implantation of the J-Valve System in high-risk patients with mitral bioprosthetic dysfunction was found to be a reasonable alternative and associated with good short-term outcomes.
Proinflammatory Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Associates With Mitral Valve Leaflet Disruption Following Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty
Authors: Passos Livia S. A. , Becker-Greene Dakota , Braulio Renato , Le Thanh-Dat , Gelape Cláudio L. , de Almeida Luís Felipe R. , Rocha Divino Pedro A. , Gomes Carlos Augusto P. , Esteves William A. M. , Passaglia Luiz G. , Dal-Bianco Jacob P. , Levine Robert A. , Aikawa Masanori , Hung Judy , Dutra Walderez O. , Nunes Maria Carmo P. , Aikawa Elena
Published: January 2022

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a major complication of the percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV). Despite high technical expertise and cumulative experience with the procedure, the incidence rate of severe MR has not decreased. Although some of MR can be anticipated by echocardiographic analysis; leaflet tearing, which leads to the most dreaded type of MR, remains unpredictable. Irregular valvular collagen remodeling is likely to compromise tissue architecture and increase the tearing risk during PMV balloon inflation. In this study, we evaluated histological and molecular characteristics of excised mitral valves from patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) who underwent emergency surgery after PMV due to severe MR caused by leaflet tear. Those findings were compared with patients who underwent elective mitral valve replacement surgery owing to severe MS, in whom PMV was not indicated.In vitroassay using peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed to better understand the impact of the cellular and molecular alterations identified in leaflet tear mitral valve specimens. Our analysis showed that focal infiltration of inflammatory cells contributes to accumulation of MMP-1 and IFN-γ in valve leaflets. Moreover, we showed that IFN-γ increase the expression of MMP-1 in CD14+cells (monocytes)in vitro. Thus, inflammatory cells contribute to unevenly remodel collagen resulting in variable thickening causing abnormalities in leaflet architecture making them more susceptible to laceration.
ALKBH5 Regulates SPHK1-Dependent Endothelial Cell Angiogenesis Following Ischemic Stress
Authors: Kumari Rajesh , Dutta Roshan , Ranjan Prabhat , Suleiman Zainab Gbongbo , Goswami Sumanta Kumar , Li Jing , Pal Harish Chandra , Verma Suresh Kumar
Published: January 2022

Background

Endothelial cells dysfunction has been reported in many heart diseases including acute myocardial infarction, and atherosclerosis. The molecular mechanism for endothelial dysfunction in the heart is still not clearly understood. We aimed to study the role of m6A RNA demethylase alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) in ECs angiogenesis during ischemic injury.

Methods and Results

ECs were treated with ischemic insults (lipopolysaccharide and 1% hypoxia) to determine the role of ALKBH5 in ECs angiogenesis. siRNA mediated ALKBH5 gene silencing was used for examining the loss of function. In this study, we report that ALKBH5 levels are upregulated following ischemia and are associated with maintaining ischemia-induced ECs angiogenesis. To decipher the mechanism of action, we found that ALKBH5 is required to maintain eNOS phosphorylation and SPHK1 protein levels. ALKBH5 silencing alone or with ischemic stress significantly increased SPHK1 m6A mRNA methylation. In contrast, METTL3 (RNA methyltransferase) overexpression resulted in the reduced expression of SPHK1.

Conclusion

We reported that ALKBH5 helps in the maintenance of angiogenesis in endothelial cells following acute ischemic stress via reduced SPHK1 m6A methylation and downstream eNOS-AKT signaling.
Computational Screening Strategy for Drug Repurposing Identified Niclosamide as Inhibitor of Vascular Calcification
Authors: Tanaka Takeshi , Asano Takaharu , Okui Takehito , Kuraoka Shiori , Singh Sasha A. , Aikawa Masanori , Aikawa Elena
Published: January 2022

Vascular calcification is a cardiovascular disorder with no therapeutic options. We recently reported that o-octanoyltransferase (CROT) suppression can inhibit vascular calcification in vivo and in vitro through amelioration of mitochondrial function and fatty acid metabolism. Inhibiting calcification with a small molecule compound targeting CROT-associated mechanisms will be a promising non-invasive treatment of vascular calcification. Here we used a computational approach to search for existing drugs that can inhibit vascular calcification through the CROT pathway. For screening of the compounds that reduce CROT expression, we utilized the Connectivity Map encompassing the L1000 computational platform that contains transcription profiles of various cell lines and perturbagens including small molecules. Small molecules (n = 13) were identified and tested in human primary smooth muscle cells cultured in osteogenic media to induce calcification. Niclosamide, an FDA-improved anthelmintic drug, markedly inhibited calcification along with reduced alkaline phosphatase activity and CROT mRNA expression. To validate this compound in vivo, LDL receptor (Ldlr)-deficient mice fed a high fat diet were given oral doses of niclosamide (0 or 750 ppm admixed with diet) for 10 weeks. Niclosamide treatment decreased aortic and carotid artery calcification as determined by optical near infrared molecular imaging (OsteoSense680) and histological analysis. In addition, niclosamide improved features of fatty liver, including decreased cholesterol levels along with decreased Crot expression, while plasma total cholesterol levels did not change. Proteomic analysis of aortic samples demonstrated that niclosamide affected wingless/integrated (Wnt) signaling pathway and decreased runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expression, an essential factor for calcification. Our target discovery strategy using a genetic perturbation database with existing drugs identified niclosamide, that in turn inhibited calcification in vivo and in vitro, indicating its potential for the treatment of vascular calcification.
Microtremor Survey Method: A New Approach for Geothermal Exploration
Authors: Baoqing Tian , Zhifeng Ding , Liming Yang , Yifan Fan , Bo Zhang
Published: January 2022

Geothermal resources are a type of sustainable and green energy, which can play an important role in emission peaks and carbon neutrality. Determining the best development target area is key to resource development and geophysical methods are commonly used for this purpose. Owing to serious human and industrial interference, the microtremor survey method is often adopted for geothermal exploration in urban areas. It is a passive source method, which is non-invasive and environmentally friendly. In this method, the Rayleigh wave dispersion curve is extracted using spatial autocorrelation based on the vertical component signal at the observation station. A genetic algorithm is used to invert the dispersion curve of one survey point to obtain strata parameters such as layer thickness, S-wave velocity, and density. It provides critical parameters for the cap layer and reservoirs for geothermal exploration. For a chain microtremor measurement, a two-dimensional (2D) apparent S-wave velocity section can be generated. The apparent S-wave velocity is calculated from the phase velocity using the following empirical method: the 2D apparent S-wave velocity section helps to identify the buried channel for heat flow and track the irregular shapes of the reservoirs or cap layers. It has been verified that the microtremor survey method is reliable and accurate compared with borehole materials. As a newly developed non-invasive geophysical method, it can be widely used in geothermal exploration.
The Impact of Consumption Patterns and Urbanization on the Cross-Regional Water Footprint in China: A Decomposition Analysis
Authors: Liu Hui , Wei Liyuan , Chen Chang , Wang Zhen
Published: January 2022

The increasingly urbanized population and corresponding consumption changes are causing the household water footprint to rise. However, the quantity of these changes remains to be determined. Here, we combine a two-stage factor reversible structural decomposition analysis with multi-regional input-output analysis to explore the hidden driving forces of the changes in the household water footprint and the impacts of urbanization and consumption patterns on the cross-regional water footprint from 2012 to 2017. The results show that the national household water footprint dropped from 292.33 billion m3 to 291.18 billion m3 and exhibited a decreasing trend in the east and an increasing trend in the west; the driving factors were classified and ranked as technological level (−75.6 billion m3), consumption patterns (52.6 billion m3) and population (21.8 billion m3). Among all driving factors, both urbanization and the associated consumption pattern transformation caused an increase in the cross-regional water footprint, except in several developed provinces, such as Shanghai and Guangdong, which suggested that decoupling might exist between economic development and the water footprint. Overall, heterogeneous policies were suggested to be made according to local water resource endowments and their positions in the production chain. Our results clarify the effects of different socio-economic factors on the cross-regional water footprint during the process of urbanization and provide refined insights for future water conservation.
Effects of Split Application of Urea on Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Emissions From a Rainfed Maize Field in Northeast China
Authors: Dong Dan , Yang Weichao , Sun Hao , Kong Shuang , Xu Hui
Published: January 2022

Split application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers during different crop growth stages to fulfill the crop N requirements reduces soil mineral N concentrations and improves the efficiency of crop N fertilizer use, and can decrease nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from the soil. However, inconsistent results regarding N2O emissions have been reported in rainfed areas. Furthermore, few long-term studies have explained the effects of split N application on soil methane (CH4) flux, thus limiting complete assessment of the effects of split N application on total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, long-term monitoring is urgently required to understand the impacts of split N application on GHG emissions in rainfed areas. In this study, a 6-year field experiment was conducted in a rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) field in Northeast China. The experiment included three treatments: no N application representing control (CK), single application at the sowing stage of maize (SU), and split N at the sowing and jointing stages at a ratio of 1: 2 (SF). Between the sowing and jointing stages, N2O emissions were significantly higher in SU than in SF. However, high N2O emissions were observed in SF for 1 month after N application at the jointing stage possibly because the time of N application coincided with optimum precipitation and soil temperature conditions, which stimulated N2O emissions. Overall, the total N2O emissions showed no significant difference between SU and SF. During the study period, split application of N fertilizer did not significantly affect the cumulative CH4 flux. Compared to CK, the yield-scaled GWP in SF treatment increased by 18.7% (p < 0.05). Ammonia (NH3) volatilization in SF was 272% higher than that in SU. The findings indicated that split N application exhibited an environmental risk by increasing the yield-scaled GWP and NH3 emissions in the field. Thus, this study suggested that single N application applied in the sowing stage should be employed in rainfed fields to mitigate the yield-scaled GWP and NH3 emissions, and maintain efficient maize yields.
Using a Novel Visualization Tool for Rapid Survey of Long-Duration Acoustic Recordings for Ecological Studies of Frog Chorusing
Authors: Brodie Sheryn , Towsey Michael , Allen-Ankins Slade , Roe Paul , Schwarzkopf Lin
Published: January 2022

Continuous recording of environmental sounds could allow long-term monitoring of vocal wildlife, and scaling of ecological studies to large temporal and spatial scales. However, such opportunities are currently limited by constraints in the analysis of large acoustic data sets. Computational methods and automation of call detection require specialist expertise and are time consuming to develop, therefore most biological researchers continue to use manual listening and inspection of spectrograms to analyze their sound recordings. False-color spectrograms were recently developed as a tool to allow visualization of long-duration sound recordings, intending to aid ecologists in navigating their audio data and detecting species of interest. This paper explores the efficacy of using this visualization method to identify multiple frog species in a large set of continuous sound recordings and gather data on the chorusing activity of the frog community. We found that, after a phase of training of the observer, frog choruses could be visually identified to species with high accuracy. We present a method to analyze such data, including a simple R routine to interactively select short segments on the false-color spectrogram for rapid manual checking of visually identified sounds. We propose these methods could fruitfully be applied to large acoustic data sets to analyze calling patterns in other chorusing species.
Effect of Wetland Restoration and Degradation on Nutrient Trade-Off of Carex schmidtii
Authors: Zhang Dongjie , Xia Jiangbao , Sun Jingkuan , Dong Kaikai , Shao Pengshuai , Wang Xuehong , Tong Shouzheng
Published: January 2022

Plant nutrient trade-off, a growth strategy, regulates nutrient stoichiometry, allocation and stoichiometric relationships, which is essential in revealing the stoichiometric mechanism of wetland plants under environmental fluctuations. Nonetheless, how wetland restoration and degradation affect nutrient trade-off of wetland plants was still unclear. In this study, field experiments were conducted to explore the dynamic of nutrient stoichiometry and nutrient limitation of Carex schmidtii under wetland restoration and degradation. Plant nutrient stoichiometry and stoichiometric relationships among natural (NW), restored (RW), and degraded (DW) tussock wetlands were examined. Results showed that nutrient stoichiometry of C. schmidtii was partly affected by wetland restoration and degradation, and growth stages. The N:P and N:K ratios indicated N-limitation for the growth of C. schmidtii. Robust stoichiometric scaling relationships were quantified between some plant nutrient concentrations and their ratios of C. schmidtii. Some N- and P-related scaling exponents are varied among NW, RW, and DW. PCA indicated that wetland restoration and degradation had significantly affected on the nutrient trade-offs of C. schmidtii (May∼August). Compared to NW, nutrient trade-off in RW was more similar to DW. Carex schmidtii had significant correlation between most nutrients and their ratios, and the SEM indicated that plant P and K concentrations had a high proportional contribution to plant C and N concentrations. Insights into these aspects are expected to contribute to a better understanding of nutrient trade-off of C. schmidtii under wetland restoration and degradation, providing invaluable information for the protection of C. schmidtii tussock wetlands.
An Update Evolving View of Copy Number Variations in Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Song Rong-hua , Gao Chao-qun , Zhao Jing , Zhang Jin-an
Published: January 2022

Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) usually share possible common mechanisms, i.e., a defect in the immune tolerance exists due to diverse causes from central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms. Some genetic variations including copy number variations (CNVs) are known to link to several AIDs and are of importance in the susceptibility to AIDs and the potential therapeutic responses to medicines. As an important source of genetic variants, DNA CNVs have been shown to be very common in AIDs, implying these AIDs may possess possible common mechanisms. In addition, some CNVs are differently distributed in various diseases in different ethnic populations, suggesting that AIDs may have their own different phenotypes and different genetic and/or environmental backgrounds among diverse populations. Due to the continuous advancement in genotyping technology, such as high-throughput whole-genome sequencing method, more susceptible variants have been found. Moreover, further replication studies should be conducted to confirm the results of studies with different ethnic cohorts and independent populations. In this review, we aim to summarize the most relevant data that emerged in the past few decades on the relationship of CNVs and AIDs and gain some new insights into the issue.
Potential Immune Indicators for Predicting the Prognosis of COVID-19 and Trauma: Similarities and Disparities
Authors: Fouladseresht Hamed , Ghamar Talepoor Atefe , Eskandari Nahid , Norouzian Marzieh , Ghezelbash Behrooz , Beyranvand Mohammad Reza , Nejadghaderi Seyed Aria , Carson-Chahhoud Kristin , Kolahi Ali-Asghar , Safiri Saeid
Published: January 2022

Although cellular and molecular mediators of the immune system have the potential to be prognostic indicators of disease outcomes, temporal interference between diseases might affect the immune mediators, and make them difficult to predict disease complications. Today one of the most important challenges is predicting the prognosis of COVID-19 in the context of other inflammatory diseases such as traumatic injuries. Many diseases with inflammatory properties are usually polyphasic and the kinetics of inflammatory mediators in various inflammatory diseases might be different. To find the most appropriate evaluation time of immune mediators to accurately predict COVID-19 prognosis in the trauma environment, researchers must investigate and compare cellular and molecular alterations based on their kinetics after the start of COVID-19 symptoms and traumatic injuries. The current review aimed to investigate the similarities and differences of common inflammatory mediators (C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, ferritin, and serum amyloid A), cytokine/chemokine levels (IFNs, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-4), and immune cell subtypes (neutrophil, monocyte, Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg and CTL) based on the kinetics between patients with COVID-19 and trauma. The mediators may help us to accurately predict the severity of COVID-19 complications and follow up subsequent clinical interventions. These findings could potentially help in a better understanding of COVID-19 and trauma pathogenesis.
Climate-Driven High Primary Production and Contrasting Export Production in the Eastern North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
Authors: Yoon Joo-Eun , Kim Ju-Hyoung , Kim Il-Nam
Published: January 2022

The eastern North Pacific subtropical gyre (NPSG) contributes significantly to global primary production (PP) and export production (EP). In this study, we have investigated the impact of the North Pacific gyre oscillation (NPGO) mode on the temporal changes in the relationship between PP and EP in the eastern NPSG, using long-term time series of oceanographic observations at Station ALOHA. The positive NPGO phases (N2+: 1998–2004, N4+: 2007–2013), exhibiting a deeper mixed layer depth (MLD), coincided with high PP. Moreover, the N2+ phase showed high EP, associated with an increase in the nano-sized phytoplankton group, and inorganic and organic nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios. However, multiple physical and biogeochemical factors, such as thermocline depression, increase in pico-sized phytoplankton groups, smallest-sized mesozooplankton, and heterotrophic bacteria, have induced low EP during the N4+ phase, despite deep MLD and increased PP conditions. Enhanced stratification under prolonged warming indicates that the surface eastern NPSG may experience a permanent shift toward small cells.
Signaling Pathways Mediating Bradykinin-Induced Contraction in Murine and Human Detrusor Muscle
Authors: Borsodi Kinga , Balla Helga , Molnár Péter József , Lénárt Ádám , Kenessey István , Horváth András , Keszthelyi Attila , Romics Miklós , Majoros Attila , Nyirády Péter , Offermanns Stefan , Benyó Zoltán
Published: January 2022

Bradykinin (BK) has been proposed to modulate urinary bladder functions and implicated in the pathophysiology of detrusor overactivity. The present study aims to elucidate the signaling pathways of BK-induced detrusor muscle contraction, with the goal of better understanding the molecular regulation of micturition and identifying potential novel therapeutic targets of its disorders. Experiments have been carried out on bladders isolated from wild-type or genetically modified [smooth muscle-specific knockout (KO): Gαq/11-KO, Gα12/13-KO and constitutive KO: thromboxane prostanoid (TP) receptor-KO, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1)-KO] mice and on human bladder samples. Contractions of detrusor strips were measured by myography. Bradykinin induced concentration-dependent contractions in both murine and human bladders, which were independent of secondary release of acetylcholine, ATP, or prostanoid mediators. B2 receptor antagonist HOE-140 markedly diminished contractile responses in both species, whereas B1 receptor antagonist R-715 did not alter BK's effect. Consistently with these findings, pharmacological stimulation of B2 but not B1 receptors resembled the effect of BK. Interestingly, both Gαq/11- and Gα12/13-KO murine bladders showed reduced response to BK, indicating that simultaneous activation of both pathways is required for the contraction. Furthermore, the Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 markedly decreased contractions in both murine and human bladders. Our results indicate that BK evokes contractions in murine and human bladders, acting primarily on B2 receptors. Gαq/11-coupled and Gα12/13-RhoA-ROCK signaling appear to mediate these contractions simultaneously. Inhibition of ROCK enzyme reduces the contractions in both species, identifying this enzyme, together with B2 receptor, as potential targets for treating voiding disorders.
Expression Signature of the AT-Rich Interactive Domain Gene Family Identified in Digestive Cancer
Authors: Lu Yongqu , Liu Zhenzhen , Wang Wendong , Chen Xin , Zhou Xin , Fu Wei
Published: January 2022

Background

The AT-rich interactive domain (ARID) gene family of 15 proteins has an important role in development and proliferation. Gene expression alterations of the ARID family are correlated with the pathogenesis of digestive cancer, but systematic research has not been conducted.

Methods

We obtained transcriptome sequencing data, clinical characteristics and stemness indices of the seven main types of digestive cancer (cholangiocarcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, oesophageal carcinoma, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, rectum adenocarcinoma and stomach adenocarcinoma) from public pan-cancer data to combine the analysis of the expression and prognostic signature of the ARID gene family. The stromal and immune scores for each sample were calculated to explore the correlations between the ARID gene family members and the tumour microenvironment.

Results

After screening, 1,920 digestive cancer samples were included in our study. ARID3C was expressed at low levels throughout the digestive cancer samples. The expression levels of ARID1A and JARID1C were relatively high, but there was striking heterogeneity across the different cancer types for specific family members. The survival analysis indicated that many genes were significantly related to the prognosis of patients with liver hepatocellular carcinoma. The stemness indices, stromal score, and immune score analysis showed that the expression of a single ARID gene had characteristic consistency in each tumour, but the levels among the different genes still varied.

Conclusion

Our systematic study of the ARID gene family and its association with the immune infiltrate, tumour microenvironment and outcomes of digestive cancer patients focus on the complex relations and indicate the need to study each ARID member as an individual in a specific cancer type.
Gut Dysbiosis and Clostridioides difficile Infection in Neonates and Adults
Authors: Vasilescu Iulia-Magdalena , Chifiriuc Mariana-Carmen , Pircalabioru Gratiela Gradisteanu , Filip Roxana , Bolocan Alexandra , Lazăr Veronica , Diţu Lia-Mara , Bleotu Coralia
Published: January 2022

In this review, we focus on gut microbiota profiles in infants and adults colonized (CDC) or infected (CDI) with Clostridioides difficile. After a short update on CDI epidemiology and pathology, we present the gut dysbiosis profiles associated with CDI in adults and infants, as well as the role of dysbiosis in C. difficile spores germination and multiplication. Both molecular and culturomic studies agree on a significant decrease of gut microbiota diversity and resilience in CDI, depletion of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria phyla and a high abundance of Proteobacteria, associated with low butyrogenic and high lactic acid-bacteria levels. In symptomatic cases, microbiota deviations are associated with high levels of inflammatory markers, such as calprotectin. In infants, colonization with Bifidobacteria that trigger a local anti-inflammatory response and abundance of Ruminococcus, together with lack of receptors for clostridial toxins and immunological factors (e.g., C. difficile toxins neutralizing antibodies) might explain the lack of clinical symptoms. Gut dysbiosis amelioration through administration of “biotics” or non-toxigenic C. difficile preparations and fecal microbiota transplantation proved to be very useful for the management of CDI.