bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationships Between Aerobic Performance, Hemoglobin Levels, and Training Load During Small-Sided Games: A Study in Professional Soccer Players
Authors: Younesi Saeid , Rabbani Alireza , Clemente Filipe Manuel , Silva Rui , Sarmento Hugo , Figueiredo António José
Published: February 2021

The purposes of this study were (1) to analyze between-session variations of external and internal load measures during small-sided games (SSGs) and (2) to test the relationships between the maximum speed reached (VIFT) during the last stage of the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test, hemoglobin levels, and training load measures during SSG intervals among professional soccer players. Sixteen professional soccer players (mean ± SD; age 27.2 ± 3.4 years, height 174.2 ± 3.6 cm, body mass 69.1 ± 6.4 kg, and body fat 10.4 ± 4.1%) participated in this study. Hemoglobin and aerobic performance were first tested, and then a 3-week SSG program was applied using a 3 vs. 3 format. During those 3 weeks, internal and external load of entire sessions were also monitored for all training sessions. Trivial-to-small, standardized differences were observed between sessions for external and internal measures during SSGs. Total distance (TD) and mechanical work (MW) were the only variables that indicated small changes. Large-to-very-large relationships were found between VIFT and external loads: TD (r range: 0.69; 0.87), high-intensity running (HIR; r range: 0.66; 0.75), and MW (r range: 0.56; 0.68). Moderate-to-large negative relationships were found between hemoglobin levels and internal loads: Edwards’ TRIMP (r range: −0.36; −0.63), %HRmax (r range: −0.50; −0.61), and red zone (r range: −0.50; −0.61). VIFT had unclear relationships with overall internal loads, while hemoglobin levels presented unclear relationships with overall external loads. In conclusion, no meaningful changes were found between sessions considering the format of play used. Additionally, the detected relationships indicate that VIFT and hemoglobin levels are good indicators of the performance capacity and physiological profile of players during SSGs. Also, the use of SSGs protocols as a monitoring complement of the 30-15IFT is suggested.
Portioning-Out and Individuation in Mandarin Non-interrogative wh-Pronominal Phrases: Experimental Evidence From Child Mandarin
Authors: Huang Aijun , Ursini Francesco-Alessio , Meroni Luisa
Published: February 2021

Portioning-out and individuation are two important semantic properties for the characterization of countability. In Mandarin, nouns are not marked with count-mass syntax, and it is controversial whether individuation is encoded in classifiers or in nouns. In the present study, we investigates the interpretation of a minimal pair of non-interrogativewh-pronominal phrases, includingduo-shao-N andduo-shao-ge-N. Due to the presence/absence of the individual classifierge, these twowh-pronominal phrases differ in how they encode portioning-out and individuation. In two experiments, we used a Truth Value Judgment Task to examine the interpretation of these twowh-pronominal phrases by Mandarin-speaking adults and 4-to-6-year-old children. We found that both adults and children are sensitive to their interpretative differences with respect to the portioning-out and individuation properties. They assign either count or mass readings to the barewh-pronominal phraseduo-shao-N depending on specific contexts, but only count readings to the classifier-bearingwh-pronominal phraseduo-shao-ge-N. Moreover, the portioning-out and individuation properties associated with the individual classifiergeemerge independently in the course of language development, with the portioning-out property taking precedence over the individuation property. Taken together, the present study provides new evidence for the view that the portioning-out and individuation properties in Mandarin are encoded in classifiers rather than in nouns, and these two semantic properties are two distinct components in our grammar.
The Role of Behavioral Science in Personalized Multimodal Prehabilitation in Cancer
Authors: Grimmett Chloe , Bradbury Katherine , Dalton Suzanne O. , Fecher-Jones Imogen , Hoedjes Meeke , Varkonyi-Sepp Judit , Short Camille E.
Published: February 2021

Multimodal prehabilitation is increasingly recognized as an important component of the pre-operative pathway in oncology. It aims to optimize physical and psychological health through delivery of a series of tailored interventions including exercise, nutrition, and psychological support. At the core of this prescription is a need for considerable health behavior change, to ensure that patients are engaged with and adhere to these interventions and experience the associated benefits. To date the prehabilitation literature has focused on testing the efficacy of devised exercise and nutritional interventions with a primary focus on physiological and mechanistic outcomes with little consideration for the role of behavioral science, supporting individual behavior change or optimizing patient engagement. Changing health behavior is complex and to maximize success, prehabilitation programs should draw on latest insights from the field of behavioral science. Behavioral science offers extensive knowledge on theories and models of health behavior change to further advance intervention effectiveness. Similarly, interventions developed with a person-centered approach, taking into consideration individual needs and preferences will increase engagement. In this article, we will provide an overview of the extent to which the existing prehabilitation literature incorporates behavioral science, as well as studies that have explored patient's attitudes toward prehabilitation. We will go on to describe and critique ongoing trials in a variety of contexts within oncology prehabilitation and discuss how current scientific knowledge may be enhanced from a behavioral science perspective. We will also consider the role of “surgery schools” and detail practical recommendations that can be embedded in existing or emerging clinical settings.
Promoting the Resilience of the Italian Population Against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Bottaccioli Anna Giulia , Lazzari David , Bottaccioli Francesco
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic, due to its exceptional level of impact on the populations of the richest and most technologically advanced nations—which are experiencing unprecedented widespread mortality, fear, and social isolation—and due to the considerable difficulties faced by health services in coping with the emergency and the uncertainty regarding the evolution of the pandemic and its foreseeable heavy economic repercussions on a global scale, requires a change in the approach to the prevention and treatment of the infection based on the integration of biomedical and psychological sciences and professions. A survey of the Italian pandemic population, the results of which we report here, shows a widespread state of psychological distress, which, based on decades of scientific and clinical evidence on the relationship between mental states and immune system efficiency that we summarize in this paper, plausibly weakens the resistance of individuals and the population to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Italy can deploy a great force, represented by tens of thousands of psychologists and psychotherapists, who, as health workers, could be employed, alongside local and hospital medicine, in primary care and in promoting the resilience of citizens and health workers themselves, who are subject to a deadly work stress that also includes a widespread threat to their lives.
Effect of COVID-19 Quarantine on the Sleep Quality and the Depressive Symptom Levels of University Students in Jordan During the Spring of 2020
Authors: Saadeh Heba , Saadeh Maha , Almobaideen Wesam , Al Refaei Assem , Shewaikani Nour , Al Fayez Reem Qadan , Khawaldah Hamzah , Abu-Shanab Sobuh , Al-Hussaini Maysa
Published: February 2021

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the effect of COVID-19 home quarantine and its lifestyle challenges on the sleep quality and mental health of a large sample of undergraduate University students in Jordan. It is the first study applied to the Jordanian population. The aim was to investigate how quarantine for several weeks changed the students' habits and affected their mental health.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random representative sample of 6,157 undergraduate students (mean age 19.79 ± 1.67 years, males 28.7%) from the University of Jordan through voluntarily filling an online questionnaire. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to assess sleep quality and depressive symptoms, respectively.

Results: The PSQI mean score for the study participants was 8.1 ± 3.6. The sleep quality of three-quarters of the participants was negatively affected by the extended quarantine. Nearly half of the participants reported poor sleep quality. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among participants was 76% (males: 71.5% and females: 77.8%). Similarly, the prevalence of the depressive symptoms was 71% (34% for moderate and 37% for high depressive symptoms), with females showing higher prevalence than males. The overall mean CES-D score for the group with low depressive symptoms is 9.3, for the moderate group is 19.8, while it is 34.3 for the high depressive symptoms group. More than half of the students (62.5%) reported that the quarantine had a negative effect on their mental health. Finally, females, smokers, and students with decreased income levels during the extended quarantine were the common exposures that are significantly associated with a higher risk of developing sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: Mass and extended quarantine succeeded in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus; however, it comes with a high cost of potential psychological impacts. Most of the students reported that they suffer from sleeping disorders and had a degree of depressive symptoms. Officials should provide psychological support and clear guidance to help the general public to reduce these potential effects and overcome the quarantine period with minimum negative impacts.
Modeling Intervention Scenarios During Potential Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreaks Within U.S. Beef Feedlots
Authors: Cabezas Aurelio H. , Sanderson Michael W. , Volkova Victoriya V.
Published: February 2021

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease of livestock and has severely affected livestock industries during the past two decades in previously FMD-free countries. The disease was eliminated in North America in 1953 but remains a threat for re-introduction. Approximately 44% of the on-feed beef cattle in the U.S. are concentrated in feedlots <32,000 heads, but little information is available on dynamics of FMD in large feedlots. Therefore, there is a need to explore possible management and intervention strategies that might be implemented during potential FMD outbreaks on feedlots. We used a within home-pen stochastic susceptible-latent-infectious-recovered (SLIR) FMD dynamics model nested in a meta-population model of home-pens in a feedlot. The combinatory model was previously developed to simulate foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDv) transmission within U.S. beef feedlots. We evaluated three intervention strategies initiated on the day of FMD detection: stopping movements of cattle between home-pens and hospital-pen(s) (NH), barrier depopulation combined with NH (NH-BD), and targeted depopulation of at-risk home-pens combined with NH (NH-TD). Depopulation rates investigated ranged from 500 to 4,000 cattle per day. We evaluated the projected effectiveness of interventions by comparing them with the no-intervention FMD dynamics in the feedlot. We modeled a small-size (4,000 cattle), medium-size (12,000 cattle), and large-size (24,000 cattle) feedlots. Implementation of NH delayed the outbreak progression, but it did not prevent infection of the entire feedlot. Implementation of NH-BD resulted in depopulation of 50% of cattle in small- and medium-size feedlots, and 25% in large-size feedlots, but the intervention prevented infection of the entire feedlot in 40% of simulated outbreaks in medium-size feedlots, and in 8% in large-size feedlots. Implementation of NH-TD resulted in depopulation of up to 50% of cattle in small-size feedlots, 75% in medium-size feedlots, and 25% in large-size feedlots, but rarely prevented infection of the entire feedlot. Number of hospital-pens in the feedlot was shown to weakly impact the success of NH-TD. Overall, the results suggest that stopping cattle movements between the home-pens and hospital-pens, without or with barrier or targeted cattle depopulation, would not be highly effective to interrupt FMDv transmission within a feedlot.
Comparative Proteomic Analyses Between Biofilm-Forming and Non-biofilm-Forming Strains of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Isolated From Goats
Authors: Sá Maria Conceição Aquino de , Silva Wanderson Marques da , Rodrigues Carla Catarine Santos , Rezende Cristiana Perdigão , Marchioro Silvana Beutinger , Rocha Filho José Tadeu Raynal , Sousa Thiago de Jesus , de Oliveira Helinando Pequeno , Costa Mateus Matiuzzi da , Figueiredo Henrique César Pereira , Portela Ricardo Dias , Castro Thiago Luiz de Paula , Azevedo Vasco , Seyffert Nubia , Meyer Roberto
Published: February 2021

Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is a chronic disease that affects small ruminants and causes economic losses in the associated breeding system. The causative agent of CLA is Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, a Gram-positive bacterium that exhibits tropism for external and internal lymph nodes and induces abscess formation in the host. Bacterial communities often produce a biofilm matrix that serves various functions, including protection against hostile environmental conditions, antibiotics, and the host immune response. Although biofilm formation has been reported for C. pseudotuberculosis, not all strains demonstrate this property in culture. In this work, we report the first comparative proteomic analysis of one biofilm-forming (CAPJ4) and one biofilm-non-forming strain (CAP3W) of C. pseudotuberculosis isolated from goats. Bacterial whole cell protein extracts were obtained for mass spectrometry analyses. Using LC-MS/MS, our studies reveal three and four proteins exclusively found in the CAPJ4 and CAP3W proteome, respectively. In addition, label-free quantitative analysis identified 40 proteins showing at-least 2-fold higher values in CAPJ4 compared CAP3W proteome Notably, CAPJ4 differentially synthesized the penicillin-binding protein, which participates in the formation of peptidoglycans. CAPJ4 also exhibited upregulation of N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase and galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, which are involved in biofilm formation and exopolysaccharide biosynthesis. Here, we demonstrate that biofilm formation in C. pseudotuberculosis is likely associated with specific proteins, some of which were previously shown to be associated with virulence and biofilm formation in other organisms. Our findings may drive studies related to the bacterial mechanisms involved in the biofilm formation, in addition to providing targets for the treatment of CLA.
Genetic Diversity and Potential Paths of Transmission of Mycobacterium bovis in the Amazon: The Discovery of M. bovis Lineage Lb1 Circulating in South America
Authors: Carneiro Paulo Alex , Zimpel Cristina Kraemer , Pasquatti Taynara Nunes , Silva-Pereira Taiana T. , Takatani Haruo , Silva Christian B. D. G. , Abramovitch Robert B. , Sa Guimaraes Ana Marcia , Davila Alberto M. R. , Araujo Flabio R. , Kaneene John B.
Published: February 2021

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) has yet to be eradicated in Brazil. Herds of cattle and buffalo are important sources of revenue to people living in the banks of the Amazon River basin. A better understanding of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) populational structure and transmission dynamics affecting these animals can significantly contribute in efforts to improve their sanitary status. Herein, we sequenced the whole genome of 22 M. bovis isolates (15 from buffalo and 7 from cattle) from 10 municipalities in the region of the Lower Amazon River Basin in Brazil and performed phylogenomic analysis and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)-based transmission inference to evaluate population structure and transmission networks. Additionally, we compared these genomes to others obtained in unrelated studies in the Marajó Island (n = 15) and worldwide (n = 128) to understand strain diversity in the Amazon and to infer M. bovis lineages. Our results show a higher genomic diversity of M. bovis genomes obtained in the Lower Amazon River region when compared to the Marajó Island, while no significant difference was observed between M. bovis genomes obtained from cattle and buffalo (p ≥ 0.05). This high genetic diversity is reflected by the weak phylogenetic clustering of M. bovis from the Lower Amazon River region based on geographic proximity and in the detection of only two putative transmission clusters in the region. One of these clusters is the first description of inter-species transmission between cattle and buffalo in the Amazon, bringing implications to the bTB control program. Surprisingly, two M. bovis lineages were detected in our dataset, namely Lb1 and Lb3, constituting the first description of Lb1 in South America. Most of the strains of this study (13/22) and all 15 strains of the Marajó Island carried no clonal complex marker, suggesting that the recent lineage classification better describe the diversity of M. bovis in the Amazon.
EU-Russia relations: a theoretical interpretation of Russia’s perception of the European Union
Authors: Zaslavskaya Natalia
Published: February 2021

For several decades the European Union was recognised as a major Russian partner, as cooperation with the EU had important political and economic effects on Russia. While these relations were based on common interests in such areas as energy, trade and cross-border cooperation, they also faced serious difficulties because of their different interpretation of values. A traditional explanation of Russia’s attitude to the European Union was based on the theoretical assumptions of the rationalist approach. Neorealists tend to concentrate on the conflicts between the EU and Russia and describe it as a result of their struggle for spheres of influence over their common neighbourhood. In contrast, Neoliberals focused on EU-Russia cooperation and explained it as a problem- solving mechanism based on common interests and the necessity to solve common problems. While the rationalist approach fails to explain transformation of Russia’s perception of the EU, constructivists demonstrate their capacity to explain the evolution of relations between the EU and Russia and the changes of Russia’s policy towards the EU. This article studies the evolution of Russia’s perception of the European Union within the context of EU-Russia relations and their possible theoretical interpretations. In order to examine Russia’s perception of the EU, a constructivist theoretical framework is used with a special focus on imitation and social learning. The imitation process is illustrated by Russia’s implementation of democratic norms and practices; the social learning concepts are used to evaluate political ideas used by Russia to show its vision of the EU and relations with the EU
‘Not business as usual’: changing realities and the transformations in peace operations
Authors: Uz Zaman Rashed , Ranjan Biswas Niloy
Published: February 2021

The paper highlights the major transformations in global peace support operations led by the United Nations at present. In light of these trends, this paper asks how these trends affect today’s peace operations and what affect they may have on future operations. In attempting to answer these questions, the paper conducts a comparative historical analysis of peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations – their scopes and legal mandates. This paper explores the local security and legitimacy implications of the expanded will of the United Nations to use peace enforcement. Furthermore, it examines the major challenges – both doctrinal and operational – of peace operations in the contemporary period. Finally, the paper sheds light on three crucial features of contemporary trends of UN peace support operations – (a) technological development and its impact on UN peacekeeping, (b) the growing trend of regionalism in peacekeeping operations, and (c) the UN’s role in countering violent extremism (CVE). The paper argues that technological changes, regional powers in peacekeeping and threats of violent extremism are critical factors to understanding the complex nature of peace support operations. The changing patterns of peace operations highlight that robust peace enforcement as opposed to conventional peacekeeping is the emerging trend. Enforced peace requires cautious, but also a positive approach by the stakeholders to accommodate changing patterns of peace operations.
Strategies of non-governmental organizations’ activity in Hungary in terms of the migration crisis
Authors: Кузнецова Александра , Сунгуров Александр
Published: February 2021

The general purposes of this research are attempts to trace the changes in migration policy and government rhetoric in Hungary, and their impact on the non-governmental organizations’ activities (NGOs) in the sphere of migrants’ integration. As a result of this research work, it is revealed that the initiation of anti-migration state rhetoric, has led to a number of NGOs having to adapt their activities to the new political conditions, while continuing to help migrants, and starting to respond to it with an anti- government information campaign.
The constitutional status of the Sejm in the political system of the Republic of Poland
Authors: Bożyk Stanisław
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this article is to evaluate or to determine the constitutional status of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland in the light of the basic principles of the political system. The position of the lower chamber of the Polish parliament is presented in turn against the backdrop of four principles: the sovereignty of the Nation, political representation, political pluralism, and the separation and balancing of powers. In the context of the latter principle, the relationship between the Sejm and the executive is also presented.
Challenges of the Polish local self-government in the context of the development of the civil society
Authors: Sokalska Edyta
Published: February 2021

Political changes in Poland in the last two decades of the 20th century enabled the creation of a new political regime. The development of civil society in the 21st century has aroused curiosity concerning the instruments and forms that promote effective participation and deliberation in the field of local self-government and other areas. The perception of political decisions and their legitimization may be reinforced via the appropriate identification and application of some participatory instruments. Some legal institutions have been established and have been developed in order to increase the scope of civil society in local self-government (e.g., elections to the local authorities, referendums, and public consultations). The latest amendment, enacted on the 11th of January 2018, to the Polish local self-government acts is a step towards the reinforcement of public participation at the local level (the civil budget, participating in the debate on the report on the condition of the of local government unit, and the civil legislative initiative).
Policy towards the Judiciary as a symptom the transformation of the Polish political system in years 2015–2020
Authors: Skrzypiński Dariusz
Published: February 2021

The article provides an analysis of PiS1. actions with respect to the judiciary. PiS is the ruling party in Poland since 2015. It implemented very deep institutional reforms and took intensive communication measures of propaganda-like discrediting nature which brought significant political consequences. Firstly, the principles of rule of law and separation of powers were breached leading to a departure from standards of liberal democracy. Secondly, very strong polarisation of attitudes occurred in the society and legal elites with respect to the introduced reforms, causing politicisation of the judiciary and confrontation inside the judiciary between those in favour and those against the government’s actions.
The position of the judge in Poland within the judicial system
Authors: Mistygacz Michał
Published: February 2021

The purpose of the article is to present the fundamental rules and regulations constituting the position of the judge in Poland, which finds its basis first of all in the regulations of the basic law interpreted over the years by the Constitutional Court, but now – in the norms of international law. Moreover, the author included his thoughts on the issues of the legitimization of judicial power and its relationship with the legislative and the executive. He also referred to the ongoing discussions on the status of the National Council of the Judiciary as a constitutionally-established body, whose task is to guarantee the independence of courts and the independence of judges in Poland. Furthermore, the article discusses the procedure and criteria of appointing a candidate to the position of a judge to different levels of the judiciary. It also deals with the basic elements guaranteeing the effectiveness of the principles of the independence of the judiciary such as neutrality, irremovability, incompatibility, immunity and the judge’s material status.
Reception of Law as a Factor of Modernization of National Law
Authors: Ахмедшаева Мавлюда Ахатовна
Published: February 2021

The article analyzes the reception of law, its understanding, its role in the development and modernization of the national legal system. Various scientific views on the reception of law and on its role in the modernization of the legal system are presented and analyzed. It is stated that to date there is no single holistic doctrine of the reception of law, which often leads to a different concept of this legal phenomenon. This circumstance confronts the theory of law with the need to develop a doctrine of the reception of law, including concepts, areas, limits, and conditions for the reception of law. The article puts forward substantiated proposals and recommendations aimed at improving the reception of law in the legal system of Uzbekistan in the future.
Application of Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict Body Condition Score from Liveweight Records of Mature Romney Ewes
Authors: Semakula Jimmy , Corner-Thomas Rene A. , Morris Stephen T. , Blair Hugh T. , Kenyon Paul R.
Published: February 2021

Body condition score (BCS) in sheep (Ovis aries) is a widely used subjective measure of the degree of soft tissue coverage. Body condition score and liveweight are statistically related in ewes; therefore, it was hypothesized that BCS could be accurately predicted from liveweight using machine learning models. Individual ewe liveweight and body condition score data at each stage of the annual cycle (pre-breeding, pregnancy diagnosis, pre-lambing and weaning) at 43 to 54 months of age were used. Nine machine learning (ML) algorithms (ordinal logistic regression, multinomial regression, linear discriminant analysis, classification and regression tree, random forest, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machine, neural networks and gradient boosting decision trees) were applied to predict BCS from a ewe’s current and previous liveweight record. A three class BCS (1.0–2.0, 2.5–3.5, >3.5) scale was used due to high-class imbalance in the five-scale BCS data. The results showed that using ML to predict ewe BCS at 43 to 54 months of age from current and previous liveweight could be achieved with high accuracy (>85%) across all stages of the annual cycle. The gradient boosting decision tree algorithm (XGB) was the most efficient for BCS prediction regardless of season. All models had balanced specificity and sensitivity. The findings suggest that there is potential for predicting ewe BCS from liveweight using classification machine learning algorithms.
Salinity Stress as an Elicitor for Phytochemicals and Minerals Accumulation in Selected Leafy Vegetables of Brassicaceae
Authors: Šamec Dunja , Linić Ida , Salopek-Sondi Branka
Published: February 2021

The potential role of NaCl (50–200 mM) as an eustressor for the accumulation of health promoting phytochemicals and maintaining the homeostasis of macro- and micro-elements in three, hydroponically grown Brassica leafy vegetables (Chinese cabbage, white cabbage, and kale) was investigated. Considering K+/Na+ ratio and proline contents as reliable stress markers, we confirmed more prominent stress status in Chinese cabbage followed by white cabbage and kale. Low to moderate salinity treatments (50 and 100 mM NaCl) caused an increase in most of the phenolic compounds in the analyzed Brassica leafy vegetables. Total glucosinolates were elicited by NaCl in a dose dependent manner. Salt treatment caused an increase in total chlorophylls but did not significantly affect carotenoid content. Furthermore, low to moderate treatments did not significantly disturb homeostasis of macro- and micro-elements, particularly in white cabbage and kale where the K level did not decrease significantly and Ca was even increased in white cabbage. We may conclude that salinity may elicit phytochemical accumulation in selecting vegetables grown on saline soils without undesirable disturbance in macro- and micro-elements homeostasis depending on salt concentration and species/varieties. This information may be of great importance in the selection of crops grown on saline soils.
Effects of Node Position and Electric Conductivity of Nutrient Solution on Adventitious Rooting of Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.) Cuttings
Authors: Xu Wenshuo , Lu Na , Kikuchi Masao , Takagaki Michiko
Published: February 2021

Nasturtium is a popular herbal plant, widely cultivated as culinary and medicinal plants all over the world. However, the seed propagation of nasturtium is inefficient, and in-vitro propagation is sophisticated and high-cost. In this study, the cutting propagation method was employed to produce nasturtium seedlings. We aimed to determine the optimal conditions for cutting propagation of nasturtium seedlings by investigating the effects of node position and electric conductivity (EC) of nutrient solution on the root formation of the cuttings. Cuttings from five node positions (apical bud, 2nd node, 3rd node, 4th node, and 5th node) were subjected to water and five EC (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 dS m−1) treatments with a hydroponic cultivation system in a plant factory. Results showed that all cuttings rooted successfully within two weeks. The cuttings from the apical bud position rooted earliest and produced the most roots regardless of EC level. Cuttings from other node positions produced longer roots and heavier root fresh and dry weights than those from the apical bud position. The cuttings under EC of 1.0 dS m−1 had the greatest root number, the longest root length, and the heaviest root fresh and dry weights regardless of node positions. The EC of 1.0 dS m−1 is considered the best condition for nasturtium cuttings for the range of EC tested in this study, and the cuttings from all the five node positions can be used as seedling materials.
Natural Extracts That Stimulate Adipocyte Browning and Their Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Lee Min-Kyeong , Lee Bonggi , Kim Choon Young
Published: February 2021

Despite progress in understanding the developmental lineage and transcriptional factors regulating brown and beige adipocytes, the role of environmental modifiers, such as food components and natural extracts, remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, the undesirable pleiotropic effects produced by synthetic drugs targeting adipose tissue browning and thermogenesis necessitate research into alternative natural sources to combat obesity and related metabolic disorders. The current review, therefore, focused on the effects of various extracts from foods, plants, and marine products on adipose tissue browning and obesity. In particular, the recent findings of food components and marine products on adipose tissue browning will be discussed here.
Identification of Co-Deregulated Genes in Urinary Bladder Cancer Using High-Throughput Methodologies
Authors: Lambrou George I. , Vichos Kleanthis , Koutsouris Dimitrios , Zaravinos Apostolos
Published: February 2021

Although several genes are known to be deregulated in urinary bladder cancer (UBC), the list of candidate prognostic markers has expanded due to the advance of high-throughput methodologies, but they do not always accord from study to study. We aimed to detect global gene co-expressional profiles among a high number of UBC tumors. We mined gene expression data from 5 microarray datasets from GEO, containing 131 UBC and 15 normal samples. Data were analyzed using unsupervised classification algorithms. The application of clustering algorithms resulted in the isolation of 6 down-regulated genes (TMP2, ACTC1, TAGLN, MFAP4, SPARCL1, and GLP1R), which were mainly implicated in the proteasome, base excision repair, and DNA replication functions. We also detected 6 up-regulated genes (CDC20, KRT14, APOBEC3B, MCM5, STMN, and YWHAB) mainly involved in cancer pathways. We identified lists of drugs that could potentially associate with the Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs), including Vardenafil, Pyridone 6, and Manganese (co-upregulated genes) or 1D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (co-down regulated genes). We propose 12 novel candidate markers for UBC, as well as potential drugs, shedding more light on the underlying cause of the development and progression of the disease.
Intrauterine Infusion of TGF-β1 Prior to Insemination, Alike Seminal Plasma, Influences Endometrial Cytokine Responses but Does Not Impact the Timing of the Progression of Pre-Implantation Pig Embryo Development
Authors: Martinez Cristina A. , Cambra Josep M. , Lucas Xiomara , Ferreira-Dias Graça , Rodriguez-Martinez Heriberto , Gil Maria A. , Martinez Emilio A. , Cuello Cristina , Parrilla Inmaculada
Published: February 2021

Seminal plasma (SP) in the female genital tract induces changes that affect multiple reproductive processes. One of the active components in SP is the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), which has major roles in embryo development and pregnancy. Embryo transfer (ET) technology is welcomed by the pig industry provided that embryo quality at embryo collection as well as the fertility and prolificacy of the recipients after the ET is increased. This study evaluated different intrauterine infusion treatments at estrus (40 mL of SP, TGF-β1 cytokine in the extender, or the extender alone (control)) by mimicking an ET scenario in so-called “donor” (inseminated) and “recipient” (uninseminated) sows. On day 6 (day 0—onset of estrus), all “donors” were laparotomized to determine their pregnancy status (presence and developmental stage of the embryos). In addition, endometrial explants were collected from pregnant “donors” and cyclic “recipients,” incubated for 24 h, and analyzed for cytokine production. SP infusions (unlike TGF-β1 infusions) positively influenced the developmental stage of day 6 embryos. Infusion treatments differentially influenced the endometrial cytokine production, mainly in donors. We concluded that SP infusions prior to AI not only impacted the porcine preimplantation embryo development but also influenced the endometrial cytokine production six days after treatment, both in donors and recipients.
Antiviral Effects of Polyphenols from Marine Algae
Authors: Besednova Natalya N. , Andryukov Boris G. , Zaporozhets Tatyana S. , Kryzhanovsky Sergey P. , Fedyanina Ludmila N. , Kuznetsova Tatyana A. , Zvyagintseva Tatyana N. , Shchelkanov Mikhail Yu.
Published: February 2021

The disease-preventive and medicinal properties of plant polyphenolic compounds have long been known. As active ingredients, they are used to prevent and treat many noncommunicable diseases. In recent decades, marine macroalgae have attracted the attention of biotechnologists and pharmacologists as a promising and almost inexhaustible source of polyphenols. This heterogeneous group of compounds contains many biopolymers with unique structure and biological properties that exhibit high anti-infective activity. In the present review, the authors focus on the antiviral potential of polyphenolic compounds (phlorotannins) from marine algae and consider the mechanisms of their action as well as other biological properties of these compounds that have effects on the progress and outcome of viral infections. Effective nutraceuticals, to be potentially developed on the basis of algal polyphenols, can also be used in the complex therapy of viral diseases. It is necessary to extend in vivo studies on laboratory animals, which subsequently will allow proceeding to clinical tests. Polyphenolic compounds have a great potential as active ingredients to be used for the creation of new antiviral pharmaceutical substances.
The ElonginB/C-Cullin5-SOCS-Box-Complex Is a Potential Biomarker for Growth Hormone Disorders
Authors: Gossing Wilhelm , Radke Lars , Biering Henrik , Diederich Sven , Mai Knut , Frohme Marcus
Published: February 2021

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is the standard biochemical marker for the diagnosis and treatment control of acromegaly and growth hormone deficiency (GHD). However, its limitations necessitate the screening for new specific and sensitive biomarkers. The elonginB/C-cullin5-SOCS-box-complex (ECS-complex) (an intracellular five-protein complex) is stimulated by circulating growth hormone (GH) and regulates GH receptor levels through a negative feedback loop. It mediates the cells’ sensitivity for GH and therefore, represents a potent new biomarker for those diseases. In this study, individual ECS-complex proteins were measured in whole blood samples of patients with acromegaly (n = 32) or GHD (n = 12) via ELISA and compared to controls. Hierarchical clustering of the results revealed that by combining the three ECS-complex proteins suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2), cullin-5 and ring-box protein 2 (Rbx-2), 93% of patient samples could be separated from controls, despite many patients having a normal IGF-1 or not receiving medical treatment. SOCS2 showed the best individual diagnostic performance with an overall accuracy of 0.93, while the combination of the three proteins correctly identified all patients and controls. This resulted in perfect sensitivity and specificity for all patient groups, which demonstrates potential benefits of the ECS-complex proteins as clinical biomarkers for the diagnostics of GH-related diseases and substantiates their important role in GH metabolism.
Non-Genetically Encoded Epitopes Are Relevant Targets in Autoimmune Diabetes
Authors: Nguyen Hai , Guyer Perrin , Ettinger Ruth A. , James Eddie A.
Published: February 2021

Islet antigen reactive T cells play a key role in promoting beta cell destruction in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Self-reactive T cells are typically deleted through negative selection in the thymus or deviated to a regulatory phenotype. Nevertheless, those processes are imperfect such that even healthy individuals have a reservoir of potentially autoreactive T cells. What remains less clear is how tolerance is lost to insulin and other beta cell specific antigens. Islet autoantibodies, the best predictor of disease risk, are known to recognize classical antigens such as proinsulin, GAD65, IA-2, and ZnT8. These antibodies are thought to be supported by the expansion of autoreactive CD4+ T cells that recognize these same antigenic targets. However, recent studies have identified new classes of non-genetically encoded epitopes that may reflect crucial gaps in central and peripheral tolerance. Notably, some of these specificities, including epitopes from enzymatically post-translationally modified antigens and hybrid insulin peptides, are present at relatively high frequencies in the peripheral blood of patients with T1D. We conclude that CD4+ T cells that recognize non-genetically encoded epitopes are likely to make an important contribution to the progression of islet autoimmunity in T1D. We further propose that these classes of neo-epitopes should be considered as possible targets for strategies to induce antigen specific tolerance.
Measuring Aqueduct of Sylvius Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow in Multiple Sclerosis Using Different Software
Authors: Laganà Maria Marcella , Jakimovski Dejan , Bergsland Niels , Dwyer Michael G. , Baglio Francesca , Zivadinov Robert
Published: February 2021

Aqueduct of Sylvius (AoS) cerebrospinal fluid flow can be quantified using phase-contrast (PC) Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The software used for AoS segmentation might affect the PC-derived measures. We analyzed AoS PC data of 30 people with multiple sclerosis and 19 normal controls using three software packages, and estimated cross-sectional area (CSA), average and highest AoS velocity (Vmean and Vmax), flow rate and volume. Our aims were to assess the repeatability and reproducibility of each PC-derived measure obtained with the various software packages, including in terms of group differentiation. All the variables had good repeatability, except the average Vmean, flow rate and volume obtained with one software package. Substantial to perfect agreement was seen when evaluating the overlap between the AoS segmentations obtained with different software packages. No variable was significantly different between software packages, with the exception of Vmean diastolic peak and CSA. Vmax diastolic peak differentiated groups, regardless of the software package. In conclusion, a clinical study should preliminarily evaluate the repeatability in order to interpret its findings. Vmax seemed to be a repeatable and reproducible measure, since the pixel with its value is usually located in the center of the AoS, and is thus unlikely be affected by ROI size.
Comparative Proteomic Study Shows the Expression of Hint-1 in Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Carrillo-Najar Carolina , Rembao-Bojórquez Daniel , Tena-Suck Martha L. , Zavala-Vega Sergio , Gelista-Herrera Noemí , Ramos-Peek Miguel A. , Gómez-Amador Juan L. , Cazares-Raga Febe , Hernández-Hernández Fidel de la Cruz , Ortiz-Plata Alma
Published: February 2021

Pituitary adenomas (PAs) can be unpredictable and aggressive tumors. No reliable markers of their biological behavior have been found. Here, a proteomic analysis was applied to identify proteins in the expression profile between invasive and non-invasive PAs to search for possible biomarkers. A histopathological and immunohistochemical (adenohypophyseal hormones, Ki-67, p53, CD34, VEGF, Flk1 antibodies) analysis was done; a proteomic map was evaluated in 64 out of 128 tumors. There were 107 (84%) invasive and 21 (16%) non-invasive PAs; 80.5% belonged to III and IV grades of the Hardy–Vezina classification. Invasive PAs (n = 56) showed 105 ± 43 spots; 86 ± 32 spots in non-invasive PAs (n = 8) were observed. The 13 most prominent spots were selected and 11 proteins related to neoplastic process in different types of tumors were identified. Hint1 (Histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 1) high expression in invasive PA was found (11.8 ± 1.4, p = 0.005), especially at high index (>10; p = 0.0002). High Hint1 expression was found in invasive VEGF positive PA (13.8 ± 2.3, p = 0.005) and in Flk1 positive PA (14.04 ± 2.28, p = 0.006). Hint1 is related to human tumorigenesis by its interaction with signaling pathways and transcription factors. It could be related to invasive behavior in PAs. This is the first report on Hint expression in PAs. More analysis is needed to find out the possible role of Hint in these tumors.
Mobile App for Science Education: Designing the Learning Approach
Authors: Tavares Rita , Marques Vieira Rui , Pedro Luís
Published: February 2021

This paper reports research work related to a wider study, aimed at developing a mobile app for Science Education in primary-school. Several studies reveal that Science Education can be improved by using technology, namely educational software. However, to promote a structured use of technology, innovative learning approaches must be designed for educational software. This paper aims to answer how the interaction between students and a mobile app for Science Education can promote students’ scientific competences development and self-regulated learning. To achieve this, a learning approach was designed, combining the Universal Design for Learning principles, Inquiry-Based Science Education and the BSCS 5E – teaching model for Science Education designed by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, which results in the acronym of the model. The 5E is related to each phase of the model: Engagement; Exploration; Explanation; Elaboration; Evaluation. The proposed was based on a grounded, participatory, and user-centred approach, crossing literature contributions with data collected among primary-school teachers through the application of a questionnaire (n = 118). Data collected allowed deductions about the expected adequacy of the learning approach, according to Nieveen’s criteria for high quality educational interventions. This adequacy was revealed through the teachers’ conceptions about the potential impact of the conceptualized mobile app (i) to provide a comprehensive and practical Science Education learning; and (ii) to enhance students’ scientific competences development and self-regulated learning. The paper aims to contribute to the design of an innovative learning approach in Science Education and to share it with other researchers since it can be expanded to other educational software.
C-Band and X-Band Switchable Frequency-Selective Surface
Authors: Farooq Umer , Iftikhar Adnan , Shafique Muhammad Farhan , Khan Muhammad Saeed , Fida Adnan , Mughal Muhammad Juanid , Anagnostou Dimitris E.
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a highly compact frequency-selective surface (FSS) that has the potential to switch between the X-band (8 GHz–12 GHz) and C-band (4 GHz–8 GHz) for RF shielding applications. The proposed FSS is composed of a square conducting loop with inward-extended arms loaded with curved extensions. The symmetric geometry allows the RF shield to perform equally for transverse electric (TE), transverse magnetic (TM), and 45° polarizations. The unit cell has a dimension of 0.176 λ0 and has excellent angular stability up to 60°. The resonance mechanism was investigated using equivalent circuit models of the shield. The design of the unit element allowed incorporation of PIN diodes between adjacent elements for switching to a lower C-band spectrum at 6.6 GHz. The biasing network is on the bottom layer of the substrate to avoid effects on the shielding performance. A PIN diode configuration for the switching operation was also proposed. In simulations, the PIN diode model was incorporated to observe the switchable operation. Two prototypes were fabricated, and the switchable operation was demonstrated by etching copper strips on one fabricated prototype between adjacent unit cells (in lieu of PIN diodes) as a proof of the design prototypes. Comparisons among the results confirmed that the design offers high angular stability and excellent performance in both bands.