bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Application of EST-SSR Markers in Cephalotaxus oliveri From Transcriptome Sequences
Authors: Liu Hanjing , Zhang Yuli , Wang Zhen , Su Yingjuan , Wang Ting
Published: November 2021

Cephalotaxus oliveri is an endemic conifer of China, which has medicinal and ornamental value. However, the limited molecular markers and genetic information are insufficient for further genetic studies of this species. In this study, we characterized and developed the EST-SSRs from transcriptome sequences for the first time. The results showed that a total of 5089 SSRs were identified from 36446 unigenes with a density of one SSR per 11.1 kb. The most common type was trinucleotide repeats, excluding mononucleotide repeats, followed by dinucleotide repeats. AAG/CTT and AT/AT exhibited the highest frequency in the trinucleotide and dinucleotide repeats, respectively. Of the identified SSRs, 671, 1125, and 1958 SSRs were located in CDS, 3′UTR, and 5′UTR, respectively. Functional annotation showed that the SSR-containing unigenes were involved in growth and development with various biological functions. Among successfully designed primer pairs, 238 primer pairs were randomly selected for amplification and validation of EST-SSR markers and 47 primer pairs were identified as polymorphic. Finally, 28 high-polymorphic primers were used for genetic analysis and revealed a moderate level of genetic diversity. Seven natural C. oliveri sampling sites were divided into two genetic groups. Furthermore, the 28 EST-SSRs had 96.43, 71.43, and 78.57% of transferability rate in Cephalotaxus fortune, Ametotaxus argotaenia, and Pseudotaxus chienii, respectively. These markers developed in this study lay the foundation for further genetic and adaptive evolution studies in C. oliveri and related species.
COVID-19, Pre-Eclampsia, and Complement System
Authors: Agostinis Chiara , Mangogna Alessandro , Balduit Andrea , Aghamajidi Azin , Ricci Giuseppe , Kishore Uday , Bulla Roberta
Published: November 2021

COVID-19 is characterized by virus-induced injury leading to multi-organ failure, together with inflammatory reaction, endothelial cell (EC) injury, and prothrombotic coagulopathy with thrombotic events. Complement system (C)viaits cross-talk with the contact and coagulation systems contributes significantly to the severity and pathological consequences due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. These immunopathological mechanisms overlap in COVID-19 and pre-eclampsia (PE). Thus, mothers contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy are more vulnerable to developing PE. SARS-CoV-2 infection of ECs,viaits receptor ACE2 and co-receptor TMPRSS2, can provoke endothelial dysfunction and disruption of vascular integrity, causing hyperinflammation and hypercoagulability. This is aggravated by bradykinin increase due to inhibition of ACE2 activity by the virus. C is important for the progression of normal pregnancy, and its dysregulation can impact in the form of PE-like syndrome as a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, there is also an overlap between treatment regimens of COVID-19 and PE. C inhibitors, especially those targeting C3 or MASP-2, are exciting options for treating COVID-19 and consequent PE. In this review, we examine the role of C, contact and coagulation systems as well as endothelial hyperactivation with respect to SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and likely development of PE.
Tensile Behavior of Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Ultra-High-Performance Concrete
Authors: Li Jiayue , Deng Zongcai
Published: November 2021

Thirty dog bone-shaped specimens were tested to study the effects of steel fiber mixed with seven kinds of non-metallic fibers on the tensile properties of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). Through experiments and micromorphological analysis, the effects of hybrid fibers on the compressive strength, tensile strength, peak strain, fracture energy, and characteristic length of UHPC were analyzed. The results showed that the hybrid fiber-reinforced UHPC showed good ductile failure characteristics, which reflected the good crack resistance and toughening effect of different fibers. The tensile stress–strain curves of UHPC with different hybrid fibers can be divided into two parts: ascending section and softening section, and the softening section was greatly affected by the type and content of fibers. Basalt fiber with a diameter of 0.02 mm had the most obvious strengthening effect on UHPC, and polyvinyl alcohol fiber with a diameter of 0.2 mm and length of 8 mm had the best toughening effect. The mixing of steel fiber and non-metallic fiber cannot only reduce the preparation cost but also improve the fracture energy and toughness of UHPC.
Multiparametric Microstructural MRI and Machine Learning Classification Yields High Diagnostic Accuracy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Proof of Concept
Authors: Kocar Thomas D. , Behler Anna , Ludolph Albert C. , Müller Hans-Peter , Kassubek Jan
Published: November 2021

The potential of multiparametric quantitative neuroimaging has been extensively discussed as a diagnostic tool in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the past, the integration of multimodal, quantitative data into a useful diagnostic classifier was a major challenge. With recent advances in the field, machine learning in a data driven approach is a potential solution: neuroimaging biomarkers in ALS are mainly observed in the cerebral microstructure, with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and texture analysis as promising approaches. We set out to combine these neuroimaging markers as age-corrected features in a machine learning model with a cohort of 502 subjects, divided into 404 patients with ALS and 98 healthy controls. We calculated a linear support vector classifier (SVC) which is a very robust model and then verified the results with a multilayer perceptron (MLP)/neural network. Both classifiers were able to separate ALS patients from controls with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showing an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87–0.88 (“good”) for the SVC and 0.88–0.91 (“good” to “excellent”) for the MLP. Among the coefficients of the SVC, texture data contributed the most to a correct classification. We consider these results as a proof of concept that demonstrated the power of machine learning in the application of multiparametric quantitative neuroimaging data to ALS.
Whole-Exome Sequencing Reveals Recurrent but Heterogeneous Mutational Profiles in Sporadic WHO Grade 1 Meningiomas
Authors: González-Tablas María , Prieto Carlos , Arandia Daniel , Jara-Acevedo María , Otero Álvaro , Pascual Daniel , Ruíz Laura , Álvarez-Twose Iván , García-Montero Andrés Celestino , Orfao Alberto , Tabernero María Dolores
Published: November 2021

Human WHO grade 1 meningiomas are generally considered benign tumors; despite this, they account for ≈50% of all recurrent meningiomas. Currently, limited data exist about the mutational profiles of grade 1 meningiomas and patient outcome. We investigated the genetic variants present in 32 WHO grade 1 meningiomas using whole exome sequencing, and correlated gene mutational profiles with tumor cytogenetics and patient outcome. Overall, WHO grade 1 meningiomas harbored numerous and heterogeneous genetic variants, which most frequently affected the NF2 (47%) gene and to a less extent the PNMA6A (22%), TIGD1 (16%), SMO (13%), PTEN (13%), CREG2 (9%), EEF1A1 (6%), POLR2A (6%), ARID1B (3%), and FAIM3 (3%) genes. Notably, non-synonymous genetic variants of SMO and POLR2A were restricted to diploid meningiomas, whereas NF2 mutations were only found among tumors that showed -22/22q─ (with or without a complex karyotype). Based on NF2 mutations and tumor cytogenetics, four genetic profiles were defined with an impact on patient recurrence-free survival (RFS). These included (1) two good-prognosis tumor subgroups—diploid meningiomas (n=9) and isolated -22/22q─ associated with NF2 mutation (n=7)—with RFS rates at 10 y of 100%; and (2) two subgroups of poor-prognosis meningiomas—isolated -22/22q─ without NF2 mutation (n=3) and tumors with complex karyotypes (n=11)—with a RFS rate at 10 y of 48% (p=0.003). Our results point out the existence of recurrent but heterogeneous mutational profiles in WHO grade 1 meningiomas which have an impact on patient outcome.
Hydrogen Promotes the M1 Macrophage Conversion During the Polarization of Macrophages in Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Yu Shenghua , Lv ZhiBao , Gao Zhimei , Shi Jingyi , Sheng Qingfeng , Zheng Lulu , Zhou Junmei , Wang Xueli
Published: November 2021

Background: Hydrogen is protective against intestinal injury in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), mainly through to alleviate inflammation response. The M1 macrophages can promote inflammation. We hypothesized that hydrogen would promote the M1 macrophages conversion during the polarization and reduce the inflammatory factors in NEC.

Methods: We used M1 and M2 macrophages induced from RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages, models of NEC and macrophages derived from spleens, abdominal lymph nodes and lamina propria in model mice. Cytokines, CD16/32 and CD206 were measured by quantitative PCR, flow cytometry. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 were determined by western blot. Histology staining were used to assess the severity of NEC.

Results: Macrophages were successfully polarized to M1 or M2 by assessing the expression of inflammatory factors. Pro-inflammatory factors and CD16/32 in M1 macrophages were decreased, and the expression of CD16/32 in lamina propria were inhibited after treatment with hydrogen, but the changes has no effects in other tissues. Hydrogen inhibited the NF-κB p65 in M1 macrophages nucleus and distal ileum of NEC. HE staining showed hydrogen could attenuate the severity of NEC.

Conclusion: Hydrogen could attenuate the severity of NEC through promoting M1 macrophages conversion by inhibited the expression of NF-κB p65 in the nucleus.
Human Ratings of Writing Quality Capture Features of Syntactic Variety and Transformation in Chinese EFL Learners’ Argumentative Writing
Authors: Xue Jin , Zheng Liyan , Tang Xiaoyi , Li Banban , Geva Esther
Published: November 2021

Traditionally, writing quality is measured by human ratings, either holistically or analytically. The present study aimed to investigate the locus of human ratings by analyzing the linguistic features that are predictive of writing quality. One hundred and 44 argumentative writing samples from Chinese learners of English as a foreign language were evaluated by human ratings and quantitative measurement of writing quality indexed by Coh-Metrix. Holistic and analytic human ratings had significant correlations with quantitative measures related to syntactic variety and transformation. Moreover, linear and logistic regressions revealed that syntactic simplicity, words before main verb, syntactic structure similarity in all sentences and across paragraphs, incidence of passive voice and temporal connectives were five valid indices that can consistently differentiate writing quality indexed by human ratings. The present findings have significant pedagogical implications for human ratings on writing quality in the foreign language learning context.
Blood Purification in Severe and Critical COVID-19 Patients: A Case Series of 5 Patients
Authors: Chen Hongjun , Zhang Leisheng , Zhang Wei , Liu Lili , Dai Zhihua , Chen Miao , Zhang Donghang
Published: November 2021

Objective: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a worldwide pandemic. Currently, supportive care measures remain the standard of care for severe and critical COVID-19 patients, such as ventilation oxygenation, fluid management and blood purification. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of early blood purification therapy upon severe and/or critical COVID-19 patients.

Patients and Methods: From January 31, 2020 to March 1, 2020, a total 5 patients with COVID-19 (3 critical type cases and 2 severe type cases) received early blood purification treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University. Clinical indexes, including oxygen concentration, blood gas analysis, oxygenation index, and laboratory test as well as disease scores were recorded and analyzed before and after the treatment with blood purification.

Results: Among the 5 patients, 4 were males ranging from 35 to 80 year old (Mean age = 63 ± 17.87). All cases with characteristics of OI <300 mm Hg, decline in lymphocyte (LYMPH)%, boost in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin T (TNT), B-type brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-alpha (IFN-a), three with high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), two with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and acute kidney injury (AKI), and one with shock and IV. Blood purification therapy significantly decreased the serum levels of inflammatory cytokine, ameliorated the concomitant symptoms and complications. Finally, one case was discharged from the hospital, 4 cases were transferred to the general ward, and all the 5 cases survived.

Conclusion: Continuous blood purification therapy held promising prospects for alleviating the deteriorative progression of severe and critical types of COVID-19 in the early stage, together with ameliorating the accumulation of inflammatory cytokine and the concomitant symptoms and complications by efficacious immunoadsorption.

Trial Registration:www.chictr.org.cn, Identifier (ChiCTR2000031930).
Prioritisation Assessment and Robust Predictive System for Medical Equipment: A Comprehensive Strategic Maintenance Management
Authors: Zamzam Aizat Hilmi , Al-Ani Ayman Khallel Ibrahim , Wahab Ahmad Khairi Abdul , Lai Khin Wee , Satapathy Suresh Chandra , Khalil Azira , Azizan Muhammad Mokhzaini , Hasikin Khairunnisa
Published: November 2021

The advancement of technology in medical equipment has significantly improved healthcare services. However, failures in upkeeping reliability, availability, and safety affect the healthcare services quality and significant impact can be observed in operations' expenses. The effective and comprehensive medical equipment assessment and monitoring throughout the maintenance phase of the asset life cycle can enhance the equipment reliability, availability, and safety. The study aims to develop the prioritisation assessment and predictive systems that measure the priority of medical equipment's preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and replacement programmes. The proposed predictive model is constructed by analysing features of 13,352 medical equipment used in public healthcare clinics in Malaysia. The proposed system comprises three stages: prioritisation analysis, model training, and predictive model development. In this study, we proposed 16 combinations of novel features to be used for prioritisation assessment and prediction of preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and replacement programme. The modified k-Means algorithm is proposed during the prioritisation analysis to automatically distinguish raw data into three main clusters of prioritisation assessment. Subsequently, these clusters are fed into and tested with six machine learning algorithms for the predictive prioritisation system. The best predictive models for medical equipment's preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and replacement programmes are selected among the tested machine learning algorithms. Findings indicate that the Support Vector Machine performs the best in preventive maintenance and replacement programme prioritisation predictive systems with the highest accuracy of 99.42 and 99.80%, respectively. Meanwhile, K-Nearest Neighbour yielded the highest accuracy in corrective maintenance prioritisation predictive systems with 98.93%. Based on the promising results, clinical engineers and healthcare providers can widely adopt the proposed prioritisation assessment and predictive systems in managing expenses, reporting, scheduling, materials, and workforce.
The Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide Pathway on Healthy Ageing: A Review of Pre-clinical and Clinical Data on the Impact of Dietary Nitrate in the Elderly
Authors: Rocha Bárbara S.
Published: November 2021

We are living longer. Are we living healthier? As we age, cellular and molecular damage reshape our physiological responses towards environmental and endogenous stimuli. The free radical theory of ageing has been proposed long before ageing has been considered a “scientific discipline” and, since then, has been discussed and upgraded as a major contributor to aberrant ageing. Assuming that ageing results merely from the accumulation of oxidative modifications of biomolecules is not only a simplistic and reductive view of such a complex and dynamic process, but also free radicals and related oxidants are now considered pivotal signalling molecules. The fine modulation of critical signalling pathways by redox compounds demands a novel approach to tackle the role of free radicals in ageing. Nitric oxide (⋅NO) is a paradigmatic example given its biological functions in cardiovascular, neurologic and immune systems. In addition to the canonical ⋅NO synthesis by a family of enzymes, nitrate from green leafy vegetables, is reduced to nitrite in the oral cavity which is further reduced to ⋅NO in the stomach. Boosting this nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway has been shown to improve gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive performance both in humans and in animal models of disease. In the elderly, nitrate-derived ⋅NO has been shown improve several physiological functions that typically decline during ageing. In this paper, the role of nitrate and derived nitrogen oxides will be discussed while reviewing pre-clinical and clinical data on the cardiovascular, neuronal, musculoskeletal and metabolic effects of nitrate during healthy ageing.
Beneficial Effect of Water-Based Exercise Training on Exercise Capacity in COPD Patients—a Pilot Study
Authors: Charususin Noppawan , Sricharoenchai Thiti , Pongpanit Karan , Yuenyongchaiwat Kornanong , Namdaeng Phuwarin , Laosiripisan Jitanan , Keawutan Piyapa
Published: November 2021

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable condition, characterized by persistent airflow limitation. Exercise training is a core component of pulmonary rehabilitation in people with COPD. Water-based exercise has been studied, but it remains unclear whether water-based exercise program leads to the improvement in respiratory function, muscle strength, balance ability, and exercise capacity. We aim to study the effect of an 8-week water-based exercise program on respiratory function, muscle strength, balance ability, and exercise capacity in people with COPD.

Methods: Fourteen stable COPD participants (FEV1 56.8 ± 24.6%pred) were recruited and randomized into a water-based exercise or a land-based exercise group. Both groups were trained for 8 weeks, two sessions per week. Pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, peripheral muscle strength, balance ability, exercise capacity [6-min walking test (6MWT), incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), and endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT)] were assessed at baseline and at the end of the program. ANCOVA was used to conduct between-group comparisons of outcomes after adjusting for pre-intervention values.

Results: Baseline characteristics of participants were not significantly different between the two groups (p ≥ 0.05). After the 8-week training program, participants in the intervention group achieved larger gains in ESWT (Δ663.4 ± 279.5 vs. Δ45.4 ± 93.2 s, p = 0.001). In addition, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was significantly increased more in the intervention group (Δ11.1 ± 7.8 vs. Δ1.1 ± 5.7 cmH2O, p = 0.026). However, no significant differences in pulmonary function, peripheral muscle strength, balance ability variables, 6MWD (p = 0.248), and ISWT (p = 0.506) were observed between the two groups.

Conclusions: The water-based exercise program could be recommended to the COPD rehabilitation program for improving the endurance exercise capacity and inspiratory muscle strength.

Clinical Trial Registration:www.thaiclinicaltrials.org, identifier: TCTR20210125005.
Differences in Gait Stability and Acceleration Characteristics Between Healthy Young and Older Females
Authors: Zhang Yuge , Zhou Xinglong , Pijnappels Mirjam , Bruijn Sjoerd M.
Published: November 2021

Our aim was to evaluate differences in gait acceleration intensity, variability, and stability of feet and trunk between older females (OF) and young females (YF) using inertial sensors. Twenty OF (mean age 68.4, SD 4.1 years) and 18 YF (mean age 22.3, SD 1.7 years) were asked to walk straight for 100 meters at their preferred speed, while wearing inertial sensors on their heels and lower back. We calculated spatiotemporal measures, foot and trunk acceleration characteristics, their variability, and trunk stability using the local divergence exponent (LDE). Two-way ANOVA (such as the factors foot and age), Student's t-test and Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare statistical differences of measures between groups. Cohen's d effects were calculated for each variable. Foot maximum vertical (VT) acceleration and amplitude, trunk-foot VT acceleration attenuation, and their variability were significantly smaller in OF than in YF. In contrast, trunk mediolateral (ML) acceleration amplitude, maximum VT acceleration, amplitude, and their variability were significantly larger in OF than in YF. Moreover, OF showed lower stability (i.e., higher LDE values) in ML acceleration, ML, and VT angular velocity of the trunk. Even though we measured healthy OF, these participants showed lower VT foot accelerations with higher VT trunk acceleration, lower trunk-foot VT acceleration attenuation, less gait stability, and more variability of the trunk, and hence, were more likely to fall. These findings suggest that instrumented gait measurements may help for early detection of changes or impairments in gait performance, even before this can be observed by clinical eye or gait speed.
Exact Solutions and Conservation Laws of a Generalized (1 + 1) Dimensional System of Equations via Symbolic Computation
Authors: Mbusi Sivenathi Oscar , Muatjetjeja Ben , Adem Abdullahi Rashid
Published: November 2021

The aim of this paper is to compute the exact solutions and conservation of a generalized (1 + 1) dimensional system. This can be achieved by employing symbolic manipulation software such as Maple, Mathematica, or MATLAB. In theoretical physics and in many scientific applications, the mentioned system naturally arises. Time, space, and scaling transformation symmetries lead to novel similarity reductions and new exact solutions. The solutions obtained include solitary waves and cnoidal and snoidal waves. The familiarity of closed-form solutions of nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations enables numerical solvers and supports stability analysis. Although many efforts have been dedicated to solving nonlinear evolution equations, there is no unified method. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that Lie point symmetry analysis in conjunction with an ansatz method has been applied on this underlying equation. It should also be noted that the methods applied in this paper give a unique solution set that differs from the newly reported solutions. In addition, we derive the conservation laws of the underlying system. It is also worth mentioning that this is the first time that the conservation laws for the equation under study are derived.
HPTLC and FTIR Fingerprinting of Olive Leaves Extracts and ATR-FTIR Characterisation of Major Flavonoids and Polyphenolics
Authors: Agatonovic-Kustrin Snezana , Gegechkori Vladimir , Petrovich Dementyev Sergey , Ilinichna Kobakhidze Tamara , Morton David William
Published: November 2021

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of spontaneous microbial maceration on the release and extraction of the flavonoids and phenolics from olive leaves. Bioprofiling based on thin-layer chromatography effect-directed detection followed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy proved to be a reliable and convenient method for simultaneous comparison of the extracts. Results show that fermentation significantly enhances the extraction of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The polyphenolic content was increased from 6.7 µg GAE (gallic acid equivalents) to 25.5 µg GAE, antioxidants from 10.3 µg GAE to 25.3 µg GAE, and flavonoid content from 42 µg RE (rutin equivalents) to 238 µg RE per 20 µL of extract. Increased antioxidant activity of fermented ethyl acetate extracts was attributed to the higher concentration of extracted flavonoids and phenolic terpenoids, while increased antioxidant activity in fermented ethanol extract was due to increased extraction of flavonoids as extraction of phenolic compounds was not improved. Lactic acid that is released during fermentation and glycine present in the olive leaves form a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) with significantly increased solubility for flavonoids.
Excited State Proton Transfers in Hybrid Compound Based on Indoline Spiropyran of the Coumarin Type and Azomethinocoumarin in the Presence of Metal Ions
Authors: Zaichenko Natalia L. , Valova Tatyana M. , Venidiktova Olga V. , Lyubimov Alexander V. , Shienok Andrey I. , Koltsova Liubov S. , Ayt Anton O. , Lyubimova Galina V. , Popov Leonid D. , Barachevsky Valery A.
Published: November 2021

Spectral-luminescence properties of a hybrid compound containing a coumarin-type spiropyran and an azomethinocoumarin fragment in toluene-acetonitrile solution in the presence of Li+, Ca2+, Zn2+ and Mg2+ ions are reported. Two excited state proton transfers can occur in the hybrid compound—the transfer of a proton from the OH group of the 7-hydroxy coumarin tautomer to the N atom of the C=N bond of the azomethine fragment leading to green ESIPT fluorescence with a maximum at 540 nm and from the OH group of the 7-hydroxy coumarin tautomer to the carbonyl group of the pyrone chromophore, which leads to the formation of the 2-hydroxyl-tautomer T of coumarin with blue fluorescence with a maximum at 475 nm. Dependence of these excited state proton transfers on the metal nature and irradiation with an external UV source is discussed.
Curcumin Inhibits In Vitro SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vero E6 Cells through Multiple Antiviral Mechanisms
Authors: Marín-Palma Damariz , Tabares-Guevara Jorge H. , Zapata-Cardona María I. , Flórez-Álvarez Lizdany , Yepes Lina M. , Rugeles Maria T. , Zapata-Builes Wildeman , Hernandez Juan C. , Taborda Natalia A.
Published: November 2021

Due to the scarcity of therapeutic approaches for COVID-19, we investigated the antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin against SARS-CoV-2 using in vitro models. The cytotoxicity of curcumin was evaluated using MTT assay in Vero E6 cells. The antiviral activity of this compound against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated using four treatment strategies (i. pre–post infection treatment, ii. co-treatment, iii. pre-infection, and iv. post-infection). The D614G strain and Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 were used, and the viral titer was quantified by plaque assay. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using qPCR and ELISA. By pre–post infection treatment, Curcumin (10 µg/mL) exhibited antiviral effect of 99% and 99.8% against DG614 strain and Delta variant, respectively. Curcumin also inhibited D614G strain by pre-infection and post-infection treatment. In addition, curcumin showed a virucidal effect against D614G strain and Delta variant. Finally, the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) released by PBMCs triggered by SARS-CoV-2 were decreased after treatment with curcumin. Our results suggest that curcumin affects the SARS-CoV-2 replicative cycle and exhibits virucidal effect with a variant/strain independent antiviral effect and immune-modulatory properties. This is the first study that showed a combined (antiviral/anti-inflammatory) effect of curcumin during SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, additional studies are required to define its use as a treatment for the COVID-19.
Novel GPR120 Agonists with Improved Pharmacokinetic Profiles for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ji Guoxia , Guo Qinghua , Xue Qidi , Kong Ruifang , Wang Shiben , Lei Kang , Liu Renmin , Wang Xuekun
Published: November 2021

GPR120 is a promising target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), which is activated by free fatty acids (FFAs) and stimulates the release of glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1). GLP-1, as an incretin, can enhance glucose-dependent secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta cells and reduce blood glucose. In this study, a series of novel GPR120 agonists were designed and synthesized to improve the stability and hydrophilicity of the phenylpropanoic acid GPR120 agonist TUG-891. Compound 11b showed excellent GPR120 agonistic activity and pharmacokinetic properties, and could reduce the blood glucose of normal mice in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, no hypoglycemic side effects were observed even at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Moreover, 11b showed good anti-hyperglycemic effects in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Molecular simulation illustrated that compound 11b could enter the active site of GPR120 and interact with ARG99. Taken together, the results indicate that compound 11b might be a promising drug candidate for the treatment of T2DM.
Method Validation and Evaluation of Safrole Persistence in Cowpea Beans Using Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography
Authors: Ferraz Maria Suely Siqueira , Faroni Lêda Rita D’Antonino , Heleno Fernanda Fernandes , de Sousa Adalberto Hipólito , Prates Lucas Henrique Figueiredo , Rodrigues Alessandra Aparecida Zinato
Published: November 2021

Bioinsecticides are regarded as important alternatives for controlling agricultural pests. However, few studies have determined the persistence of these compounds in stored grains. This study aimed at optimizing and validating a fast and effective method for extraction and quantification of residues of safrole (the main component of Piper hispidinervum essential oil) in cowpea beans. It also sought to assess the persistence of this substance in the grains treated by contact and fumigation. The proposed method used headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC/FID). Factors such as temperature, extraction time and type of fiber were assessed to maximize the performance of the extraction technique. The performance of the method was appraised via the parameters selectivity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, and accuracy. The LOD and LOQ of safrole were 0.0057 and 0.019 μg kg−1, respectively and the determination coefficient (R2) was >0.99. The relative recovery ranged from 99.26 to 104.85, with a coefficient of variation <15%. The validated method was applied to assess the persistence of safrole residue in grains, where concentrations ranged from 1.095 to 0.052 µg kg−1 (contact) and from 2.16 to 0.12 µg kg −1 (fumigation). The levels measured up from the fifth day represented less than 1% of the initial concentration, proving that safrole have low persistence in cowpea beans, thus being safe for bioinsecticide use. Thus, this work is relevant not only for the extraction method developed, but also for the possible use of a natural insecticide in pest management in stored grains.
N-Arylation of Protected and Unprotected 5-Bromo-2-aminobenzimidazole as Organic Material: Non-Linear Optical (NLO) Properties and Structural Feature Determination through Computational Approach
Authors: Mumtaz Mubeen , Rasool Nasir , Ahmad Gulraiz , Kosar Naveen , Rashid Umer
Published: November 2021

The interest in the NLO response of organic compounds is growing rapidly, due to the ease of synthesis, availability, and low loss. Here, in this study, Cu(II)-catalyzed selective N-arylation of 2-aminobenzimidazoles derivatives were achieved in the presence of different bases Et3N/TMEDA, solvents DCM/MeOH/H2O, and various aryl boronic acids under open atmospheric conditions. Two different copper-catalyzed pathways were selected for N-arylation in the presence of active nucleophilic sites, providing a unique tool for the preparation of NLO materials, C-NH (aryl) derivatives of 2-aminobenzimidazoles with protection and without protection of NH2 group. In addition to NMR analysis, all synthesized derivatives (1a–1f and 2a–2f) of 5-bromo-2-aminobenzimidazole (1) were computed for their non-linear optical (NLO) properties and reactivity descriptor parameters. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis was performed to get information about the electronic properties and reactivity of synthesized compounds.
Simultaneous Determination of Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin in Animal Tissues with the Use of Capillary Electrophoresis with Transient Pseudo-Isotachophoresis
Authors: Kośka Izabella , Purgat Krystian , Głowacki Rafał , Kubalczyk Paweł
Published: November 2021

We have developed a precise and accurate method for the determination of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin in meat tissues. Our method utilizes capillary electrophoresis with a transient pseudo-isotachophoresis mechanism and liquid–liquid extraction during sample preparation. For our experiment, a meat tissue sample was homogenized in pH 7.00 phosphate buffer at a ratio of 1:10 (tissue mass: buffer volume; g/mL). The extraction of each sample was carried out twice for 15 min with 600 µL of a mixture of dichloromethane and acetonitrile at a 2:1 volume ratio. We then conducted the electrophoretic separation at a voltage of 16 kV and a temperature of 25 °C using a background electrolyte of 0.1 mol/L phosphate–borate (pH 8.40). We used the UV detection at 288 nm. The experimentally determined LOQs for ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin were 0.27 ppm (0.8 nmol/g tissue) and 0.11 ppm (0.3 nmol/g tissue), respectively. The calibration curves exhibited linearity over the tested concentration range of 2 to 10 nmol/g tissue for both analytes. The relative standard deviation of the determination did not exceed 15%, and the recovery was in the range of 85–115%. We used the method to analyze various meat tissues for their ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin contents.
A Focused Review of Synthetic Applications of Lawesson’s Reagent in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Khatoon Hena , Abdulmalek Emilia
Published: November 2021

Lawesson’s reagent (LR) is a well-known classic example of a compound with unique construction and unusual chemical behavior, with a wide range of applications in synthetic organic chemistry. Its main functions were rounded for the thionation of various carbonyl groups in the early days, with exemplary results. However, the role of Lawesson’s reagent in synthesis has changed drastically, and now its use can help the chemistry community to understand innovative ideas. These include constructing biologically valuable heterocycles, coupling reactions, and the thionation of natural compounds. The ease of availability and the convenient usage of LR as a thionating agent made us compile a review on the new diverse applications on some common functional groups, such as ketones, esters, amides, alcohols, and carboxylic acids, with biological applications. Since the applications of LR are now diverse, we have also included some new classes of heterocycles such as thiazepines, phosphine sulfides, thiophenes, and organothiophosphorus compounds. Thionation of some biologically essential steroids and terpenoids has also been compiled. This review discusses the recent insights into and synthetic applications of this famous reagent from 2009 to January 2021.
Informing Stewardship Measures in Canadian Food Animal Species through Integrated Reporting of Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Data—Part II, Application
Authors: Agunos Agnes , Gow Sheryl P. , Deckert Anne E. , Léger David F.
Published: November 2021

Using the methodology developed for integrated analysis and reporting of antimicrobial use (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data, farm-level surveillance data were synthesized and integrated to assess trends and explore potential AMU and AMR associations. Data from broiler chicken flocks (n = 656), grower–finisher pig herds (n = 462) and turkey flocks (n = 339) surveyed by the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS) at the farm-level (2015–2019) were used. The analyses showed a reduction in mean flock/herd level number of defined daily doses using Canadian standards (nDDDvetCA) adjusted for kg animal biomass that coincided with the decline in % resistance in the three species. This was noted in most AMU-AMR pairs studied except for ciprofloxacin resistant Campylobacter where resistance continued to be detected (moderate to high levels) despite limited fluoroquinolone use. Noteworthy was the significantly negative association between the nDDDvetCA/kg animal biomass and susceptible Escherichia coli (multispecies data), an early indication that AMU stewardship actions are having an impact. However, an increase in the reporting of diseases in recent years was observed. This study highlighted the value of collecting high-resolution AMU surveillance data with animal health context at the farm-level to understand AMR trends, enable data integration and measure the impact of AMU stewardship actions.
Intercultural Theology as In-Between Theology
Authors: Wrogemann Henning
Published: November 2021

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the term intercultural theology has been gaining more and more traction. At the same time, the terms world Christianity and anthropology of Christianity have also become established. This article inquires into the profile of intercultural theology against the other two terms and defines the subject as in-between theology with regard to such factors as audience, media, power, methodology, plurality, and connectivity. Looking forward, the author identifies current challenges and proposes that intercultural theology should be understood as a both descriptive and normative discipline, that the driving force behind it is the universal-missionary truth claim of the New Testament message of salvation, and that—as a subject with a primarily systematic orientation—it is committed to a comprehensive understanding of reality and theology.
Literasi Ekonomi dan Pola Perilaku Konsumsi Masyarakat Kelas Menengah ke Bawah di Era Adaptasi Kebiasaan Baru
Authors: Hasan Muhammad , Arisah Nur , Rahmatullah Rahmatullah
Published: November 2021

In the era of adapting to new habits, after the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of marketing management and consumer behavior, economic literacy is very much needed in making every economic decision, including consumption. This study was conducted as an effort to explore the contribution of economic literacy to consumption behavior patterns in the new adaptation era. This study is a study with a quantitative approach. The population in this study is an active consumer society found in a number of districts/cities in South Sulawesi Province. Sampling was done purposively with criteria based on social, economic, and demographic characteristics, obtained as many as 211 respondents. The data obtained were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling analysis. The results of this study found that economic literacy has a positive and significant influence on consumption behavior patterns in the era of adaptation to new habits.
Arqueología y paisaje
Authors: Scaglione Guido
Published: November 2021

La especie humana se caracteriza por una cualidad que la diferencia de todas las otras especies: el ser humano es el único animal capaz de simbolizar, de dotar de sentidos el mundo que lo rodea y las relaciones que dentro de él tienen lugar. En tal sentido se consideró al arte rupestre como uno de los tantos mecanismos que la especie utiliza para dar sentido al mundo y, a través de este proceso, se convierte en un sujeto activo que toma decisiones e influye en el entorno en que se encuentra. En el caso de la Región Pampeana argentina, el arte rupestre se hace presente en las sierras de Lihuel Calel, Provincia de La Pampa (Aguerre, 2000; Curtoni, 2006; Gradin, 1975). A su vez se identificaron sitios con arte rupestre en el sistema serrano de Tandilia (Mazzanti & Valverde, 2003) y de Ventania (Holmberg, 1884; Madrazo, 1967; Oliva, 2000, 2006, 2013; Pérez Amat et al, 1985), estos últimos se encuentran ubicados en la actual provincia de Buenos Aires. Respecto al marco geográfico de este trabajo, se abordaron los sitios con manifestaciones rupestres que se encuentran sobre el flanco este del Cerro Tres Picos, dentro de los límites de la Reserva Provincial Sierras Grandes, sector sur del Sistema Serrano de Ventania. El universo de análisis de la tesina está conformado por cinco sitio, de los cuales cuatro ya han sido investigados en reiteradas ocasiones, como es el caso de Arroyo San Bernardo Cueva 1 y Cueva 2 (Panizza, 2013a, 2013b), Arroyo San Bernardo Cueva 3 (Oliva & Panizza, 2015), Cueva Florencio (Madrid & Oliva, 1994); el quinto sitio se trata de Cueva La Pocha, la cual fue identificada recientemente por guardaparques de la reserva y aún se encuentra en estudio. Por otro lado, dentro del registro arqueológico de la Reserva Sierras Grandes se encuentran diferentes tipos de estructuras líticas como son pircados, piedras paradas, alineaciones de rocas y estructuras cuadrangulares (Oliva & Panizza, 2012).
Prácticas de prevención y control frente a la infección por Sars-Cov2 en la población peruana
Authors: Fernandez-Guzman Daniel , Soriano-Moreno David , Ccami-Bernal Fabricio , Rojas-Miliano Cristhian , Sangster-Carrasco Lucero , Hernández-Bustamante Enrique A. , Zamora-Huaringa Elvira G. , De-Los-Ríos-Pinto Abraham , Nieto-Gutierrez Wendy
Published: November 2021

Objetivo: Describir las prácticas de prevención y control para la infección por SARS-CoV2 en la población peruana. Material y Métodos: Estudio observacional de tipo descriptivo. Se evaluó una muestra no probabilística de adultos residentes en algún departamento de Perú. Las prácticas preventivas fueron evaluadas en personas sin antecedente de COVID-19 y las prácticas de control en personas que lo habían padecido. Resultados: Se evaluó un total de 3630 peruanos (edad media 25,4 ± 9,5) de los cuales el 3231 no indicaban el antecedente de COVID-19 y 399 refirieron haberlo padecido. Las medidas de prevención y control que se realizaron a menudo o siempre con mayor frecuencia fueron el utilizar mascarilla al salir de casa (97,9% vs 87,7), cubrirse su nariz y boca al estornudar o toser (95,4% vs 89,9%), guardar distancia de los demás en la calle (91,4% vs 74,7%), realizar el lavado de manos con agua y jabón al volver a casa (92,5% vs 88,7%), y desinfectar las superficies de objetos y lugares personales (82,6% vs 77,4%). El 22,1% y 83,7%, el 59,7% y 80,2, y el 8,0% y 16,8% consumieron algún tipo de medicamento, planta medicinal y dióxido de cloro para la prevención y control de la infección de COVID-19, respectivamente. Conclusiones: En general, menos del 50% de los participantes realizaron prácticas de prevención y control frente a la COVID-19 a menudo o siempre.
Hongo del orden mucorales identificado en los ambientes del área Covid – 19 de un hospital de alta complejidad
Authors: Paico-Marín Stell Rutvi
Published: November 2021

Galería ( sin resumen )
Aceptación de la vacunación contra la COVID-19 durante la primera ola pandémica en Perú
Authors: García-Solorzano Franko O. , Pacheco-Barrios Niels , Ramos-Ramírez Keyla E. , Ortiz Yesenia , Itusaca Nora , Garcia-Pacotaype Luisa , Requena-Herrera María Paula , Angulo-Palomino Mariasol A. , Taype-Rondan Alvaro
Published: November 2021

Carta al editor ( Sin resumen )
Comunicación asertiva entre padres y adolescentes
Authors: Guevara Leidy , Pinzón Nidia , Osorio Marlem
Published: November 2021

En las familias, la comunicación es un aspecto muy importante y fundamentale en el desarrollo de los jóvenes, de allí parte la confianza entre padres e hijos, desde esta perspectiva la interacción hace parte de dicha formación, es aquí donde se puede perder el respeto mutuo y los valores que deben enraizar las buenas relaciones. Surge la necesidad de comprender las experiencias de comunicación asertiva entre padres y adolescentes de 12 a 16 años en la localidad de Ciudad Bolívar Bogotá. Se utiliza una metodología cualitativa con técnica de análisis fenomenológico. La población está conformada por 200 estudiantes en etapa de la adolescencia entre los grados 7 a 11. Se tomó una muestra de 10 estudiantes, cinco de sexo masculino y cinco de sexo femenino. Con el microanálisis y codificación abierta se identifican 27 códigos relevantes para la investigación, agrupadas en seis familias de códigos para ser analizados: construcción de la personalidad, fortalecimiento de los vínculos afectivos, malas conductas, habilidades comunicativas y técnicas para gestionar conflictos.  Se concluye que la relación entre padres y adolescentes debe ser enfatizada en aquellos valores y fortalecimiento de los lazos familiares, como también el asertividad que conlleva a las buenas prácticas conductuales de los adolescentes.
El concepto de la propiedad en Colombia. Un análisis a partir del paradigma constitucional y su influencia en la propuesta de reforma del Código Civil
Authors: Valderrama Velandia José Eduardo
Published: November 2021

El impulso desde la academia del proyecto de reforma al Código Civil de Colombia es la oportunidad para debatir, estudiar, profundizar y dar respuestas apropiadas a una sociedad que demanda transformaciones necesarias e idóneas para garantizar la efectividad de los derechos. Este análisis instruye en el conceptode la propiedad, institución jurídica de vital importancia en el ordenamiento jurídico nacional, con apoyo en el método comparativo con el Código Civil argentino, particularmente en la reforma realizada en el año 2014, para confrontarlo con la propuesta de reforma del código colombiano, en un ejercicio descriptivo porresaltar las características más relevantes del concepto de propiedad y la influencia constitucional de 1991 en Colombia.

Esto permitirá aportar una visión comparada y hermenéutica constitucional de la evolución de las bases ideológicas con las cuales nacieron la institución del derecho de propiedad, como derecho individual y subjetivo, hasta llegar a la estructura moderna abonada con el desarrollo doctrinal y jurisprudencial.
High Seebeck coefficient in PVD-WS2 film with grain size enlargement
Authors: Hamada Takuya , Hamada Masaya , Horiguchi Taiga , Muneta Iriya , Kakushima Kuniyuki , Tsutsui Kazuo , Tatsumi Tetsuya , Tomiya Shigetaka , Wakabayashi Hitoshi
Published: November 2021

A high Seebeck coefficient of 1.17 × 103
μV K−1 was achieved using an on-chip thermoelectric device for a WS2 atomic-layer film, which was synthesized by ultra-high vacuum RF magnetron sputtering as a function of sputtering power. A layered structure in parallel to the SiO2/Si substrate was confirmed from the transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectra. The grain size and peak intensities of the Raman spectra increase with a decrease in the sputtering power. Accordingly, the resistivity and activation energy also increase. The WS2 film can be used in thermoelectric generators, such as energy harvesters in LSIs and wearable devices.
The USS Vincennes incident
Authors: Vincze Viola
Published: November 2021

The objective of the paper is to introduce the facts of the USS Vincennes incident in 1988 and examine how the deployment and use of an Autonomous Weapon System has influenced military decision-making in the specific case. As a result of misidentification of the contact and confusion on board, Vincennes (a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser outfitted with the Aegis Combat System) fired two radar-guided missiles and shot down a civilian airliner from Iranian territorial waters (in Iranian airspace) only minutes after the airliner’s take-off. Not one from the 290 passengers and crew on board survived. Several contradictory articles have been written on the incident from legal, political and scientific vantage points and this article attempts to strip these accounts of the emotional tone and look into the facts in order to establish how personnel and machine interacted during the events that eventually led to the tragedy and how similar incidents involving AWS could be avoided.