bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monoamine Oxidase A Inhibits Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Proliferation by Abrogating Aerobic Glycolysis
Authors: Huang Yumin , Zhao Wei , Ouyang Xiaoping , Wu Feng , Tao Yujian , Shi Minhua
Published: March 2021

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) accounts for ~30% of all lung cancers and is one of the causes of cancer-related death worldwide. As the role of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) in LUAD remains unclear, in this study, we examine how MAOA affects LUAD cell proliferation. Analyses of both public data and our data reveal that the expression of MAOA is downregulated in LUAD compared with non-tumor tissue. In addition, the expression of MAOA in tumors correlates with clinicopathologic features, and the expression of MAOA serves as an independent biomarker in LUAD. In addition, the overexpression of MAOA inhibits LUAD cell proliferation by inducing G1 arrest in vitro. Further mechanistic studies show that MAOA abrogates aerobic glycolysis in LUAD cells by decreasing hexokinase 2 (HK2). Finally, the expression of HK2 shows a negative correlation with MAOA in LUAD, and high HK2 predicts poor clinical outcome. In conclusion, our findings indicate that MAOA functions as a tumor suppressor in LUAD. Our results indicate that the MAOA/HK2 axis could be potential targets in LUAD therapy.
Consensus Approach for Standardizing the Screening and Classification of Preterm Brain Injury Diagnosed With Cranial Ultrasound: A Canadian Perspective
Authors: Mohammad Khorshid , Scott James N. , Leijser Lara M. , Zein Hussein , Afifi Jehier , Piedboeuf Bruno , de Vries Linda S. , van Wezel-Meijler Gerda , Lee Shoo K. , Shah Prakesh S.
Published: March 2021

Acquired brain injury remains common in very preterm infants and is associated with significant risks for short- and long-term morbidities. Cranial ultrasound has been widely adopted as the first-line neuroimaging modality to study the neonatal brain. It can reliably detect clinically significant abnormalities that include germinal matrix and intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular hemorrhagic infarction, post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation, cerebellar hemorrhage, and white matter injury. The purpose of this article is to provide a consensus approach for detecting and classifying preterm brain injury to reduce variability in diagnosis and classification between neonatologists and radiologists. Our overarching goal with this work was to achieve homogeneity between different neonatal intensive care units across a large country (Canada) with regards to classification, timing of brain injury screening and frequency of follow up imaging. We propose an algorithmic approach that can help stratify different grades of germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage, white matter injury, and ventricular dilatation in very preterm infants.
Oral Formulation of Angiotensin-(1-7) Promotes Therapeutic Actions in a Model of Eosinophilic and Neutrophilic Asthma
Authors: Magalhães Giselle Santos , Gregório Juliana Fabiana , Cançado Ribeiro Arthur Tonani Pereira , Baroni Isis Felippe , Vasconcellos Ana Victoria de Oliveira , Nakashima Gabriela Pansanato , Oliveira Isabel Fusaro Aguiar , Matos Natália Alves de , Castro Thalles de Freitas , Bezerra Frank Silva , Sinisterra Ruben D. , Pinho Vanessa , Teixeira Mauro Martins , Santos Robson Augusto Souza , Rodrigues-Machado Maria Glória , Campagnole-Santos Maria José
Published: March 2021

The presence of eosinophils and neutrophils in the lungs of asthmatic patients is associated with the severity of the disease and resistance to corticosteroids. Thus, defective resolution of eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation is importantly related to exacerbation of asthma. In this study, we investigated a therapeutic action of angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) in a model of asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Balb-c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Twenty-three hours after the last OVA challenge, experimental groups received LPS, and 1 h and 7 h later, mice were treated with oral formulation of Ang-(1-7). On the next day, 45 h after the last challenge with OVA, mice were subjected to a test of motor and exploratory behavior; 3 h later, lung function was evaluated, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lungs were collected. Motor and exploratory activities were lower in OVA + LPS-challenged mice. Treatment with Ang-(1-7) improved these behaviors, normalized lung function, and reduced eosinophil, neutrophil, myeloperoxidase (MPO), eosinophilic peroxidase (EPO), and ERK1/2 phosphorylation (p-ERK1/2) in the lungs. In addition, Ang-(1-7) decreased the deposition of mucus and extracellular matrix in the airways. These results extended those of previous studies by demonstrating that oral administration of Ang-(1-7) at the peak of pulmonary inflammation can be valuable for the treatment of neutrophil- and eosinophil-mediated asthma. Therefore, these findings potentially provide a new drug to reverse the natural history of the disease, unlike the current standards of care that manage the disease symptoms at best.
Effects of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Levels: A Comprehensive Analysis Based on Animal Studies
Authors: Kriszta Gábor , Kriszta Zsófia , Váncsa Szilárd , Hegyi Péter Jenő , Frim Levente , Erőss Bálint , Hegyi Péter , Pethő Gábor , Pintér Erika
Published: March 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused the outbreak escalated to pandemic. Reports suggested that near 1–3% of COVID‐19 cases have a fatal outcome. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely used in hypertension, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. These drugs have been reported to upregulate angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) which produces Ang (1–7), the main counter-regulatory mediator of angiotensin II. This enzyme is also known as the receptor of SARS‐CoV‐2 promoting the cellular uptake of the virus in the airways, however, ACE2 itself proved to be protective in several experimental models of lung injury. The present study aimed to systematically review the relationship between ACEI/ARB administration and ACE2 expression in experimental models. After a comprehensive search and selection, 27 animal studies investigating ACE2 expression in the context of ACEI and ARB were identified. The majority of these papers reported increased ACE2 levels in response to ACEI/ARB treatment. This result should be interpreted in the light of the dual role of ACE2 being a promoter of viral entry to cells and a protective factor against oxidative damage in the lungs.
Chronic Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Updates and Future Challenges
Authors: Wang Qiaoling , Huang Ang , Wang Jia-Bo , Zou Zhengsheng
Published: March 2021

Chronic drug-induced liver injury (DILI), defined as DILI with persistent liver injury more than one year after the first onset by the latest European guidelines, is a notable challenge globally with big issues of defining causality and establishing effective treatment. About 20% of patients with DILI develop into chronic DILI. Chronic DILI manifests as persistent or repeated inflammatory or diminishing bile ducts, even progresses to cirrhosis and needs liver transplantation eventually. However, research on chronic DILI over the last decades is still lacking, and the incidence, phenotypes, mechanisms, risk factors, and treatment have not been fully understood. In this paper, we reviewed the definition of chronic DILI, updated clinical studies in terms of incidence, special manifestations, and promising risk factors of chronic DILI, along with the recent progress and challenges in glucocorticoid therapy.
The Causes and Consequences of miR-503 Dysregulation and Its Impact on Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer
Authors: He Yanjing , Cai Yin , Pai Pearl Mingchu , Ren Xinling , Xia Zhengyuan
Published: March 2021

microRNAs (miRs) are short, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by mRNA degradation or translational repression. Accumulated studies have demonstrated that miRs participate in various biological processes including cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism and development, and the dysregulation of miRs expression are involved in different human diseases, such as neurological, cardiovascular disease and cancer. microRNA-503 (miR-503), one member of miR-16 family, has been studied widely in cardiovascular disease and cancer. In this review, we summarize and discuss the studies of miR-503 in vitro and in vivo, and how miR-503 regulates gene expression from different aspects of pathological processes of diseases, including carcinogenesis, angiogenesis, tissue fibrosis and oxidative stress; We will also discuss the mechanisms of dysregulation of miR-503, and whether miR-503 could be applied as a diagnostic marker or therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease or cancer.
Meta-Analysis of ABCG2 and ABCB1 Polymorphisms With Sunitinib-Induced Toxicity and Efficacy in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Sun Fengjun , Chen Zhuo , Yao Pu , Weng Bangbi , Liu Zhirui , Cheng Lin
Published: March 2021

Background: ABCG2 and ABCB1 are genes related to the pharmacokinetics of sunitinib and have been associated with its toxicity and efficacy. However, the results have been controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of ABCG2 and ABCB1 polymorphisms with sunitinib-induced toxicity and efficacy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by meta-analysis.

Methods:PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies investigating the associations of the ABCG2 rs2231142 polymorphism with sunitinib-induced toxicity and the associations of the ABCB1 rs1128503 and ABCB1 rs2032582 polymorphisms with sunitinib-induced toxicity and clinical outcomes. The associations were evaluated by effect size (ES) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Eight and five studies were included in the toxicity and efficacy analysis, respectively, including a total of 1081 RCC patients. The ABCG2 rs2231142 A allele was associated with an increased risk of sunitinib-induced thrombocytopenia and hand-foot syndrome (HFS) in Asians (ES = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.15–2.36, p = 0.006; ES = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.02–2.27, p = 0.041). However, the ABCG2 rs2231142 polymorphism was not associated with sunitinib-induced hypertension or neutropenia (ES = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.69–1.73, p = 0.701; ES = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.57–1.31, p = 0.501). Compared with the C allele, the ABCB1 rs1128503 T allele was associated with a decreased risk of sunitinib-induced hypertension but worse progression-free survival (PFS) (ES = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.26–0.77, p = 0.004; ES = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.07–1.73, p = 0.011). There was no significant association between the T allele or C allele of ABCB1 rs1128503 and overall survival (OS) (ES = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.61–1.10, p = 0.184). The ABCB1 rs2032582 T allele was associated with worse PFS than the other alleles (ES = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.14–1.87, p = 0.003), while there was no significant association between the T allele or other alleles and sunitinib-induced hypertension, HFS, or OS (ES = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.46–1.29, p = 0.326; ES = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.65–1.62, p = 0.919; ES = 1.32, 95% CI = 0.85–2.05, p = 0.215).

Conclusion: The results indicate that the ABCG2 rs2231142 polymorphism may serve as a predictor of sunitinib-induced thrombocytopenia and HFS in Asians, while the ABCB1 rs1128503 polymorphism may serve as a predictor of sunitinib-induced hypertension, and both the ABCB1 rs1128503 and rs2032582 polymorphisms may serve as predictors of PFS in RCC. These results suggest a possible application of individualized use of sunitinib according to the genetic background of patients.
The Ameliorating Effects of Bushen Huatan Granules and Kunling Wan on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Induced by Dehydroepiandrosterone in Rats
Authors: Xu Yang , Pan Chun-Shui , Li Quan , Zhang Hao-Lin , Yan Li , Anwaier Gulinigaer , Wang Xiao-Yi , Yan Lu-Lu , Fan Jing-Yu , Li Dong , Han Jing-Yan
Published: March 2021

Aim

To investigate the effects of Bushen Huatan Granules (BHG) and Kunling Wan (KW), the two Chinese medicines, on the regulation of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and their underlying mechanisms.

Materials and Methods

PCOS rat model was established by subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (6 mg/100 g/day) for 20 days, followed by treatment with BHG (0.75, 1.49, and 2.99 g/kg) or KW (0.46, 0.91, and 1.82 g/kg) by gavage for 4 weeks. Estrous cycle was detected by vaginal smears. Follicles development was assessed by histology. Levels of testosterone and insulin in serum were tested by ELISA. Apoptosis of Granulosa cells (GCs) was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling staining. Pathways associated with apoptosis were detected with western blot. Pregnancy outcome was also assessed. GCs were pre-treated with 10–5 M testosterone in vitro for 24 h, then incubated with serum from rats receiving BHG (1.49 g/kg) or KW (1.82 g/kg). The parameters concerning apoptosis, mitochondrial function and endoplasmic reticulum stress were assessed.

Results

Post-treatment with either BHG or KW ameliorated DHEA-induced irregular estrous cycles, follicles development abnormalities, increase of testosterone and insulin in serum, and the apoptosis of GCs. Post-treatment with BHG decreased the expression of cleaved caspase-9/caspase 9, release of cytochrome C from mitochondria, and mitochondria reactive oxygen species production, increased activities of complex I, II, IV of ovarian tissue. Post-treatment with KW decreased the levels of caspase-12, GRP78, C/EBP homologous protein, phosphorylation of IRE-I, x-box-binding protein 1s, as well as phosphorylation of proline-rich receptor-like protein kinase, phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α and ATF4 of ovarian tissue and GCs. Both BHG and KW ameliorated pregnancy outcome.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated BHG or KW as a potential strategy for treatment of PCOS induced by DHEA, and suggested that the beneficial role of the two medicines were mediated by different pathway with the effect of BHG being correlated with the regulation of mitochondria, while the effect of KW being attributable to protection of endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Performance of the Surgical Pleth Index and Analgesia Nociception Index in Healthy Volunteers and Parturients
Authors: Choi Byung-Moon , Shin Hangsik , Lee Joo-Hyun , Bang Ji-Yeon , Lee Eun-Kyung , Noh Gyu-Jeong
Published: March 2021

Various commercially available nociception devices have been developed to quantify intraoperative pain. The Surgical Pleth Index (SPI) and Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI) are among the analgesic indices that have been widely used for the evaluation of surgical patients. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of the SPI and ANI in conscious healthy volunteers and parturients. Ten healthy volunteers and 10 parturients participated in this study. An algometer was used to induce bone pain in the volunteers until they rated their pain as five on the numerical rating scale (NRS); this procedure was repeated during the administration of remifentanil or normal saline. The study comprised two periods, and the volunteers were infused with different solutions in each period: normal saline during one period and remifentanil during the other in a randomized order. The parturients’ SPI and ANI data were collected for 2 min when they rated their pain levels as 0, 5, and 7 on the NRS, respectively. Both the SPI and ANI values differed significantly between NRS 0 and NRS 5 (P< 0.001) in the volunteers, irrespective of the solution administered (remifentanil or normal saline). At NRS 5, the SPI showed similar values, irrespective of remifentanil administration, while the ANI showed significantly lower values on remifentanil administration (P= 0.028). The SPI and ANI values at NRS 5 and NRS 7 did not differ significantly in the parturients (P= 0.101 for SPI,P= 0.687 for ANI). Thus, the SPI and ANI were effective indices for detecting pain in healthy volunteers and parturients.
Body Temperature and Activity Rhythms Under Different Photoperiods in High Arctic Svalbard ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea)
Authors: Appenroth Daniel , Nord Andreas , Hazlerigg David G. , Wagner Gabriela C.
Published: March 2021

Organisms use circadian rhythms to anticipate and exploit daily environmental oscillations. While circadian rhythms are of clear importance for inhabitants of tropic and temperate latitudes, its role for permanent residents of the polar regions is less well understood. The high Arctic Svalbard ptarmigan shows behavioral rhythmicity in presence of light-dark cycles but is arrhythmic during the polar day and polar night. This has been suggested to be an adaptation to the unique light environment of the Arctic. In this study, we examined regulatory aspects of the circadian control system in the Svalbard ptarmigan by recording core body temperature (Tb) alongside locomotor activity in captive birds under different photoperiods. We show that Tb and activity are rhythmic with a 24-h period under short (SP; L:D 6:18) and long photoperiod (LP; L:D 16:8). Under constant light and constant darkness, rhythmicity in Tb attenuates and activity shows signs of ultradian rhythmicity. Birds under SP also showed a rise in Tb preceding the light-on signal and any rise in activity, which proves that the light-on signal can be anticipated, most likely by a circadian system.
Comparative Secretome and Functional Analyses Reveal Glycoside Hydrolase Family 30 and Cysteine Peptidase as Virulence Determinants in the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Shinya Ryoji , Kirino Haru , Morisaka Hironobu , Takeuchi-Kaneko Yuko , Futai Kazuyoshi , Ueda Mitsuyoshi
Published: March 2021

Pine wilt disease, caused by the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is one of the world’s most serious tree diseases. Although the B. xylophilus whole-genome sequence and comprehensive secretome profile have been determined over the past decade, it remains unclear what molecules are critical in pine wilt disease and govern B. xylophilus virulence in host pine trees. Here, a comparative secretome analysis among four isolates of B. xylophilus with distinct virulence levels was performed to identify virulence determinants. The four candidate virulence determinants of B. xylophilus highly secreted in virulent isolates included lipase (Bx-lip1), glycoside hydrolase family 30 (Bx-GH30), and two C1A family cysteine peptidases (Bx-CAT1 and Bx-CAT2). To validate the quantitative differences in the four potential virulence determinants among virulence groups at the protein level, we used real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis to investigate these determinants at the transcript level at three time points: pre-inoculation, 3 days after inoculation (dai), and 7 dai into pine seedlings. The transcript levels of Bx-CAT1, Bx-CAT2, and Bx-GH30 were significantly higher in virulent isolates than in avirulent isolates at pre-inoculation and 3 dai. A subsequent leaf-disk assay based on transient overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that the GH30 candidate virulent factor caused cell death in the plant. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Bx-CAT2 was involved in nutrient uptake for fungal feeding via soaking-mediated RNA interference. These findings indicate that the secreted proteins Bx-GH30 and Bx-CAT2 contribute to B. xylophilus virulence in host pine trees and may be involved in pine wilt disease.
The Oleic/Linoleic Acid Ratio in Olive (Olea europaea L.) Fruit Mesocarp Is Mainly Controlled by OeFAD2-2 and OeFAD2-5 Genes Together With the Different Specificity of Extraplastidial Acyltransferase Enzymes
Authors: Hernández M. Luisa , Sicardo M. Dolores , Belaj Angjelina , Martínez-Rivas José M.
Published: March 2021

Fatty acid composition of olive oil has an important effect on the oil quality to such an extent that oils with a high oleic and low linoleic acid contents are preferable from a nutritional and technological point of view. In the present work, we have first studied the diversity of the fatty acid composition in a set of eighty-nine olive cultivars from the Worldwide Olive Germplasm Bank of IFAPA Cordoba (WOGBC-IFAPA), and in a core collection (Core-36), which includes 28 olive cultivars from the previously mentioned set. Our results indicate that oleic and linoleic acid contents displayed the highest degree of variability of the different fatty acids present in the olive oil of the 89 cultivars under study. In addition, the independent study of the Core-36 revealed two olive cultivars, Klon-14 and Abou Kanani, with extremely low and high linoleic acid contents, respectively. Subsequently, these two cultivars were used to investigate the specific contribution of different fatty acid desaturases to the linoleic acid content of mesocarp tissue during olive fruit development and ripening. Fatty acid desaturase gene expression levels, together with lipid analysis, suggest that not only OeFAD2-2 and OeFAD2-5 but also the different specificities of extraplastidial acyltransferase enzymes are responsible for the variability of the oleic/linoleic acid ratio in olive cultivars. All this information allows for an advancement in the knowledge of the linoleic acid biosynthesis in different olive cultivars, which can impact olive breeding programs to improve olive oil quality.
Social Media Responses to the Pandemic: What Makes a Coronavirus Meme Creative
Authors: Glǎveanu Vlad Petre , de Saint Laurent Constance
Published: March 2021

The current pandemic and the measures taken to address it, on a global scale, are unprecedented. Times of crisis call for creative solutions, and these are not reduced to the work of scientists or politicians. In everyday life, both in online and offline spaces, people use their creativity to make sense of the current situation, to cope with it, and to learn its lessons. Social media is a privileged space for mundane and participative creativity through the production and sharing of coronavirus Internet memes. In this article, we examine the creativity of such memes from a dedicated Reddit community. We ask, in particular, what makes a coronavirus meme creative and what this creativity tells us about the pandemic and popular understandings of it. To answer these questions, we use a triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods by having 480 memes coded by three social media users for surprise, meaningfulness, elaboration, humor, and creativity and qualitatively analyzing those memes that score highly on each dimension. An interesting finding concerns the importance of elaboration and humor for the evaluation of creativity in the case of memes, above the more traditional criteria of surprise (proxy for novelty) and meaningfulness (proxy for appropriateness), perhaps a feature unique for Internet spaces. The article ends with reflections on what these findings tell us about creativity on social media more generally and the creative processes involved in the generation and reception of coronavirus memes in particular.
Barriers and Facilitators for Mental Health Service Use Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Lu Wenhua , Todhunter-Reid Abigail , Mitsdarffer Mary Louise , Muñoz-Laboy Miguel , Yoon Anderson Sungmin , Xu Lei
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Mental disorders represent serious public health concerns in the U.S. Compared with Whites, racial/ethnic minority adolescents are more likely to be affected by mental disorders but less likely to use mental health services. This systematic review aimed to summarize factors related to mental health service use among minority adolescents in the U.S. as identified in previous research.

Methodology: Following the PRISMA guideline, we systematically searched seven databases for peer reviewed articles related to barriers and facilitators of mental health service use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents.

Results: Thirty-two quantitative studies met our inclusion criteria, among which 12 studies (37.5%) sampled mostly Blacks or African Americans, 6 studies (18.7%) focused primarily on Hispanics or Latin/a/x, including Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans, and 4 studies (12.5%) were mostly Asian Americans (e.g., Chinese, Vietnamese). Based on the socio-ecological framework, 21 studies (65.6%) identified adolescent-related barriers and facilitators of mental health service use, including biological (e.g., age, gender), clinical (e.g., symptom severity), behavioral (e.g., drug/alcohol use), and psychological characteristics (e.g., internal asset) of minority youth. Ten studies (31.3%) identified parents-related factors that influenced minority adolescent mental health service use, including parental perceptions and beliefs, family and parenting issues, and demographic characteristics. Primary factors at the therapist level included ethnic match between patient and practitioner, relationship with healthcare practitioners, and patient-therapist co-endorsement of etiological beliefs. Fifteen studies (46.9%) identified factors influencing minority adolescent mental health service use at the contextual/structural level, including household income, insurance status, and family structure. Lastly, acculturation and school experiences were major factors at the social/cultural level that influence minority adolescent service use.

Conclusion: More empirical studies are needed to understand the mechanism underlying minority adolescents' unmet mental health service needs. Culturally competent interventions are warranted to engage minority adolescents with mental disorders into treatment.
An Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Control of Pneumatic Mechanical Ventilator
Authors: Živčák Jozef , Kelemen Michal , Virgala Ivan , Marcinko Peter , Tuleja Peter , Sukop Marek , Liguš Ján , Ligušová Jana
Published: March 2021

COVID-19 was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It mainly affects the respiratory system and can lead to the death of the patient. The motivation for this study was the current pandemic situation and general deficiency of emergency mechanical ventilators. The paper presents the development of a mechanical ventilator and its control algorithm. The main feature of the developed mechanical ventilator is AmbuBag compressed by a pneumatic actuator. The control algorithm is based on an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), which integrates both neural networks and fuzzy logic principles. Mechanical design and hardware design are presented in the paper. Subsequently, there is a description of the process of data collecting and training of the fuzzy controller. The paper also presents a simulation model for verification of the designed control approach. The experimental results provide the verification of the designed control system. The novelty of the paper is, on the one hand, an implementation of the ANFIS controller for AmbuBag pressure control, with a description of training process. On other hand, the paper presents a novel design of a mechanical ventilator, with a detailed description of the hardware and control system. The last contribution of the paper lies in the mathematical and experimental description of AmbuBag for ventilation purposes.
A Novel Adaptive Super-Twisting Sliding Mode Control Scheme with Time-Delay Estimation for a Single Ducted-Fan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Tran Minh-Thien , Lee Dong-Hun , Chakir Soumayya , Kim Young-Bok
Published: March 2021

This article proposes a novel adaptive super-twisting sliding mode control scheme with a time-delay estimation technique (ASTSMC-TDE) to control the yaw angle of a single ducted-fan unmanned aerial vehicle system. Such systems are highly nonlinear; hence, the proposed control scheme is a combination of several control schemes; super-twisting sliding mode, TDE technique to estimate the nonlinear factors of the system, and an adaptive sliding mode. The tracking error of the ASTSMC-TDE is guaranteed to be uniformly ultimately bounded using Lyapunov stability theory. Moreover, to enhance the versatility and the practical feasibility of the proposed control scheme, a comparison study between the proposed controller and a proportional-integral-derivative controller (PID) is conducted. The comparison is achieved through two different scenarios: a normal mode and an abnormal mode. Simulation and experimental tests are carried out to provide an in-depth investigation of the performance of the proposed ASTSMC-TDE control system.
Effects of Organic Fertilizer on Bok Choy Growth and Quality in Hydroponic Cultures
Authors: Kano Kazuki , Kitazawa Hiroaki , Suzuki Keitaro , Widiastuti Ani , Odani Hiromitsu , Zhou Songying , Chinta Yufita Dwi , Eguchi Yumi , Shinohara Makoto , Sato Tatsuo
Published: March 2021

Effects of corn steep liquor (organic fertilizer, OF) and conventional chemical fertilizer (CF) on the growth and yield of bok choy (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) in summer and autumn hydroponic growing systems were compared. When OF and CF were applied with the same amount of total nitrogen in summer cultivation, there was no significant difference between yields; however, the growth rate in OF was slower than in CF. When OF was applied with twice the amount of nitrogen in CF (OF2), bok choy growth and yield were significantly inhibited in summer cultivation, likely owing to dissolved oxygen deficiency and different rates of nitrification and nitrogen absorbance by the plant root. Although the contents of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in bok choy showed no difference among the three treatments in both cultivation seasons, the carbon/nitrogen ratio tended to be higher in OF and OF2 than in CF. Lower nitric acid and higher ascorbic acid content was found in OF and OF2 than in CF. Overall, our results suggest that a comparable yield is expected by using the same nitrogen amount with a conventional recipe of chemical fertilization in autumn cultivation. However, further improvement of hydroponic management is needed in summer cultivation.
Combining Ability and Heterosis of Algerian Saharan Maize Populations (Zea mays L.) for Tolerance to No-Nitrogen Fertilization and Drought
Authors: Riache Meriem , Revilla Pedro , Maafi Oula , Malvar Rosa Ana , Djemel Abderahmane
Published: March 2021

Drought and low nitrogen are major stresses for maize (Zea mays L.), and maize populations from the Sahara Desert are potential sources of stress tolerance. The objectives were to assess the tolerance and varietal and heterosis effects of Algerian populations under no-nitrogen fertilization and water stress. A diallel among six Algerian maize population was evaluated under drought (300 mm irrigation) vs. control (600 mm) and no-nitrogen fertilization vs. 120 kh ha−1 N fertilization. Genotypes showed significant differences and genetic effects for water- and nitrogen-stress tolerance. We propose a reciprocal recurrent selection to take advantage of additive and non-additive effects, using AOR and IGS, since they showed good performance in optimum and stress conditions, for improving yield heterosis for AOR × IGS. Negative effects are not expected on plant height, anthesis–silking interval or early vigor. These populations and BAH could be sources of inbred lines tolerant to drought and no-nitrogen fertilization. There was no relationship between origin and genetic group and stress tolerance per se or as parents of tolerant crosses. These populations and crosses could be used as base material among Algerian populations, for breeding programs focusing on tolerance to water or nitrogen stress.
Understanding Food Security Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Review
Authors: Sereenonchai Sukanya , Arunrat Noppol
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted worldwide food security including in Thailand. This review aims to understand people’s behaviors with regard to promoting food security during the COVID-19 pandemic by covering three main cases at a community level: the food bank, the food exchange, and the food pantry. A systematic review of news content analysis and in-depth interviews were employed for data collection. Based on integrated behavioral models of motivation–opportunity–ability (MOA), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and value–belief–norm (VBN), key results indicated that altruistic values including beliefs in opinion leaders and the benefits from food security behaviors were influences on people’s practices. The attitude toward food as a crucial factor for living, the influence of family members and neighborhoods, and the perception of what constituted enough food led people’s behavioral intentions with regard to food security. The intrapersonal communication of opinion leaders was an important initial step linking to people’s understanding of others. The most frequent qualities of opinion leaders were: having a determination to help, thinking of the benefits of local people, and believing in community capacity. Self-reliance and procedural knowledge of how to behave were key messages, while personal media, local broadcasting towers, and social media were mainly employed to distribute these messages. Two-way and networking communication should be strengthened to promote sustainable food security during the crisis.
Effect of Delivery by Emergency or Elective Cesarean Section on Nitric Oxide Metabolites and Cortisol Amniotic Concentrations in at Term Normal Newborn Dogs: Preliminary Results
Authors: Fusi Jasmine , Carluccio Augusto , Peric Tanja , Faustini Massimo , Prandi Alberto , Veronesi Maria Cristina
Published: March 2021

The neonatal response to stress was reported to be related to the type of delivery, that is elective or emergency cesarean sections (ELCS and EMCS, respectively). Nitric oxide (NO) is also reported to be related to uterine inertia, and high levels of NO metabolites (NOs) are associated with physical and emotional stress. The study aimed to assess the concentrations of cortisol (C) and NOs in the amniotic fluid of puppies delivered by ELCS or EMCS. In total, 32 puppies were delivered by ELCS and 22 by EMCS. ANCOVA showed an effect of the ELCS vs. EMCS on both amniotic NOs (p < 0.001) and C (p < 0.001) concentrations. Lower amniotic C concentrations were found at increasing Apgar score (p < 0.001). Higher amniotic NOs concentrations were associated to increasing mother’s parity (p < 0.001), puppies’ birthweight (p < 0.001), and time of labor within the EMCS group (p < 0.05). A positive correlation between birthweight and amniotic NOs concentrations was also found (p < 0.05) in the EMCS group. Due to the possible concurrence of several compartments (maternal, maybe placental, and fetal) to the final amniotic fluid composition, the definition of the role played by the three compartments in the higher C and NOs concentrations found in amniotic fluids collected from puppies delivered by EMCS than ELCS needs further clarification.
Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae and Prepupae Defatted Meals in Diets for Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Lanes Carlos F. C. , Pedron Fabio A. , Bergamin Giovani T. , Bitencourt Andressa L. , Dorneles Brenda E. R. , Villanova Jessica C. V. , Dias Kimberly C. , Riolo Kristian , Oliva Sabrina , Savastano Domenico , Giannetto Alessia
Published: March 2021

The black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens is receiving increasing attention as a sustainable fishmeal alternative protein source for aquaculture. To date, no studies have explored the effects of fishmeal replacement with BSF V instar larvae or prepupae meals due to their peculiar nutritional properties on fish performances. This study investigated the effects of 100% replacement of fishmeal (control diet) with defatted BSF meals (V instar larvae and prepupae meals, treatments) on growth performance and welfare of zebrafish (Danio rerio), from larvae to adults, in a 60-day feeding trial. Following the inclusion of BSF meals, the expression of key genes involved in growth (igf1, igf2, mstnb, myod1, myog, myf5), hydrolysis of chitin (chia.2, chia.3, chia.5), immune- (il1b, il6, tnfα), and stress- (hsp70 and nr3c1) responses, as assessed by qPCR, was modulated in all of the molecular pathways, except for the stress response. Overall, our findings showed that both BSF meals can totally replace fishmeal without adverse impacts on adult zebrafish growth parameters (final total and standard length, final body weight, weight gain, daily growth rate, specific growth rate) and welfare, with BSF prepupae meal inducing the most beneficial effects, thus suggesting their potential application to meet fish requirements in aquaculture.
Biofilm-Formation Ability and the Presence of Adhesion Genes in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Isolates from Chicken Broilers
Authors: Marek Agnieszka , Pyzik Ewelina , Stępień-Pyśniak Dagmara , Dec Marta , Jarosz Łukasz S. , Nowaczek Anna , Sulikowska Magdalena
Published: March 2021

The aim of the study was to analyze the biofilm-production capacity of 87 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus strains (CoNS) isolated from broiler chickens and to determine the occurrence of biofilm-associated genes. The biofilm production capacity of staphylococci was assessed using the microtiter plate method (MTP), and the frequency of genes was determined by PCR. The ability to form a biofilm in vitro was shown in 79.3% of examined strains. Strong biofilm capacity was demonstrated in 26.4% of strains, moderate capacity in 25.3%, weak capacity in 27.6%, and a complete lack of biofilm production capacity in 20.7% of strains. The icaAB gene responsible for the production of extracellular polysaccharide adhesins was detected in 6.9% of strains. The other four genes, i.e., bap (encoding biofilm-associated protein), atlE (encoding cell surface protein exhibiting vitronectin-binding activity), fbe (encoding fibrinogen-binding protein), and eno (encoding laminin-binding protein) were detected in 5.7%, 19.5%, 8%, and 70.1% of strains, respectively. Demonstration of genes that play a role in bacterial biofilm formation may serve as a genetic basis to distinguish between symbiotic and potentially invasive coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains.
Effect of N-Acetylcysteine Administration on 30-Day Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Septic Shock Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii: A Retrospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Oliva Alessandra , Bianchi Alessandro , Russo Alessandro , Ceccarelli Giancarlo , Cancelli Francesca , Aloj Fulvio , Alunni Fegatelli Danilo , Mastroianni Claudio Maria , Venditti Mario
Published: March 2021

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kp) and Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-Ab) represent important cause of severe infections in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a mucolytic agent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, showing also in-vitro antibacterial activity. Aim was to evaluate the effect on 30-day mortality of the addition of intravenous NAC to antibiotics in ICU patients with CR-Kp or CR-Ab septic shock. A retrospective, observational case:control study (1:2) in patients with septic shock caused by CR-Kp or CR-Ab hospitalized in two different ICUs was conducted. Cases included patients receiving NAC plus antimicrobials, controls included patients not receiving NAC. Cases and controls were matched for age, SAPS II, causative agent and source of infection. No differences in age, sex, SAPS II score or time to initiate definitive therapy were observed between cases and controls. Pneumonia and bacteremia were the leading infections. Overall, mortality was 48.9% (33.3% vs. 56.7% in cases and controls, p = 0.05). Independent risk factors for mortality were not receiving NAC (p = 0.002) and CR-Ab (p = 0.034) whereas therapy with two in-vitro active antibiotics (p = 0.014) and time to initial definite therapy (p = 0.026) were protective. NAC plus antibiotics might reduce the 30-day mortality rate in ICU patients with CR-Kp and CR-Ab septic shock.
Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity Decrease the Initiation of Cardiovascular Drug Use in High Cardiovascular Risk Individuals: A Cohort Study
Authors: Ribó-Coll Margarita , Castro-Barquero Sara , Lassale Camille , Sacanella Emilio , Ros Emilio , Toledo Estefanía , Sorlí José V. , Díaz-López Andrés , Lapetra José , Muñoz-Bravo Carlos , Arós Fernando , Fiol Miquel , Serra-Majem Lluis , Pinto Xavier , Castañer Olga , Fernández-Lázaro César I. , Portolés Olga , Babio Nancy , Estruch Ramón , Hernáez Álvaro
Published: March 2021

Our aim was to assess whether long-term adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) were associated with a lower initiation of cardiovascular drug use. We studied the association between cumulative average of MedDiet adherence and LTPA and the risk of cardiovascular drug initiation in older adults at high cardiovascular risk (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea trial participants) non-medicated at baseline: glucose-lowering drugs (n = 4437), antihypertensives (n = 2145), statins (n = 3977), fibrates (n = 6391), antiplatelets (n = 5760), vitamin K antagonists (n = 6877), antianginal drugs (n = 6837), and cardiac glycosides (n = 6954). One-point increases in MedDiet adherence were linearly associated with a decreased initiation of glucose-lowering (HR: 0.76 [0.71–0.80]), antihypertensive (HR: 0.79 [0.75–0.82]), statin (HR: 0.82 [0.78–0.85]), fibrate (HR: 0.78 [0.68–0.89]), antiplatelet (HR: 0.79 [0.75–0.83]), vitamin K antagonist (HR: 0.83 [0.74; 0.93]), antianginal (HR: 0.84 [0.74–0.96]), and cardiac glycoside therapy (HR: 0.69 [0.56–0.84]). LTPA was non-linearly related to a delayed initiation of glucose-lowering, antihypertensive, statin, fibrate, antiplatelet, antianginal, and cardiac glycoside therapy (minimum risk: 180–360 metabolic equivalents of task-min/day). Both combined were synergistically associated with a decreased onset of glucose-lowering drugs (p-interaction = 0.04), antihypertensive drugs (p-interaction < 0.001), vitamin K antagonists (p-interaction = 0.04), and cardiac glycosides (p-interaction = 0.01). Summarizing, sustained adherence to a MedDiet and LTPA were associated with lower risk of initiating cardiovascular-related medications.
The Phosphofructokinase Isoform AtPFK5 Is a Novel Target of Plastidic Thioredoxin-f-Dependent Redox Regulation
Authors: Hess Natalia , Richter Simon , Liebthal Michael , Dietz Karl-Josef , Mustroph Angelika
Published: March 2021

The chloroplast primary metabolism is of central importance for plant growth and performance. Therefore, it is tightly regulated in order to adequately respond to multiple environmental conditions. A major fluctuation that plants experience each day is the change between day and night, i.e., the change between assimilation and dissimilation. Among other mechanisms, thioredoxin-mediated redox regulation is an important component of the regulation of plastid-localized metabolic enzymes. While assimilatory processes such as the Calvin–Benson cycle are activated under illumination, i.e., under reducing conditions, carbohydrate degradation is switched off during the day. Previous analyses have identified enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway to be inactivated by reduction through thioredoxins. In this work, we present evidence that an enzyme of the plastidic glycolysis, the phosphofructokinase isoform AtPFK5, is also inactivated through reduction by thioredoxins, namely by thioredoxin-f. With the help of chemical oxidation, mutant analyses and further experiments, the highly conserved motif CXDXXC in AtPFK5 was identified as the target sequence for this regulatory mechanism. However, knocking out this isoform in plants had only very mild effects on plant growth and performance, indicating that the complex primary metabolism in plants can overcome a lack in AtPFK5 activity.
An Algorithm for Rescheduling of Trains under Planned Track Closures
Authors: Filcek Grzegorz , Gąsior Dariusz , Hojda Maciej , Józefczyk Jerzy
Published: March 2021

This work considered a joint problem of train rescheduling and closure planning. The derivation of a new train run schedule and the determination of a closure plan not only must guarantee the satisfaction of all the given constraints but also must optimize the number of accepted closures, the number of approved train runs, and the total time shift between the resultant and the original schedule. Presented is a novel nonlinear mixed integer optimization problem which is valid for a broad class of railway networks. A multi-level hierarchical heuristic algorithm is introduced due to the NP-hardness of the considered optimization problem. The algorithm is able, on an iterative basis, to jointly select closures and train runs, along with the derivation of a train schedule. Results obtained by the algorithm, launched for the conducted experiments, confirm its ability to provide acceptable and feasible solutions in a reasonable amount of time.
Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, and Hybrid Approach in Healthcare Simulation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Viglialoro Rosanna Maria , Condino Sara , Turini Giuseppe , Carbone Marina , Ferrari Vincenzo , Gesi Marco
Published: March 2021

Simulation-based medical training is considered an effective tool to acquire/refine technical skills, mitigating the ethical issues of Halsted’s model. This review aims at evaluating the literature on medical simulation techniques based on augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and hybrid approaches. The research identified 23 articles that meet the inclusion criteria: 43% combine two approaches (MR and hybrid), 22% combine all three, 26% employ only the hybrid approach, and 9% apply only the MR approach. Among the studies reviewed, 22% use commercial simulators, whereas 78% describe custom-made simulators. Each simulator is classified according to its target clinical application: training of surgical tasks (e.g., specific tasks for training in neurosurgery, abdominal surgery, orthopedic surgery, dental surgery, otorhinolaryngological surgery, or also generic tasks such as palpation) and education in medicine (e.g., anatomy learning). Additionally, the review assesses the complexity, reusability, and realism of the physical replicas, as well as the portability of the simulators. Finally, we describe whether and how the simulators have been validated. The review highlights that most of the studies do not have a significant sample size and that they include only a feasibility assessment and preliminary validation; thus, further research is needed to validate existing simulators and to verify whether improvements in performance on a simulated scenario translate into improved performance on real patients.
Influence of Load Dynamics on Converter-Dominated Isolated Power Systems
Authors: Gouveia José , Moreira Carlos L. , Peças Lopes João A.
Published: March 2021

The operation of isolated power systems with 100% converter-based generation requires the integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) using grid-forming-type power converters. Under these operating conditions, load dynamics influences the network frequency and voltage following large voltage disturbances. In this sense, the inclusion of induction motor (IM) load models is required to be properly considered in BESS power converter sizing. Thus, this paper presents an extensive sensitivity analysis, demonstrating how load modeling affects the BESS power converter capacity when adopting conventional control strategies while aiming to assure the successful recovery of all IM loads following a network fault. Furthermore, this work highlights that generators with converter interfaces can actively contribute to mitigate the negative impacts resulting from IM loads following a network fault. Thereby, two distinct control strategies are proposed to be integrated in the power electronic interfaces of the available converter-based generators: one to be adopted in grid-following converters and another one suitable for grid-forming converters. The proposed control strategies provide an important contribution to consolidating insular grid codes, aiming to achieve operational scenarios accommodating 100% penetration of converter-based generation with a significative percentage of the IM load composition without resorting to a significative increase in BESS power converter sizing.