bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ВІЙСЬКОВІ ОРКЕСТРИ ТА КАПЕЛЬМЕЙСТЕРИ КАТЕРИНОСЛАВЩИНИ НА ПОЧАТКУ ХХ СТОЛІТТЯ (їх місце в культурному просторі та професійній музичній освіті)
Authors: Kryvulіa Olena
Published: April 2023

Метою статті є дослідження кола музикантів-виконавців, пов'язаних з військовою музикою, встановлення ряду постатей знаних представників цього напрямку музично-виконавської творчої діяльності, їх впливу на музичний культурний простір регіону, а також підготовку фахівців з гри на академічних духових інструментах (мідний та дерев’яний духовий інструментарій). Коло методів пропонованого дослідження базується на використанні історичного, культурологічного, порівняльного, структурно-функціонального, аксіологічного, а також біографічного методів, пов'язаних з історичними та культурними подіями, численними культурно-мистецькими звершеннями того часу. Наукова новизна презентованої статті полягає у спробі всебічного дослідження та узагальнення мало вивченого певного пласту музичної культури регіону, а саме – багатьох осередків професійної духової військової музики та внеску військових музикантів-капельмейстерів у підготовку фахівців з гри на академічних професійних духових інструментах у перші роки існування Катеринославського відділення Імператорського Російського музичного товариства (далі – КВ ІРМТ). Висновки. Окреслено коло військових частин, духових оркестрів та їх очильників, які приймали активну участь у культурному житті регіону та співпрацювали з КВ ІРМТ у підготовці фахівців з гри на академічних духових інструментах. Аналіз зібраного матеріалу доводить, що військова музика займала важливе місце в культурному житті регіону, а більшість військових капельмейстерів були залучені до підготовки фахівців-виконавців на професійних духових інструментах. Перспективи наукового дослідження означеної тематики полягають у подальшому розгорнутому висвітленні численних осередків військової музики півдня України та їх впливу на формування професійного музичного культурного простору регіону.
РИСИ ПІЗНЬОГО СТИЛЮ Й. БРАМСА (на прикладі циклу органних хоральних прелюдій)
Authors: Yuriychuk Nadezhda
Published: April 2023

Мета статті – виявлення найбільш характерних рис пізнього стилю Йоханнеса Брамса на прикладі циклу його органних хоральних прелюдій, що стали останнім творенням композитора. Коло методів наукового процесу грунтується на оперуванні рядом теоретичних і емпіричних прийомів дослідження, а саме – компаративний метод, який є порівнянням прелюдій між собою і з творами сучасників та попередників Й. Брамса, дескриптивний – оціночно-описовий, а також метод цілісного аналізу Л.А. Мазеля, В.А. Цуккерману. Наукова новизна теми обумовлена ​​відсутністю звернення вітчизняних музикознавців до вивчення органних хоральних прелюдій Й. Брамса як у контексті органної музики композитора в цілому, так і в рамках пізнього етапу його творчості. Також одним з істотних відкриттів статті стало таке твердження, а саме – кожна з прелюдій циклу «ілюструє» один з існуючих типів роботи з першоджерелом – протестантським хоралом. Висновки. Цикл органних хоральних прелюдій Й. Брамса цікавий відразу з декількох ракурсів. У першу чергу, цей опус став останнім серед творів композитора, завершивши весь його творчий шлях. По-друге, хоральні прелюдії утворили своєрідну «арку» в органному доробку Й. Брамса. Композитор звернувся до органної музики вперше на ранньому етапі творчості, в кількох прелюдіях і фугах, а повернувся до цього жанру лише в останньому циклі творів, що побачив світ тільки після смерті Брамса. Цикл став першим після Й.С. Баха зверненням до жанру органних хоральних прелюдій – через півтора століття. Важливо відзначити також поєднання у даному циклі бахівських моделей і відмінних від них, авторських варіантів трактування хоралу. Таким чином, органні хоральні прелюдії виявляються одним з найважливіших і найцікавіших, з точки зору аналізу, зразком пізньої творчості видатного романтика Йоханнеса Брамса.
«СКОМОРОШИНИ» ІГОРЯ ШАМО: СУЧАСНА РЕКОНСТРУКЦІЯ ПРАДАВНІХ СВЯТ
Authors: Gao Chiling
Published: April 2023

Мета статті – здійснити цілісний аналіз «Скоморошин» Ігоря Шамо як сучасної реконструкції прадавніх свят. Методологія дослідження базується на застосуванні історико-контекстуального, жанрово-стильового, структурно-функціонального, а також інтонаційно-драматургічного методів аналізу. Проведений аналіз «Скоморошин» І. Шамо виявив, що часопростір твору охоплює прадавні часи створення Києва й сьогодення – святкування 1500-річниці його заснування. Визначені особливості авторського стилю І. Шамо, для якого властива полістилістика, застосування різноманітного арсеналу засобів художньої виразності: від натурально-ладових зворотів та натурально-ладових модуляцій до акордів мажоро-мінору, енгармонічних модуляцій та вільного застосування акордів джазової гармонії, алеаторики тощо. Наукова новизна роботи полягає у тому, що в даному дослідженні вперше у вітчизняному музикознавстві здійснено цілісний аналіз ораторії (сценічного концерту-вистави) І. Шамо, обґрунтована синтетична сутність жанрового імені, де поєднані ознаки ораторії, концерту, сонатно-симфонічного циклу з театралізацією, що відповідає сенсу жанру прадавньої традиції – скоморошинам. Висновки. У результаті цілісного аналізу «Скоморошин» І. Шамо встановлено, що у розгорненні драматургії беруть участь: Автор, який персоніфікується як хоровим чинником, так і читцем; Скоморох (solo тенора); й колективні герої (скоморохи й народ, що святкує ювілей у ХХ ст.). Саме скоморохи, як дійові особи, отримують значення символів давньоруської культури для створення історичного образу древнього Києва. Виявлено, що композиційна цілісність твору досягається за рахунок тематичних зв’язків, смислових і музично-драматичних арок. Підкреслено, що художній світ «Скоморошин» Ігоря Шамо формується у підсумку поєднань багатопланових образних рішень.
Storage duration impacts on nutritional composition and quality of table eggs
Authors: Adeoye AA , Oyeleye OO , Olorunsola RA , Akinleye P , Ojajuni JB
Published: April 2023

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the duration of storage of ISA brown eggs at room temperature on the nutritional composition and quality of eggs. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) freshly laid eggs by 36 weeks old ISA brown layers were randomly collected and stored at room temperature for 21 days. On each sampling day (at week 0, week 1, week 2, and week 3 of storage), 30 eggs were broken to determine internal and external egg quality traits, proximate composition, and mineral profile.  Collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. Duration of storage had a significant effect (p<0.05) on egg traits, proximate components, and mineral profile except for egg shape index and shell thickness. The overall egg weight, egg length, egg width, shape index, shell weight, shell ratio, and shell thickness were 56.82g, 5.69mm, 4.43mm, 78.02, 7.45g, 13.11, and 0.28mm respectively, while yolk height, albumen height, yolk weight, albumen weight, albumen ratio, yolk ratio, and Haugh unit were 13.55mm, 4.97mm, 16.32g, 33.06g, 58.11, 28.82 and 67.50% respectively. The overall means for moisture, crude protein, ash, fat, and carbohydrate were 76.27%, 12.06%, and 1.83%, 4.62%, and 4.37% respectively. Most of the minerals increased in value as the eggs increased in age. The duration of storage of eggs affected the egg quality, proximate components, and mineral profile as these parameters determine acceptability by consumers.
Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science 52 (1): 15-21, March 2023
Efficacy of Herbicides, Their Effects on Rice Yield Under Saturated Soil Condition
Authors: Abdullah Mohd Razif , Ahmad Hamdani Muhammad Saiful , Zakaria Norazua , Karim SM Rezaul
Published: April 2023

This study was carried out in containers which were placed outdoor to evaluate the efficacy of different herbicides with different mixtures on weed growth suppression in rice and their effects on rice grain yield under saturated soil water regime in two consecutive seasons (cropping season and off season) at the Universiti Putra Malaysia Farm, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia during 2016 to 2017. Eight combinations of different herbicides, viz. T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8 along with weed free and non-weeded treatments were used in the study following a RCBD. Weed composition in the experimental containers and their summed dominant ratio (SDR) at 60 days after planting were recorded from non-treated containers. Naturally grown eleven weed species mainly under the families of Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Pontederiaceae were found in the experimental containers. Based on the SDR values the dominant weed species were Monochoria vaginalis, Echinochloa crus-galli, and Fimbristylis miliacea in both the seasons. Results revealed that four herbicide treatments viz. Pretilachor fb Bentazon/MCPA (T1), Pretilachor+Pyribenzoxim fb Bentazon/MCPA (T2). Bispyribac-sodium fb Bentazon/MCPA (T2), Fenoxaprop+Ethoxysulfuron (T3), fb Bentazon/MCPA (T7) were superior in their effectiveness for weed control in both seasons and gave better rice grain yield with high economic return.
Bangladesh J. Bot. 52(1): 37-44, 2023 (March)
Gene Expression Profiling in Soybean Sprouts With Elevated Disease Resistance Against Pseudomonas Putida Infection
Authors: Dhakal Radhika , Rabbee Muhammad Fazle , Ali Md Sarafat , Choi Jinhee , Baek Kwang Hyun
Published: April 2023

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) is one of the most important crops worldwide providing valuable nutrients and proteins. Previously, disease resistance against Psuedomonas putida infection was induced in soybean sprouts germinated under red right irradiation at 660 nm wavelength. Microarray analysis was conducted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to this red-light-induced disease resistance. Four different treatments were carried out: (1) incubation in darkness without pathogen inoculation (DN), (2) incubation in darkness followed by pathogen inoculation (DI), (3) incubation under red light without pathogen inoculation (RN), and (4) incubation under red light followed by pathogen inoculation (RI). Four different comparisons were made between gene expression sets as follows: (1) DI vs. DN (DI/DN), (2) RI vs. RN (RI/RN), (3) RI vs. DI (RI/DI), and (4) RN vs. DN (RN/DN). Genes exhibiting 3-fold up- or down-regulated changes in expression were scored, which revealed 1539 and 1301 up-regulated and down-regulated genes, respectively. For the comparisons between gene expression sets DI/DN, RI/RN, RI/DI, and RN/DN, there were 1078, 651, 68, and 71 differentially regulated genes, respectively. These genes were further characterized according to their biological processes and molecular functions, and gene expression changes indicated by microarray analysis were validated by real-time PCR. Red-light irradiation regulates expression changes in many genes, whose profiles should be identified to elucidate the complex processes underlying the induced disease resistance.
Bangladesh J. Bot. 52(1): 129-139, 2023 (March)
Efetividade da radioiodoterapia com 131I-metaiodobenzilguanidina (131I-MIBG) para o tratamento do neuroblastoma
Authors: Silva Roberto Carlos Lyra da , Silva Carlos Roberto Lyra da , Mesquita Ayla Maria Farias de , Siqueira Ana Paula , Brunoni Jessica Silva , Ribeiro Lilian Reinaldi , Nigri Regina Bokehi
Published: April 2023

Objetivo: Avaliar se a radioiodoterapia com 131I-metaiodobenzilguanidina (131I-mIBG) aumenta a sobrevida de pacientes com diagnóstico de neuroblastoma, mIBG-ávido, refratários ao tratamento ou de alto risco para recidiva, independentemente do estadiamento da doença. Métodos: Revisão sistemática da literatura. Consultadas as bases Medline (PUBMED), EMBASE e Cochrane Library, sendo incluídos estudos disponíveis em texto completo, publicados nos idiomas inglês, espanhol ou português. Os desfechos de interesse foram a sobrevida global e livre de progressão da doença. Principais Resultados: O tratamento pode ser viável e tolerável em pacientes com neuroblastoma de alto risco, entretanto, os benefícios deste regime para os desfechos de sobrevida são observados apenas nos pacientes que estavam em resposta completa ou muito boa resposta parcial após quimioterapia de indução, antes do início do tratamento com 131I-mIBG. Conclusões: Existem incertezas quanto a efetividade do tratamento com 131I-mIBG para o aumento da sobrevida de pacientes com diagnóstico de neuroblastoma.
FACE MASK DTECTION USING PYTHON
Authors: Singh Siddharth , Choudhary Deepanshu , Kapasia Varun , Garg Neha ,   , CSE, FET, MRIIIRS
Published: April 2023

With the passage of time, technology evolves and improves. It causes many people to rely on technology and becoming digitalized. Everything has some good and bad sides. This is also true with the technology advancement. But assuming that everyone uses technology in a positive way is not a clever approach; some people use it to commit crimes such as robberies and fraud. So, in some circumstances, when a robber is apprehended using a CCTV camera. The positive way modification to the CCTV camera technology is the addition of a facial recognition system. To recognise faces machine learning techniques can be utilized. The facial recognition requires certain data. As per the requirement of Covid protocol too, one must wear a mask to protect himself. As a result, this can also be used to determine whether someone has covered their face with a mask, handkerchief, or other cloth. By using the good data size, the system can be utilized in various dimensions and can help in identifying the person or state of mask used or not. This can further be utilized for challan etc.
A mathematical model on the transmission dynamics of typhoid fever with treatment and booster vaccination
Authors: Kailan Suhuyini Abdulai , Seidu Baba
Published: April 2023

Typhoid fever is a potentially fatal illness that is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. In this study, a deterministic mathematical model was formulated to look into transmission dynamics of typhoid fever with treatment and booster vaccination. The reproduction number R0 is calculated using the next-generation matrix approach. Then, a stability analysis on the equilibrium points was performed using Routh–Hurwitz criteria. It was revealed that the disease-free equilibrium point is locally asymptotically stable whenever R0 is less than 1 together with other conditions. We also showed that R0≤1 does not guarantee global stability of the typhoid-free equilibrium point and corroborated the result by showing the possible existence of backward bifurcation at R0=1. The model parameters in R0 were also subjected to sensitivity analysis, which revealed that the transmission rate, infection through an exposed person, and bacteria are the most influential parameters of the reproduction number R0. Numerical simulations were run to determine the impact of various parameters on the dynamics of typhoid.
Knowledge action vs. creative action: Devices of contrast between old and new in the architectural heritage recovery project
Authors: Romagni Ludovico , Porfiri Simone
Published: April 2023

In a Casabella editorial from a few years ago, dedicated to the recovery of existing architectural heritage, Francesco Dal Co defined restorers as a corporation that considers itself the exclusive custodian of the knowledge, capable of scientifically resolving the conflicts that each restoration operation involves. Today, the perception is that restorers practice a profession different from that of architects: more than 20 years ago: Manfredo Tafuri noted that it was possible to observe a tendency toward the separation between restoration and conservation. Although the shared idea is that architecture is the result of successive modifications and never offers a stable image, the action of alteration of the built, especially the historicized one, takes place by appealing only to the scientific nature of a rigorous method that mortifies the creative act by losing the poetic root of our discipline. This type of conviction has led the discipline of architectural restoration through the tendency to make the cognitive phase coincide with the creative phase, in which the work itself suggests the design act. The project does not alter the image of the place or of the historicized asset but activates a process of crystallization of the existing, which proclaims conservation action as the only possible way: a heroic act of resistance. In the current urban scenario characterized by the “built paradigm,” the new seems to be conceived exclusively as a derivation of the existing. Augè defined the contemporary city as an immense ruin (“city worksite”) in which the unfinished and abandoned fragments of new constructions coexist with the ruins of the city of history and the ruins of the modern city. For these reasons, does it still make sense to distinguish the restoration project of a building from the project of a building? The contribution proposes a field of research that aims at the rapprochement between two disciplinary fields, architectural design and restoration, where the poetic root of the project returns to dialogue with the cognitive action on the asset and the application of scientific criteria for the consolidation and restoration of the elements.
From the immune system to mood disorders especially induced by Toxoplasma gondii: CD4+ T cell as a bridge
Authors: Wang Qing , Zhong Yue , Chen Nannan , Chen Jinling
Published: April 2023

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), a ubiquitous and obligatory intracellular protozoa, not only alters peripheral immune status, but crosses the blood-brain barrier to trigger brain parenchymal injury and central neuroinflammation to establish latent cerebral infection in humans and other vertebrates. Recent findings underscore the strong correlation between alterations in the peripheral and central immune environment and mood disorders. Th17 and Th1 cells are important pro-inflammatory cells that can drive the pathology of mood disorders by promoting neuroinflammation. As opposed to Th17 and Th1, regulatory T cells have inhibitory inflammatory and neuroprotective functions that can ameliorate mood disorders. T. gondii induces neuroinflammation, which can be mediated by CD4+ T cells (such as Tregs, Th17, Th1, and Th2). Though the pathophysiology and treatment of mood disorder have been currently studied, emerging evidence points to unique role of CD4+ T cells in mood disorder, especially those caused by T. gondii infection. In this review, we explore some recent studies that extend our understanding of the relationship between mood disorders and T. gondii.
Use of probiotic lactobacilli in the treatment of vaginal infections: In vitro and in vivo investigations
Authors: Liu Peng , Lu Yune , Li Rongguo , Chen Xiaodi
Published: April 2023

The vaginal microbiome is a distinct component of the human microbiome that is colonized by a wide variety of microorganisms. Lactobacilli are the most frequently identified microorganisms in the healthy human vagina. These Gram-positive bacilli can acidify the vaginal microenvironment, inhibit the proliferation of other pathogenic microorganisms, and promote the maintenance of a eubiotic vaginal microbiome. However, a vaginal flora with a reduced proportion or abundance of lactobacilli is associated with various vaginal infections that have been linked to serious health consequences such as infertility, preterm birth, pelvic inflammatory disease, premature rupture of membranes, and miscarriage. Due to their “Generally Recognized as Safe” classification and critical role in vaginal health, probiotic lactobacilli have been widely used as an alternative or adjunct to traditional antibiotic therapy for the treatment of vaginal infections and restoration of the vaginal microbiome. This review focuses on the significant role of probiotic lactobacilli in the vaginal microenvironment and discusses the use of probiotic lactobacilli in the treatment of female vaginal infections in vitro and in vivo.
Interplay between RNA viruses and cGAS/STING axis in innate immunity
Authors: Amurri Lucia , Horvat Branka , Iampietro Mathieu
Published: April 2023

While the function of cGAS/STING signalling axis in the innate immune response to DNA viruses is well deciphered, increasing evidence demonstrates its significant contribution in the control of RNA virus infections. After the first evidence of cGAS/STING antagonism by flaviviruses, STING activation has been detected following infection by various enveloped RNA viruses. It has been discovered that numerous viral families have implemented advanced strategies to antagonize STING pathway through their evolutionary path. This review summarizes the characterized cGAS/STING escape strategies to date, together with the proposed mechanisms of STING signalling activation perpetrated by RNA viruses and discusses possible therapeutic approaches. Further studies regarding the interaction between RNA viruses and cGAS/STING-mediated immunity could lead to major discoveries important for the understanding of immunopathogenesis and for the treatment of RNA viral infections.
To use or be used? The role of agency in social media use and well-being
Authors: Lee Angela Y. , Ellison Nicole B. , Hancock Jeffrey T.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we develop the concept of agentic social media use: a way of engaging with social media that emphasizes having the beliefs, knowledge, and practices to use it intentionally. In comparison to instances of “mindless” social media use, people who use social media agentically do so with a purpose in mind: they leverage the affordances of social media to do things that are meaningful, useful, or satisfying for them. For example, people can use social media to intentionally build or manage their relationships, to seek out and learn new information about their interests, or to craft a positive image of themselves through the content they post. Crucially, however, there are many other valuable uses of social media that may not be considered conventionally productive but are nonetheless deliberate and useful, such as using social media intentionally to relax, unwind, and entertain themselves in an effort to modulate their emotions. To use social media agentically means to (1) hold an agentic mindset about one's relationship with social media, (2) have the knowledge and literacy to understand how to navigate social media effectively, and (3) enact practices that assert control over specific elements of social media use, such as curating content and refining algorithmic recommendation. Approaching social media use from the perspective of agency and intentionality allows us to better understand heterogeneous social media effects and to identify new ways of helping people benefit from these technologies.
The role of frailty in advanced HF and cardiac transplantation
Authors: Bart Nicole K. , Powell Alice , Macdonald Peter S.
Published: April 2023

Frailty is a complex, multi-system condition often associated with multimorbidity. It has become an important prognostic maker across a range of conditions and is particularly relevant in patients with cardiovascular disease. Frailty encompasses a range of domains including, physical, psychological, and social. There are currently a range of validated tools available to measure frailty. It is an especially important measurement in advanced HF, because frailty occurs in up to 50% of HF patients and is potentially reversible with therapies such as mechanical circulatory support and transplantation. Moreover, frailty is dynamic, and therefore serial measurements are important. This review delves into the measurement of frailty, mechanisms, and its role in different cardiovascular cohorts. Understanding frailty will help determine patients that will benefit from therapies, as well as prognosticate outcomes.
Impact of the degree of worsening renal function and B-type natriuretic peptide on the prognosis of patients with acute heart failure
Authors: Zhao Dongfang , Gu Lijie , Wei Wenqian , Peng Dan , Yang Man , Yuan Weijie , Rong Shu
Published: April 2023

Background

The impact of the degree of worsening renal function (WRF) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) on the prognosis of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is still debatable. The present study investigated the influence of different degrees of WRF and BNP levels at discharge on 1-year all-cause mortality in AHF.

Methods

Hospitalized AHF patients diagnosed with acute new-onset/worsening of chronic heart failure (HF) between January 2015 and December 2019 were included in this study. Patients were assigned into high and low BNP groups based on the median BNP level at discharge (464 pg/ml). According to serum creatinine (Scr) levels, WRF was divided into non-severe WRF (nsWRF) (Scr increased ≥0.3 mg/dl and <0.5 mg/dl) and severe WRF (sWRF) (Scr increased ≥0.5 mg/dl); non-WRF (nWRF) was defined as Scr increased of <0.3 mg/dl). Multivariable cox regression was used to evaluate the association of low BNP value and different degrees of WRF with a all-cause death, as well as testing for an interaction between the two.

Results

Among 440 patients in the high BNP group, there was a significant difference in WRF on mortality (nWRF vs. nsWRF vs. sWRF: 22% vs. 23.8% vs. 58.8%, P < 0.001). Yet, mortality did not significantly differ across the WRF subgroups in the low BNP group (nWRF vs. nsWRF vs. sWRF: 9.1% vs. 6.1% vs. 15.2%, P = 0.489). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, low BNP group at discharge (HR, 0.265; 95%CI, 0.162–0.434; P < 0.001) and sWRF (HR, 2.838; 95%CI, 1.756–4.589; P < 0.001) were independent predictors of 1-year mortality in AHF.There was a significant interaction between low BNP group and sWRF(HR, 0.225; 95%CI, 0.055–0.918; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

nsWRF does not increase the 1-year mortality in AHF patients, whereas sWRF does. A low BNP value at discharge is associated with better long-term outcomes and mitigates the adverse effects of sWRF on prognosis.
Influence of chronic kidney disease and other risk factors pre-heart transplantation on malignancy incidence post-heart transplantation
Authors: Roest Stefan , Gürgöze Muhammed T. , Cherikh Wida S. , Stehlik Josef , Boersma Eric H. , Zijlstra Felix , Manintveld Olivier C.
Published: April 2023

Aims

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) pre-heart transplantation (HTx) has been proposed as a risk factor for malignancy risk post-HTx. Using multicenter registry data, our aim was to calculate the death-adjusted annual incidence of malignancies post-HTx, corroborate the association between CKD pre-HTx and malignancy risk post-HTx, and determine other risk factors for post-HTx malignancies.

Methods and materials

We used data from patients transplanted in North American HTx centers between January 2000 and June 2017 and registered in the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Thoracic Organ Transplant Registry. We excluded recipients with missing data on post-HTx malignancies, heterotopic heart transplant, retransplantation, multi-organ transplantation, and patients with a total artificial heart pre-HTx.

Results

Overall, 34,873 patients were included to determine the annual incidence of malignancies, 33,345 patients were included in the risk analyses. The incidence of any malignancy, solid-organ malignancy, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), and skin cancer adjusted for death 15 years post-HTx, was 26.6%, 10.9%, 3.6%, and 15.8% respectively. Besides widely acknowledged risk factors, CKD stage ≥4 pre-HTx was associated with the development of all malignancies post-HTx (HR 1.17 compared to CKD stage 1, p = 0.023), as well as solid-organ malignancies (HR 1.35, p = 0.01), but not for PTLD (HR 0.73, p = 0.057), and skin cancer (HR 1.06, p = 0.59).

Conclusion

Risk of malignancy post-HTx remains high. CKD stages ≥4 pre-HTx was associated with an increased risk for any malignancy and solid-organ malignancy post-HTx. Strategies to mitigate the impact of pre-HTx patient factors on the risk of post-HTx malignancy are needed.
The causal effect of obesity on diabetic retinopathy: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zheng Changwei , Wei Xin , Cao Xiaochuan
Published: April 2023

Background

The causal effect of obesity on diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the causal association of generalized obesity evaluated by body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity evaluated by waist or hip circumference with DR, background DR, and proliferative DR using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods

Genetic variants associated with obesity at the genome-wide significance (P<5×10−8) level were derived using GWAS summary statistics from the UK Biobank (UKB) with a sample size of 461 460 individuals for BMI, 462 166 individuals for waist circumference, and 462 117 individuals for hip circumference. We obtained genetic predictors of DR (14 584 cases and 202 082 controls), background DR (2026 cases and 204 208 controls), and proliferative DR (8681 cases and 204 208 controls) from FinnGen. Univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses were conducted. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was the main method used to analyze causality, accompanied by several sensitivity MR analyses.

Results

Genetically predicted increased BMI [OR=1.239; 95% CI=(1.134, 1.353);P=1.94×10-06], waist circumference [OR=1.402; 95% CI=(1.242, 1.584); P=5.12×10-08], and hip circumference [OR=1.107; 95% CI=(1.003, 1.221); P=0.042] were associated with increased risk of DR. BMI [OR=1.625; 95% CI=(1.285, 2.057); P=5.24×10-05], waist circumference [OR=2.085; 95% CI=(1.54, 2.823); P=2.01×10-06], and hip circumference [OR=1.394; 95% CI=(1.085, 1.791); P=0.009] were correlated with the risk of background DR. MR analysis also supported a causal association between BMI [OR=1.401; 95% CI=(1.247, 1.575); P=1.46×10-08], waist circumference [OR=1.696; 95% CI=(1.455, 1.977); P=1.47×10-11], and hip circumference [OR=1.221; 95% CI=(1.076, 1.385); P=0.002] and proliferative DR. The association of obesity with DR continued to be significant after adjustment for type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

This study using two-sample MR analysis indicated that generalized obesity and abdominal obesity might increase the risk of any DR. These results suggested that controlling obesity may be effective in DR development.
Voluntary environmental regulation and export performance of Chinese solar energy industry
Authors: Sun Ying , Lou Jingyi , Sun Huaping , Pan Ting
Published: April 2023

The shortage of traditional fossil energy resources, together with the pressure of environmental pollution, has stimulated the growing trade of solar energy products in China. The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of voluntary environmental regulation on China's solar energy industry trade flows. To this aim, the paper selects panel data of Chinese solar energy industry exports to 46 countries from 2002 to 2020 and uses the fixed effect regression model. The results show that export destination countries' voluntary environmental regulation has a significant positive impact on China's exports, whereas the bilateral gap in voluntary environmental regulation has a negative effect. Further evidence suggests that reducing the bilateral gap in voluntary environmental regulation has more obvious promoting effect of the exports to developed countries than to developing countries, verifying that there is country heterogeneity. Besides, more trade friction weakens the role of the host countries' voluntary environmental regulations in promoting exports. The implication of this paper is that voluntary environmental regulation have economic effects including demand effect, information effect and the common language effect, which is incredibly significant to promoting the sustained and stable development of the solar energy trade.
Toward carbon neutrality: The impact of manufacturing agglomeration on total factor energy efficiency
Authors: Jiang Hong , Chen Zhenhuan , Zhao Wencheng , Wang Fayao , Xia Jing , Chen Zhenyu
Published: April 2023

Improving energy efficiency is an effective way to achieve carbon neutrality in the context of growing advocacy for a green economy in both academia and government. In this study, we analyzed the impact mechanism of the manufacturing agglomeration on total factor energy efficiency. Based on this work, we identified 30 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China using 2002 to 2017 panel data. We used the data envelopment analysis game cross-efficiency model to calculate the interprovincial current state of energy efficiency. We constructed a spatial Durbin model and used an adjacent space weight matrix, geographic distance weight matrix, and economic distance weight matrix to study the impact of manufacturing agglomeration on total factor energy efficiency. The results showed that under different spatial weights, the interprovincial total factor energy efficiency had a significant spatial dependence; under the three spatial weights, we identified a U-shaped relationship between manufacturing agglomeration and total factor energy efficiency. Industrial agglomeration had obvious spatial spillover effects on total factor energy efficiency, and the spillover effects under the weight of geographic distance were higher than other spatial weights. During the sample period, the direct, indirect, and total effects of the manufacturing industry had an impact on energy efficiency. It all had a negative number indicating that there was a crowding effect in manufacturing agglomeration, and it had an inhibitory effect on energy efficiency.
The singing activity of the Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) under traffic noise around highways
Authors: Ritz-Radlinská Aneta , Barták Vojtěch , Hodačová Lenka , Maidlová Kristýna , Zasadil Petr
Published: April 2023

Steadily increasing human population is changing the environment in many ways. One of the most disturbing impacts is the development of anthropogenic noise pollution connected to ever-growing traffic intensity. The road network can have both positive and negative effects on biodiversity and populations. Many bird species use acoustic communication to establish and maintain their territories and for intra-pair and adult–young communication. Noise pollution can impact negatively on breeding success and biorhythm if this communication is masked by noise and the individuals must adjust their singing activity. Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) is a common bird species of agricultural landscapes whose population is declining due to agricultural intensification. It is found also in habitats near highways with forest steppe-like characteristics, where it is affected by the high levels of anthropogenic noise pollution. This study aimed to determine how this species adapts to noise from highway traffic by adjusting its singing activity. The influence of locality type, immediate and long-term impact of traffic noise on the average and total length of song sequences in the birdsong, and influence on the total number of recorded song sequences during the second hour after sunrise were evaluated in this study. Our results showed that Yellowhammer’s singing activity changed in localities close to highways compared to agricultural landscape. With increasing long-term traffic intensity on highways, song duration of the Yellowhammer song was decreasing. The present traffic intensity led to later onset of dawn chorus and decreasing strophe length with increasing number of passing vehicles. Furthermore, in the agricultural landscape, Yellowhammer’s song duration increased with increasing distance from the nearest road.
Prediction of CTCF loop anchor based on machine learning
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Zhu Wen , Sun Huimin , Ding Yijie , Liu Li
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Various activities in biological cells are affected by three-dimensional genome structure. The insulators play an important role in the organization of higher-order structure. CTCF is a representative of mammalian insulators, which can produce barriers to prevent the continuous extrusion of chromatin loop. As a multifunctional protein, CTCF has tens of thousands of binding sites in the genome, but only a portion of them can be used as anchors of chromatin loops. It is still unclear how cells select the anchor in the process of chromatin looping.

Methods: In this paper, a comparative analysis is performed to investigate the sequence preference and binding strength of anchor and non-anchor CTCF binding sites. Furthermore, a machine learning model based on the CTCF binding intensity and DNA sequence is proposed to predict which CTCF sites can form chromatin loop anchors.

Results: The accuracy of the machine learning model that we constructed for predicting the anchor of the chromatin loop mediated by CTCF reached 0.8646. And we find that the formation of loop anchor is mainly influenced by the CTCF binding strength and binding pattern (which can be interpreted as the binding of different zinc fingers).

Discussion: In conclusion, our results suggest that The CTCF core motif and it’s flanking sequence may be responsible for the binding specificity. This work contributes to understanding the mechanism of loop anchor selection and provides a reference for the prediction of CTCF-mediated chromatin loops.
Peripheral immune characteristics of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sun Ruonan , Li Jiawei , Lin Xianyi , Yang Yidong , Liu Bing , Lan Tianbi , Xiao Shuang , Deng Anyi , Yin Zhinan , Xu Yan , Xiang Zheng , Wu Bin
Published: April 2023

Background

Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. As a chronic liver disease, many studies have shown that the immune response plays a key role in the progression of liver cancer. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the high-risk factors for HCC, accounting for 50%–80% of HCC cases worldwide, and little is known about the immune status of HBV associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC), therefore, we aimed to explore the changes in peripheral immunity in patients with HBV-HCC.

Methods

In this study, patients with HBV-HCC (n=26), patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis (HBV-LC) (n=31) and healthy volunteers (n=49) were included. The lymphocytes and their subpopulation phenotypes in peripheral blood were characterized. In addition, we explored the effect of viral replication on peripheral immunity in patients with HCC and analyzed the circulating immunophenotypic characteristics at different stages of HCC with flow cytometry.

Results

Firstly, our results showed that the percentages of total αβ T cells in the peripheral blood of HBV-HCC patients was significantly decreased compared to healthy subjects. Secondly, we found that naïve CD4+ T cells in HBV-HCC patients were significantly reduced, terminally differentiated CD8+ T cells, homing memory CD8+ T cells and Th2 cells were increased in peripheral circulation in HBV-HCC patients. Moreover, in the peripheral blood of HBV-HCC patients, expression of TIGIT on CD4+ T cells and PD-1 on the surface of Vδ 1 T cells was increased. In addition, we found that sustained viral replication resulted in up-regulation of TIM3 expression on CD4+ T cells, and TIM3+ γδ T cells increased in peripheral circulation in patients with advanced HBV-HCC.

Conclusion

Our study showed that circulating lymphocytes in HBV-HCC patients exhibited features of immune exhaustion, especially in HCC patients with persistent viral replication and in patients with intermediate and advanced HBV-HCC, including decreased frequency of T cells and elevated expression of inhibitory receptors including TIGIT and TIM3 on CD4+ T cells and γδ T cells. Meanwhile, our research suggests that the combination of CD3+ T cell and CD8+HLADR+CD38+ T cell may be a potential diagnostic indicator for HBV-HCC. These findings could help us to better understand the immune characteristics of HBV-HCC and explore the immune mechanisms and immunotherapy strategies for HBV-HCC.
Pharmacokinetic characteristics of golidocitinib, a highly selective JAK1 inhibitor, in healthy adult participants
Authors: Chen Kan , Guan Xiaoduo , Yang Zhenfan , Zhou Yue , Liu Ziyi , Deng Xueyuan , Liu Donghong , Hu Pei , Chen Rui
Published: April 2023

Background

Golidocitinib is an orally available, potent and highly selective JAK (Janus kinase)-1 inhibitor of JAK/STAT3 signaling under clinical development for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The objectives of the two reported studies were to investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of golidocitinib in healthy Chinese participants as compared to those healthy Western participants, as well as the food effect exploration.

Methods

Two phase I studies (JACKPOT2 and JACKPOT3) were conducted in USA and China, respectively. In JACKPOT2 study, participants were randomized into placebo or golidocitinib arm in single-ascending dose cohorts (5 - 150 mg) and multiple-ascending dose cohorts (25 - 100 mg, once daily) for 14 days. In the food effect cohort, golidocitinib (50 mg) was administrated shortly after a high-fat meal (fed conditions) as compared to under fasting conditions. In JACKPOT3 study conducted in China, participants were randomized to placebo or golidocitinib arm in single-ascending dose cohorts (25 - 150 mg).

Results

Exposure of golidocitinib generally increased in a dose-proportional manner across a dose range of 5 mg to 150 mg (single dose) and 25 mg to 100 mg (once daily). High-fat food did not alter the PK of golidocitinib with statistical significance. Low plasma clearance and extensive volume of distribution characterizes PK of golidoctinib, and long half-life across the dose levels supported once daily dosing. The inter-ethnic difference in primary PK parameters was evaluated. The result suggested slightly higher peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) but comparable area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was observed in Asian (Chinese) subjects as compared to Caucasian and/or Black subjects, while it was not considered clinically relevant. Golidocitinib was well tolerated without Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 3 or higher drug-related treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE) reported.

Conclusion

No noticeable inter-ethnic difference was observed among Asian, Black, and Caucasian healthy subjects in anticipation of the favorable PK properties of golidocitinib. The effect of food on the bioavailability of golidocitinib was minor following a single oral administration of 50 mg. These data guided to use the same dose and regimen for multinational clinical development.

Clinical trial registrations

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03728023?term=NCT03728023&draw=2&rank=1, identifier (NCT03728023); http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/clinicaltrials.searchlistdetail.dhtml, identifier (CTR20191011).
T peripheral helper cells in autoimmune diseases: What do we know?
Authors: Huang Yao , Ba Xin , Han Liang , Wang Hui , Lin Weiji , Chen Zhe , Tu Shenghao
Published: April 2023

The interactions between T cells and B cells are essential for antibody responses and the development of autoimmune diseases. Recently, a distinct subset of T cells capable of helping B cells was established in synovial fluid, and they were termed peripheral helper T (Tph) cells. PD-1hiCXCR5−CD4+ Tph cells express high levels of CXCL13, which drives the formation of lymphoid aggregates and tertiary lymphoid structures, ultimately facilitating the local production of pathogenic autoantibodies. Tph and T follicular helper cells share some key features but can be distinguished by their surface markers, transcriptional regulation, and migration capability. We summarize recent findings on Tph cells in this review and provide a perspective on their potential roles in a range of autoimmune diseases. More clinical and in-depth mechanistic investigations of Tph cells may help to improve the understanding of pathogenesis and further provide novel therapeutic targets in autoimmune diseases.
Subtype classification based on t cell proliferation-related regulator genes and risk model for predicting outcomes of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yang Qin , Zhu Weiyuan , Gong Han
Published: April 2023

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the major lung cancer histotype, represents 40% lung cancers. Currently, outcomes are remarkably different in LUAD patients with similar AJCC/UICC-TNM features. T cell proliferation-related regulator genes (TPRGs) relate to the proliferation, activity and function of T cells and tumor progression. The values of TPRGs in classifying LUAD patients and predicting outcomes remain unknown.

Methods

Gene expression profile and corresponding clinical data were downloaded from TCGA and the GEO databases. We systematically analyzed the expression profile characteristics of 35 TPRGs in LUAD patients and investigated the differences in overall survival (OS), biology pathway, immunity and somatic mutation between different TPRGs-related subtypes. Subsequently, we constructed a TPRGs-related risk model in TCGA cohort to quantify risk scores using LASSO cox regression analysis and then validated this risk model in two GEO cohorts. LUAD patients were divided into high- and low-risk subtypes according to the median risk score. We systematically compared the biology pathway, immunity, somatic mutation and drug susceptibility between the two risk subtypes. Finally, we validate biological functions of two TPRGs-encoded proteins (DCLRE1B and HOMER1) in LUAD cells A549.

Results

We identified different TPRGs-related subtypes (including cluster 1/cluster A and its counterpart cluster 2/cluster B). Compared to the cluster 1/cluster A subtype, cluster 2/cluster B subtype tended to have a prominent survival advantage with an immunosuppressive microenvironment and a higher somatic mutation frequency. Then, we constructed a TPRGs-related 6-gene risk model. The high-risk subtype characterized by higher somatic mutation frequency and lower immunotherapy response had a worse prognosis. This risk model was an independent prognostic factor and showed to be reliable and accurate for LUAD classification. Furthermore, subtypes with different risk scores were significantly associated with drug sensitivity. DCLRE1B and HOMER1 suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in LUAD cells A549, which was in line with their prognostic values.

Conclusion

We construed a novel stratification model of LUAD based on TPRGs, which can accurately and reliably predict the prognosis and might be used as a predictive tool for LUAD patients.