bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green Synthesis of Nanocomposite: Based on [Eugenol and Metal Oxides], Characterization and Biomedical Applications
Authors: AL-Qadir Fatin A. Abd , Al-Abdaly Basim I.
Published: February 2024

تم تفاعل الأوجينول (EUG) كمادة أساس مع خليط من أكاسيد المعادن (ZnO و CuO) التي تم تحضيرها من خلات المعدن، Zn (CH3CO2)2 و Cu (CH3CO2)2 كمواد أولية واستخدام الكلايكول إيثيلين (EG) كمذيب لتخليق المتراكب النانوي [Eug/ ZnO: CuO] باستخدام طريقة .Sol-Gel تم تشخيص المتراكب النانوي المحضر باستخدام التقنيات (FT-IR, AFM, SEM, EDX, و(XRD, حيث وجد أن متوسط ​​قطر الجسيم يقع ضمن نطاق المقياس النانوي. ولوحظ أيضاً أن المادة النانوية المحضرة كانت على شكل قضبان ذات توزيع متجانس جيد. من أجل الوقوف على الخواص النانوية التي تم الحصول عليها، تم توظيف تلك الخواص من حيث البعد النانوي وخصائص الشكل، لدراسة فعالية المتراكب النانوي المحضر [Eug/ ZnO: CuO] كنشاط مضاد للميكروبات (مضاد للبكتيريا ومضاد للفطريات) ضد نوعين من البكتيريا [Escherichia Coli (-) (E. coli), and Staphylococcus aureus (+) (S. aureus)], ونوع واحد من الفطريات [Candida albicaus (C. albicaus)], حيث أظهرت نتائج مقبولة. كما تم قياس فعالية المتراكب النانوي المحضر كمضاد للأكسدة ضد الجذور الحرة وأظهر نسبة كسح جيدة. بالإضافة إلى ذلك تمت دراسة التأثير السمي الخلوي للمتراكب النانوي [Eug/ ZnO: CuO] على خلايا سرطان الثدي (MCF-7)، وأظهر نتائج مقبولة في قتل الخط الخلوي (MCF-7) بتراكيز عالية.
Study on Shear Slip Characteristics of Sandstone Plane Joints under Normal Dynamic Load Disturbance
Authors: Wang Kangyu , Lu Caiping , Liu Yang , Shao Caijun , Zhou Jian , Zhan Zhaowei
Published: February 2024

Rock joints are susceptible to slip instability due to dynamic load disturbances such as blasting, earthquakes, and fracturation. A series of direct shear tests under the dynamic load were conducted on sandstone plane joints using the RDS-200xl. The work investigated the effects of normal static loads and normal dynamic-load frequencies and amplitudes on plane joints. Besides, the following items were proposed, that is, the peak-to-valley response rate, shear velocity vibration dominant frequency, shear-stress reduction coefficient, and discrete element numerical simulation method for plane-joint direct shear tests. The results were as follows: (1) The normal dynamic load frequency played a role in attenuating the shear stress amplitude with a threshold value of 0.5 Hz. (2) The shear velocity of the plane joint was completely controlled by the high normal dynamic load frequency. Their vibrational dominant frequencies were identical. (3) The amplitude of shear stress increased, and the median stress decreased with the increased normal dynamic load amplitude. The reduction-coefficient equation for sandstone plane joints was proposed to evaluate the shear stress under the normal dynamic load disturbance. (4) The shear-stress hysteresis phenomenon existed in the plane joints under the normal dynamic load, which required excessive shear displacements to reach peak shear strength. The peak shear displacement increased with the increased normal static load. Numerical simulations and indoor tests showed that high- and low-shear-velocity regions were the main reason for shear-stress hysteresis. The findings are conducive to revealing the shear destabilization mechanism of rock joints under dynamic load disturbance.
Plan de negocios para brindar el servicio de lavandería con insumos de lavado biodegradables en el ámbito de Lima Moderna
Authors:   , Aguilar Mamani Yanina Maribel , Cashu Ramirez Adriana Steffany , Castro Véliz Miriam Yesenia , Chauca Cruz Lizeth Alvina , Cotrina Zambrano Adrian Fernando
Published: February 2024

El presente trabajo tiene como finalidad sustentar la puesta en marcha de una lavandería delivery con el uso de productos biodegradables “BIOTECH”; buscando satisfacer a la zona 7 de Lima Metropolitana, en un rango de edad de 18 a 55 años y de un NSE A y B, a las personas que no tengan tiempo ni espacio para lavar en casa. En el capítulo 1, en la idea de negocio, explicamos las causas del por qué es que decidimos crear nuestra empresa de Lavandería BIOTECH SAC, siendo el covid19 uno de los motivos principales que motivó a ofrecer nuestro servicio por delivery, evitando que los usuarios expongan su salud al salir de casa, cuidando con el correcto protocolo de salud, además de ahorrar tiempo al cliente y espacio en su domicilio. En el capítulo 2, se realiza el análisis de entorno, también validamos que existe un nivel medio de amenaza de nuestros productos, estos están divididos entre: personas que brindan el servicio de lavar ropa en casa y alquiler de máquinas para el lavado de prendas. En el capítulo 3, en el plan estratégico, presentamos la misión, visión, los valores, políticas de la empresa, objetivos estratégicos, estrategia de negocio; donde utilizaremos el reloj de Bowman complementándolo con las estrategias genéricas de Porter y las fuentes generadoras de ventaja competitiva de la empresa que otorgara mayor impulso para que nuestro servicio ingrese al mercado de forma exitosa. En el capítulo 4, el estudio de mercado, nuestro público definido lo conforman las personas de ambos sexos, que mantengan un rango de edad de 18 a 55 años, que correspondan al nivel Socioeconómico A y B de los distritos que pertenecen a Lima, Metropolitana – Zona N°7, conformado por: La Molina, Santiago de Surco, Miraflores, San Borja, San Isidro.
Activo digital y satisfacción del usuario en la convocatoria y selección de personal, Autoridad Nacional Servicio Civil, 2018-2019
Authors:   , Aldama Chávez Francisco Erik
Published: February 2024

De acuerdo con el modelo de la economía digital, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo establecer la satisfacción del usuario al proceso de convocatoria y selección de personal hacia los activos digitales en SERVIR, periodo 2018-2019. En una n=363 postulantes entrevistados a través del cuestionario SERVQUAL, utilizando las diferencias de medias, matriz de correlaciones y covarianzas, así como las diferencias de opinión respecto del proceso según sexo, actividad laboral y profesión. Los resultados evidencian que la satisfacción es parcial respecto de las diferencias de medias en todas sus dimensiones, con brechas de -1.851 en velocidad de respuesta; fiabilidad -2.076; Empatía -2.586; Seguridad – 0.339; Seguridad -3.284. Sin embargo, existe una correlación promedio de 0.69 y significativa; varianza acumulada 59% aceptable y según variables sociodemográficas, laborales y empatía, no son significativas en sexo; significativa en actividad laboral, profesión y empatía respecto de las diferencias entre percepción y expectativa. Se concluye que la satisfacción es parcial, apoyada por una correlación apropiada y significativa y una varianza acumulada aceptable, de significación práctica, para estrategias de SERVIR, para la mejora. Se recomienda desarrollar estudios que consideren otras variables de control, análisis de diferencia entre actores internos y externos.
Elaboración de ladrillo ecológico a partir de residuos sólidos (papel y poliestireno)
Authors:   , Camacllanqui Huamanlazo Ozeas Abel
Published: February 2024

En esta investigación se evaluó la viabilidad técnica de ladrillos elaborados a partir de residuos de papel y poliestireno, para lo cual se prepararon ladrillos de papel reciclado (PR) y poliestireno reciclado (PSR), compuestos por cuatro tratamientos: T1: 100% PR; T2: 97%PR - 3%PSR; T3: 94%PR - 6%PSR y T4: 90%PR - 10%PSR, a los cuales se realizó ensayos para determinar las propiedades físicas y mecánicas (variación dimensional, alabeo, resistencia a la comprensión, resistencia a la flexión, succión y absorción) establecidas en la Norma E.070. Los resultados obtenidos para: variación dimensional presenta valores mínimos de variación <0.17% largo, <1.28% ancho y <0.67% de alto; los resultados de alabeo presentan solo alabeo cóncavo <2mm; la prueba de resistencia a la flexión presentan valores >12.2 Kg/cm2, por consiguiente para las tres pruebas mencionadas el ladrillo de papel y poliestireno presentan buenos resultados, según la norma E.070 albañilería (2006), clasificarían a ladrillo tipo V. La resistencia a la compresión del ladrillos de papel y poliestireno demostró tener buenos resultados 86.6 – 110.2 Kg/cm2, que es casi tres veces mayor al ladrillo tipo I (30 Kg/cm2), según la norma E.070 albañilería (2006), las muestras T1 y T4 > 95 Kg/cm2 clasifican a ladrillo tipo III y las muestras T2 y T3 > 86 Kg/cm2 a ladrillo tipo II. Los resultados de las pruebas realizadas muestran que la combinación de papel y poliestireno se pueden usar potencialmente en la elaboración de un ladrillo más ligero, para paredes internas de partición (muros no portantes).
RETRACTED: Seeds of Fairness:Financial Opportunity and Income Inequality in China
Authors: jin wenwen
Published: February 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Small RNA activation of CDH13 expression overcome BCR-ABL1-independent imatinib-resistance and their signaling pathway studies in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Fei Jia , Su Rui , Wang Xiuyuan , Wen Ziqi , Zhan Xinri , Li Chuting , Yin Zhao , Liu Yanjun , Yang Juha
Published: February 2024

BCR-ABL1-independent resistance to imatinib has no effective treatment due to its complexity and diversity. We previously reported that the CDH13 oncogene was expressed at low levels in BCR-ABL1-independent resistant CML cell lines. However, its effects on CML resistant cells and mechanisms remain unknown. This study investigated the effects of saRNA-based CDH13 activation on BCR-ABL1-independent imatinib resistance in CML and its underlying mechanism, and proposes a unique treatment method to overcome imatinib resistance. Specifically, this study demonstrated that using the DSIR (Designer of Small Interfering RNA) website tool, saRNAs targeting the CDH13 promoter region were generated and validated using qPCR and western blotting. Among the predicted sequences, C2 and C3 efficiently elevated CDH13 mRNA and protein expression, as well as inhibited the relative vitality of cells and the ability to form clones. After promoting CDH13 expression in K562-IMR cells, it inhabited the NF-κB signaling pathway and induced apoptosis in imatinib-resistant CML cells. LNP-saRNA (C3) was also observed to limit the growth of K562-IMR cells in vivo. From the above, the activation of CDH13 expression by saRNA promotes cell apoptosis by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway to overcome to BCR-ABL1-independent resistance to imatinib in patients with CML.
Rockfall hazard assessment and governing strategy for a cliff feature zone based on the high-resolution online images and terrain analysis
Authors: Zhao Rongguo , Yang Jinchen , Zhou Suhua , Huang Minghua , Yang Minghui
Published: February 2024

The geological disaster caused by the slope landslide rockfall has some significant properties, such as suddenness, unpredictability, higher harmfulness. In this paper, a cliff feature zone in Guizhou Province of China is selected as a case, the topographic data in the study area are obtained by the field survey, and the slop angle distribution (SAD) method with the topographic map is adopted to identify the potential rockfall source zone. The Rockfall Analyst software is applied to simulate the trajectory, frequency, height, and energy of the slope landslide rockfalls, and the accuracy of the rockfall model is verified by comparing the simulation results with the actual accident. Then, the rockfall hazard assessment is conducted for the whole Jinfeng street, and relevant governing strategies are proposed. The results show that the rockfall source zone area in the Jinfeng Street validated by using the SAD method with the rock outcrops in the topographic map is identified as 522,316 m2, which is 0.8% of the total area. The building area in the hazard zone are 81,105 m2, and the percentage of building area in the high-hazard and ultra-high-hazard zone reaches 25.6%. To reduce the hazards caused by the slope landslide rockfalls, according to the Code for Design of Rock Retaining Wall Engineering in Geological Hazards (T/CAGHP060 -2019), a stone retaining wall with the height of 5 m is built, and its stability is verified. The results indicate that after adding the stone retaining wall, the rockfall hazard zone area decreases to 2,580,371 m2, there is no ultra-high hazard zone, and the building area in the rockfall hazard zone reduces to 50,432 m2. After adding the stone retaining wall, for the residents who are still in the high hazard zone, a unified relocation strategy is recommended to ensure the safety of residents’ lives and property.
Combined risk assessment of organic pollutants (PCBs and OPEs) accumulation in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Wang Haiou , Zhang Wenxiao , Liu Yue
Published: February 2024

Combination risk of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) contamination to the accumulation and tolerance mechanism of plants were investigated under a series of designed hydroponic experiments. The combined organic pollutants could more significantly promote plant growth than all of single organic pollutants. The positive role of pollutants in growth could be attributed to hormesis effect according to the transcript response of hormone genes. OPEs were more liable to be accumulated than PCB18 in rice. In opposite hydrophilicity (PCB18 and TCEP) pollutants combination, the accumulations of the total pollutants and TCEP in seedlings were obviously promoted compared with the single pollutant treatments. However, in similar hydrophilicity pollutants (PCB18 and TPHP) combination, TPHP and total organic pollutant accumulations in rice were inhibited. It was worthy notice that the accumulations of PCB18 in shoots were significantly increased under the combined treatments. Transcript and bioinformation analysis of lipocalins demonstrated that their interaction with OPEs were higher than PCB18, and OsTIL could directly take part in uptake, translocation and accumulation of OPEs rather than PCB18. Tolerance mechanism in rice included antioxidative enzymes and lipocalins cooperatively resisted pollutants’ oxidative stress. Therefore, the combined organic pollutants could induce high risk to food safety according this study.
Ignoring the cow in the room: Australian media representation of animal agriculture and climate change
Authors: Saville Shaneka , Cardilini Adam P.A , Mocatta Gabi
Published: February 2024

Animal agriculture is responsible for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Meat consumption – the main driver of these emissions – is predicted to rise significantly as global population grows. Despite this, little action has been taken globally to reduce meat consumption and transition to plant-based agriculture. This is also the case in Australia, one of the world’s largest meat exporters and consumers. Despite the imperative for consumers to be well-informed about the issue, the link between animal agriculture and climate change is rarely explicitly made in Australian news media. This study uses a mixed methods content analysis to investigate how animal agriculture’s role in climate change was represented in Australian media between 2015 and 2021. The study found that coverage of animal agriculture’s role in climate change in Australian media increased over time but remains low. When the issue was discussed, animal agriculture was acknowledged as a cause of emissions, and reducing meat consumption was frequently identified as a solution to emissions. When appraised for its scientific accuracy, coverage of causes of animal agriculture emissions in Australian media was relatively accurate. However, reporting on solutions to mitigate emissions was ambiguous and sometimes focused on actions that would have little impact on emissions reduction. This has implications for both public understanding of the issue and policymaking at a time when emissions reductions are urgently needed.
Accounting for center-level effects in multicenter randomized controlled trials
Authors: Islam Shofiqul , Bangdiwala Shrikant I
Published: February 2024

Investigators often conduct randomized controlled trials (RCTs) at multiple centers/sites when determining the effect of a treatment or an intervention. Diversifying recruitment across multiple institutions allows investigators to make recruitment go faster within a shorter timeframe and allows generalizing the study results across diverse populations. Despite having a common study protocol across multiple centers, the eligible participants may be heterogeneous, site policies and practices may vary, and the investigators’ experience, training, and expertise may also vary across sites. These factors may contribute to the heterogeneity in effect estimates across centers. As a result, we usually observe some degree of heterogeneity in effect estimates across centers, despite all centers following the same study protocol. During the analysis of such a trial, investigators typically ignore center effects, but some have suggested considering centers as fixed or random effects in the model. It is not clear how considering the effects of centers, either as fixed or random effects, impacts the test of the primary hypothesis. In this article, we first review the practice of accounting for center effects in the analyses of published RCTs and illustrate the extent of heterogeneity observed in a few preexisting multicenter RCTs. Based on simulation studies, we then examine whether considering the center as a fixed or random effect in the model helps to preserve or reduce the Type I and Type II error rates during the analysis phase of an RCT. Finally, we outline the threshold at which center-level effects are negligible and thus negligible and provide recommendations on when it may be necessary to account for center effects during the analyses of multicenter randomized controlled trials.
Implementation of supplemental physiotherapy following hip fracture surgery: a protocol for the process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Raper Eleanor C , Kimmel Lara A , Burge Angela T , Harris Ian , Ackerman Ilana N , Page Richard S , Naylor Justine M , Hepworth Graham , Gabbe Belinda , Ekegren Christina L , Harris Anthony , Woode Maame Esi , Holland Anne E
Published: February 2024

Background
Patient outcomes following low-trauma hip fracture are suboptimal resulting in increased healthcare costs and poor functional outcomes at one year. Providing early and intensive in-hospital physiotherapy could help improve patient outcomes and reduce costs following hip fracture surgery. The HIP fracture Supplemental Therapy to Enhance Recovery (HIPSTER) trial will compare usual care physiotherapy to intensive in-hospital physiotherapy for patients following hip fracture surgery. The complex environments in which the intervention is implemented present unique contextual challenges that may impact intervention effectiveness. This study aims to complete a process evaluation to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation and explore the patient, carer and clinician experience of intensive therapy following hip fracture surgery.
Methods and analysis:
The process evaluation is embedded within a two-arm randomised, controlled, assessor-blinded trial recruiting 620 participants from eight Australian hospitals who have had surgery for a hip fracture sustained via a low-trauma injury. A theory-based mixed method process evaluation will be completed in tandem with the HIPSTER trial. Patient and carer semi-structured interviews will be completed at six weeks following hip fracture surgery. The clinician experience will be explored through online surveys completed pre and post implementation of intensive therapy and mapped to domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Translation and behaviour change success will be assessed using the Reach Effectiveness-Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework and a combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. These data will assist with the development of an Implementation Toolkit aiding future translation into practice.
Discussion
The embedded process evaluation will help understand the interplay between the implementation context and the intensive therapy intervention following surgery for low-trauma hip fracture. Understanding these mechanisms, if effective, will assist with transferability into other contexts and wider translation into practice.
Trial registration
ACTRN12622001442796
Prediction of Neonatal Outcomes Using Gestational Age or Diagnosis of Severe Preeclampsia vs. HELLP Syndrome: A Case-Only Analysis
Authors: HAUPTMAN Isabella , GILL Kevin S. , LIM Tiffany , MACK Wendy J. , WILSON Melissa Lee
Published: February 2024

Purpose:Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy cause significant neonatal complications. Disease severity is often used to predict neonatal outcomes, however gestational age (GA) at delivery may be a better predictor. We aimed to assess whether disease severity or GA was more predictive of adverse neonatal outcomes.
Methods:We included 165 participants with confirmed HELLP syndrome or severe preeclampsia (sPE). Two predictive models were constructed to assess the ability of disease severity compared to GA to predict a composite adverse neonatal outcome. The composite outcome included low birth weight, SGA, IUGR, Apgar score, and neonatal death.
Results:Using severity as a predictor of binary neonatal outcome had an AUC of 0.73 (0.65-0.81), with a sensitivity (SE) of 70.3% and a specificity (SP) of 64.4%. For GA, we observed an AUC of 0.82 (0.75-0.89), with a SE of 75.7% and a SP of 76.7%.
Conclusion: For the composite neonatal outcome, GA was a better predictor than ACOG diagnosis (severity). This observation underscores the need for further research to validate these findings in larger cohorts and to determine their applicability to maternal outcomes.
Variation in Ecological Scorecards and their Potential for Wider Use
Authors: Gorman Thomas , Kindermann Gesche , Healy Kevin , Morley Terry R
Published: February 2024

Ecological monitoring is a vital tool to help us assess habitat condition and understand the mechanism(s) for habitat change. Yet many countries struggle to meet their monitoring requirements in part due to the high assessment workload. Rapid ecological assessment methods may have an important role to play in this regard. Following their success within several European habitats (e.g., semi-natural grasslands), they are now being developed for additional habitats such as heathlands, peatlands, and other agri-associated areas. Whilst some rapid assessments using ecological scorecards have been shown to be accurate compared to traditional ecological monitoring, less is known about the functionality of these scorecards in heterogenous landscapes. In this study, we selected four existing scorecards to test alongside a prototype. We assessed how these different scorecards measured habitat condition on the same heathland sites. We found that the choice of metrics, their score weighting, and the thresholds used for categorical scores cause scorecards to assess the same site with substantial variation (37%). Vegetation metrics were the primary cause of score variation, with vegetation structure and positive indicator species being the leading causes. Our study indicates that while current scorecards may be representative of project-specific goals, they may not be suitable for wider monitoring uses in their current form. Ecological scorecards have great potential to drastically increase the extent of monitoring, but caution is needed before adapting existing scorecards beyond the purposes from which they were designed.
Entomopathogenic fungal strains as potential candidates for the management of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Tenebrionidea: Coleoptera), a potential pest of stored grains
Authors: Ahmad Shahbaz , Gul Samreen , Iqbal Mubashar , Javaid Arshad , Chattha Muhammad Bilal , Ali Qurban , Ashraf Sumra
Published: February 2024

The red flour beetle, known scientifically as Tribolium castaneum, stands as a notorious pest afflicting stored grain commodities. The widespread reliance on chemical pesticides to curb its infestations poses a significant threat to human health, prompting several regions to reject shipments containing pesticides to safeguard human well-being and address environmental safety concerns. Acknowledging the drawbacks associated with chemical pesticides, the contemporary era is witnessing a shift towards chemical-free approaches, specifically towards biological methods, for the control of insect pests. In this context, the present investigation was formulated to tackle the infestation with entomopathogenic fungi, namely Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticillium lacanii, and Trichoderma viridea against the adult stage of the red flour beetle. Series of concentrations viz., 1 × 103, 1 × 105, 1 × 107, 1 × 109, and 1 × 1011 conidia/ml were used for treatment of wheat grains. Finding revealed that significant mortality percentage was observed at a concentration of 1 × 1011 conidia/ml after 12 days of exposure on all tested EPF strains. B. bassiana exhibited the highest efficacy with a 68% mortality followed by 63%, 41% and 39% on M. anisopliae, T. viridea and V. lacanii respectively after 12 days of exposure. The present study also reveals that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae after 12 days of exposure showed the lowest LC50 values, measuring 2.5 × 105 and 1.28 × 109 conidia/mL, respectively. Conversely, V. lacanni was adjudged to be the least efficacious with an LC50 value of 3.29 × 1010 conidia/mL. These results suggest that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae are potential candidates for biocontrol agents against the pest in question. This study presents a promising avenue for combatting pest infestations in stored grain commodities through the implementation of EPF.
The effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate on volatile compounds, key enzymes, and sensory quality in tobacco (a model plant)
Authors: Xu Qiao , Li Hongxun , Lin Yechun , Wang Longchang , Peng Huawei , Peng Yu , Sun Zhenchun , Cai Kai , Yang Hui
Published: February 2024

Flue-cured tobacco belongs to the Solanaceae family, which plays a great role as a model plant in both basic and applied research. In order to investigate the effect of exogenous regulator methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the aroma quality of tobacco, tobacco leaves were sprayed with different concentrations of MeJA (0 µmol/L, 30 µmol/L, 60 µmol/L, 90 µmol/L and 120 µmol/L) at 48 hours before harvesting. The volatile compounds in the tobacco, sensory evaluation, and changes in key enzyme activities were determined, along with their correlations. The results showed that MeJA could affect the relative content of volatile substances. Under 90 µmol/L MeJA treatment, the relative content of benzyl alcohol, which was phenylpropane aroma substance, increased by 79.48%, compared with the control (0 µmol/L MeJA). After the tobacco leaves were dried and rolled, the sensory quality and aroma of the MeJA treatments scored higher than those of the control. Among them, the improvement in smoking quality was most significant under 90 µmol/L MeJA treatment. Under MeJA treatment, the activities of aroma-related enzymes polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL) were enhanced, with 4CL activity showing the most significant change (3.56 times higher than the control). The results of cluster analysis and correlation analysis showed that key enzyme activity, sensory quality, and volatile compounds varied with different concentrations of MeJA treatment, and there was a significant positive correlation between them (P < 0.05), demonstrating a close relationship. In conclusion, exogenous spraying of 90 µmol/L MeJA can improve the aroma quality of tobacco.
Electrophysiological and Biochemical Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Heart Functions of Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Hussein Aida , Moatamed Eman , Eldesoky Mohamed , Elkhayat Zakaria
Published: February 2024

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the most abundantly used nanomaterials in cosmetics and topical products, and nowadays, they are explored in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Some recent data evidenced that they are responsible for cardiotoxic effects and systemic toxicity. The present study aimed to investigate the toxic effect of ZnO NPs (39 nm) on the heart of wistar rats and to perform a dose-response relationship using three different dose levels (25,50,100 mg/kgbw) of ZnO NPs on the electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, the levels of biochemical function parameters of heart, and the oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarkers, furthermore, zinc concentration level and histopathological examination of heart tissues were determined. ZnO NPs showed a dose-dependent effect, as the 100-mg/kg bw ZnO NPs treated group showed the most significant changes in ECGs parameters: R-R distance, P-R interval, R and T amplitudes, and increased levels of heart enzymes Creatine Kinase- MB (CK-MB) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). On the other hand, elevated zinc concentration levels, oxidative stress biomarkers MDA and NO, and decreased GSH levels were found also in a dose-dependent manner, the results were supported by impairment in the histopathological structure of heart tissues. While the dose of 100 mg/kg bw of ZnO bulk group showed no significant effects on heart function. The present study concluded that ZnO NPs could induce cardiac dysfunctions and pathological lesions mainly in the high dose.
Can ultra-processed foods contain residues of pesticides?
Authors: Santos Fabio Neves dos , Arantes Rafael Rioja , Russo Giorgia Castilho , Coutinho Janine Giuberti , Martins Ana Paula Bortoletto , Mais Laís Amaral
Published: February 2024

The consumption of ultra-processed food products (UPFP) is linked to the development of some kinds of cancers, which can also be caused by pesticides. However, there is not enough scientific evidence that UFPF may contain residues of pesticides. Some studies report that industrial processing drastically reduces pesticides. Nevertheless, other studies also report that the amount of pesticides increases. This research aimed to measure the concentration of pesticides. Samples of UPFP from plant origin such as soft drinks, nectars, soy drinks, corn chips, savory crackers, stuffed cookies, corn breakfast cereals, and loaf breads were analyzed. Samples of UPFP from animal origin such as pork sausage, hot dog sausage, mortadella, beef hamburger, chicken nuggets, yogurt, chocolate milk, and curd cheese were also analyzed. Pesticides were detected in 16 samples of the 27 products based on corn, wheat, soy, and sugarcane analyzed. Also, pesticides were detected in 14 samples of the 24 products based on meat and milk analyzed. Ten pesticides were detected: aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, fipronil sulfone, fluazuron, glyphosate, glufosinate, and methyl pirimiphos. Pirimiphos-methyl was found in all products of savory crackers, stuffed cookies, and loaf breads. Considering that residues of pesticides were found in 12 categories of products made in different industries involving different industrial processes, our study confirms that UPFP contains residues of pesticides.
Exploring Transcriptomic Databases: Unraveling Circadian Gene Disruptions in Low Grade Glioma
Authors: Hou Weiyu , Hou Weiming , Zhao Xueming
Published: February 2024

The study explored the role of circadian rhythm genes (CRGs) in low-grade glioma (LGG) development and found that certain genes, such as CRY1, NPAS2, and RORB, were associated with increased or decreased risk of LGG. The study also investigated the correlation between CRGs and immune cell infiltration, revealing a negative association with macrophage infiltration and a positive correlation with B cell and CD8 + T cell infiltration. Additionally, the study identified major mutated CRGs, including PER2, BMAL1, CLOCK, and BMAL2, and their potential interaction with other CNS-associated genes. The study suggests that CRGs play a crucial role in immune response and tumorigenesis in LGG patients and warrants further investigation.
The accurate determination of major and trace elements in seawater using ICP-OES
Authors: Zhang Lin , Yang Min , Wang Dong , Zhao Peng , Bing Xue , Ji Gang , Yin Xuebo
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to develop a method for the determination of major elements (potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine) in seawater using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The method involved dilution of seawater and optimized suitable sensitive and interference-free emission lines (K 766 nm, Ca 317 nm, Na 589 nm, Mg 285nm, S 181 nm, Sr 407 nm, and B 249.7 nm). The detection limits (3σ) were measured as 1.34mg/L for K, 1.0 mg/L for Ca, 1.1 mg/L for Na, 1.0 mg/L for Mg, 2.1mg/L for S, 0.80µg/L for Sr and 0.5 mg/L for B, respectively. This method consistently produced high precision results, with the RSD of seawater samples being less than 3.06%. Furthermore, the recoveries of K, Ca, Na, Mg, and Sr ranged from 97–103%. Although the recoveries of S and B varied more widely (S recovered at a rate of 97–105%, while B recovered at a rate of 90–111%), both were found to meet the test requirements for this magnitude. Overall, this method offers advantages such as simplicity of operation, high determination efficiency, and good data stability and test precision, which make it suitable for high-precision and high-accuracy tests for K, Ca, Na, Mg, S, Sr, and B in seawater.
Palladium Catalyzed ortho-C(sp2)–H Activation/Cyclization of Aryl Amines Assisted by Imine Directing Group and Vinylacetic Acid
Authors: Jiang Huanfeng , Tan Xiangwen , Jing Yaru , Wu Jiahao , Li Jiatian
Published: February 2024

Palladium-catalyzed directed C − H functionalization/cyclization is an effective approach for synthesizing nitrogen heterocycles. Imine, known for its ease of installation/removal, has been extensively used in the C–H activation of aldehydes, ketones and alkylamines. Nevertheless, it been rarely explored in the C(sp2)–H activation of aryl amines because of the generation of a strained four-membered palladacycle. Herein, an imine directed palladium catalyzed C(sp2)–H functionalization of aryl amines assisted by vinylacetic acid has been established, providing access to a variety of γ-lactone fused tetrahydroquinolines under mild reaction conditions. The methodology demonstrates broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance, representing notable advancement in organic synthesis. Mechanistic experiments were performed to clarify how the C(sp2)–H activation occurred, indicating the crucial role of vinylacetic acid. DFT calculations supported the observations, elucidating the strained four-membered ring C–H activation barrier was overcome via coordination and hydrogen bond interaction of vinylacetic acid.
Halloysite functionalized with dendritic moiety containing vitamin B1 hydrochloride as a bio-based catalyst for the synthesis of 5-hydroxymthylfurfural
Authors: Yaghoubi Soheila , Sadjadi Samahe , Heravi Majid
Published: February 2024

Using halloysite clay and vitamin B1 hydrochloride, a novel acidic halloysite-dendrimer catalytic composite has been developed for conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymthylfurfural. To grow the dendritic moiety on halloysite, it was first functionalized and then reacted with melamine, epichlorohydrin and vitamin B1 hydrochloride respectively. Then, the resulting composite was treated with ZnCl2 to furnish Lewis acid sites. Similarly, dendritic moiety of generation 2 was also grafted on halloysite and the activity of both catalysts for conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymthylfurfural was investigated to disclose the role of dendrimer generation. For the best catalytic composite, the reaction variables were optimized via RSM and it was revealed that use of 0.035 g catalyst per 0.1 g fructose at 95°C furnished HMF in 96% yield in 105 min. Kinetic studies also underlined that Ea was 22.85 kJ/mol. The thermodynamic parameters of \({\varDelta \text{H}}^{\ne }\), \({\varDelta \text{S}}^{\ne }\) and \({\varDelta \text{G}}^{\ne }\), were calculated to be 23 kJ/mol, − 129.2 J/mol and 72.14 kJ/mol, respectively. Notably, the catalyst exhibited good recyclability and hot filtration approved heterogeneous nature of catalysis.
Prognostic impact of interstitial lung disease on pulmonary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma
Authors: Sakai Takashi , Azuma Yoko , Kusano Megumi , Kato Shumpei , Koezuka Satoshi , Iyoda Akira
Published: February 2024

Pulmonary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (HGNECs) have poor prognoses and require multimodal treatment, and interstitial lung disease (ILD) restricts sufficient treatment of patients with lung cancer. We aimed to clarify ILD’s prognostic impact on pulmonary HGNEC, which has previously gone unreported. We retrospectively analyzed 53 patients with HGNEC who underwent resections at our department between 2006 and 2021 and evaluated the clinicopathological prognostic features, including ILD. The patients’ mean age was 70 years; 46 (87%) were male, and all were smokers. Large-cell neuroendocrine and small-cell lung carcinomas were diagnosed in 36 (68%) and 17 (32%) patients, respectively. The pathological stages were stage I, II, and III in 31 (58%), 11 (21%), and 11 (21%) patients, respectively. Nine patients (17%) had ILD, a significant overall survival prognostic factor in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis (p = 0.032), along with non-administration of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.002), non-receival of adjuvant chemotherapy, and adverse event development. The 5-year survival rate of the ILD patients was 0%, significantly worse than that of patients without ILD (58.7%; p = 0.003). Patients with HGNEC and ILD had a poor prognosis owing to adjuvant therapy’s limited availability for recurrence and the development of AEs associated with ILD.
Integration of Mind Mapping and In-Situ Simulation Training to Enhance the Implementation of Sepsis Hour-1 Bundle Treatment
Authors: Zhao Libo , Wu Chengli , Su Jiaqiong , Bai Hao , Xia Qin , Ma Wanyu , Wang Ruixia
Published: February 2024

Background: Sepsis is one of the most challenging and complex clinical states, with persistently high mortality rates. Guidelines recommend the early identification of sepsis patients and immediate initiation of the Hour-1 Bundle treatment to reduce mortality from sepsis. Emergency nurses play a vital role in the early screening of sepsis. Studies indicate that mind mapping and In-Situ Simulation (ISS) training not only aid healthcare professionals in reinforcing theoretical knowledge retention but also enhance skills in coordination, task management, and communication during simulation exercises. This, in turn, promotes the effective implementation of various treatments during resuscitation. The combination of theoretical and practical training methods is more effective than a single training approach. In June 2023, our hospital's emergency department conducted training for emergency nurses on sepsis mind mapping combined with ISS.Objective: To explore the effect of mind mapping combined with ISS training in promoting the emergency nurses' implementation of the Hour-1 Bundle in sepsis patients.Methods: Using mind mapping and ISS training methods, 24 emergency nurses were divided into 6 groups for a 3-month training period. The study compared their pre- and post-training knowledge of sepsis, identification and diagnostic time, Hour-1 Bundle treatment completion rate, and non-technical skill scores. Post-training, the emergency nurses evaluated the training's effectiveness.Results: The scores for sepsis knowledge among emergency nurses before and after training were 44.17±9.21 and 60.42±5.29, respectively. The identification and diagnostic times (hours) were 0.63±0.18 and 0.49±0.13, respectively. The Hour-1 Bundle treatment completion rates were 58.33% and 85.7%, respectively. There was a significant increase in all non-technical skill scores, with statistical significance (P<0.05,P<0.001). After two ISS trainings, the SET-M scores progressively increased, indicating a high satisfaction rate among nurses with the mind mapping and ISS training.Conclusion: The combination of mind mapping and ISS training enables emergency nurses to identify sepsis earlier and promotes the effective implementation of the Hour-1 Bundle treatment in sepsis patients, while also enhancing their cognitive understanding of sepsis and non-technical skills.
Various Roles of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Thyroid Function in Papillary Thyroid Micro- and Macro-carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Lei , Zhao Min , Zhao Lianshuang
Published: February 2024

Background
Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most prevalent endocrine cancers. Moreover, patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) are more prone to malignant tumors. The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) combined with HT is on the rise. However, a definitive consensus remains elusive.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 2049 patients with PTC (1033 with HT and 1016 without HT). We explored its influence on extrathyroidal extension (ETE), central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), and RAF kinase, B-type (BRAF) mutations through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Results
Patients with PTC and HT exhibited a lower prevalence of ETE compared to those without HT (5.6% vs. 8.1%, P = 0.017). Notably, this trend persisted in the case of BRAF (V600E) mutations (90.1% vs. 96.2%, P < 0.001), indicating a consistent association. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that HT independently predicted a reduced risk of BRAF(V600E) mutation in both PTMC (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20–0.63) and PTC (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.23–0.68), even after meticulous adjustment for age and sex. Furthermore, hypothyroidism emerged as a significant risk factor for an increased prevalence of ETE in patients with PTC (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.17–6.21), but not in patients with PTMC.
Conclusion
In conclusion, HT may reduce the occurrence of BRAF mutations in patients with PTC and PTMC, whereas patients with PTC and hypothyroidism have an elevated risk of ETE. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and ascertain potential clinical implications.
Treatment Patterns and Prognostic Factors in Stage I-III Male Breast Cancer: Multicentric Study of Turkish Socİety for Radİatİon Oncology Breast Cancer Study Group (Trod 06-013)
Authors: Aslan Dicle , Alanyalı Senem , Ozsaran Zeynep , Ibis Kamuran Arslan , Gorken Ilknur Bilkay , Sarper Emine Binnaz , Yıldız Ferah , Canbolat Hanifi Eren , Yıldırım Berna Akkus , Mermut Ozlem , Erdis Eda , Serarslan Alparslan , Bolukbası Yasemin
Published: February 2024

Aim
Clinicopathologic,demographic characteristics, and treatment patterns of patients diagnosed with male breast cancer (MBC) and treated with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in the last 20 years were retrospectively analyzed.
Material and Method:
Between January 2000 and January 2021, 207 patients diagnosed with MBC, all of whom underwent RT, were recruited from 25 centers.Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine the rates of overall survival (OS),progression-free survival (PFS),and loco-regional recurrence-free survival(LRRFS).Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between histopathologic data and survival and prognostic factors.
Results
Estrogen receptor (ER) was positive in 93% and progesterone receptor (PR) in 83.4% patients.Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) was negative in 75.4%.In multivariate analysis; > 5 cm tumor, > 50 years of age, pathological lymph node stage(pN) as pN2 or pN3, pathological tumor stage (pT) as pT3 or pT4, TNM stage III, nipple invasion, skin invasion, and ER negativity was related with shortened OS.These prognostic factors for PFS and LRRFS were similar except ER status.There was no difference in survival rates between pN0 and pN1 groups nor pT1 and pT2 groups.OS and LRRFS were longer in patients treated with endocrine therapy (ET). However,there was no difference between the tamoxifen (TMX) group and the aromatase inhibitor (AI) + luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRH-a) group (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
The most important poor prognostic factors in MBC were tumor size exceeding 5 cm,pN2 and above, and age > 50 years at first diagnosis.We also found that adjuvant ET was beneficial for survival,but there was no difference between the AI and TMX groups.
Sleep-promotion of probiotics-fermented Gastrodia elata Bl.: Chemical variation and omics exploration.
Authors: Zhang Qiang , zhang chaoqi , zhang xudong , wang yan , liu yihan , zhang cunli
Published: February 2024

Fermentation of Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) could enhance its bioactivities. We hypothesized probiotic-fermented GE with better potential to alleviate insomnia than thatof unfermented, thus the changes in chemical composition and the insomnia-alleviating effects and mechanisms of fermented GE on PTZ-induced insomnia zebrafish were explored via HPLC and LCMS, phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolomics analysis. The results demonstrated that probiotic fermented GE performed better than unfermented GE in increasing the content of chemical composition, reducing the displacement, average speed, and number of apoptotic cells in zebrafish with insomnia. Metabolomic investigation showed that the anti-insomnia effect was related to regulating the pathways of actin cytoskeleton and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions. Transcriptomic and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that SFL significantly modulated the expression levels of neurod1, msh2, msh3, recql4, ercc5, rad5lc, and rev3l, which are mainly involved in neuron differentiation and DNA repair. Collectively, as a functional food, Fermented GE possessed potential for insomnia alleviation.
The temporal variation of CH 4 emissions embodied in Chinese supply chains, 2000-2020
Authors: Wu Jiaxi , Chen Mengxin , Sun Xialing , Meng Zheng
Published: February 2024

Although the issue of embodied pollutants in China's supply chains has garnered increasing attention, the dynamic changes occurring within them are unclear. Several existing studies analyse one-year or short-term data in supply chain; however, conducting long-term analyses can yield a deeper understanding of the dynamic changes across the entire supply chain—from production to consumption. This study uses the environmentally extended input–output analysis (EEIOA) and structural path analysis (SPA) methods to investigate the dynamic variation of China’s embodied CH4 emissions in 20 economic sectors from 2000 to 2020, aiming to determine the key supply chain and key sectors. The results reveal that from the final demand perspective, the sector with the highest embodied CH4 emissions has changed from “Agriculture” in 2000 to “Construction” in 2010 to “Other service and activities’ in 2020. The top listed supply chain path of embodied CH4 emissions has also evolved (starting from production to consumption) from “Agriculture→Rural consumption” in 2000 to “Agriculture→Food and tobacco→Urban consumption” in 2010 to “Agriculture→ Urban consumption” in 2020. Notably, the high ranked path, “Agriculture→Food and tobacco→Rural consumption”, shows that the embodied CH4 emission flowing between agriculture and the food industry cannot be ignored. The supply chain path “Coal Mining→Nonmetal Mineral Products→Construction→Capital Formation” has risen from the 17th position in 2000 to the 3rd position in 2020. Thus, it is necessary to control CH4 emissions from sectors upstream, which are predominantly influenced by the construction industry, and a coordinated effort between sectors is also required to effectively reduce emissions. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of China's supply chain over the past two decades. In particular, it suggests policy interventions by controlling critical supply chain paths and key sectors associated with embodied CH4 emission, thereby facilitating the coordinated reduction of anthropogenic CH4 emissions.