bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estudantes com altas habilidades ou superdotação: desdobramentos dos índices da Sinopse Estatística e dos Microdados na Região Sudeste do Brasil
Authors: Rangni Rosemeire de Araújo , Rossi Carlos Samuel , Koga Fabiana Oliveira
Published: April 2021

As altas habilidades ou superdotação (AHSD) pertence ao público da Educação Especial e os estudantes têm direito ao atendimento educacional especializado, garantido na legislação brasileira. Nessa perspectiva, eles são cadastrados pelas escolas e esses registros são armazenados, analisados e publicizados pela Sinopse Estatística e Microdados. O problema de pesquisa parte dos dados da Sinopse Estatística e dos Microdados da Região Sudeste do Brasil, nos anos de 2018 e 2019, ambos disponibilizados pelo Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira (INEP), vinculado ao Ministério da Educação. A Região Sudeste, brasileira, é composta por quatro Estados: Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo. Para tanto, o objetivo foi investigar e analisar os índices de matrículas de estudantes com AHSD da Sinopse Estatística e dos Microdados da Região Sudeste do Brasil nos anos de 2018 e 2019. O método utilizado foi a Pesquisa Documental de caráter qualitativo e quantitativo. A coleta de dados foi por meio das buscas na Sinopse Estatística e Microdados e analisadas em sete variáveis elencadas, nas quais foram aplicadas a tabela cruzada e a frequência. Os resultados obtidos indicaram uma diferença nos dados da Sinopse Estatística em comparação ao Microdados, pois, nos anos de 2018 e 2019 a Sinopse Estatística apresentou um aumento de 486,42% de estudantes com AHSD e nos Microdados houve um crescimento de 387,22% no mesmo período. Conclui-se que, os Microdados requerem mais transparência de acesso e exploração dos dados.
Fatores de risco que levam o câncer do colo do útero: Uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Barros Sabrina Sousa , Resende Amanda Kelly Ferreira , Silva Dariely de Oliveira , Silva Marcelo da , Sousa Marcos Roberto Nascimento , Oliveira Ana Paula Melo , Araújo Sara Samara Ferreira de , Freitas Anderson Pereira , Souza Aloiso Sampaio , Fontoura Guilherme Martins Gomes , Andrade Evanielle Souza , Souza Danilo Sampaio , Melo Flávia Maria Martins , Rocha Gabriel Mauriz de Moura , Leal Evaldo Sales
Published: April 2021

O câncer do colo do útero, conhecido também como cervical, é considerado um importante problema de saúde que atinge as mulheres em todos os continentes. Diante disso, surgiu a seguinte problemática: quais fatores de risco que contribuem para o desenvolvimento do câncer do colo do útero? Objetiva-se avaliar os fatores de risco que levam ao câncer do colo do útero. A presente pesquisa trata-se de uma revisão integrativa, em que foi realizada mediante as seguintes bases de dados: Biblioteca Virtual em saúde (BVS), LILACS, SCIELO, MEDLINE e BDENF. As palavras chave utilizadas seguiram a descrição dos termos Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DECS). Foram elas: Fatores, riscos, neoplasias do colo do útero. Para a seleção dos estudos, os critérios de inclusão utilizados foram artigos, de (2014-2019), disponibilizados de forma integral e com livre acesso ao texto e que estivessem adequados ao tema proposto e estudos na língua portuguesa. De acordo com os achados foi possível constatar que os principais fatores envolvidos no desencadeamento do câncer de colo de útero foram: ser tabagistas ou ex-tabagistas, baixa renda, percepção negativa da própria saúde, uso do álcool, baixa escolaridade e renda familiar mensal, precocidade da coitarca, não uso do preservativo, paridade, baixa cobertura do rastreamento, ser solteira e falta de acesso ao serviço de saúde. Os objetivos do estudo foram alcançados de forma satisfatória, à medida que os resultados obtidos mostraram integralmente os fatores envolvidos com o câncer uterino. Um dos desafios encontrados foi a escassez de artigos relacionado ao tema.
Estágio Supervisionado docente: Uma experiência vivenciada por licenciandos em Biologia em uma escola estadual de Teresina-PI
Authors: Silva Jailson do Nascimento , Brito Marilha Vieira de , Silva Junielson Soares da , Carvalho Maria Raquel Veras de , Sá Gisele Holanda de , Leite Hernando Henrique Batista , Silva Verônica Brito da , Valente Sérgio Emílio dos Santos
Published: April 2021

O Estágio Supervisionado docente é de grande importância para o licenciando, se configurando em uma oportunidade de ter contato com seu futuro ambiente de trabalho. A construção da identidade do professor não pode e nem deve ser considerada somente pelos conhecimentos teóricos adquiridos ao longo da sua formação, sendo o estágio docente o ápice do processo de formação inicial docente. Nesse sentido, a proposta deste trabalho é relatar, as experiências vivenciadas por licenciandos no estágio supervisionado docente em biologia, e suas contribuições para a formação do professor. Durante a convivência, pontos importantes para a formação de um bom profissional foram analisados, como a postura do professor e a capacidade de identificar as necessidades dos alunos e da turma como um todo. O estágio é um processo importante e indispensável para a formação docente. Ele possibilitou a assimilação da teoria e prática, pois através dele o licenciando vivenciou conflitos e dificuldades enfrentadas no dia a dia da sala de aula.  Com o estágio, o futuro profissional pôde conhecer a dinâmica da escola, do processo de planejamento e realização das aulas, o comportamento dos alunos em sala de aula e o dia a dia da profissão. Assim, ficou evidente que esse momento se constitui de fundamental importância para o futuro professor.
Síndrome de Burnout em trabalhadores de Enfermagem de áreas critica
Authors: Melo Andressa Gomes , Oliveira Felipe Henrique de , Antunha Bruna , Jorgetto Giovanna Vallim
Published: April 2021

Objetivo: Conhecer a predisposição para Síndrome de Burnout na equipe de enfermagem em setores críticos em um hospital de média complexidade filantrópico do leste paulista e correlacionar tal predisposição com o perfil sociodemográfico dos mesmos. Método: Estudo de campo, exploratório, quantitativo, de amostragem probabilística intencional, cujos dados foram coletados via instrumento Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), em profissionais de enfermagem alocados nos serviços de UTI Neonatal e Adulto, Unidade de Cuidados Intermediários - Adulto e Neonatal (UCI e UNCI), Pronto Socorro e Centro Cirúrgico, por serem estes setores que prestam assistência de maior complexidade no hospital em questão.  Resultados: Participaram deste estudo 83 participantes profissionais de enfermagem. Perfil sociodemográfico evidenciou prevalência do sexo feminino, faixa etária entre 26 a 40 anos, cargo de técnico em enfermagem e tempo de formação e função acima de cinco anos.  A presença de SB na amostra em estudo apresentou baixo nível para as dimensões exaustão emocional e despersonalização e nível moderado para a realização profissional. Conclusão: A relação entre predisposição para Síndrome de Burnout na equipe de enfermagem de setores críticos onde o estudo foi realizado se fez presente.
Efeitos adversos do tratamento com inibidores seletivos da recaptação da serotonina sobre o feto e neonatais de mães com depressão gestacional: Uma revisão crítica
Authors: Nunes Thais Pereira , Nunes Larissa Pereira , Silva Arles Naisa Amaral , Pirovani Beatriz Ommati , Morábito Maria Juliana Sismeiro Dias , de Morais Leonardo Antônio , Gruba Amanda Scarpin , Nunes Gabriel Pereira
Published: April 2021

A depressão é um dos transtornos psiquiátricos mais comuns, tendo em vista a alta incidência nesta década, nota-se um predomínio maior de ocorrência em mulheres, destacando o transtorno depressivo maior na gestação. Quando diagnosticada, o tratamento é de acordo o nível da doença, e se tratando de nível moderado a grave inicia-se o tratamento farmacológico com antidepressivos. Os medicamentos mais prescritos são os inibidores seletivos da receptação de Serotonina (ISRS), que tornaram-se fármacos de primeira escolha pela maior segurança em relação aos demais. Entretanto, o tratamento com os ISRS durante a gestação tem implicado em efeitos indesejáveis nos fetos e neonatos. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar os efeitos adversos sobre o feto/neonatais de gestantes depressivas que passaram por terapêutica com ISRS. Este estudo caracterizou-se em uma revisão crítica, sendo utilizados os bancos de dados da Pubmed/MEDLINE, Scopus e Web of Science, sendo incluídos 35 artigos. Após análise dos estudos, foi constatado que a terapia com ISRS na depressão gestacional aumenta os riscos no feto e neonatos para defeitos congênitos, como: má formação cardíaca, abstinência neonatal, hipertensão pulmonar persistente e possível associação com transtorno do espectro do autismo. Assim, baseado nas evidências científicas o protocolo medicamentoso com ISRS gera efeitos nocivos a criança, no entanto muitas vezes o seu uso na gestação é inevitável. Dessa forma, em situações em que é necessário usar ISRS, a decisão de tal conduta terapêutica deve ser avaliada analisando os riscos da depressão não tratada e a relação risco/benefício do uso dos medicamentos.
Evaluation of the ecoefficiency of greenhouse gases generation in the provision of complementary meals in a public hospital
Authors: Ribeiro Karla Renata Romagna , Rolim Priscilla Moura , Seabra Larissa Mont’Alverne Jucá , Strasburg Virgílio José
Published: April 2021

The present study aimed to assess Ecoefficiency (EE) related to the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) from the transport of the inputs used to provide complementary meals at a large university hospital in Brazil. For EE calculations, the annual energy supply in kilocalories of the inputs used and the estimated GHG emissions were considered, considering the distance in kilometers between the place of origin of each product and the destination city in southern Brazil. 31 products were used and selected for complementary meals distributed in the groups of: dairy products, cookies, drinks, supplements, and enteral diets for adults and pediatrics. The results showed that EE was directly related to the origin of the products, especially in enteral diets. The application of the Spearman correlation coefficient showed a strong negative correlation of -0.8119 [CI (95%) -0.9023; -0.6531] between the variables distance in kilometers and eco-efficiency and also when comparing GHG emissions with kilocalories. The health sector must play its role in relation to environmental impacts also in the assessment of GHG emissions in the context of nutritional therapy.
Excise tax on fuel in the system of economic instruments for environmental protection
Authors: OSTROVETSKY Vitalii
Published: April 2021

Energy-related CO2 emissions have reached record levels. Such negative trends require intensification of the use of various instruments, economic in particular, which will reduce the negative impact on the ecology , scientific and technological progress and population growth on the planet Earth. One of the most effective and easiest instruments to apply is the excise tax on fuel. In most EU countries, gasoline is subject to an excise tax at rates that are 20-25% higher than the tax rate on diesel fuel. A similar situation is observed in Ukraine. At the same time, it should be noted that excise tax rates in the EU are 3-4 times higher than the rates applied in Ukraine. The world markets are experiencing a collapse in oil prices, as well as gasoline and diesel fuel. The decline in demand is due to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 distribution flow policy. Domestic and international travel is reduced, business and other forms of socio-economic activity are transferred to remote work via the Internet. However, in Ukraine, retail fuel prices remain at the same level. Consequently, producers make profits by taking advantage of changing supply and demand in the relevant markets. Lower excise tax rates in Ukraine compared to the EU, as well as falling world oil prices provide grounds for a gradual increase in excise tax rates on gasoline and diesel fuel in Ukraine. Every 10 Euro increase in the tax rate, other things being equal, will attract UAH 500-600 million to the budget of additional income, increasing the sale price of fuel by 1%. To this end, it is advisable to develop a schedule of such increase, which should be agreed with the main payers of the excise tax on petroleum products (producers and importers), which should be approved in the form of a memorandum or special agreement
Review of the Report on the Public Service Reform by the National Research University Higher School of Economics
Authors: Andreyev Yuriy
Published: April 2021

After proving to be highly effective in technical fields, digital transformation is now making its way into the social field as well. The digital transformation of routine procedures is developing most successfully; the sheer scale of operations makes the results of digital transformation very obvious, which inspires hopes for similar success in applying the same methods to the activities of public authorities. This review covers the concept of the digital transformation of the government, as suggested by the Higher School of Economics. The creators of the concept believe that digital transformation will not only help meet the goals of bureaucratic reform but also improve the quality of governance. They cite the experience of businesses that have extensively integrated digital transformation into their operations as proof of this claim. This review, however, highlights the dangers of applying digital transformation methods to public governance at a superficial level, without analysing the issue's legal background or predicting possible consequences beforehand. We demonstrate that similar attempts at optimising the management of the national economy without changing the underlying economic mechanism, as undertaken in the Soviet period, were ultimately unsuccessful. Each area of economic activity has its own theoretical guidelines and its own unique experience, as reflected in the legal regulations. We do not believe it possible to solve issues in one area of knowledge and activity by using methods that were meant for other areas. Therefore, the HSE's concept, which relies on experience in big data processing, raises some serious questions, some of which are voiced in the review.
Post-Aire Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells and Hassall’s Corpuscles as Inducers of Tonic Pro-Inflammatory Microenvironment
Authors: Laan Martti , Salumets Ahto , Klein Annabel , Reintamm Kerli , Bichele Rudolf , Peterson Hedi , Peterson Pärt
Published: April 2021

While there is convincing evidence on the role of Aire-positive medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) in the induction of central tolerance, the nature and function of post-Aire mTECs and Hassall’s corpuscles have remained enigmatic. Here we summarize the existing data on these late stages of mTEC differentiation with special focus on their potential to contribute to central tolerance induction by triggering the unique pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the thymus. In order to complement the existing evidence that has been obtained from mouse models, we performed proteomic analysis on microdissected samples from human thymic medullary areas at different differentiation stages. The analysis confirms that at the post-Aire stages, the mTECs lose their nuclei but maintain machinery required for translation and exocytosis and also upregulate proteins specific to keratinocyte differentiation and cornification. In addition, at the late stages of differentiation, the human mTECs display a distinct pro-inflammatory signature, including upregulation of the potent endogenous TLR4 agonist S100A8/S100A9. Collectively, the study suggests a novel mechanism by which the post-Aire mTECs and Hassall’s corpuscles contribute to the thymic microenvironment with potential cues on the induction of central tolerance.
Role of Epigenetic Regulation in Plasticity of Tumor Immune Microenvironment
Authors: Yang Yunkai , Wang Yan
Published: April 2021

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), an immunosuppressive niche, plays a pivotal role in contributing to the development, progression, and immune escape of various types of cancer. Compelling evidence highlights the feasibility of cancer therapy targeting the plasticity of TIME as a strategy to retrain the immunosuppressive immune cells, including innate immune cells and T cells. Epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and noncoding RNA-mediated regulation, regulate the expression of many human genes and have been reported to be accurate in the reprogramming of TIME according to vast majority of published results. Recently, mounting evidence has shown that the gut microbiome can also influence the colorectal cancer and even extraintestinal tumors via metabolites or microbiota-derived molecules. A tumor is a kind of heterogeneous disease with specificity in time and space, which is not only dependent on genetic regulation, but also regulated by epigenetics. This review summarizes the reprogramming of immune cells by epigenetic modifications in TIME and surveys the recent progress in epigenetic-based cancer clinical therapeutic approaches. We also discuss the ongoing studies and future areas of research that benefits to cancer eradication.
Metabolic Control of Autoimmunity and Tissue Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Qiu Jingtao , Wu Bowen , Goodman Stuart B. , Berry Gerald J. , Goronzy Jorg J. , Weyand Cornelia M.
Published: April 2021

Like other autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) develops in distinct stages, with each phase of disease linked to immune cell dysfunction. HLA class II genes confer the strongest genetic risk to develop RA. They encode for molecules essential in the activation and differentiation of T cells, placing T cells upstream in the immunopathology. In Phase 1 of the RA disease process, T cells lose a fundamental function, their ability to be self-tolerant, and provide help for autoantibody-producing B cells. Phase 2 begins many years later, when mis-differentiated T cells gain tissue-invasive effector functions, enter the joint, promote non-resolving inflammation, and give rise to clinically relevant arthritis. In Phase 3 of the RA disease process, abnormal innate immune functions are added to adaptive autoimmunity, converting synovial inflammation into a tissue-destructive process that erodes cartilage and bone. Emerging data have implicated metabolic mis-regulation as a fundamental pathogenic pathway in all phases of RA. Early in their life cycle, RA T cells fail to repair mitochondrial DNA, resulting in a malfunctioning metabolic machinery. Mitochondrial insufficiency is aggravated by the mis-trafficking of the energy sensor AMPK away from the lysosomal surface. The metabolic signature of RA T cells is characterized by the shunting of glucose toward the pentose phosphate pathway and toward biosynthetic activity. During the intermediate and terminal phase of RA-imposed tissue inflammation, tissue-residing macrophages, T cells, B cells and stromal cells are chronically activated and under high metabolic stress, creating a microenvironment poor in oxygen and glucose, but rich in metabolic intermediates, such as lactate. By sensing tissue lactate, synovial T cells lose their mobility and are trapped in the tissue niche. The linkage of defective DNA repair, misbalanced metabolic pathways, autoimmunity, and tissue inflammation in RA encourages metabolic interference as a novel treatment strategy during both the early stages of tolerance breakdown and the late stages of tissue inflammation. Defining and targeting metabolic abnormalities provides a new paradigm to treat, or even prevent, the cellular defects underlying autoimmune disease.
Posttranslational and Therapeutic Control of Gasdermin-Mediated Pyroptosis and Inflammation
Authors: Fischer Fabian A. , Chen Kaiwen W. , Bezbradica Jelena S.
Published: April 2021

Pyroptosis is a proinflammatory form of cell death, mediated by membrane pore-forming proteins called gasdermins. Gasdermin pores allow the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and cause cell swelling and cell lysis leading to release of other intracellular proteins that act as alarmins to perpetuate inflammation. The best characterized, gasdermin D, forms pores via its N-terminal domain, generated after the cleavage of full length gasdermin D by caspase-1 or -11 (caspase-4/5 in humans) typically upon sensing of intracellular pathogens. Thus, gasdermins were originally thought to largely contribute to pathogen-induced inflammation. We now know that gasdermin family members can also be cleaved by other proteases, such as caspase-3, caspase-8 and granzymes, and that they contribute to sterile inflammation as well as inflammation in autoinflammatory diseases or during cancer immunotherapy. Here we briefly review how and when gasdermin pores are formed, and then focus on emerging endogenous mechanisms and therapeutic approaches that could be used to control pore formation, pyroptosis and downstream inflammation.
Cells of the Immune System in Cardiac Remodeling: Main Players in Resolution of Inflammation and Repair After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Kologrivova Irina , Shtatolkina Marina , Suslova Tatiana , Ryabov Vyacheslav
Published: April 2021

The burden of heart failure (HF), developing after myocardial infarction MI, still represents a major issue in clinical practice. Failure of appropriate resolution of inflammation during post-myocardial injury is associated with unsuccessful left ventricular remodeling and underlies HF pathogenesis. Cells of the immune system have been shown to mediate both protective and damaging effects in heart remodeling. This ambiguity of the role of the immune system and inconsistent results of the recent clinical trials question the benefits of anti-inflammatory therapies during acute MI. The present review will summarize knowledge of the roles that different cells of the immune system play in the process of post-infarct cardiac healing. Data on the phenotype, active molecules and functions of the immune cells, based on the results of both experimental and clinical studies, will be provided. For some cellular subsets, such as macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells and lymphocytes, an anti-inflammatory activity has been attributed to the specific subpopulations. Activity of other cells, such as eosinophils, mast cells, natural killer (NK) cells and NKT cells has been shown to be highly dependent of the signals created by micro-environment. Also, new approaches for classification of cellular phenotypes based on the single-cell RNA sequencing allow better understanding of the phenotype of the cells involved in resolution of inflammation. Possible perspectives of immune-mediated therapy for AMI patients are discussed in the conclusion. We also outline unresolved questions that need to be solved in order to implement the current knowledge on the role of the immune cells in post-MI tissue repair into practice.
Molecular and Clinical Characterization of CCT2 Expression and Prognosis via Large-Scale Transcriptome Profile of Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Qiang , Qi Yihang , Kong Xiangyi , Wang Xiangyu , Zhang Wenxiang , Zhai Jie , Yang Yazhe , Fang Yi , Wang Jing
Published: April 2021

Molecular chaperones play important roles in regulating various cellular processes and malignant transformation. Expression of some subunits of molecular chaperone CCT/TRiC complex have been reported to be correlated with cancer development and patient survival. However, little is known about the expression and prognostic significance of Chaperonin Containing TCP1 Subunit 2 (CCT2). CCT2 is a gene encoding a molecular chaperone that is a member of the chaperonin containing TCP1 complex (CCT), also known as the TCP1 ring complex (TRiC). Through the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) databases, we systematically reviewed a total of 2,994 cases with transcriptome data and analyzed the functional annotation of CCT2 by Gene ontology and KEGG analysis. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis were performed to investigate the prognostic value of CCT2 in breast cancer. We found CCT2 was significantly upregulated in various tumors. In breast cancer, CCT2 expression was significantly upregulated in HER2-positive (HER2+) group, and more malignant group. In addition, we investigated correlations between CCT2 and other CCT members. Interestingly, almost all CCTs expression were positively correlated with each other, but not CCT6B. Survival analysis suggested that CCT2 overexpression was independently associated with worse prognosis of patients with breast cancer, especially in luminal A subtype. In summary, our results revealed that CCT2 might be involved in regulating cell cycle pathway, and independently predicted worse prognosis in breast cancer patients. These findings may expand understanding of potential anti-CCT2 treatments. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most comprehensive study characterizing the expression pattern of CCT2 together with its prognostic values in breast cancer.
CUL4B Promotes Temozolomide Resistance in Gliomas by Epigenetically Repressing CDNK1A Transcription
Authors: Ye Xiang , Liu Xiaochen , Gao Min , Gong Li , Tian Fei , Shen Yangli , Hu Huili , Sun Gongping , Zou Yongxin , Gong Yaoqin
Published: April 2021

Resistance to temozolomide (TMZ), the first-line chemotherapeutic drug for glioblastoma (GBM) and anaplastic gliomas, is one of the most significant obstacles in clinical treatment. TMZ resistance is regulated by complex genetic and epigenetic networks. Understanding the mechanisms of TMZ resistance can help to identify novel drug targets and more effective therapies. CUL4B has been shown to be upregulated and promotes progression and chemoresistance in several cancer types. However, its regulatory effect and mechanisms on TMZ resistance have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to decipher the role and mechanism of CUL4B in TMZ resistance. Western blot and public datasets analysis showed that CUL4B was upregulated in glioma specimens. CUL4B elevation positively correlated with advanced pathological stage, tumor recurrence, malignant molecular subtype and poor survival in glioma patients receiving TMZ treatment. CUL4B expression was correlated with TMZ resistance in GBM cell lines. Knocking down CUL4B restored TMZ sensitivity, while upregulation of CUL4B promoted TMZ resistance in GBM cells. By employing senescence β-galactosidase staining, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, we found that CUL4B coordinated histone deacetylase (HDAC) to co-occupy the CDKN1A promoter and epigenetically silenced CDKN1A transcription, leading to attenuation of TMZ-induced senescence and rendering the GBM cells TMZ resistance. Collectively, our findings identify a novel mechanism by which GBM cells develop resistance to TMZ and suggest that CUL4B inhibition may be beneficial for overcoming resistance.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Status and Response to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Advanced Chinese Female Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Chang Qing , Qiang Huiping , Qian Jialin , Lei Yuqiong , Lu Jiahuan , Feng Hui , Zhao Yiming , Han Baohui , Zhang Yanwei , Chu Tianqing
Published: April 2021

Background

The frequency of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in Chinese female patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are unknown. This study was designed to investigate the incidence of EGFR mutations and the role of targeted therapy in advanced Chinese female lung SCC patients.

Methods

Advanced female patients diagnosed with lung SCC at the Shanghai Chest Hospital between January 2013 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

A total of 4223 advanced lung SCC patients were screened, and there were 154 female lung SCC patients who had underwent EGFR mutation detection. Positive EGFR mutations were found in 29.9% (46/154) of female lung SCC patients, including twenty-three 19del mutation (14.9%), twenty-one 21L858R mutation (13.6%) and other mutations (1.4%, 21861Q and 20ins). For 45 EGFR positive mutation female SCC patients, the median progression-free survival (PFS) of patients who received EGFR-TKI therapy (n=38) was 8.0 months (95% CI, 5.4-10.7 months), which was significantly longer than patients who were treated with chemotherapy (8.0 vs. 3.2 months, p=0.024), and the median overall survival (OS) was also longer (24.9 months vs. 13.9 months, p=0.020). The objective response rate (ORR) was 44.7% (17/38), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 81.6% (31/38). For 105 female SCC patients with EGFR negative mutation, the median OS was 18.6 months (95% CI, 14.2-22.9 months) and it was no different from that of EGFR positive mutation patients (18.6 vs. 22.8 months, p=0.377).

Conclusion

For advanced Chinese female lung SCC patients with EGFR positive mutations, targeted therapy could confer longer PFS and OS than chemotherapy, but the survival was similar with patients who were negative EGFR mutations.
Overexpression of PELP1 in Lung Adenocarcinoma Promoted E2 Induced Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of the Tumor Cells and Predicted a Worse Outcome of the Patients
Authors: Zhang Dongmei , Dai Jiali , Pan Yu , Wang Xiuli , Qiao Juanjuan , Sasano Hironobu , Zhao Baoshan , McNamara Keely M. , Guan Xue , Liu Lili , Zhang Yanzhi , Chan Monica S. M. , Cao Shuwen , Liu Ming , Song Sihang , Wang Lin
Published: April 2021

The expression of Proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1) has been reported to be dysregulated in non-small cell lung carcinoma, especially in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the functional and prognostic roles of PELP1 in LUAD in this study. We first immunolocalized PELP1 in 76 cases of LUAD and 17 non-pathological or tumorous lung (NTL) tissue specimens and correlated the findings with the clinicopathological parameters of the patients. We then performed in vitro analysis including MTT, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assays in order to further explore the biological roles of PELP1 in 17-β-estradiol (E2) induced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD cells. We subsequently evaluated the prognostic significance of PELP1 in LUAD patients using the online survival analysis tool Kaplan-Meier Plotter. The status of PELP1 immunoreactivity in LUAD was significantly higher than that in the NTL tissues and significantly positively correlated with less differentiated features of carcinoma cells, positive lymph node metastasis, higher clinical stage as well as the status of ERα, ERβ, and PCNA. In vitro study did reveal that E2 promoted cell proliferation and migration and elevated PELP1 protein level in PELP1-high A549 and H1975 cells but not in PELP1-low H-1299 cells. Knock down of PELP1 significantly attenuated E2 induced cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle progress as well as migration and invasion of A549 and H1975 cells. Kaplan-Meier Plotter revealed that LUAD cases harboring higher PELP1 expression had significantly shorter overall survival. In summary, PELP1 played a pivotal role in the estrogen-induced aggressive transformation of LUAD and could represent adverse clinical outcome of the LUAD patients.
Coupled Fluid–Solid Numerical Simulation for Flow Field Characteristics and Supporting Performance of Flexible Support Cylindrical Gas Film Seal
Authors: Sun Junfeng , Liu Meihong , Xu Zhen , Liao Taohong , Hu Xiangping , Li Yuxian , Wang Juan
Published: April 2021

A new type of cylindrical gas film seal (CGFS) with a flexible support is proposed according to the working characteristics of the fluid dynamic seal in high-rotational-speed fluid machinery, such as aero-engines and centrifuges. Compared with the CGFS without a flexible support, the CGFS with flexible support presents stronger radial floating characteristics since it absorbs vibration and reduces thermal deformation of the rotor system. Combined with the structural characteristics of a film seal, an analytical model of CGFS with a flexible wave foil is established. Based on the fluid-structure coupling analysis method, the three-dimensional flow field of a straight-groove CGFS model is simulated to study the effects of operating and structural parameters on the steady-state characteristics and the effects of gas film thickness, eccentricity, and the number of wave foils on the equivalent stress of the flexible support. Simulation results show that the film stiffness increases significantly when the depth of groove increases. When the gas film thickness increases, the average equivalent stress of the flexible support first decreases and then stabilizes. Furthermore, the number of wave foils affects the average foils thickness. Therefore, when selecting the number of wave foils, the support stiffness and buffer capacity should be considered simultaneously.
Online Identification-Verification-Prediction Method for Parallel System Control of UAVs
Authors: Huang Yixin , Xiang Xiaojia , Zhou Han , Tang Dengqing , Sun Yihao
Published: April 2021

In order to solve the problem of how to efficiently control a large-scale swarm Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system, which performs complex tasks with limited manpower in a non-ideal environment, this paper proposes a parallel UAV swarm control method. The key technology of parallel control is to establish a one-to-one artificial UAV system corresponding to the aerial swarm UAV on the ground. This paper focuses on the computational experiments algorithm for artificial UAV system establishment, including data processing, model identification, model verification and state prediction. Furthermore, this paper performs a comprehensive flight mission with four common modes (climbing, level flighting, turning and descending) for verification. The results of the identification experiment present a good consistency between the outputs of the refined dynamics model and the real flight data. The prediction experiment results show that the prediction method in this paper can basically guarantee that the prediction states error is kept within 10% about 16 s.
Aeroelastic Stability Analysis of Electric Aircraft Wings with Distributed Electric Propulsors
Authors: Amoozgar Mohammadreza , Friswell Michael I. , Fazelzadeh Seyed Ahmad , Haddad Khodaparast Hamed , Mazidi Abbas , Cooper Jonathan E.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, the effect of distributed electric propulsion on the aeroelastic stability of an electric aircraft wing was investigated. All the electric propulsors, which are of different properties, are attached to the wing of the aircraft in different positions. The wing structural dynamics was modelled by using geometrically exact beam equations, while the aerodynamic loads were simulated by using an unsteady aerodynamic theory. The electric propulsors were modelled by using a concentrated mass attached to the wing, and the motor’s thrust and angular momentum were taken into account. The thrust of each propulsor was modelled as a follower force acting exactly at the centre of gravity of the propulsor. The nonlinear aeroelastic governing equations were discretised using a time–space scheme, and the obtained results were verified against available results and very good agreement was observed. Two case studies were considered throughout the paper, resembling two flight conditions of the electric aircraft. The numerical results show that the tip propulsor thrust, mass, and angular momentum had the most impact on the aeroelastic stability of the wing. In addition, it was observed that the high-lift motors had a minimal effect on the aeroelastic stability of the wing.
Distribution, Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Aegilops tauschii Coss. in Major Wheat-Growing Regions in China
Authors: Yu Haiyan , Yang Juan , Cui Hailan , Abbas Adeel , Wei Shouhui , Li Xiangju
Published: April 2021

Aegilops tauschii Coss. is known as a noxious grass weed seriously affecting wheat quality and yield. To investigate its present occurrence in wheat fields and the potential genetic diversity of the grass weed in China, a filed survey covering major wheat production regions was conducted during 2017–2019. Seeds of different Ae. tauschii populations collected from the survey were analyzed with Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) technique. Results showed that Ae. tauschii was occurring in each of the provinces surveyed with varied occurrence frequency ranging from 0.91% in Sichuan Province to 92.85% in Henan Provinces. Eighty alleles with size ranging from 98 bp to 277 bp were detected from the 192 collected Ae. tauschii populations with 17 SSR markers. Ae. tauschii, in this study, exhibited a moderately high level of genetic diversity, high differentiation, deficient heterozygosity and limited gene flow. Compared with other provinces, Hubei populations possessed relatively low genetic diversity. Dendrogram analysis showed that genetic distance did not seem to be related to geographic distribution. Additionally, STRUCTURE analysis suggested that Ae. tauschii populations in wheat fields of China can be divided into three groups, which was further supported by cluster analysis. Among the three groups, solely 7% of the total variation was detected, whereas the majority variation (67%) occurred among different populations within same group. Undoubtedly, such information will help us to better understand population relationships and spread of Ae. tauschii in China and will provide a new perspective for its integrated management.
The Effect of Foliar Fertilization with Micronutrients on Disease Severity and Mycotoxin Concentrations in the Grain of Winter Spelt (Triticum aestivum spp. spelta L.): A Case Study
Authors: Cwalina-Ambroziak Bożena , Stępień Arkadiusz , Waśkiewicz Agnieszka , Grzywińska-Rąpca Małgorzata
Published: April 2021

The effect of mineral fertilization (NPK), foliar fertilization with micronutrients (Cu, Zn and Mn) and the NanoGro biostimulant on the severity of leaf, spike, stem base and root diseases in winter spelt cv. Schwabenkorn was evaluated in a field-plot experiment. A mycological analysis was performed and the content of Fusarium mycotoxins in grain was determined. Mineral fertilization (NPK), foliar fertilization with micronutrients and the NanoGro biostimulant exerted varied effects on the severity of Septoria leaf blotch and Septoria glume blotch, they promoted the spread of brown rust (excluding the NPK + NanoGro treatment) and inhibited the spread of black head mold (excluding the NPK treatment), eyespot and Fusarium foot and root rot (excluding the NPK + Mn treatment). Fertilization had no influence on grain yield or the content of Fusarium mycotoxins in grain. The concentrations of deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), zearalenone (ZEA) and fumonisins FB1 + FB2 did not exceed the maximum permissible levels (except for DON in NPK + Cu + Zn + Mn and NPK + NanoGro treatments). Throughout the experiment, ergosterol (ERG) concentrations were highest in the grain of unfertilized spelt plants.
Phenotypic, Genetic, and Epigenetic Variation among Diverse Sweet Cherry Gene Pools
Authors: Avramidou Evangelia V. , Moysiadis Theodoros , Ganopoulos Ioannis , Michailidis Michail , Kissoudis Christos , Valasiadis Dimitrios , Kazantzis Konstantinos , Tsaroucha Eirini , Tsaftaris Athanasios , Molassiotis Athanassios , Aravanopoulos Filippos A. , Xanthopoulou Aliki
Published: April 2021

Sweet cherry germplasm contains a high variety of phenotypes which are associated with fruit size and shape as well as sugar content, etc. High phenotypic variation can be a result of genetic or epigenetic diversity that may interact through time. Recent studies have provided evidence that besides allelic variation, epiallelic variation can establish new heritable phenotypes. Herein we conducted a genetic and an epigenetic study (using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) markers, respectively), accompanied by phenotypic traits correlation analysis in sweet cherry gene pools. The mean genetic diversity was greater than the epigenetic diversity (hgen = 0.193; hepi = 0.185), while no significant relationship was found between genetic and epigenetic distance according to a Mantel test. Furthermore, according to correlation analyses our results provided evidence that epigenetic diversity in predefined populations of sweet cherry had a stronger impact on phenotypic traits than their rich genetic diversity.
Addendum: Werner, D.; et al. Early Immunocastration of Pigs: From Farming to Meat Quality. Animals 2021, 11, 298
Authors: Werner Daniela , Baldinger Lisa , Bussemas Ralf , Büttner Sinje , Weißmann Friedrich , Ciulu Marco , Mörlein Johanna , Mörlein Daniel
Published: April 2021

The authors wish to add the following to this paper [...]
Habitat Characteristics Coincidence of Dead and Living Long-Tailed Gorals (Naemorhedus caudatus) According to Extreme Snowfall
Authors: Park Hee-Bok , Hong Sungwon
Published: April 2021

The long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus) is a critically endangered herbivore in South Korea. Despite government efforts to recover the population through reintroduction programs, the animal remains vulnerable to heavy snowfall. From March to June 2010, 24 animals were found dead due to heavy snowfall in the Wangpi Stream basin. In this study, we hypothesized that gorals that died due to snowfall are low-status individuals that lived in the sub-optimal or non-suitable areas. Using the occurrence data from extensive field surveys from 2008 to 2010 in the Wangpi Stream and the carcass location data, we (1) defined the goral habitat characteristics and (2) compared the habitat characteristics between dead and living gorals using ensemble species distribution modeling. The results suggested that the sites where dead gorals were found were highly related to typical goral habitats. These results implied that the optimal goral habitats could become uninhabitable following heavy snowfall. Most of the dead animals were pregnant females or were young, implying that they could not escape their primary habitats due to lower mobility. Thus, when there is a climate catastrophe, the optimal goral habitats should be considered for rescue and artificial feeding.
Effects of Maternal and Progeny Dietary Vitamin E on Growth Performance and Antioxidant Status of Progeny Chicks before and after Egg Storage
Authors: Yang Jun , Zhang Keying , Bai Shiping , Zeng Qiufeng , Wang Jianping , Peng Huanwei , Xuan Yue , Su Zhuowei , Ding Xuemei
Published: April 2021

Two trials were conducted to investigate the effects of maternal and progeny dietary vitamin E (VE) supplementation on the growth performance and antioxidant status of offspring before and after egg storage. A total of 576 75-week-old Ross 308 breeder hens were assigned to three dietary VE treatments (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) with 6 replicates of 32 hens for 12 weeks. Two trials were conducted with offspring hatched from eggs laid at weeks 9 and 12 of breeder feeding trial, respectively. Trial 1 was conducted by a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with three levels of maternal dietary VE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and two levels of progeny dietary VE (0 and 35 mg/kg). Trial 2 was conducted with three maternal dietary VE treatment (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), and chicks were hatched from eggs stored for 14 d and received the same progeny diet with no addition of VE. Results showed that in trial 1, maternal (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and progeny (0 and 35 mg/kg) dietary VE supplementation did not affect the growth performance of offspring hatched from unstored eggs (p > 0.05). In trial 2, in the case of long-term egg storage, maternal dietary VE supplementation of 200 and 400 mg/kg increased the body weight (BW) of 21- and 42-d-old offspring and the body weight gain (BWG) of offspring from 1 to 21 d (p < 0.05), and decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of offspring from 1 to 21 d (p < 0.05) compared to 100 mg/kg VE. As the maternal dietary VE levels increased, the liver and serum antioxidant status of offspring enhanced (p < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal dietary VE supplementation of 200 or 400 mg/kg could improve the growth performance and anti-oxidant status of offspring hatched from stored eggs, but not for that of offspring hatched from unstored eggs. The suitable VE level for the broiler breeder diet was 400 mg/kg in the case of long-term egg storage.
Synergistic Protection by Isoquercitrin and Quercetin against Glutamate-Induced Oxidative Cell Death in HT22 Cells via Activating Nrf2 and HO-1 Signaling Pathway: Neuroprotective Principles and Mechanisms of Dendropanax morbifera Leaves
Authors: Park Hye-Jin , Kim Ha-Neul , Kim Chul Young , Seo Min-Duk , Baek Seung-Hoon
Published: April 2021

Dendropanax morbifera leaves (DML) have long been used as traditional medicine to treat diverse symptoms in Korea. Ethyl acetate-soluble extracts of DML (DMLE) rescued HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells from glutamate (Glu)-induced oxidative cell death; however, the protective compounds and mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we aimed to identify the neuroprotective ingredients and mechanisms of DMLE in the Glu-HT22 cell model. Five antioxidant compounds were isolated from DMLE and characterized as chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, quercetin, and rutin by spectroscopic methods. Isoquercitrin and quercetin significantly inhibited Glu-induced oxidative cell death by restoring intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial superoxide generation, Ca2+ dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor. These two compounds significantly increased the expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the presence or absence of Glu treatment. Combinatorial treatment of the five compounds based on the equivalent concentrations in DMLE showed that significant protection was found only in the cells cotreated with isoquercitrin and quercetin, both of whom showed prominent synergism, as assessed by drug–drug interaction analysis. These findings suggest that isoquercitrin and quercetin are the active principles representing the protective effects of DMLE, and these effects were mediated by the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
Design of a Variable-Stiffness Compliant Skin for a Morphing Leading Edge
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Yang Yu
Published: April 2021

A seamless and smooth morphing leading edge has remarkable potential for noise abatement and drag reduction of civil aircraft. Variable-stiffness compliant skin based on tailored composite laminate is a concept with great potential for morphing leading edge, but the currently proposed methods have difficulty in taking the manufacturing constraints or layup sequence into account during the optimization process. This paper proposes an innovative two-step design method for a variable-stiffness compliant skin of a morphing leading edge, which includes layup optimization and layup adjustment. The combination of these two steps can not only improve the deformation accuracy of the final profile of the compliant skin but also easily and effectively determine the layup sequence of the composite layup. With the design framework, an optimization model is created for a variable-stiffness compliant skin, and an adjustment method for its layups is presented. Finally, the deformed profiles between the directly optimized layups and the adjusted ones are compared to verify its morphing ability and accuracy. The final results demonstrate that the obtained deforming ability and accuracy are suitable for a large-scale aircraft wing.