bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Certain issues of combating customs crimes
Authors: Vorobyova Svetlana V.
Published: August 2021

We note that the complexity of modern relations between countries and the disrupted economic and political cooperation lead to the fact that the subjects of international economic relations are looking for new ways and forms of interaction within the framework of export-import trade, which do not always comply with the requirements of the law. We consider the issues of combating customs crimes, give the concept of customs crimes, identify issues that hinder the effective investigation and disclosure of customs crimes, suggest ways to solve them. We provide official statistics on these acts. We emphasize that the issue of combating customs crimes is more ur-gent than ever, due to the fact that the number of illegal acts in this area is growing every year and causes irreparable damage to the economic security of the state. We also reflect the role of customs authorities in the prevention and detection of crimes related to smuggling. We analyze the question of the presence of a set of crimes qualified under the articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation on smuggling. Conclusions: it is necessary to de-velop legislation in this area, improve the work of customs authorities, intro-duce new technologies to detect violations of customs legislation, develop strategies for the most effective investigation of this category of cases, im-prove the professional skills of employees, fight corruption-causing factors, which together will allow the most active fight against this type of crime, which in turn will significantly increase the welfare of the country and im-prove the climate of international economic cooperation between states.
Xawara: capitalismo e pandemia desde A queda do Céu
Authors: Valentim Marco Antonio
Published: August 2021

O ensaio pretende considerar o vínculo entre capitalismo e pandemia na contemporaneidade com base na epidemiologia xamânica exposta por Davi Kopenawa Yanomami em A Queda do Céu. Essa consideração opera em três movimentos: (i) a elucidação do nexo entre mercadoria e epidemia na cosmologia yanomami; (ii) a comparação contrastiva entre o conceito animista e o conceito materialista de mercadoria, em particular, quanto à natureza do valor; e (iii) uma hipótese etiológica acerca da pandemia de Covid-19, formulada a partir do papel que a vingança dos espíritos xamânicos desempenham na cataclismologia yanomami. Em sua conclusão, o ensaio compara a tese de Kopenawa sobre o caráter essencialmente patogênico do capitalismo a diagnósticos ameríndios formulados durante a atual pandemia.
A natureza não é uma palavra vazia
Authors: Martins Rodrigues Eliezer
Published: August 2021

A natureza não é uma palavra vazia pra nós, os Guarani Ñandeva, porque a natureza nos inspira. Por isso, nós indígenas respeitamos a natureza, porque ela é um conjunto de espécies de vida que nosso planeta possui, principalmente a vida dos Guarani. Por isso que a gente fala que a água, os trovões, a lua, o sol, o vento, os pássaros, tudo está ligado à nossa cultura. E esse conhecimento Guarani Ñandeva vai ajudar os outros povos, os não-indígenas, as pessoas da cidade - enfim, o mundo, para que ele fique equilibrado.
Na potência do envolvimento: palavras de intelectuais indígenas
Authors: De Campos Maciel Josemar , Marques Pereira Levi , Leite Chaparro Yan
Published: August 2021

O trabalho que segue apresenta variações de uma concepção do desenvolvimento inspirada no esforço de diálogo com o pensamento indígena. Nossa metodologia é hermenêutica, e desdobra-se em dois momentos. O primeiro é uma revisão sintética da relação entre a colonização, o desenvolvimento e a sobrevivência da vocalidade indígena. Para este momento, usamos a literatura científica do campo historiográfico e filosófico. O segundo momento é uma apresentação em categorias tipológicas de algumas visões indígenas do que viria a ser desenvolvimento, construídas a partir da leitura de textos produzidos por intelectuais indígenas.  O resultado esperado do trabalho é contribuir com o adensamento do respeito pela contribuição dos indígenas para pensar uma versão saudável, sustentável, justa e nativa do desenvolvimento do Brasil, que denominamos como “envolvimento”, adotando a formulação expressa por um indígena kaiowá, autor de um dos textos no presente dossiê.
Foras-da-História
Authors: Grünewald Leif
Published: August 2021

Esse texto, ao debruçar-se sobre um dispositivo técnico elaborado pelo banco mundial, que dispõe sobre projetos de desenvolvimento para povos indígenas e da África Subsaariana, busca examinar que espécie de juízo estaria posto ao se pensar as noções de história e de diferença em termos daquilo que lhe faltaria a essas populações quando comparadas ao nosso próprio regime de existência. Assim, ao se indagar sobre o que se encontra em questão ao se pensar esses coletivos como gente “fora da história”, esse texto busca retornar à alguma discussão em antropologia sobre a noção de história, bem como ao material etnográfico sobre os Ayoreo, um povo falante de uma língua Zamuco que habita a região do Chaco Paraguaio.
Intuitionistic Fuzzy Normed Prime Ideal and Some of Their Characteristics
Authors: Ashale Tekalign Regasa
Published: August 2021

This Paper intends to introduce the notion of prime ideals of Intuitionistic fuzzy normed Rings and to establish basic properties related to it. It investigates these notions and shown anew Result using intuinistic fuzzy points and non membership function incorparating with t-norm and s-norm to show aome results of fuzzy prime ideal.
Filming movies of attosecond charge migration with high harmonic spectroscopy
Authors: He Lixin , Sun Siqi , Lan Pengfei , He Yanqing , Wang Bincheng , Wang Pu , Zhu Xiaosong , Li Liang , Cao Wei , Lu Peixiang , Lin Chii-Dong
Published: August 2021

Electron migration in molecules is the progenitor of chemical reactions and biological functions after light-matter interaction. Following this ultrafast dynamics, however, has been an enduring endeavor. Recently, it has been suggested that high-harmonic spectroscopy (HHS) is able to probe dynamics with attosecond temporal and sub-˚angstr¨om spatial resolution. Still, real-time visualization of single-molecule dynamics continues to be a great challenge because experimental harmonic spectra are due to the coherent averages of light emission from individual molecules of different alignments. Here we demonstrate that the uniting of machine learning (ML) algorithm and HHS in two-color laser pulses enables us to retrieve the complex amplitude and phase of harmonics from single fixed-in-space molecule. From the complex single-molecule dipoles for different harmonics, we construct a movie of electron migration after tunnel ionization of the molecules at time steps of 50 attoseconds. Moreover, the angular dependence of molecular charge migration is fully resolved. By examining the movie, we observe that electron holes do not just “migrate” along the laser direction, but may “swirl” around the atom centers. Our ML-based HHS establishes a general reconstruction scheme for studying ultrafast charge migration in molecules, paving a way for further advance in tracing and controlling photochemical reactions by femtosecond lasers.
Prognosis assessment of CD44+/CD24- in Breast Cancer Patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gu Jingjing , Chen Dandan , li Zhiqiang , Yang Yongliang , Ma Zhaoming , Huang Guanhong
Published: August 2021

Purpose: This meta-analysis investigated the relationships between the CD44+/CD24- phenotype and tumor size, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) in 8036 postoperative breast cancer patients enrolled in 23 studies.Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, Embase, and PMC was conducted to identify eligible studies. The combined odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were analyzed to evaluate the relationships between the CD44+/CD24- phenotype and the pathological and biological characteristics of breast cancer patients, and the combined hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were calculated to evaluate the relationships between CD44+/CD24- and DFS and OS of breast cancer petients using Stata12.0 software.Results: The CD44+/CD24- phenotype were not related to the tumor size (tumor size > 2.0 cm vs ≤ 2.0 cm, combined OR = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.68–1.34, p = 0.792) and didn’t promote lymph node metastasis (lymph node metastasis vs. no lymph node metastasis, combined OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.71–1.26, p = 0.692) and distant metastasis (distant metastasis vs no distant metastasis, combined OR = 3.88, 95% CI: 0.93–16.24, p = 0.064). The CD44+/CD24- phenotype was negatively correlated with postoperative DFS (HR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.35–2.07, p <0.00001) and OS (combined HR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.21–1.91, p = 0.0004).Conclusion: These results suggested expression of the CD44+/CD24- phenotype can be used as a reliable indicator of clinical prognosis and a potential therapeutic targets in breastcancer patients.
Quantum Enhanced Filter: QFilter
Authors: Atchade Parfait , Alonso-Linaje Guillermo
Published: August 2021

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) are used mainly to treat problems with many images characteristic of Deep Learning. In this work, we propose a hybrid image classification model to take advantage of quantum and classical computing. The method will use the potential that convolutional networks have shown in artificial intelligence by replacing classical filters with variational quantum filters. Similarly, this work will compare with other classification methods and the system's execution on different servers. The algorithm's quantum feasibility is modelled and tested on Amazon Braket Notebook instances and experimented on the Pennylane's philosophy and framework.
The Prognostic Factor for Recurrence in Advanced-Stage High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer After Complete Clinical Remission: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Wang Qiao , Zheng Ying , Wang Ping , Zhang Jiawen , Liu Hui , Li Qingli , Yin Rutie , Bian Ce , Peng Hongling , Peng Zhilan
Published: August 2021

Background
Women with advanced-stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) are likely to have a bad prognosis. Relapses are common in patients even with no evidence of disease after primary treatment. We aimed to identify the prognostic factors for disease recurrence in these patients.
Methods
A nested case-control study was conducted in a large medical center in Southwest China. The primary outcome was recurrence of disease within 3 years after clinical remission (CR). Cox regression was used to calculate the time to event analysis in different groups.
Results
Ninety-seven patients were finally included. Fifty-seven patients (58.8%) relapsed within 3 years after CR. Among all the variables, the difference in posttreatment CA-125 level was statistically significant (P ༜0.05) between the recurrent group and the progression-free group in both univariate and multivariable analysis. A cutoff value was set at the median level in the recurrent group (10 U/ml) to categorize patients into two arms. In Cox regression, the posttreatment CA-125 level was identified as a prognostic factor for recurrence with an OR of 1.05 (95% CI: 1.02–1.10, P = 0.033). The median time (from initiation of treatment) until relapse was 25 months for patients whose posttreatment CA-125 levels were higher than 10 U/ml, while it was undefined for patients whose posttreatment CA-125 level were ≤ 10 U/ml. Patients with a higher posttreatment CA-125 level showed an increased risk for OC relapse compared to those with a lower posttreatment CA-125 level. Furthermore, as shown in line graphs recording serum CA-125 levels during follow-up in each recurrent case, the increments of serum CA-125 levels were delayed in recurrent OC patients who had a posttreatment CA125 level ≤ 10 U/ml compared with those with a higher CA-125 level.
Conclusion
A low serum CA-125 level after primary treatment was a potential prognostic factor in women with advanced HGSOC.
Multiple exposures to high concentration of selenate significantly improve selenate tolerability, red elemental selenium (Se0) and selenoprotein biosynthesis in Herbaspirillum camelliae WT00C
Authors: Ni Xuechen , Tian Jinbao , Chen Changmei , Huang Ling , Lei Jia , Yu Xuejing , Wang Xingguo
Published: August 2021

Herbaspirillum camelliae WT00C isolated from tea plant has an intact selenate metabolism pathway but its selenate tolerability is poor. In this study, microbiological properties between the strain WT00C and three strains CT00C, NCT00C and NT00C obtained respectively from 4, 6 and 8 rounds of 24-h exposures to 200 mM selenate were studied and compared. The selenate tolerability and the capability of generating red elemental selenium (Se0) and selenoproteins were significantly improved in H. camelliae WT00C via 4–6 rounds of multiple exposures to high concentration of selenate. The original strain WT00C grew in 200 mM selenate with the lag phase of 12 h and 400 mM selenate with the lag phase of 60 h, whereas the strains CT00C and NCT00C grew in 800 mM selenate and showed quite short lag phase when they grew in 50–400 mM selenate. Two stains also significantly improved the biosynthesis of red elemental selenium (Se0) and selenoproteins besides selenate tolerance. The stains CT00C and NCT00C exhibited more than 30% selenium conversion efficiency and 40% selenoprotein biosynthesis as compared to the original strain WT00C. These characteristics of the strains CT00C and NCT00C make them possible to be applied in pharmaceuticals and feed industries. The strain NT00C obtained from 8 rounds of 24-h exposures to 200 mM selenate was unable to grow in ≥ 400 mM selenate, and its selenium conversion efficiency and selenoprotein biosynthesis were similar to the strain WT00C. Too many exposures caused gene inactivation of some key enzymes involving in selenate metabolism and antioxidative stress. In addition, bacterial cells underwent obviously physiological and morphological changes including gene activity, cell enlargement and surface-roughness alterations during the process of multiple exposures to high concentration of selenate.
Numerical Analysis of An 80,000 Nm3/h Fly Ash Entrained-Flow Gasifier At Various Burner Inclination Angles
Authors: Fang Neng , Zeng Lingyan , Lu Yue , Li Zhengqi , Chen Zhichao
Published: August 2021

The raw syngas effluent from a fluidized bed gasifier typically contains a large amount of fly ash having a high concentration of carbon, which is undesirable. The present work examined the newly developed entrained-flow gasification technology intended to gasify raw syngas. Simulation of gas-solid flow and reaction behavior in an industrial-scale entrained-flow gasifier applying this new technology was first performed to obtain a better understanding of the particle flow and gasification characteristics. In addition, the devolatilization and heterogeneous reactions of fly ash particles were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and user-defined function. The predictions from the simulation showed good agreement with the results of in situ experimental measurements. The combustion reaction for raw syngas occurred in the burner jet zone. As the hot gaseous products diffused, gasification reactions dominated the other zones. When burner inclination angle was 0°, 8.5°, and 25.5°, the temperature at the bottom outlet of the gasifier was lower than the ash fusion temperature with the value of 1360 °C. Solid slag formed and blocked the outlet. By comparison, this gasifier with the burner inclination angle of 17° could discharge the liquid slag and function as a continuous operation. In this way, the carbon conversion in fly ash reached the maximum value of 89.5%.
Clinical Value of Positive BET and Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia in Chinese Patients with Functional Defecation Disorder
Authors: Jiang Ya , Wang Yan , Tang Yurong , Lin Lin
Published: August 2021

Background
Functional defecation disorder (FDD) is a common subtype of functional constipation (FC). Balloon expulsion test (BET) and high resolution anorectal manometry (HR-ARM) are significant tools but their results are not always consistent.
Aims
To investigate the characteristics of patients with positive BET and pelvic floor dyssynergia (PFD) and explore the value of both positive results in FDD diagnosis.
Methods
We retrospectively diagnose FC subtypes and enrolled FDD patients based on Rome-IV criteria. They underwent HR-ARM, BET and CTT tests. Then they were classified to 2 groups and further stratified by FDD subtypes. Validated questionnaires were applied to investigate patients’ constipation, anxiety/depression and quality of life.
Results
335 FDD patients were finally enrolled. They were classified into 2 groups according to whether BET and PFD were both positive (consistent or not). 84.48% showed consistent results. These patients had significantly higher anal residual pressure, lower anal relaxation rate, MDI and a more negative RAPG (Ps < 0.05). The specific distribution of FDD phenotypes in two groups showed significant difference (P = 0.021). Males suffered a more negative RAPG (P < 0.001) and age was correlated with anal relaxation rate (P < 0.001). 177 individuals among them were investigated with validated questionnaires. Scores for Defecation Symptoms, Physical Discomfort and GAD-7 score were significantly high in Consistent Group (Ps < 0.05). GAD-7 score was associated with Defecation Symptoms (P < 0.001) while anal residual pressure, GAD-7 and Defecation Symptoms score were linked to Physical Discomfort (Ps < 0.05). The diagnostic specificity and PPV for FDD rose significantly with positive BET and PFD.
Conclusion
FDD patients with positive BET and PFD suffer severe defecation symptoms, anxiety and impaired QOL. Positive BET and PFD could be an ideal tool for screening FDD.
A New Statistical Image Watermark Detector in RHFMs Domain using Beta Exponential Distribution
Authors: Niu Panpan , Tian Jing , Tian Jialin , Wang Xiangyang
Published: August 2021

The detection of watermarks can be achieved by statistical approaches. How to select robust modeling object, appropriate statistical model, and decision rules is one of the major issues in statistical image watermark detection. In this paper, we propose a new image watermark detector in robust fast radial harmonic Fourier moments (FRHFMs) magnitudes domain, wherein the Beta exponential distribution model and locally most powerful (LMP) decision rule are used. We first investigate the statistical modeling of the robust FRHFMs magnitudes by the Beta exponential distribution. It is shown that the Beta exponential distribution model fits the empirical data more accurately than the formerly employed statistical distributions, such as the Cauchy, Weibull, BKF and Exponential, do. Motivated by the statistical modeling results, we design a blind image watermark detector in FRHFMs magnitudes domain by using Beta exponential distribution and LMP test. Also, we utilize the Beta-exponential model to derive the closed-form expressions for the watermark detector. We provide comparative experimental results to alternative approaches to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed image watermark detector.
Remote Photonic Detection of Human Senses Using Secondary Speckle Patterns
Authors: Kalyuzhner Zeev , Agdarov Sergey , Orr Itai , Beiderman Yafim , Bennett Aviya , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: August 2021

Neural activity research has recently gained significant attention due to its association with sensory information and behavior control. However, current methods of brain activity sensing require expensive equipment and physical contact with the subject. We propose a novel photonic-based method for remote detection of human senses. Physiological processes associated with hemodynamic activity due to activation of the cerebral cortex affected by different senses have been detected by remote monitoring of nano‐vibrations generated due to the transient blood flow to specific regions of the brain. We have found that combination of defocused, self‐interference random speckle patterns with a spatiotemporal analysis using Deep Neural Network (DNN) allows associating between the activated sense and the seemingly random speckle patterns.
Rhino-orbital mucormycosis related to COVID-19- A case series exploring risk factors
Authors: Aggarwal Sushil Kumar , Kaur Upinder , Talda Dolly , Pandey Akshat , Jaiswal Sumit , Kanakan Ahalya , Goyal Arpit , Yadav Ramraj , Singh Anshuman , Dhameja Neeraj , Selvaraj Siva , Chakrabarti Sankha Shubhra
Published: August 2021

There has been a surge of rhino-orbital mucormycosis cases in India in the wake of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been widely suggested that dysglycaemia due to diabetes present as a common comorbidity in these COVID-19 patients as well as indiscriminate steroid use has resulted in this surge. Here, we report a series of 13 cases of rhino-orbital mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients admitted at our center between mid-April and early June 2021. Out of the 13, the only common factor was COVID-19 at some time point before diagnosis of mucormycosis or coexistent with it. The cases showed a male preponderance and four of them showed intracranial extension of disease. Eleven of them had received steroids as part of COVID-19 management protocol and twelve of them had pre-existing or newly diagnosed diabetes. We have summarized other probable risk factors being considered such as immunosuppressed state, antiviral and Ayurvedic (Indian traditional) medications, oxygen therapy, with each of which we could not find a link of mucormycosis. We propose that COVID-19 itself through molecular mechanisms predisposes to mucormycosis, with other factors such as dysglycaemia providing a second hit.
Bottlenecks to Intervention Scale Up: Supply and Demand Side Perspectives From a Large, Community-based Trial of Malaria Testing
Authors: Kirui Joseph , Malinga Josephine , Sang Edna , Ambani George , Abel Lucy , Nalianya Erick , Namae Jane , Boyce Matthew , Laktabai Jeremiah , Menya Diana , O’Meara Wendy Prudhomme
Published: August 2021

Background: Maximizing the impact of community-based programs requires understanding how the supply of and demand for the intervention interact at the point of delivery. We present results from a large-scale community health worker study designed to increase the availability of and demand for malaria diagnostic testing in a rural, malaria-endemic region in western Kenya between 2015 and 2017. Methods: Community Health Workers (CHWs) provided free malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test(mRDT) in the community. Those with a positive malaria test were provided with a discounted first-line antimalarial over-the-counter. We conducted a community-based survey to collect individual study outcomes at 12- and 18-months post-implementation. In addition, we collected monthly testing data from the 244 participating CHWs and also conducted in-depth interviews with a random sample of 70 CHWs. Results: From the survey, 55% (n=948/1738) reported having a malaria test for their recent illness with 38% having been tested by a CHW. Being aware of a local CHW (95% CI:1.10-2.04) and belonging to a wealthy household (95% CI:1.14-2.06) were associated with higher malaria testing uptake from any source. Poorer households were more likely to receive a test from a CHW. School-aged children between 5-17 years were more than twice as likely to be tested by a CHW (95% CI:1.47-4.14). Both confidence in AL treatment (95% CI:1.54-4.92) and perceived accuracy of an RDT performed by a CHW (95% CI:1.12-5.27) were strongly and positively associated with testing by a CHW. In adjusted analyses, specific CHWs attributes were significantly associated with higher testing rates including formal employment (95% CI:0.05-2.70), those serving more than 50 households (95% CI:0.70-2.74) and those serving areas with a higher proportion of positive tests (95% CI:1.05, 3.22). On both the supply side and the demand side, confidence in a test performed by a CHW was strongly correlated with the success of the intervention.Conclusion: Scale-up of community-based malaria testing intervention through CHWs is feasible and effective at reaching the poorest households. In order to maximize the impact of such interventions, it is important to recognize factors that may restrict both delivery and demand for such services.
Standardization of Loop mediated isothermal amplification for detection of D. nodosus and F. necrophorum causing footrot in sheep and goats
Authors: madineni kavitha , Kumar N. Vinod
Published: August 2021

The Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) was standardized for rapid detection of D. nodosus and F. necrophorum. A total of 250 foot swabs (200) were screened from sheep and (50) were from goats from different districts of Rayalaseema viz., Chittoor, Nellore, Kadapa, Anantapur. Out of 250 samples 75 (30.0%) and 85 (34.0%) were positive for D. nodosus and F. necrophorum respectively. All the 250 samples were screened individually for both the organisms by LAMP. Among them, 104 (41.6%) were found to be positive for D. nodosus and 120 (48.0%) were positive for F. necrophorum. The efficacy of LAMP in terms of sample DNA detection limit was compared with the PCR by using standard dilutions of DNA extracted from D. nodosus and F. necrophorum cultures. The detection limit was found to be higher than PCR for both the organisms. The sensitivity of LAMP is compared with PCR by targeting 16S rRNA gene of D. nodosus and lktA gene of F. necrophorum. In case of D. nodosus, out of 250 samples, 75 (30.0%) were positive by PCR and 104 (41.6%) were positive by LAMP. Among 250 samples, 85 (34.0%) were positive by PCR and 120 (48.0%) were positive by LAMP in case of F. necrophorum. The LAMP was found to be more sensitive than PCR in detecting the organisms with high statistical significance.
Effect of different nutrient diets on developmental and reproductive fitness of Pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
Authors: N Madhu T , K Muralimohan , G Arunkumara C , C Nagaraju M
Published: August 2021

Pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidopetra: Gelechiidae) is one of the most important pest of cotton. In this paper, we studied the influence of different nutrient rearing diets on developmental and reproductive characteristics of pink bollworm under laboratory conditions. Larvae were reared on four diets (two natural diets and two artificial diets) with varied nutritional value. Larval diet affects the survival, development duration, pupal weight, adult emergence and fecundity. Pink bollworm attained the fastest larval development on NRD (19.8 days) with a survival rate of 88.2% and slowest on NPD and okra (~ 27.1 days) with a survival rate of 47.5% and 58.1% respectively. Pupal weight was highest (26.86 mg) on NRD and reached maximum fecundity (107 eggs/female), while lowest fecundity on NPD (37 eggs/female). Among natural diets, egg hatching rate on cotton and okra were 87% and 71%. Adult emergence starts early and the adult eclosion window was narrow on cotton and NRD. Adult longevity was varied with diets, while female moths lived longer than males in all diet treatments. Our study may help to understanding the effect of nutrition from different diets and enhanced the fecundity of P. gossypiella on NRD under laboratory conditions.
Local Fruit Waste Driven Benthic Microbial Fuel Cell: A Sustainable Approach to Toxic Metal Removal and Bioelectricity Generation
Authors: Yaqoob Asim Ali , Guerrero–Barajas Claudia , Ibrahim Mohamad Nasir Mohamad , Umar Khalid , Yaakop Amira Suriaty
Published: August 2021

The present work focused on the utilization of three local wastes i.e., rambutan (nephelium lappaceum), langsat (lansium parasiticum) and mango (mangifera indica) wastes as organic substrates in benthic microbial fuel cell (BMFC) to reduce the cadmium and lead concentrations from synthetic wastewater. Out of the three wastes, the mango waste promoted a maximum current density (87.71 mA/m2) along with 78 % and 80 % removal efficiencies for Cd2+ and Pb2+, respectively. The bacterial identification proved that Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter, and Citrobacter were responsible for metals removals and energy generation. Lastly, the BMFC mechanism, challenges and future recommendations are enclosed.
Pharmacogenetic and Clinical Predictors of Ondansetron Failure in a Diverse Pediatric Oncology Population
Authors: Jacobs Shana , Dome Jeffrey S , Gai Jiaxiang , Gross Andrea , Postell Elena , Hinds Pamela , Davenport Lionel , Anker John N van den , Mowbray Catriona
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a frequently seen burdensome adverse event of cancer therapy. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron has improved the rates of CINV but, unfortunately, up to 30% of patients do not obtain satisfactory control. This study examined whether genetic variations in a relevant drug metabolizing enzyme (CYP2D6), transporter (ABCB1) or receptor (5-HT3) were associated with ondansetron failure. Methods: DNA was extracted from blood and used to genotype: ABCB1 (3435C>T (rs1045642) and G2677A/T (rs2032582)), 5-HT3RB (rs3758987 T>C and rs45460698 (delAAG/dupAAG)) and CYP2D6 variants. Ondansetron failure was determined by review of the medical records and by patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Results: 129 patients were approached; 103 consented. Participants were less than 1 to 33 years (mean 6.85). 39.8% were female, 58.3% were White (22.3% Black, 19.4% other); and 24.3% were Hispanic. A majority had leukemia or lymphoma, and 41 (39.8%) met the definition of ondansetron failure. Of variants tested, rs45460698 independently showed a significant difference in risk of ondansetron failure between a mutant (any deletion) and normal allele (p=0.0281, OR 2.67). Age and BMI were both predictive of ondansetron failure (Age > 12 (OR 1.12, p=0.0012) and higher BMI (OR 1.13, p=0.0119)). In multivariate analysis, age > 12 was highly predictive of ondansetron failure (OR 7.108, p=0.0008). rs45460698 was predictive when combined with an increased nausea phenotype variant of rs1045642 (OR 3.45, p=0.0426). Conclusion: Select phenotypes of 5-HT3RB and ABCB1, age, and potentially BMI can help predict increased risk for CINV in a diverse pediatric oncology population.
SARS-CoV-2-IgG Response and the Role of ACE2 G8790A and ACE I/D Polymorphic Variants as Determinants of Covid-19 Severity-A Genetic Association Study in north Indian Population
Authors: Malik Gawharul Haq , Bhat Imtiyaz A , Rasool Sadaf , Bashir Insha , Bashir Arooja , Dar Taief A , Shafi tabassum , Rashid Fouzia , Masoodi Shariq R , Shah Zafar A
Published: August 2021

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme-II and Angiotensin-converting enzyme are an integral part of Renin-Angiotensin system and mediate SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcome. Here we studied the role of host antibody response to SARS-CoV-2, ACE2 G8790A single nucleotide polymorphism, and ACE insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) as key determinants of Covid-19 severity and outcome. Methods: We evaluated anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers by chemiluminescence. ACE2 G8790A and ACE I/D were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP) and PCR respectively. Results: The overall positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2-IgG was 83.72%, but a significantly lower positivity was observed in asymptomatic subjects (66.67%, p < 0.05). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were comparatively higher in subjects who required hospitalization (13.06 ± 14.42 vs 7.37 ± 10.79, p < 0.05). ACE2 G8790A ‘AA’ genotype was significantly higher in subjects who did not require hospitalization (OR=0.40, CI 0.14-0.71, P= 0.007). In addition, the frequency of ACE I/D ‘ID’ genotype was significantly lower in symptomatic as compared to asymptomatic subjects (OR=0.235, CI 0.09-0.56, P=0.001). Conclusion: In summary, the current study shows that serological response to SARS-CoV-2 is more pronounced in symptomatic and severe covid-19 cases. Both ACE2 G8790A ‘AA’ and ACE I/D ‘ID’ genotype were observed to show protective role as far as the severity of covid-19 infection was considered. The study provides preliminary evidence of a genetic link between the analyzed polymorphic variants and covid-19 severity suggesting a subtle way of covid-19 risk stratification and utilization of respective variants as predictive biomarkers.
Acute Responsive Elevation of Serum Secretory Acid Sphingomyelinase Activity in Infants with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis
Authors: Yamamoto Shoko , Noguchi Atsuko , Hatazawa Chiaki , Hatazawa Takako , Kondo Daiki , Kubota Hiroki , Tsuchida Satoko , Takahashi Tsutomu
Published: August 2021

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants. Biomarkers of disease severity may be significant in improving management. Blood secretory acid sphingomyelinase (S-ASM) activity has been recognized as a biomarker of cytokine release, inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage to the vascular endothelium in various diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate whether serum S-ASM activity is increased and correlates with disease severity in infants with RSV bronchiolitis.Methods: Serum S-ASM activity was determined in 31 infants with RSV bronchiolitis, nine infants with RSV-negative febrile infection, and eight healthy infants. Laboratory data including two cytokines, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-18, and clinical observatory findings, including clinical severity score specific for bronchiolitis, were analyzed for correlation with the levels of serum S-ASM activity.Results: Serum S-ASM activity was significantly higher among the 31 infants with RSV bronchiolitis (9.5 ± 5.4 nmol/mL/h) than in those in each of the control groups (RSV-negative febrile infection patients, 4.0 ± 1.4 nmol/mL/h, p<0.005; healthy controls, 4.3 ± 1.9 nmol/mL/h, p<0.005). Serum S-ASM activity negatively correlated with IFN-γ levels (rho=−0.448, p=0.0129), but were not correlated with any other outcomes analyzed in this study.Conclusion: Serum S-ASM activity was significantly higher in infants with RSV bronchiolitis; however, its clinical significance requires further study.
High Level of Heterozygous Haplotype of Hemoglobin in Abidjan
Authors: Koui Tossea A Stephane , GNONDJUI Albert Alloh , ADJI Agbessi Eric , AKO Ako Aristide Berenger , COULIBALY Baba , AKA A Delpêche , BI Sery GONEDELE , TOURE Andre Offiana , JAMBOU Ronan
Published: August 2021

Background. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an hemoglobin disorder that concerns 300,000 newborns each year around the world. Hemoglobin haplotypes can modulate SCD clinical expression. In Côte d’Ivoire, no study has yet investigated the distribution of hemoglobin haplotypes in the population. The goal of this study was to identify hemoglobin haplotypes for people attending dispensary with mild malaria in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) independently of their SCD status. Methods To determine haplotypes, specific restriction enzyme (RE) method is used after PCR amplification with different couples of primers. According to the digestion profile of PCR products, five hemoglobin haplotypes are found over the world. ResultsIn Abidjan, four different “classical” haplotypes of hemoglobin were detected: Benin (56.5%), Bantou (28.5%), Senegal (4%), Cameroun (1%). In parallel 10% of atypical profiles were described. Heterozygous haplotype (69%) was more frequent than homozygous haplotype (31%). ConclusionsBenin haplotype usually associated with more severe of SCD symptoms was predominant in the study population. However this preliminary study highlights also a high prevalence of atypical and heterozygous haplotypes in the population.
Characteristics and Symptom Profiles of Patients Evaluated By A Nurse Practitioner Consultant In A Multidisciplinary Palliative Radiotherapy Clinic.
Authors: Pituskin Edith , Rabel Hope , O'Rourke Tammy , Duggleby Wendy , Hunter Kathleen , Ghosh Sunita , Fairchild Alysa
Published: August 2021

Palliative radiation therapy is an essential but often impromptu service, depending on the patient condition and symptom burden. Radiation oncologists are the usual consultant in this setting, however, there is potential to extend capacity with the addition of advanced providers such as a nurse practitioner. Purpose: to examine characteristics and symptom profiles of patients individually evaluated by a nurse practitioner with those evaluated by a radiation oncologist in a rapid access, multidisciplinary palliative radiotherapy clinic. Methods & Materials: Data were retrieved from an ethics-approved, prospective database. Patients were grouped and analyzed based on the consultant. Results: The nurse practitioner completed consultations for a total of 137 patients, the radiation oncologist for 98. No significant differences were observed in symptom profile, functional status or whether radiotherapy was prescribed. By working as a team, 58% more patients with painful bone metastases were able to access the clinic. Conclusions: An experienced nurse practitioner can significantly enhance access to consultation in a palliative radiotherapy clinic. We expect this research to inform ways that advanced providers can improve access to timely care and reduce suffering.
Paclitaxel Chemotherapy Induces Long-Term Memory Impairment and Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Model of Breast Cancer Survivorship
Authors: Chung Ni-Chun , Chang Aeson , Gillis Ryan , Sloan Erica , Walker Adam K
Published: August 2021

BackgroundCancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has been reported in cancer survivors 20 years or more after cancer treatment, and has been associated with sustained increases in circulating inflammatory biomarkers. One of the major risk factors for CRCI is chemotherapy, and preclinical studies typically examine the impact of chemotherapy in cancer naïve mice to evaluate potential mechanisms However, clinical evaluation of the long-term effects of chemotherapy cannot avoid the potential cumulative impact of preceding factors on the brain including the cancer itself and cancer surgery. MethodsTo evaluate the cumulative impact of cancer-related factors on cognitive impairment and hippocampal cytokine expression, we evaluated the effect of paclitaxel chemotherapy vs. placebo on a background of 67NR mammary carcinoma and surgical resection of the primary tumour in mice. Memory was assessed using the Y maze test and novel object/novel place recognition test. Changes in hippocampal pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, microglia and neuron markers were assessed using qRT-PCR. Results Cancer and cancer surgery was sufficient to induce long-term memory impairment and sustained increases in hippocampal pro-inflammatory cytokines. Paclitaxel prolonged spatial memory impairment in the Y maze test and exacerbated hippocampal Il6 and Tnfa mRNA expression compared with placebo treatment. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that cancer and cancer surgery can sensitise the brain to an exaggerated neuroinflammatory response to chemotherapy, and may contribute to sustained chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment observed in cancer survivors.
Goji Berry Intake Increases Macular Pigment Optical Density in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Pilot Trial
Authors: Li Xiang , Holt Roberta R. , Keen Carl L. , Morse Lawrence S. , Yiu Glenn , Hackman Robert M.
Published: August 2021

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the third leading cause of blindness worldwide. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a biomarker for AMD, is a non-invasive measure to assess risk. The macula xanthophyll pigments lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) protect against blue light and provide oxidant defense, which can be indexed by MPOD. This study examined the effects of L- and Z-rich goji berry intake on MPOD and skin carotenoids in healthy individuals. A randomized, unmasked, parallel-arm study was conducted with 27 participants, aged 45–65, who consumed either 28 g of goji berries or a supplement containing 6 mg L and 4 mg Z (LZ), five times weekly for 90 days. After 90 days, MPOD was significantly increased in the goji berry group at 0.25 and 1.75 retinal eccentricities; RE; p = 0.029 and p = 0.044, respectively), while no changes were noted in the LZ group. Skin carotenoids were significantly increased in the goji berry group at day 45 (p = 0.025) and day 90 (p = 0.006), but not in the LZ group. Regular intake of goji berries in a healthy middle-aged population increases MPOD, which may help prevent or delay the development of AMD.
VCP Protects Neurons from Proteopathic Seeding
Authors: Zhu Jiang , Pittman Sara , Dhavale Dhruva , French Rachel , Patterson Jessica N. , Kaleelurrrahuman Mohamed Salman , Sun Yuanzi , Buscher William J. , Bieschke Jan , Kotzbauer Paul , Ayala Yuna , Davis Albert A. , Weihl Conrad C
Published: August 2021

Background: Neuronal uptake and subsequent spread of proteopathic seeds, such as αS (alpha-synuclein), tau, and TDP-43, contribute to neurodegeneration and disease progression. The cellular machinery necessary for this process is poorly understood. Methods: Cas9 expressing αS FRET biosensors were transduced with a whole-genome guide RNA (gRNA) library, seeded with αS fibrils, and flow-sorted. Candidate genes protective against αS seeding were identified following gRNA sequencing of FRET+ and FRET- cell populations. Secondary validation of the high probability candidate suppressor VCP, utilized VCP inhibitors or gene knockdown in αS biosensors and primary neurons. In vivo validation was performed in VCP disease mutation mice following intrastriatal injection of αS seeds. TDP-43 seeding was performed in primary neurons from control or VCP mutant mice.Results: We devised a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen to identify suppressors of αS seeding. This approach identified Valosin Containing Protein (VCP) as a suppressor of αS seeding. Dominant mutations in VCP cause multisystem proteinopathy (MSP) a phenotypically and pathologically variable neurodegeneraive disease characterized by myopathy, motor neuron disease and dementia with TDP-43, αS and tau inclusions. VCP inhibition or MSP disease mutations increased αS seeding in cells and primary cultured neurons. This was similar to treatment with the lysosomal damaging agent, LLoMe or knockdown of the endolysosomal damage response associated VCP cofactor, UBXD1. Intrastriatal injection of αS seeds into VCP disease mice demonstrated enhanced seeding efficiency as compared with controls. Finally, this phenomenon was not specific to αS since VCP disease mutant expression increased TDP-43 seeding in neurons.Conclusion: VCP surveillance of permeabilized late endosomes protects neurons against the proteopathic spread of pathogenic protein aggregates. The spread of distinct aggregate species may dictate the pleiotropic phenotypes and pathologies in VCP associated MSP.
Bone Metabolism In Patients With Type 1 Neurofibromatosis: Key Role of Sun Exposure and Physical Activity
Authors: Ferrara Ursula Pia , Tortora Cristina , BD Carmen Rosano , BD Antonia Assunto , Rossi Alessandro , Pagano Stefano , Falco Mariateresa , Simeoli Chiara , Ferrigno Rosario , D’Amico Alessandra , Salvio Dario , Cangemi Giuliana , Pivonello Rosario , Strisciuglio Pietro , Melis Daniela
Published: August 2021

Bone metabolism has been rarely investigated in children affected by Neurofibromatosis (NF1). Aim of the present study was to assess bone mineral metabolism in children and adults NF1 patients, to determine the relevant factors potentially involved in the development of reduced bone mineral density (BMD), and provide possible therapeutic intervention in NF1 patients. 114 NF1 patients and sex and age matched controls were enrolled into the study. Clinical and biochemical factors reflecting bone metabolism were evaluated. Factors potentially affecting BMD were also investigated including: physical activity, sun exposure, vitamin D intake. Whenever the presence of vitamin D deficiency was recorded, cholecalciferol supplementation was started and BMD data obtained during supplementation were compared with previous ones. NF1 patients showed lower Z-scores at Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) than controls. Physical activity was significantly reduced in NF1 patients than in controls. Sun exposure was significantly lower in NF1 compared to control subjects. At linear regression analysis vitamin D was the most predictive factor of reduced BMD (p = 0.0001). Cholecalciferol supplementation significantly increased BMD z.score (p = 0.000). We speculated that a combination of different factors, including reduced sun exposure, possibly associated with reduced serum vitamin D levels, and poor physical activity, concur to the impaired bone status in NF1 patients. We also demonstrated that treatment with vitamin D can be effective in improving BMD in NF1 patients, including children. In conclusion, the findings of the current study are expected to have important implications for the follow-up and prevention of osteopenia/osteoporosis in this common genetic disease.
Deep Phenotyping Reveals Movement Phenotypes in Mouse Neurodevelopmental Models
Authors: Klibaite Ugne , Kislin Mikhail , Verpeut Jessica L. , Sun Xiaoting , Shaevitz Joshua W. , Wang Samuel S.-H.
Published: August 2021

Background: Repetitive action, resistance to environmental change, and fine motor disruptions are hallmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and vary considerably from individual to individual. In animal models, conventional behavioral phenotyping captures such fine-scale variations incompletely. Here, we aimed at investigating behavioral consequences of a cerebellum-specific deletion in Tsc1 protein and a whole-brain knockout in Cntnap2 protein in mice, both mutations are found in the clinical conditions and have been associated with ASD. We observed male and female C57BL/6J mice to methodically catalog adaptive movement over multiple days and examined two rodent models of developmental disorders against this dynamic baseline. Methods: Here, we use advances in computer vision and deep learning, a generalized form of high-dimensional statistical analysis, to develop a framework for characterizing mouse movement on multiple time scales using a single popular behavioral assay, the open field test. The pipeline takes virtual markers from pose estimation to find behavior clusters and generate wavelet signatures of behavior classes. We measured spatial and temporal habituation to a new environment across minutes and days, different types of self-grooming, locomotion and gait. Results: Both Cntnap2 knockout and L7-Tsc1 mutants showed forelimb lag during gait. L7-Tsc1 mutants showed complex defects in multi-day adaptation, lacking the tendency of wild-type mice to spend progressively more time in corners of the arena. In L7-Tsc1 mutant mice, failure-to-adapt took the form of maintained ambling, turning, and locomotion, and an overall decrease in grooming. Adaptation in Cntnap2 knockout mice more broadly resembled that of wild-type. L7-Tsc1 mutant and Cntnap2 knockout mouse models showed different patterns of behavioral state occupancy. Limitations: Genetic risk factors for autism are numerous, and here we tested only two. Our pipeline was only applied to conditions of free behavior. Testing under task or social conditions would reveal more information about behavioral dynamics and variability. Conclusions: Our automated pipeline for deep phenotyping successfully captures model-specific deviations in adaptation and movement as well as differences in the detailed structure of behavioral dynamics. The reported deficits indicate that deep phenotyping constitutes a robust set of ASD symptoms that may be considered for implementation in clinical settings as a quantitative diagnosis criteria.