bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pyomyositis associated with abscess formation caused by streptococcus pneumoniae in children: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Barchi Luca , Fastiggi Michele , Bassoli Ilaria , Bonvicini Federico , Silvotti Monica , Iughetti Lorenzo , De Fanti Alessandro
Published: June 2023

Background

Pyomyositis is an unusual bacterial infection but potential severe in children. Staphylococcus Aureus is the main caused of this disease (70–90%), following by Streptococcus Pyogenes (4–16%). Streptococcus Pneumoniae rarely caused invasive muscular infections. We describe a case of pyomyositis caused by Streptococcus Pneumonia in an adolescent 12-year-old female.

Case presentation

I.L. referred to our hospital for high fever associated with right hip and abdominal pain. The blood exams showed increase of leukocytes with prevalence of neutrophils with high level of inflammatory markers (CRP 46,17 mg/dl; Procalcitonin 25,8 ng/ml). The abdomen ultrasonography was unremarkable. The CT and MRI of the abdomen and right hip revealed pyomyositis of the iliopsoas, piriformis and internal shutter associated with collection of pus between the muscular planes (Fig. 1). The patient was admitted to our paediatric care unit, and she was initially treatment with intravenous Ceftriaxone (100 mg/kg/day) and Vancomycin (60 mg/kg/day). On day 2, a pansensitive Streptococcus Pneumoniae was isolated from the blood culture, and the antibiotic treatment was changed to only IV Ceftriaxone. She was successively treated with IV Ceftriaxone for 3 weeks, then continued with oral Amoxicillin for a total of 6 weeks of therapy. The follow up showed a complete resolution of the pyomyositis and psoas abscess after 2 months.

Conclusion

Pyomyositis associate with abscess is a rare and very dangerous disease in children. The clinical presentation can mimic symptoms of other pathologies like osteomyelitis or septic arthritis, so many times is hard to identify. The main risk factors include story of recent trauma and immunodeficiency, not present in our case report. The therapy involves the antibiotics and, if possible, abscess drainage. In literature there is much discussion about duration of antibiotic therapy.
Continuous monitoring of patients in and after the acute admission ward to improve clinical pathways: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (Optimal-AAW)
Authors: Garssen Sjoerd H. , Kant Niels , Vernooij Carlijn A. , Mauritz Gert-Jan , Koning Mark V. , Bosch Frank H. , Doggen Carine J. M.
Published: June 2023

Background

Because of high demand on hospital beds, hospitals seek to reduce patients’ length of stay (LOS) while preserving the quality of care. In addition to usual intermittent vital sign monitoring, continuous monitoring might help to assess the patient’s risk of deterioration, in order to improve the discharge process and reduce LOS. The primary aim of this monocenter randomized controlled trial is to assess the effect of continuous monitoring in an acute admission ward (AAW) on the percentage of patients who are discharged safely.

Methods

A total of 800 patients admitted to the AAW, for whom it is equivocal whether they can be discharged directly after their AAW stay, will be randomized to either receive usual care without (control group) or with additional continuous monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate, posture, and activity, using a wearable sensor (sensor group). Continuous monitoring data are provided to healthcare professionals and used in the discharge decision. The wearable sensor keeps collecting data for 14 days. After 14 days, all patients fill in a questionnaire to assess healthcare use after discharge and, if applicable, their experience with the wearable sensor. The primary outcome is the difference in the percentage of patients who are safely discharged home directly from the AAW between the control and sensor group. Secondary outcomes include hospital LOS, AAW LOS, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, Rapid Response Team calls, and unplanned readmissions within 30 days. Furthermore, facilitators and barriers for implementing continuous monitoring in the AAW and at home will be investigated.

Discussion

Clinical effects of continuous monitoring have already been investigated in specific patient populations for multiple purposes, e.g., in reducing the number of ICU admissions. However, to our knowledge, this is the first Randomized Controlled Trial to investigate effects of continuous monitoring in a broad patient population in the AAW.

Trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05181111. Registered on 6 January 2022. Start of recruitment: 7 December 2021.
Twenty cases of perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis treated with LumiMed® Nasal Device
Authors: Bouboulis Denis , Huff Avery , Burawski Lauren
Published: June 2023

Background

Allergic rhinitis is the most common allergic disease, with a prevalence up to 40% in the general population. Allergic rhinitis requires daily treatment to block inflammatory mediators and suppress the inflammatory response. However, these medications may have harmful side effects. Photobiomodulation as a treatment modality to reduce inflammation has been beneficial in many chronic disorders, yet therapy has not been US Food and Drug Administration approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The LumiMed Nasal Device was designed to address the limitations associated with the treatment of allergic rhinitis with photobiomodulation. This in-office study hopes to show efficacy, usability, and comfortability of the LumiMed Nasal Device.

Case presentation

Twenty patients with allergic rhinitis were treated during high allergy season with LumiMed Nasal Device. The average age of patients was 35 years (10–75); 11 were female and 9 were male. The population’s ethnicities were white (n = 11), Black (n = 6), Oriental (n = 2), and Iranian (n = 1). Patients were treated with twice-daily dosing, 10 seconds in each nostril, for 10 consecutive days. After 10 days, patients were evaluated for symptom relief, device comfort and device ease of use. The Total Nasal Symptom Score was used to assess severity of main symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The sum of Total Nasal Symptom Scores for each symptom category was calculated (total possible scores per patient were 0–9). Rhinorrhea/nasal secretions, nasal congestion, and nasal itching/sneezing were evaluated on a scale of 0–3 (0 no symptoms, 1 mild symptoms, 2 moderate symptoms, 3 severe symptoms). Device comfort was evaluated on a scale of 0–3 (0 no discomfort, 1 mild discomfort, 2 moderate discomfort, 3 severe discomfort). Device ease of use was evaluated on a scale of 0–3 (0 very easy, 1 somewhat difficult, 2 difficult, 3 very difficult).

Conclusions

The results from these case studies indicated that of the 20 patients in this case study, 100% of patients experienced improvement in overall Total Nasal Symptom Score after using LumiMed Nasal Device. Of those patients, 40% brought their Total Nasal Symptom Score down to 0. Furthermore, 95% felt the LumiMed Nasal Device was comfortable to use, while 85% of patients felt the LumiMed Nasal Device was easy to use.
Fog computing network security based on resources management
Authors: Daoud Wided Ben , Othmen Salwa , Hamdi Monia , Khdhir Radhia , Hamam Habib
Published: June 2023

Fog computing paradigm is designed as an extension of cloud computing due to the need for a supporting platform that is capable of providing the requirements of the Internet of Things (IoT). However, due to its features, fog obviously confronts numerous security and privacy risks, such as huge scale geolocation, heterogeneity, and mobility. Indeed, there are many problems resulting from security violations and breaches. Thus, to exceed these problems, we propose an efficient access control system, ameliorated with appropriate monitoring function and risk estimation to detect abnormal user’s behavior and then deactivating illegitimate anomaly actions. Indeed, based on the risk value, we compute the trust level that will then be made into an access certificate, which would be provided to the user. This security certificate is used to authenticate and authorize users in case of re-connection in another time, without repeating the whole access control process from the beginning. Moreover, a comprehensive resource management mechanism is proposed to ameliorate the system performance and so to maintain low latency. Our aim is to further enhance data security, privacy and resource management for IoT users. To demonstrate the efficiency, feasibility, and security of our proposed scheme, we perform an extensive simulation using Network Security Simulator (Nessi2).
A pan-cancer analysis of the oncogenic and immunological roles of apolipoprotein F (APOF) in human cancer
Authors: Shi Xu , Feng Dechao , Li Dengxiong , Han Ping , Yang Lu , Wei Wuran
Published: June 2023

Background

Apolipoprotein F (APOF) has been less studied in cancers. Thus, we aimed to perform a pan-cancer analysis of the oncogenic and immunological effects of APOF on human cancer.

Methods

A standardized TCGA pan-cancer dataset was downloaded. Differential expression, clinical prognosis, genetic mutations, immune infiltration, epigenetic modifications, tumor stemness and heterogeneity were analyzed. We conducted all analyses through software R (version 3.6.3) and its suitable packages.

Results

Overall, we found that the common cancers differentially expressed between tumor and normal samples and prognostic-associated were BRCA, PRAD, KIRP, and LIHC in terms of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The pan-cancer Spearman analysis showed that the mRNA expression of APOF was negatively correlated with four tumor stemness indexes (DMPss, DNAss, ENHss, and EREG-METHss) with statistical significance for PRAD and was positively correlated for LIHC. In terms of BRCA and PRAD patients, we found negative correlation of APOF with TMB, MSI, neo, HRD and LOH. The mutation frequencies of BRCA and LIHC were 0.3%. APOF expression was negatively correlated with immune infiltration and positively correlated with tumor purity for PRAD patients. The mRNA expression of APOF was negatively associated with most TILs for LIHC, B cells, CD4+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells, but was positively associated with CD8+ T cells.

Conclusions

Our pan-cancer study offered a relatively comprehensive understanding of the roles of APOF on BRCA, PRAD, KIRP, and LIHC.
Empirical progression criteria thresholds for feasibility outcomes in HIV clinical trials: a methodological study
Authors: Mbuagbaw Lawrence , Chen Lucy Huizhu , Aluko Eunice , Stevens-Uninsky Maya , Eze-Onuorah Akudo C. J. , Garcia Michael Cristian , Stech Larysa , Atkin-Jones Tariq , Rehman Nadia , Raifu Amidu
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Pilot and feasibility trials use predetermined thresholds for feasibility outcomes to decide if a larger trial is feasible. These thresholds may be derived from the literature, observational data, or clinical experience. The aim of this study was to determine empirical estimates for feasibility outcomes to inform future HIV pilot randomized trials.

Methods

We conducted a methodological study of HIV clinical trials indexed in the past 5 years (2017–2021) in the PubMed database. We included trials of people living with HIV individually randomized to any type of intervention and excluded pilot trials and cluster randomized trials. Screening and data extraction were conducted in duplicate. We computed estimates for recruitment, randomization, non-compliance, lost to follow-up, discontinuation, and the proportion analyzed using a random effects meta-analysis of proportions and reported these estimates according to the following subgroups: use of medication, intervention type, trial design, income level, WHO region, participant type, comorbidities, and source of funding. We report estimates with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

We identified 2122 studies in our search, of which 701 full texts were deemed relevant, but only 394 met our inclusion criteria. We found the following estimates: recruitment (64.1%; 95% CI 57.7 to 70.3; 156 trials); randomization (97.1%; 95% CI 95.8 to 98.3; 187 trials); non-compliance (3.8%; 95% CI 2.8 to 4.9; 216 trials); lost to follow-up (5.8%; 95% CI 4.9 to 6.8; 251 trials); discontinuation (6.5%; 95% CI 5.5 to 7.5; 215 trials); analyzed (94.2%; 95% CI 92.9 to 95.3; 367 trials). There were differences in estimates across most subgroups.

Conclusion

These estimates may be used to inform the design of HIV pilot randomized trials with careful consideration of variations due to some of the subgroups investigated.
Reflections of patient and public involvement from a commissioned research project evaluating a nationally implemented NHS programme focused on diabetes prevention
Authors: Hawkes Rhiannon E. , Sanders Caroline , Soiland-Reyes Claudia , Brunton Lisa , Howells Kelly , Cotterill Sarah , Bennett Carole , Lowndes Eric , Mistry Manoj , Wallworth Helen , Bower Peter
Published: June 2023

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in research is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Research as crucial for high quality research with practical benefit for patients and carers. Patient and public contributors can provide both personal knowledge and lived experiences which complement the perspectives of the academic research team. Nevertheless, effective PPIE must be tailored to the nature of the research, such as the size and scope of the research, whether it is researcher-led or independently commissioned, and whether the research aims to design an intervention or evaluate it. For example, commissioned research evaluations have potential limits on how PPIE can feed into the design of the research and the intervention. Such constraints may require re-orientation of PPIE input to other functions, such as supporting wider engagement and dissemination. In this commentary, we use the ‘Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public’ (GRIPP2) short form to share our own experiences of facilitating PPIE for a large, commissioned research project evaluating the National Health Service Diabetes Prevention Programme; a behavioural intervention for adults in England who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The programme was already widely implemented in routine practice when the research project and PPIE group were established. This commentary provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect on experiences of being part of a PPIE group in the context of a longer-term evaluation of a national programme, where the scope for involvement in the intervention design was more constrained, compared to PPIE within researcher-led intervention programmes. We reflect on PPIE in the design, analysis and dissemination of the research, including lessons learned for future PPIE work in large-scale commissioned evaluations of national programmes. Important considerations for this type of PPIE work include: ensuring the role of public contributors is clarified from the outset, the complexities of facilitating PPIE over longer project timeframes, and providing adequate support to public contributors and facilitators (including training, resources and flexible timelines) to ensure an inclusive and considerate approach. These findings can inform future PPIE plans for stakeholders involved in commissioned research.
The effect of ultrasound-guided bilateral single-shot erector spinae plane block on recovery after on-pump coronary bypass graft surgery: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Mostafa Tarek Abdel Hay , Abdullah Mohammad Ali , Ahmed Sameh Abdelkhalik
Published: June 2023

Background

Fast-track and ultra-fast-track anesthesia techniques can be facilitated with opioid requirements’ reduction and multi-modal analgesia techniques that include the regional anesthesia techniques. The study aimed to assess the preoperative effect of single-shot bilateral ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on the extubation time and postoperative pain of patients undergoing on-pump CABG surgery.

Results

The ESPB group was statistically significant decreased regarding the extubation time, ICU length stay, intraoperative fentanyl, and postoperative morphine consumption than the control group (p < 0.0001 for all the previous measurement). The 1st time of rescue analgesia of the ESPB group was longer than the control group (p < 0.0001). The numerical rating score (NRS) after extubation of the ESPB group was lower at 2 and 4 h after extubation (P = ˂ 0.0001 and 0.0006 respectively) than the control group. The number of patients who required rescue analgesia after extubation was significantly decreased in the ESPB group in comparison to the control group, 2 and 4 h after extubation (P =  < 0.0001 and 0.004 respectively).

Conclusions

The preoperative single-shot ultrasound-guided ESPB in patients scheduled for on-pump CABG surgery shortened the extubation time and the length of ICU, decreased intraoperative fentanyl and postoperative morphine consumption and postoperative pain scores, and prolonged 1st time of rescue analgesia without significant effect on the incidence of complications, re-intubation, or mortality.

Trial registration

Approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine (approval code of 33702/02/20) registered at February 2, 2020, and written informed consent was obtained from the patients. The trial was registered at 17 March 2020 in the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry with a unique identification number for the registry which is PACTR202003822626676.
Risk factors associated with suicide attempts in patients with schizophrenia: an observational study from South India
Authors: Shenoy Sonia , Praharaj Samir Kumar
Published: June 2023

Background

As a suicide attempt is an important predictor of suicide in patients with schizophrenia, it is essential to assess risk factors to prevent suicides. This study aimed to assess the clinical factors and reasons associated with suicide attempts in patients with schizophrenia. A chart review of the patients diagnosed with schizophrenia from January 2014 to December 2019 was conducted at a tertiary hospital in South India. Socio-demographic and clinical details were extracted using a pro-forma. Details of suicide attempts were collected for all the patients.

Results

Out of 300 patients, 54 patients (18%) had at least one suicide attempt. Comorbid depression (p < 0.001,φ = 0.32) and substance abuse (p = 0.043,φ = 0.1) were significantly more in patients with suicide attempts. The group with suicide attempts had a significantly higher record of poor treatment compliance (p = 0.001, φ = 0.19). The most common methods of suicide attempts were drug overdose and consumption of poison (20.3% each). The most common reasons were the presence of depressive symptoms (24.1%) and delusions (24.1%). Hallucinations contributed to 22.2% of the suicide attempts.

Conclusions

Suicide attempts were common among schizophrenia patients in up to 18%. Evaluation and early treatment of depressive symptoms and substance abuse and improvement of treatment adherence may help prevent suicide in patients with schizophrenia.
Performance evaluation of a low-cost real time COVID-19 health monitoring system
Authors: Ahmed Mayada Abdelgadir , Mohammed Monzir Hashim , Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan
Published: June 2023

Recently, and to cater for increased needs on health monitoring and data management for COVID-19 patients, there has been a growing interest on the market place as well as on the research community to develop low cost and real time COVID-19 health monitoring system for Sudanese Ministry of Health. Unfortunately, insufficient rooms in isolation centers and hospitals can cause huge risks on Corona patients. In addition, conventional monitoring techniques cannot provide adequate and accurate monitoring of the patients. Traditionally, health monitoring techniques relied on the direct manual approach to measure vital parameters and monitor patient’s health. However, this manual approach is impractical and costly in terms of time and effort. Moreover, the risk of contracting the disease for the medical staff will increase. Nowadays, Sudanese medical health companies and authorities are looking forward for an in-home Corona health monitoring system that enables good and quick recovery for Corona patients. The present paper seeks to address the performance evaluation for a real time system for monitoring the health status by reading the biomarkers (temperature, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and breathing rate) of corona patients remotely and at home using Internet of Things technologies. This work helps and supports COVID-19 patients to monitor their health at home and sending their report according to the system reading remotely with low cost and in real time environment. The obtained experimental data showed that the proposed system is capable of accurately, remotely and reliably monitoring the health monitoring continuously and in a real time with low cost.
Autonomic dysregulation, cognition and fatigue in people with depression and in active and healthy controls: observational cohort study
Authors: Costa Tiago , Taylor Abigail , Black Francesca , Hill Sean , McAllister-Williams R. Hamish , Gallagher Peter , Watson Stuart
Published: June 2023

Background

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation might be relevant to the pathophysiology of fatigue and cognitive impairment in depression and perhaps should be considered when making prescribing decisions.

Aims

To determine the relationship of self-reported ANS symptoms with fatigue, cognition and prescribed medication in people with a diagnosis of depression, in comparators without depression but with other mental health, neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative disorders (active controls) and in healthy controls.

Method

Cross-sectional analysis of an opportunistic sample from England. Self-reported data were collected on demographics, diagnosis, medication, ANS symptoms (Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale-31, COMPASS-31) and fatigue (Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue, VAS-F). A subsample completed cognitive tests (THINC-it), including the subjective Perceived Deficits Questionnaire five-item version (PDQ-5). Spearman's correlation and mediation models were used to explore the relationship between COMPASS-31, VAS-F and PDQ-5 scores.

Results

Data were obtained for 3345 participants, 22% with depression. The depression group had significantly (P < 0.01) more severe autonomic dysregulation as measured by COMPASS-31 scores (median 30) than active (median 23) and healthy controls (median 10). The depression group had significantly higher symptom severity (P < 0.01) than both control groups on the VAS-F and PDQ-5. Overall, there was a significantly positive correlation (P < 0.01) between COMPASS-31, VAS-F scores (Spearman's rho rs = 0.44) and PDQ-5 scores (rs = 0.56). COMPASS-31 scores mediated greater symptom severity on the VAS-F and PDQ-5 for those with depression. COMPASS-31 scores remained significantly different between the depression group and both control groups independently of medication.

Conclusions

People with a diagnosis of depression report worse fatigue and cognition than active and healthy comparators; this appears to be mediated by ANS dysregulation.
Intracranial Activity of Selpercatinib in Chinese Patients With AdvancedRETFusion–Positive Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the Phase II LIBRETTO-321 Trial
Authors: Cheng Ying , Huang Dingzhi , Zhou Jianying , Zhou Chengzhi , Sun Yuping , Wu Lin , Guo Ye , Jingxin Shao , Zhang Wanli , Lu Shun
Published: June 2023

PURPOSE

Selpercatinib, a highly selective, potent RET inhibitor with CNS activity, demonstrated sustained antitumor responses and intracranial activity in patients with RET-altered advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the global LIBRETTO-001 and Chinese LIBRETTO-321 trials. We report a prospective case series based on updated data from patients with brain metastases at baseline in LIBRETTO-321.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included patients with advanced NSCLC and brain metastasis with a centrally confirmed KIF5B/ CCDC6/ NCOA4-RET fusion. Patients with previously treated or untreated CNS metastases were included if asymptomatic or neurologically stable. Patients received oral selpercatinib 160 mg, twice daily, until progression. Objective systemic and intracranial response was independently assessed per RECIST v1.1. The data cutoff (DCO) was March 31, 2022.

RESULTS

In total, 8/26 (31%) patients were included: 1/8 (13%) had previous brain surgery but no previous systemic therapy and 3/8 (38%) had received brain radiotherapy. Best overall systemic response was partial response (PR) in 6/8 patients (75%) and stable disease (SD) in 2/8 (25%). Among patients with measurable baseline CNS lesions, 4/5 (80%) achieved a confirmed intracranial response (3/5 PRs and 1/5 complete response [CR]). The best overall intracranial response was CR in 3/8 (38%), PR in 3/8 (38%), and SD in 1/8 (13%) and nonprogressive disease/non-CR in 1/8 (13%); 2/8 patients (25%) had CNS-only disease progression. The duration of treatment was 2.8-24.0 months, and 5/8 patients (63%) had treatment ongoing at DCO. Of 8 patients, 5 (63%) had grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) requiring dose modification. There were no treatment discontinuations because of TRAEs.

CONCLUSION

Selpercatinib demonstrated clinically meaningful and durable intracranial activity in Chinese patients with brain metastases from RET-altered NSCLC, consistent with the global LIBRETTO-001 trial.
Anillin and the microtubule bundler PRC1 maintain myosin in the contractile ring to ensure completion of cytokinesis
Authors: Santos Inês C. , Silva Ana M. , Gassmann Reto , Carvalho Ana X.
Published: June 2023

Cytokinesis is the last step of cell division, when one cell physically divides into two cells. Cytokinesis is driven by an equatorial contractile ring and signals from antiparallel microtubule bundles (the central spindle) that form between the two masses of segregating chromosomes. Bundling of central spindle microtubules is essential for cytokinesis in cultured cells. Using a temperature-sensitive mutant of SPD-1, the homolog of the microtubule bundler PRC1, we demonstrate that SPD-1 is required for robust cytokinesis in the Caenorhabditis elegans early embryo. SPD-1 inhibition results in broadening of the contractile ring, creating an elongated intercellular bridge between sister cells at the last stages of ring constriction that fails to seal. Moreover, depleting anillin/ANI-1 in SPD-1-inhibited cells results in myosin loss from the contractile ring during the second half of furrow ingression, which in turn results in furrow regression and cytokinesis failure. Our results thus reveal a mechanism involving the joint action of anillin and PRC1, which operates during the later stages of furrow ingression to ensure continued functioning of the contractile ring until cytokinesis is complete.
Migration speed of captured breast cancer subpopulations correlates with metastatic fitness
Authors: Desjardins-Lecavalier Nicolas , Annis Matthew G. , Nowakowski Alexander , Kiepas Alexander , Binan Loïc , Roy Joannie , Modica Graziana , Hébert Steven , Kleinman Claudia L. , Siegel Peter M. , Costantino Santiago
Published: June 2023

The genetic alterations contributing to migration proficiency, a phenotypic hallmark of metastatic cells required for colonizing distant organs, remain poorly defined. Here, we used single-cell magneto-optical capture (scMOCa) to isolate fast cells from heterogeneous human breast cancer cell populations, based on their migratory ability alone. We show that captured fast cell subpopulations retain higher migration speed and focal adhesion dynamics over many generations as a result of a motility-related transcriptomic profile. Upregulated genes in isolated fast cells encoded integrin subunits, proto-cadherins and numerous other genes associated with cell migration. Dysregulation of several of these genes correlates with poor survival outcomes in people with breast cancer, and primary tumors established from fast cells generated a higher number of circulating tumor cells and soft tissue metastases in pre-clinical mouse models. Subpopulations of cells selected for a highly migratory phenotype demonstrated an increased fitness for metastasis.
A germline-specific role for unconventional components of the γ-tubulin complex in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Haruta Nami , Sumiyoshi Eisuke , Honda Yu , Terasawa Masahiro , Uchiyama Chihiro , Toya Mika , Kubota Yukihiko , Sugimoto Asako
Published: June 2023

The γ-tubulin complex (γTuC) is a widely conserved microtubule nucleator, but some of its components, namely GCP4, GCP5 and GCP6 (also known as TUBGCP4, TUBGCP5 and TUBGCP6, respectively), have not been detected in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we identified two γTuC-associated proteins in C. elegans, GTAP-1 and GTAP-2, for which apparent orthologs were detected only in the genus Caenorhabditis. GTAP-1 and GTAP-2 were found to localize at centrosomes and the plasma membrane of the germline, and their centrosomal localization was interdependent. In early C. elegans embryos, whereas the conserved γTuC component MZT-1 (also known as MOZART1 and MZT1) was essential for the localization of centrosomal γ-tubulin, depletion of GTAP-1 and/or GTAP-2 caused up to 50% reduction of centrosomal γ-tubulin and precocious disassembly of spindle poles during mitotic telophase. In the adult germline, GTAP-1 and GTAP-2 contributed to efficient recruitment of the γTuC to the plasma membrane. Depletion of GTAP-1, but not of GTAP-2, severely disrupted both the microtubule array and the honeycomb-like structure of the adult germline. We propose that GTAP-1 and GTAP-2 are unconventional components of the γTuC that contribute to the organization of both centrosomal and non-centrosomal microtubules by targeting the γTuC to specific subcellular sites in a tissue-specific manner.
Ectotherm heat tolerance and the microbiome: current understanding, future directions and potential applications
Authors: Fontaine Samantha S. , Kohl Kevin D.
Published: June 2023

Climate change and increasing global temperatures are a leading threat to ectothermic animals worldwide. Ectotherm persistence under climate change will depend on a combination of host and environmental factors; recently it has become clear that host-associated microbial communities contribute significantly to the response of ectotherms to environmental warming. However, several unanswered questions about these relationships remain before accurate predictions can be made regarding the microbiome's influence on host ecology and evolution under climate warming. In this Commentary, we provide a brief background of what is currently known about the influence of the microbiome on heat tolerance in both invertebrate and vertebrate ectothermic animals, and the mechanisms behind these effects. We then outline what we feel are important priorities for future work in the field, and how these goals could be accomplished. We specifically highlight a need for more diversity in study systems, especially through increasing representation of vertebrate hosts and hosts across a variety of life-history traits and habitats, as well as a greater understanding of how these relationships manifest in field settings. Lastly, we discuss the implications of microbiome-mediated heat tolerance for animal conservation under climate change and the possibility of ‘bioaugmentation’ approaches to bolster host heat tolerance in vulnerable populations.
Understanding the high electronic quantum similarity of a series of ligands used as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by molecular mechanics and density functional theory approaches
Authors: Morales-Bayuelo Alejandro , Sánchez-Márquez Jesús
Published: June 2023

Background: A coronavirus identified in 2019, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19. Most people with COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without the need for special treatments. The SARS‑CoV‑2 RNA‑dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle. The active site of the RdRp is a very accessible region, so targeting this region to study the inhibition of viral replication may be an effective therapeutic approach. For this reason, this study has selected and analysed a series of ligands used as SARS-CoV-2 virus inhibitors, namely: Darunavir (Daru), Dexamethasona (Dexame), Dolutegravir (Dolu), Fosamprenavir (Fosam), Ganciclovir (Gan), Insoine (Inso), Lopinavir (Lop), Ritonavir (Rito) and Tipranavir (Tipra).

Methods: These ligands were analyzed using molecular docking, molecular quantum similarity using four similarity indices like overlap, Coulomb and their Euclidean distances. On the other hand, these outcomes were supported with chemical reactivity indices defined within a conceptual density functional theory framework.

Results: The results show the conformations with the highest root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), have π-π stacking interaction with residue LYS621, ARG555 and ASP623, CYS622, ASP760, among others. In the molecular quantum similarity, the highest indices have been obtained in the electronic similarity in comparison with the structural similarity.

Conclusions: These studies allow the identification of the main stabilizing interactions using the crystal structure of SARS‑CoV‑2 RNA‑dependent RNA polymerase. In this order of ideas, this study provides new insights into these ligands that can be used in the design of new COVID-19 treatments. The studies allowed us to find an explanation supported in the Density Functional Theory about the chemical reactivity and the stabilization in the active site of the ligands.
Automated news in practice: a cross-national ANT case study
Authors: Danzon-Chambaud Samuel
Published: June 2023

Background:This article provides a comprehensive picture of automated news’ usage—understood here as the auto-generation of journalistic text through software and algorithms, with no human intervention in-between except for the initial programming at 18 news organisations in Europe, North America and Australia, following a strategic sample inspired by Hallin and Mancini’s (2004) media system typology.

Methods:To describe the many ways it is implemented, I rely on Actor-network theory (ANT) so as to distinguish situations where somethingmoreis added to automated news systems from those where initial intent is kept and where the software does what it is supposed to do. Semi-structured interviews with editorial staff, executives and technologists were conducted remotely and elements of a netnography were also carried out.

Results:Overall, my findings show that the main transformations—ortranslations—of automated news systems deal with alternate data sources (e.g., news organisations’ internal feeds, crowdsourced material), new affordances that are specifically built for journalists (e.g., in-house self-editing tools, notification streams) and output other than text (e.g., automated audio summaries for voice assistants).     

Conclusions: Although these changes lead to greater journalistic professionalisation, they could also make news organisations become too dependent on Big Tech companies for data acquisition and dissemination of automated news products, thus making platforms gain the upper hand in future developments of these systems.
The genome sequence of the Black-tipped Ermine, Yponomeuta plumbella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Sims Ian , Lees David , Holland Peter W.H. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: June 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Yponomeuta plumbella (the Black-tipped Ermine; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Yponomeutidae). The genome sequence is 636.6 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.5 kilobases in length.
Scientometric Indicators of Professional Activity of a Modern Scientific and Pedagogical Worker
Authors: Poddubnaya Tatiana , Panina E.
Published: June 2023

The article discusses the main scientometric indicators of the professional activity of a modern scientific and pedagogical worker. The historical roots of scientometry as an independent scientific discipline and its extrapolation into the field of professional activity of a scientific and pedagogical worker are revealed. The author analyzes the tools for monitoring the achievements of scientific activity of a lecturer at the university. The article also describes the key scientometric indicators used in world practice to assess the effectiveness of scientific and pedagogical worker’s scientific activity. The possible perspective guidelines for obtaining subjective conclusions about the scientific activity of a scientific and pedagogical worker in general in the conditions of digital service and the development of social networks are outlined. The research materials deepen the understanding of scientific and pedagogical worker’s research activities monitoring in the context of globalization, which expands the methodology of pedagogy.
Estimation of the technological potential of parts
Authors: Mustaev Irek , Muftahova Nataliya , Ivanov Vladimir
Published: June 2023

The article describes a methodology for assessing the technological potential of parts, based on the sociophysical theory of potentials and dimensional analysis of the technological process. The technological potential of a part acts as a system characteristic of a complex technical system. The program A'PROPOS was chosen as a tool for calculating the technological potential. A hypothesis has been put forward that the technological potential of the part is associated with the complexity of the technological process of manufacturing this part. It is possible to evaluate it using dimensional analysis using CAD tools. Methods and materials. The emergence and creation of fundamentally new technologies is considered a historical process of development of the designed technical system, in this case, the DSE. The technological potential of the part is formed as the technological process is implemented. The value and structure of the potential are determined and consistent with the properties of the designed part. Based on the results of the analysis of the technological process of manufacturing a part, the construction of a sketch of a part in A'PROPOS., the technological potential is calculated using a mathematical model. The potential is calculated on the basis of the initial data of the enterprise for the object of study. Result. Based on the constructed model, the technological process is optimized. The result is a new machining plan containing the compositions and accuracy of the surfaces machined in the stages and the minimum allowance. Based on the model with variations of dimensional relationships, the dimensional structure is improved to expand the tolerance fields with guaranteed maintenance of technological parameters. Based on this, the deviation in the recommended labor intensity is calculated compared to the real one. Next, the accumulated technological potential of the part was calculated. Conclusions. The system makes it possible to iteratively perform technological calculations, as well as integration with CAD systems in the enterprise. When calculating the technological potential, instead of using the initial data of the enterprise, it is interpreted by the adequacy of the model.
Simulation-stochastic modeling of the movement of human flows during the evacuation of people from the hospital building
Authors: Sazonova Svetlana , Sysoev Dmitriy , Sokolova Ol'ga
Published: June 2023

General data on fires in the Voronezh region are given. The general statistics on fires in medical institutions are considered. The fire safety assessment was carried out on the example of VGKBSMP No. 10. For this purpose, general information about the object of the study is provided. The analysis of the causes of fires in VGKBSMP No. 10 was carried out. The necessary initial data for calculating the time of evacuation of people from the hospital are given. The rules of evacuation from VGKBSMP No. 10 are presented. The existing life support services and their tasks in case of fire are considered. The peculiarities of evacuation from hospitals in the event of a fire of people with disabilities have been revealed. The regularities of the movement of human flows are considered. The diagrams of the movement of the flow of people at the borders of neighboring sections of evacuation routes are given, on which observers and people observed in the flow are indicated. The movement of the human flow across the border of adjacent sections of the path, as well as the features of the merging and separation of flows, is investigated. Possible options for merging human flows are considered. The simulation-stochastic modeling of the movement of human flows is considered. The results of calculating the time of evacuation of people from VGKBSMP No. 10 are given. The calculations were carried out using the Fogard program.
DAIRY PRODUCTIVITY OF COWS ORIGINING FROM PERSPECTIVE BRANCHES OF THE HOLSTANIAN BREED
Authors: Shaydullin Radik , Kharisova Chulpan , Ahmetov Tahir , Tenlibayeva Aimkul
Published: June 2023

The aim of the study was to study the milk productivity of cows originating from different promising branches and lines of the Holstein breed. The population studied was Wis Back Idial 101341, Reflection Sovering 198998, Montvik Chieftain 95679, Siling Traijun Rokita 252803 and Roseife City 267150. The best indicators were established in cows of the line V.B. Ideal for the 1st and 3rd lactation (7086 and 7431 kg of milk with the amount of milk fat 271 and 285 kg and the amount of milk protein 225 and 238 kg), and the difference is statistically significant (P<0.05-0.001) in relation to other lines. In second place are the animals of the Reflection Sovering line. Cows of the line S.T. Rokita had a high milk fat content (3.85 and 3.94%) at P<0.05. In V. Aidial's line, the best milk yield indicators are shown by first-calf heifers of the SWEET-HAVEN TRADITION branch (7143 kg). In the R. Sovering line, cows of the TO-MAR BLACKSTAR-ET branch showed the greatest increase in milk yield by 89-1226 kg, milk fat yield by 4-42 kg, milk protein yield by 2-37 kg (P<0.001), and high milk fat content (3.86%) of the cow of the S-W-D VALIANT line (P<0.01-0.001). According to the 3rd lactation in the line of R. Sovering, cows of the S-W-D VALIANT branch show an advantage in milk yield by 353-831 kg of milk, mass fraction of fat - by 0.05-0.08%, milk fat yield - by 20-36 kg and milk protein yield - by 12-26 kg (P<0.05-0.01). As a result of the study, it was found that the use of animal branches of SWEET-HAVEN TRADITION, ROCKALLI SON OF BOVA, TO-MAR BLACKSTAR-ET and WALKWAY CHIEF MARK makes it possible to obtain high milk productivity from them.
SIMULATION OF THE WASTE WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM OF LIVESTOCK FARMS BASED ON PETRI NETS
Authors: Savdur Svetlana
Published: June 2023

The development of animal husbandry on an industrial basis causes a sharp increase in the amount of highly polluted wastewater, the purification and disinfection of which is one of the most important tasks when deciding on their use in agriculture as fertilizer or discharge into reservoirs or irrigation fields. The effectiveness of such systems is achieved with the help of new ways of processing information and mathematical characteristics of technology processes. Based on the study of the main methods of creating discrete chemical and technological systems (CTS), the expediency of using the design of Petri nets (SP) to simulate the process of wastewater treatment of livestock farms (OSWF) was developed. To characterize the system, we use N–schemes, which are based on the mathematical system of the joint venture, which can form a network structure both in analytical form for automating work during analysis, and in graphical form to create visibility of the created model. Analyzing technological and chemical processes, it is important to take into account the formality condition of N–circuits, which assumes that the circuits do not take the properties of simulated systems in time, since the timing of the transition is taken to be zero. We took into account these conditions and proposed updated Petri nets that are focused on the analysis and simulation of discrete CTS, by changing the time delay of labels on transitions and positions, as well as by enabling transitions that are in priority. We have created a model in the form of a modified updated Petri net (SME). With the help of SCADA TRACE MODE technologies, we have developed a whole software package for the control system in the process of OSWF. This system can perform dispatching monitoring of the main parts of the control apparatus, as well as stop and analyze and monitor its condition, this is feasible both in general and within the framework of forecasting the occurrence of emergency situations.
La pasión por el discurso. Marcadores discursivos y pragmática.
Authors: Portolés Lázaro José
Published: June 2023

El presente volumen constituye una antología selecta del profesor José Portolés, máximo exponente de la lingüística hispánica contemporánea. La selección realizada comprende quince artículos, distribuidos en tres secciones. La primera recoge seis contribuciones en las que el autor pone las bases teóricas para la delimitación de la categoría pragmática de los marcadores discursivos. La segunda sección, formada por cinco capítulos, se centra en la descripción y análisis de unidades concretas. Finalmente, la última parte reúne varias contribuciones sobre fenómenos discursivos de distinta naturaleza, como la cortesía, la censura desde el punto de vista pragmático o algunas construcciones de carácter coloquial. El volumen se cierra con la que fue la última publicación del autor, dedicada al hablar y los participantes en la interacción comunicativa. En todos los artículos, el lector podrá apreciar la claridad de la prosa portolesiana, el didactismo de los ejemplos, el rigor de las explicaciones y el altísimo valor epistemológico de las pruebas de conmutación.
Flexibilización ¿para qué? Apuntes sobre la política exterior uruguaya hacia el Mercosur (2015-2022)
Authors: Barceló Nastasia
Published: June 2023

En diálogo con el abordaje constructivista de las Relaciones Internacionales, se analizan comparativamente las propuestas de flexibilización del Mercado Común del Sur (Mercosur) entre 2015 y 2022 impulsadas por los gobiernos uruguayos de la época. Esta periodización, que abarca dos administraciones —el segundo gobierno de Tabaré Vázquez (Frente Amplio, fa, 2015-2020) y los dos primeros años del gobierno de Luis Lacalle Pou (pn, 20220-2022)—, fue adoptada para profundizar en los fundamentos esgrimidos desde ambas administraciones en pro de la flexibilización. Se buscó comprender en qué medida difiere el contenido de cada demanda, en sus respectivos contextos históricos, para así estudiar si actualmente existe o no un giro en la proyección de la política exterior uruguaya hacia el bloque. Las conclusiones señalan que el reclamo de flexibilización ha sido una constante en la política exterior de los gobiernos uruguayos de al menos las últimas dos décadas, lo único que ha variado es la forma de perfilar dichos reclamos en cada contexto.