bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Effects of the Wim Hof Breathing Method on Repeated Sprint Ability: A Pilot Study
Authors: Citherlet Tom , Crettaz von Roten Fabienne , Kayser Bengt , Guex Kenny
Published: August 2021

The Wim Hof breathing method (WHBM) combines periods of hyperventilation (HV) followed by voluntary breath-holds (BH) at low lung volume. It has been increasingly adopted by coaches and their athletes to improve performance, but there was no published research on its effects. We determined the feasibility of implementing a single WHBM session before repeated sprinting performance and evaluated any acute ergogenic effects. Fifteen amateur runners performed a single WHBM session prior to a Repeated Ability Sprint Test (RAST) in comparison to voluntary HV or spontaneous breathing (SB) (control) in a randomized cross-over design. Gas exchange, heart rate, and finger pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) were monitored. Despite large physiological effects in the SpO2 and expired carbon dioxide (VCO2) levels of both HV and WHBM, no significant positive or negative condition effects were found on RAST peak power, average power, or fatigue index. Finger SpO2 dropped to 60 ± 12% at the end of the BHs. Upon the last HV in the WHBM and HV conditions, end-tidal CO2 partial pressure (PETCO2) values were 19 ± 3 and 17 ± 3 mmHg, indicative of respiratory alkalosis with estimated arterial pH increases of +0.171 and of +0.181, respectively. Upon completion of RAST, 8 min cumulated expired carbon dioxide volumes in the WHBM and HV were greater than in SB, suggesting lingering carbon dioxide stores depletion. These findings indicate that despite large physiological effects, a single WHBM session does not improve anaerobic performance in repeated sprinting exercise.
A Tale of Two Cities: COVID-19 and the Emotional Well-Being of Student-Athletes Using Natural Language Processing
Authors: Floyd Carter , Gulavani Susmit S. , Du James , Kim Amy C. H. , Pappas Jason
Published: August 2021

Student-athletes at the Division I institutions face a slew of challenges and stressors that can have negative impacts in eliciting different emotional responses during the COVID-19 pandemic. We employed machine-learning-based natural language processing techniques to analyze the user-generated content posted on Twitter of Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) student-athletes to study changes in their sentiment as it relates to the COVID-19 crisis, major societal events, and policy decisions. Our analysis found that positive sentiment slightly outweighed negative sentiment overall, but that there was a noticeable uptick in negative sentiment in May and June 2020 in conjunction with the Black Lives Matter protests. The most commonly expressed emotions by these athletes were joy, trust, anticipation, and fear, suggesting that they used social media as an outlet to share primarily optimistic sentiments, while still publicly expressing strong negative sentiments like fear and trepidation about the pandemic and other important contemporary events. Athletic administrators, ACC coaches, support staff, and other professionals can use findings like these to guide sound, evidence-based decision-making and to better track and promote the emotional wellness of student-athletes.
Food Sovereignty Indicators for Indigenous Community Capacity Building and Health
Authors: Blue Bird Jernigan Valarie , Maudrie Tara L. , Nikolaus Cassandra Jean , Benally Tia , Johnson Selisha , Teague Travis , Mayes Melena , Jacob Tvli , Taniguchi Tori
Published: August 2021

Food insecurity, defined as a lack of stable access to sufficient and nutritious food, is a global public health priority due to its relationships with diminished mental and physical human health. Indigenous communities experience disproportionality high rates of food insecurity as a byproduct of settler-colonial activities, which included forced relocation to rural reservation lands and degradation of traditional subsistence patterns. Many Indigenous communities have worked to revitalize their local food systems by pursuing food sovereignty, regularly expressed as the right and responsibility of people to have access to healthy and culturally appropriate foods, while defining their own food systems. Food sovereignty is a promising approach for improving health. However, limited literature is available that identifies the diverse practices of food sovereignty or strategies communities can implement to strengthen their food sovereignty efforts. This article reviews the scientific literature and highlights key indicators that may support community capacity building for food sovereignty and health. The seven indicators are: (1) access to resources, (2) production, (3) trade, (4) food consumption, (5) policy, (6) community involvement, and (7) culture. A total of 25 sub-indicators are outlined to allow communities to understand how an indicator is operationalized as well as explore their own community's progress within each indicator. It is not expected that every indicator and their subcategories will apply fully to any given Indigenous community, and the application of these indicators must be adapted for each community's local context, however the indicators may provide support for building and assessing efforts to create more sustainable Indigenous food systems.
Making Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Haemorrhoidal Disease in Clinical Practice: A Perspective
Authors: Kuiper Sara Z. , Kimman Merel L. , Rørvik Håvard D. , Olaison Gunnar , Breukink Stephanie O.
Published: August 2021

Haemorrhoidal disease (HD) affects millions of people around the world and for most it is a recurring problem. Increasingly, clinicians broaden their focus on the patient's experiences with haemorrhoidal symptoms, including their impact on daily life. The patient's experience can be assessed using a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). A PROM facilitates a deeper understanding of the disease-burden and allows a clinician to obtain information directly from the patients about their experiences with the ailment. Over the last years, PROMs have shown their additional role to traditional outcomes for several diseases and have earned their place in the daily consultation room. In order to improve and personalize the treatment of HD, we endorse the use of validated PROMs in clinical care.
Feline Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania infantum: Parasite Sequencing, Seropositivity, and Clinical Characterization in an Endemic Area From Brazil
Authors: Santos Nara Santos dos , Pinho Flaviane Alves de , Hlavac Nicole Regina Capacchi , Nunes Talyta Lins , Almeida Nádia Rossi , Solcà Manuela Silva , Varjão Bruno Milen , Portela Ricardo Wagner , Rugani Jeronimo Nunes , Rêgo Felipe Dutra , Barrouin-Melo Stella Maria , Soares Rodrigo Pedro
Published: August 2021

Zoonotic leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum is a disease of One Health concern since human and animal cases and environmental damage are interconnected. L. infantum has a complex epidemiological cycle with multiple hosts, including mammals—humans, domestic, and wild animals—and arthropod vectors. Knowledge on mammal infections in endemic areas is crucial for developing control strategies. This work aimed to detect and characterize L. infantum infection in domestic cats from areas where human and canine leishmaniasis cases occur. No cases of feline leishmaniasis (FeL) had been previously reported in those areas. Five municipalities from Bahia state were chosen, comprising 2,480.8 km2 with 1,103,866 inhabitants. Ninety domiciliated and/or sheltered cats underwent clinical examination and serology by a rapid reference test recommended by the Brazilian government. Cytology, PCR, and parasite DNA sequencing were performed in bone marrow samples. Rapid tests detected antibodies in 5.6% (5/90) of the cats. Leishmania infantum infection was confirmed in 7.8% (7/90) of the cats by PCR, sequencing, and parasite isolation. Three out of the five municipalities (60%) had infected cats, and PCR positivity varied from 6.9 to 29%. One cat was categorized as harboring active L. infantum infection with amastigote forms in bone marrow smears. No clinical signs were detected at the first clinical exam, but 1 month later the cat developed severe FeL. The cat isolate was grown in culture, typed and its DNA sequence was homologous to the L. infantum reference strain (PP75). In conclusion, cats are potential hosts and may acquire L. infantum in endemic areas where canine and human cases occur. For cats, the need for surveillance, differential diagnosis and clinical care is highly recommended since a fast clinical progression of FeL developed in a subclinical animal. An accurate standardized immunodiagnostic assay for FeL is warranted.
A Review of the Model/Rival (M/R) Technique for Training Interspecies Communication and Its Use in Behavioral Research
Authors: Pepperberg Irene M.
Published: August 2021

In this paper, I will review the Model/Rival (M/R) technique that has been used to establish interspecies communication with Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). I will describe the original format developed by Todt, the relationship to other forms of observational learning outlined by other researchers, and the adaptations that I devised. I will describe how my undergraduate trainers and I isolated the various components that constitute the technique and explain how each is necessary, but how only the combination of all components is sufficient for successful implementation—and how improper implementation can lead to failure. I will briefly summarize the results of proper implementation—including the importance of interspecies communication itself as a technique for studying animal cognition.
Analysis of Nutrient Composition, Rumen Degradation Characteristics, and Feeding Value of Chinese Rye Grass, Barley Grass, and Naked Oat Straw
Authors: Ma Yulin , Khan Muhammad Zahoor , Liu Yanfang , Xiao Jianxin , Chen Xu , Ji Shoukun , Cao Zhijun , Li Shengli
Published: August 2021

The current study was designed to investigate the chemical composition, rumen degradation characteristics, and feeding value of three roughages commonly used in Asia as ruminant feed, including Chinese rye grass (CRG), barley grass (BG), and naked oat straw (NO). Four Holstein Friesian cows equipped with permanent rumen fistulas were chosen for experimental trials in the current study. The nylon bag method was carried out to measure the crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Our analysis revealed that the contents of CP in the CRG (9.0%) and BG (8.9%) were higher than in the NO (5.94%). The contents of NDF in the CRG (64.97%) and NO (63.83%) were lower than in the BG (67.33%), and the content of ADF in the CRG (37.03%) was lower than in the BG (37.93%) and NO (38.28%). The ED values of DM in the NO and CRG were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the BG. The effective degradability (ED) values of NDF were the highest in the CRG and lowest in the NO (p < 0.001). In addition, the ED values of ADF were the highest in the CRG and lowest in the BG (p < 0.001). The ED value of CP in the CRG was significantly higher than that in the BG and NO (p < 0.001). The estimated total digestible nutrients (TDN) (54.56%) and DM degradation rate (DDM) (60.06%) of the CRG were higher than those of BG and NO. In addition, the expected DM intake (DMI), estimated relative feed value (RFV), and estimated relative feed quality (RFQ) of the BG were lower than those of the CRG and NO. Altogether, based on our findings, we concluded that the nutritional quality, feeding value and effective rumen degradation rate of CRG were better than of BG and NO.
Incidence, Risk Factors and Impact on Clinical Outcomes of Bloodstream Infections in Patients Hospitalised with COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Cona Andrea , Tavelli Alessandro , Renzelli Andrea , Varisco Benedetta , Bai Francesca , Tesoro Daniele , Za Alessandro , Biassoni Caterina , Battaglioli Lodovica , Allegrini Marina , Viganò Ottavia , Gazzola Lidia , Bini Teresa , Marchetti Giulia Carla , d’Arminio Monforte Antonella
Published: August 2021

With the aim of describing the burden and epidemiology of community-acquired/healthcare-associated and hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (CA/HCA-BSIs and HA-BSIs) in patients hospitalised with COVID-19, and evaluating the risk factors for BSIs and their relative impact on mortality, an observational cohort study was performed on patients hospitalised with COVID-19 at San Paolo Hospital in Milan, Italy from 24 February to 30 November 2020. Among 1351 consecutive patients hospitalised with COVID-19, 18 (1.3%) had CA/HCA-BSI and 51 (3.8%) HA-BSI for a total of 82 episodes of BSI. The overall incidence of HA-BSI was 3.3/1000 patient-days (95% CI 2.4–4.2). Patients with HA-BSI had a longer hospital stay compared to CA/HCA-BSI and no-BSI groups (27 (IQR 21–35) vs. 12 (7–29) vs. 9 (5–17) median-days, p < 0.001) but a similar in-hospital mortality (31% vs. 33% vs. 25%, p = 0.421). BSI was not associated with an increased risk of mortality (CA/HCA-BSI vs. non-BSI aOR 1.27 95% CI 0.41–3.90, p = 0.681; HA-BSI vs. non-BSI aOR 1.29 95% CI 0.65–2.54, p = 0.463). Upon multivariate analysis, NIMV/CPAP (aOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.06–4.12, p = 0.034), IMV (aOR 5.13, 95% CI 2.08–12.65, p < 0.001) and corticosteroid treatment (aOR 2.11, 95% CI 1.06–4.19, p = 0.032) were confirmed as independent factors associated with HA-BSI. Development of HA-BSI did not significantly affect mortality. Patients treated with corticosteroid therapy had double the risk of developing BSI.
Oxidative Stress Promotes Corticosteroid Insensitivity in Asthma and COPD
Authors: Lewis Brandon W. , Ford Maria L. , Rogers Lynette K. , Britt Rodney D.
Published: August 2021

Corticosteroid insensitivity is a key characteristic of patients with severe asthma and COPD. These individuals experience greater pulmonary oxidative stress and inflammation, which contribute to diminished lung function and frequent exacerbations despite the often and prolonged use of systemic, high dose corticosteroids. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) promote corticosteroid insensitivity by disrupting glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling, leading to the sustained activation of pro-inflammatory pathways in immune and airway structural cells. Studies in asthma and COPD models suggest that corticosteroids need a balanced redox environment to be effective and to reduce airway inflammation. In this review, we discuss how oxidative stress contributes to corticosteroid insensitivity and the importance of optimizing endogenous antioxidant responses to enhance corticosteroid sensitivity. Future studies should aim to identify how antioxidant-based therapies can complement corticosteroids to reduce the need for prolonged high dose regimens in patients with severe asthma and COPD.
Myeloperoxidase Inhibition Ameliorates Plaque Psoriasis in Mice
Authors: Neu Savannah D. , Strzepa Anna , Martin Dustin , Sorci-Thomas Mary G. , Pritchard Kirkwood A. , Dittel Bonnie N.
Published: August 2021

Plaque psoriasis is a common inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by red, flaking lesions. Current therapies for plaque psoriasis target many facets of the autoimmune response, but there is an incomplete understanding of how oxidative damage produced by enzymes such as myeloperoxidase contributes to skin pathology. In this study, we used the Aldara (Imiquimod) cream model of plaque psoriasis in mice to assess myeloperoxidase inhibition for treating psoriatic skin lesions. To assess skin inflammation severity, an innovative mouse psoriasis scoring system was developed. We found that myeloperoxidase inhibition ameliorated psoriasis severity when administered either systemically or topically. The findings of this study support the role of oxidative damage in plaque psoriasis pathology and present potential new therapeutic avenues for further exploration.
NADPH-Oxidase, Rho-Kinase and Autophagy Mediate the (Pro)renin-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Microglial Response and Enhancement of Dopaminergic Neuron Death
Authors: Lopez-Lopez Andrea , Villar-Cheda Begoña , Quijano Aloia , Garrido-Gil Pablo , Garcia-Garrote María , Díaz-Ruiz Carmen , Muñoz Ana , Labandeira-Garcia José L.
Published: August 2021

Dysregulation of the tissue renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in tissue oxidative and inflammatory responses. Among RAS components, renin, its precursor (pro)renin and its specific receptor (PRR) have been less investigated, particularly in the brain. We previously showed the presence of PRR in neurons and glial cells in the nigrostriatal system of rodents and primates, including humans. Now, we used rat and mouse models and cultures of BV2 and primary microglial cells to study the role of PRR in microglial pro-inflammatory responses. PRR was upregulated in the nigral region, particularly in microglia during the neuroinflammatory response. In the presence of the angiotensin type-1 receptor blocker losartan, to exclude angiotensin-related effects, treatment of microglial cells with (pro)renin induces the expression of microglial pro-inflammatory markers, which is mediated by upregulation of NADPH-oxidase and Rho-kinase activities, downregulation of autophagy and upregulation of inflammasome activity. Conditioned medium from (pro)renin-treated microglia increased dopaminergic cell death relative to medium from non-treated microglia. However, these effects were blocked by pre-treatment of microglia with the Rho-kinase inhibitor fasudil. Activation of microglial PRR enhances the microglial pro-inflammatory response and deleterious effects of microglia on dopaminergic cells, and microglial NADPH-oxidase, Rho-Kinase and autophagy are involved in this process.
Recent Advances in Cellulose-Based Structures as the Wound-Healing Biomaterials: A Clinically Oriented Review
Authors: Abazari Mohammad Foad , Gholizadeh Shayan , Karizi Shohreh Zare , Birgani Nazanin Hajati , Abazari Danya , Paknia Simin , Derakhshankhah Hossein , Allahyari Zahra , Amini Seyed Mohammad , Hamidi Masoud , Delattre Cedric
Published: August 2021

Application of wound-healing/dressing biomaterials is amongst the most promising approaches for wound repair through protection from pathogen invasion/contamination, maintaining moisture, absorbing exudates, modulating inflammation, and facilitating the healing process. A wide range of materials are used to fabricate wound-healing/dressing biomaterials. Active wound-healing/dressings are next-generation alternatives for passive biomaterials, which provide a physical barrier and induce different biological activities, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, and proliferative effects. Cellulose-based biomaterials are particularly promising due to their tunable physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties, accessibility, low cost, and biocompatibility. A thorough description and analysis of wound-healing/dressing structures fabricated from cellulose-based biomaterials is discussed in this review. We emphasize and highlight the fabrication methods, applied bioactive molecules, and discuss the obtained results from in vitro and in vivo models of cellulose-based wound-healing biomaterials. This review paper revealed that cellulose-based biomaterials have promising potential as the wound-dressing/healing materials and can be integrated with various bioactive agents. Overall, cellulose-based biomaterials are shown to be effective and sophisticated structures for delivery applications, safe and multi-customizable dressings, or grafts for wound-healing applications.
Optimization of the 2PRU-1PRS Parallel Manipulator Based on Workspace and Power Consumption Criteria
Authors: Herrero Saioa , Pinto Charles , Diez Mikel , Zubizarreta Asier
Published: August 2021

In the last few years, parallel manipulators are being increasingly studied and used for different applications. The performance of parallel manipulators is very sensitive to the geometric parameters, so it is essential to optimize them in order to obtain the desired function. We propose two optimization algorithms that consider the size and regularity of the workspace. The first one obtains the geometric parameters combination that results in the biggest and most regular workspace. The second method analyzes the geometric parameters combinations that result in an acceptable size of the workspace—even if it is not the biggest one—and finds out which ones result in the lowest power consumption. Even if the results vary depending on the application and trajectories studied, the proposed methodology can be followed to any type of parallel manipulator, application or trajectory. In this work we focus on the dimension optimization of the geometric parameters of the 2PRU-1PRS Multi-Axial Shaking Table (MAST) for automobile pieces testing purposes.
Positioning Parameter Determination Based on Statistical Regression Applied to Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
Authors: Huang Haoqian , Tang Jiacheng , Zhang Bo
Published: August 2021

The underwater environment is complex and changeable, and it is hard but irreplaceable to research the time-varying noises that have a significant influence on navigation information determination with higher accuracy. To solve the problems of the inaccurate noise information, this paper proposes a novel statistical regression adaptive Kalman filtering (SRAKF) algorithm that makes better use of the merits of the expectation maximization and unscented transformation. The SRAKF is verified from theoretical perspectives, and meanwhile, the stability and accuracy of the algorithm are evaluated by real lake trials. Relying on the properties of the statistical linear regression and the positioning parameter estimation of latent variables, higher precise positioning parameters can be acquired by the SRAKF, even for the measurement noise values with great variation. Hence, the performance of SRAKF is more useful in underwater positioning applications than other traditional algorithms due to its stronger robustness and higher accuracy.
Antihyperlipidemic and Antioxidant Activities of Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. Fruits
Authors: Bencheikh Noureddine , Bouhrim Mohamed , Merrouni Ilyass Alami , Boutahiri Salima , Kharchoufa Loubna , Addi Mohamed , Tungmunnithum Duangjai , Hano Christophe , Eto Bruno , Legssyer Abdelkhaleq , Elachouri Mostafa
Published: August 2021

Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. (Z. lotus) is a medicinal plant species that is widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin. Moroccans traditionally use it to treat many illnesses thanks to its beneficial medicinal properties. The purpose of this study is to assess the anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of a flavonoid-rich aqueous extract of Z. lotus fruits (ZLF). The 2-2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay and the β-carotene bleaching test were used to determine the antioxidant activity of ZLF. The anti-hyperlipidemic effect of the aqueous extract of ZLF (200 and 400 mg/kg) was evaluated in albino mice exposed to the chronic high-fat diet, based on lipid profile, blood sugar, and changes in growth performance. The results showed that the aqueous extract of ZLF rich in flavonoids (2242.89 ± 25 µg QE (quercitin equivalent)/mg), and has a considerable antioxidant power against DPPH radicals (IC50 = 116 ± 0.02 µg/mL) and β-carotene oxidation. The aqueous extract of ZLF also showed a significant anti-hyperlipidemic effect by improving abnormal changes in lipid profile and blood glucose levels in albino mice exposed to a chronic high-fat diet. Our findings suggest that the anti-hyperlipidemic activities of ZLF aqueous extract are correlated with its flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the aqueous extract of ZLF could be an essential therapeutic candidate for hyperlipidemia patients, thanks to its richness in bioactive molecules.
Biomass-Derived Adsorbent for Dispersive Solid-Phase Extraction of Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) from Food Samples Prior to ICP-MS Detection
Authors: Alomar Taghrid S. , Habila Mohamed A. , AlMasoud Najla , Alothman Zeid A. , Sheikh Mohamed , Soylak Mustafa
Published: August 2021

A biomass-derived adsorbent was simply prepared and applied as efficient and low-cost solid-phase supports. The adsorbent material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface area analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The amorphous structure of the prepared adsorbent was indicated from the XRD. The prepared adsorbent exhibited surface functional groups such as carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, which enhance the application of DSPE. An accurate separation and preconcentration of Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) prior to ICP-MS detection was achieved using the biomass-derived adsorbent. The extraction process was performed at pH 4 using 1 mL of 0.5 N nitric acid for elution and recovery of ions. The prepared biomass-derived adsorbent showed efficient performance for extraction application, exhibiting a preconcentration factor of 50 and LODs of 1.4, 2.4, 1.9 and 3.0 µg.L−1 for Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II), respectively, while the LOQs were reported as 4.1, 7.3, 5.7 and 8.9 µg.L−1 for Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II), respectively. The DSPE procedure presented was successfully applied to the determination of the Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) contamination in some food samples.
Augmented Data and XGBoost Improvement for Sales Forecasting in the Large-Scale Retail Sector
Authors: Massaro Alessandro , Panarese Antonio , Giannone Daniele , Galiano Angelo
Published: August 2021

The organized large-scale retail sector has been gradually establishing itself around the world, and has increased activities exponentially in the pandemic period. This modern sales system uses Data Mining technologies processing precious information to increase profit. In this direction, the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm was applied in an industrial project as a supervised learning algorithm to predict product sales including promotion condition and a multiparametric analysis. The implemented XGBoost model was trained and tested by the use of the Augmented Data (AD) technique in the event that the available data are not sufficient to achieve the desired accuracy, as for many practical cases of artificial intelligence data processing, where a large dataset is not available. The prediction was applied to a grid of segmented customers by allowing personalized services according to their purchasing behavior. The AD technique conferred a good accuracy if compared with results adopting the initial dataset with few records. An improvement of the prediction error, such as the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Square Error (MSE), which decreases by about an order of magnitude, was achieved. The AD technique formulated for large-scale retail sector also represents a good way to calibrate the training model.
Impact of Soil Moisture Data Assimilation on Analysis and Medium-Range Forecasts in an Operational Global Data Assimilation and Prediction System
Authors: Jun Sanghee , Park Jeong-Hyun , Choi Hyun-Joo , Lee Yong-Hee , Lim Yoon-Jin , Boo Kyung-On , Kang Hyun-Suk
Published: August 2021

Accurate initial soil moisture conditions are essential for numerical weather prediction models, because they play a major role in land–atmosphere interactions. This study constructed a soil moisture data assimilation system and evaluated its impacts on the Global Data Assimilation and Prediction System based on the Korea Integrated Model (GDAPS-KIM) to improve its weather forecast skill. Soil moisture data retrieved from the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) onboard the Meteorological Operational Satellite was assimilated into GDAPS-KIM using the ensemble Kalman filter method, and its impacts were evaluated for the 2019 boreal summer period. Our results indicated that the soil moisture data assimilation improved the agreement of the observations with the initial conditions of GDAPS-KIM. This led to a statistically significant improvement in the accuracy of the initial fields. A comparison of a five-day forecast against an ERA5 reanalysis and in situ observations revealed a reduction in the dry and warm biases of GDAPS-KIM over the surface and in the lower- and mid-level atmospheres. The temperature bias correction through the initialization of the soil moisture estimates from the data assimilation system was shown in the five-day weather forecast (root mean squared errors reduction of the temperature at 850 hPa by approximately 5% in East Asia).
Improved Block-Pulse Functions for Numerical Solution of Mixed Volterra-Fredholm Integral Equations
Authors: He Ji-Huan , Taha Mahmoud H. , Ramadan Mohamed A. , Moatimid Galal M.
Published: August 2021

The present paper employs a numerical method based on the improved block–pulse basis functions (IBPFs). This was mainly performed to resolve the Volterra–Fredholm integral equations of the second kind. Those equations are often simplified into a linear system of algebraic equations through the use of IBPFs in addition to the operational matrix of integration. Typically, the classical alterations have enhanced the time taken by the computer program to solve the system of algebraic equations. The current modification works perfectly and has improved the efficiency over the regular block–pulse basis functions (BPF). Additionally, the paper handles the uniqueness plus the convergence theorems of the solution. Numerical examples have been presented to illustrate the efficiency as well as the accuracy of the method. Furthermore, tables and graphs are used to show and confirm how the method is highly efficient.
Immunomodulatory Properties of Polyphenol-Rich Sugarcane Extract on Human Monocytes
Authors: Feehan Jack , Prakash Monica D. , Stojanovska Lily , Flavel Matthew Roland , Kitchen Barry , Apostolopoulos Vasso
Published: August 2021

As inflammatory lifestyle factors become more prevalent and as the population ages, the management of inflammation will become increasingly relevant. Plant polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that are known to have beneficial effects in a number of diseases with an inflammatory or oxidative component, such as malignancy, cardiovascular disease and arthritis. Polyphenol-rich sugarcane extract (PRSE) is a novel preparation with high concentrations of polyphenolic antioxidants, with some evidence to show benefits in health, but there is limited research investigating its effects on immunomodulation. This study determined the effects of PRSE on human monocyte cells in vitro. We show that PRSE has an immunomodulatory effect in U937 human monocyte cells, altering the expression of cellular surface markers, with an increased expression of CD16 and CD11b, as well as small changes in CD40, CD80, CD80, CD206 and MHCI. It also modulates the profile of secreted cytokines, increasing IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4 and IL-10. These changes are consistent with the advanced differentiation of the monocyte, as well as the switch from the M1 to M2 phenotype in macrophages. We also demonstrate that this effect is likely to be independent of the NF-κB signalling pathway, suggesting that other mechanisms drive this effect. PRSE exerts an immunomodulatory effect on U937 monocytes in vitro, potentially facilitating the conversion from inflammation to healing. Future studies should identify specific mechanisms underlying the changes and evaluate their effectiveness in animal models of disease.
Profile of Bacterial Infections in COVID-19 Patients: Antimicrobial Resistance in the Time of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Stefanini Irene , De Renzi Giuseppe , Foddai Elisa , Cordani Elisa , Mognetti Barbara
Published: August 2021

The global onset of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infections happened suddenly, hence imposing a rapid definition of effective therapeutic approaches. Antibiotics were included among the prophylactic agents because of both the similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and atypical pneumonia symptoms, and the immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties of such drugs. Although, this approach could exacerbate the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the spread and characteristics of bacterial infections, as well as on the frequency of antimicrobial resistance, we investigated and compared clinical bacterial strains isolated in an Italian hospital from COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients during and before the COVID-19 outbreak. Data clearly indicate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bacterial infections: not only some bacterial species were found in either COVID-19 positive or in COVID-19 negative patients, but isolates from COVID-19 patients also showed higher levels of antimicrobial resistance. Nevertheless, despite some bacterial species were isolated only before or over the pandemic, no differences were observed among the antimicrobial resistance levels. Overall, these results recapitulate the current situation of microbial infections and could also provide an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on bacterial pathogens spread and resistance.
The Measurement of the Neutron Yield of the 7Li(p,n)7Be Reaction in Lithium Targets
Authors: Bikchurina Marina , Bykov Timofey , Kasatov Dmitrii , Kolesnikov Iaroslav , Makarov Aleksandr , Shchudlo Ivan , Sokolova Evgeniia , Taskaev Sergey
Published: August 2021

A compact accelerator-based neutron source has been proposed and created at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics in Novosibirsk, Russia. An original design tandem accelerator is used to provide a proton beam. The neutron flux is generated as a result of the 7Li(p,n)7Be threshold reaction using the solid lithium target. A beam shaping assembly is applied to convert this flux into a beam of epithermal neutrons with characteristics suitable for BNCT. The BNCT technique is being tested in in vitro and in vivo studies, and dosimetry methods are being developed. Currently, the BNCT technique has entered into clinical practice in the world: after successful clinical trials, two clinics in Japan began treating patients, and four more BNCT clinics are ready to start operating. The neutron source proposed at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics served as a prototype for a facility created for a clinic in Xiamen (China). It is planned to equip the National Medical Research Center of Oncology (Moscow, Russia) and National Oncological Hadron Therapy Center (Pavia, Italy) with the same neutron sources. Due to the impending use of an accelerator neutron source for treating patients, the validation of the neutron yield of the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction in lithium metal targets is required. The theoretical neutron yield has not been evaluated experimentally so far.
Cell-Based Therapies for Trabecular Meshwork Regeneration to Treat Glaucoma
Authors: Mallick Shayshadri , Sharma Malini , Kumar Ajay , Du Yiqin
Published: August 2021

Glaucoma is clinically characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) that leads to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) and optic nerve damage, and eventually blindness if left untreated. Even in normal pressure glaucoma patients, a reduction of IOP is currently the only effective way to prevent blindness, by either increasing aqueous humor outflow or decreasing aqueous humor production. The trabecular meshwork (TM) and the adjacent Schlemm’s canal inner wall play a key role in regulating IOP by providing resistance when aqueous humor drains through the tissue. TM dysfunction seen in glaucoma, through reduced cellularity, abnormal extracellular matrix accumulation, and increased stiffness, contributes to elevated IOP, but current therapies do not target the TM tissue. Stem cell transplantation for regeneration and re-functionalization of damaged TM has shown promise in providing a more direct and effective therapy for glaucoma. In this review, we describe the use of different types of stem cells for TM regeneration in glaucoma models, the mechanisms of regeneration, and the potential for glaucoma treatment using autologous stem cell transplantation.
Advances in Intracellular Calcium Signaling Reveal Untapped Targets for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Sharma Aarushi , Ramena Grace T. , Elble Randolph C.
Published: August 2021

Intracellular Ca2+ distribution is a tightly regulated process. Numerous Ca2+ chelating, storage, and transport mechanisms are required to maintain normal cellular physiology. Ca2+-binding proteins, mainly calmodulin and calbindins, sequester free intracellular Ca2+ ions and apportion or transport them to signaling hubs needing the cations. Ca2+ channels, ATP-driven pumps, and exchangers assist the binding proteins in transferring the ions to and from appropriate cellular compartments. Some, such as the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and lysosomes, act as Ca2+ repositories. Cellular Ca2+ homeostasis is inefficient without the active contribution of these organelles. Moreover, certain key cellular processes also rely on inter-organellar Ca2+ signaling. This review attempts to encapsulate the structure, function, and regulation of major intracellular Ca2+ buffers, sensors, channels, and signaling molecules before highlighting how cancer cells manipulate them to survive and thrive. The spotlight is then shifted to the slow pace of translating such research findings into anticancer therapeutics. We use the PubMed database to highlight current clinical studies that target intracellular Ca2+ signaling. Drug repurposing and improving the delivery of small molecule therapeutics are further discussed as promising strategies for speeding therapeutic development in this area.
Treatment of Dyslipidaemia in Children
Authors: Fiorentino Riccardo , Chiarelli Francesco
Published: August 2021

Childhood dyslipidaemia is one of the main traditional cardiovascular risk factors that initiate and exacerbate the atherosclerotic process. Healthcare providers may play a key role in the management of children with lipid abnormalities; however, they have to properly evaluate the normal lipid values and know the available treatment options in children and adolescents. Current guidelines recommend healthy behaviours as the first-line treatment for childhood dyslipidaemia. The therapeutic lifestyle changes should focus on dietary modifications, daily physical activity, reduction in body weight and tobacco smoking cessation. Parents play a key role in promoting their children’s healthy habits. In children with more severe forms of lipid abnormalities and in those who do not benefit from healthy behaviours, pharmacological therapy should be considered. Safe and effective medications are already available for children and adolescents. Statins represent the first-line pharmacological option, while ezetimibe and bile acid sequestrants are usually used as second-line drugs. Despite their limited use in children, other lipid-lowering agents (already approved for adults) are currently available or under study for certain categories of paediatric patients (e.g., familial hypercholesterolemia). Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy, safety and tolerability of novel lipid-lowering drugs, especially in children.
Tumor-Associated Microglia and Macrophages in the Glioblastoma Microenvironment and Their Implications for Therapy
Authors: Andersen Rikke Sick , Anand Atul , Harwood Dylan Scott Lykke , Kristensen Bjarne Winther
Published: August 2021

Glioblastoma is the most frequent and malignant primary brain tumor. Standard of care includes surgery followed by radiation and temozolomide chemotherapy. Despite treatment, patients have a poor prognosis with a median survival of less than 15 months. The poor prognosis is associated with an increased abundance of tumor-associated microglia and macrophages (TAMs), which are known to play a role in creating a pro-tumorigenic environment and aiding tumor progression. Most treatment strategies are directed against glioblastoma cells; however, accumulating evidence suggests targeting of TAMs as a promising therapeutic strategy. While TAMs are typically dichotomously classified as M1 and M2 phenotypes, recent studies utilizing single cell technologies have identified expression pattern differences, which is beginning to give a deeper understanding of the heterogeneous subpopulations of TAMs in glioblastomas. In this review, we evaluate the role of TAMs in the glioblastoma microenvironment and discuss how their interactions with cancer cells have an extensive impact on glioblastoma progression and treatment resistance. Finally, we summarize the effects and challenges of therapeutic strategies, which specifically aim to target TAMs.
A Prehepatectomy Circulating Exosomal microRNA Signature Predicts the Prognosis and Adjuvant Chemotherapeutic Benefits in Colorectal Liver Metastasis
Authors: Wang Yun , Chen Xiuxing , Lin Haocheng , Sun Xiaoqiang , Fong William Pat , Wu Xiaojun , Pan Zhizhong , Yuan Yunfei , Liang Jieying , Wang Deshen , Du Ziming , Xing Baocai , Li Yuhong
Published: August 2021

Background: The clinical risk score (CRS) for prediction and treatment decision in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) is important, but imprecise. Exosomal miRNAs play critical roles in CRLM-related biological behavior. However, an exosomal miRNA score system for predicting posthepatectomy survival and the adjuvant chemotherapy benefit of CRLM remains elusive. Methods: miRNA sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs, and the LASSO model was used to select miRNAs to construct the intent model. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by the area under the ROC curve (AUC) in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts. Results: Sixteen differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were identified, and four miRNAs were selected for model construction. Our model performed well in predicting prognosis with five-year AUCs of 0.70 (95% CI: 0.59–0.81), 0.70 (0.61–0.81), and 0.72 (057–0.86) in the training, internal, and external validation cohorts, respectively. miRNA classifier high-risk patients had better survival benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy regardless of CRS. All four miRNAs target signaling molecules play crucial roles in colorectal cancer metastasis, vesicle-related processing, and T cell activation. It also negatively correlated with the liver metastasis Immunoscore. Conclusion: We developed a circulating exosomal miRNA signature that can predict the prognosis and guide adjuvant chemotherapy decisions after hepatectomy in CRLM.
Targeting DNA Damage Repair Mechanisms in Pancreas Cancer
Authors: Perkhofer Lukas , Golan Talia , Cuyle Pieter-Jan , Matysiak-Budnik Tamara , Van Laethem Jean-Luc , Macarulla Teresa , Cauchin Estelle , Kleger Alexander , Beutel Alica K. , Gout Johann , Stenzinger Albrecht , Van Cutsem Eric , Bellmunt Joaquim , Hammel Pascal , O’Reilly Eileen M. , Seufferlein Thomas
Published: August 2021

Impaired DNA damage repair (DDR) is increasingly recognised as a hallmark in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is estimated that around 14% of human PDACs harbour mutations in genes involved in DDR, including, amongst others, BRCA1/2, PALB2, ATM, MSH2, MSH6 and MLH1. Recently, DDR intervention by PARP inhibitor therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in germline BRCA1/2-mutated PDAC. Extending this outcome to the significant proportion of human PDACs with somatic or germline mutations in DDR genes beyond BRCA1/2 might be beneficial, but there is a lack of data, and consequently, no clear recommendations are provided in the field. Therefore, an expert panel was invited by the European Society of Digestive Oncology (ESDO) to assess the current knowledge and significance of DDR as a target in PDAC treatment. The aim of this virtual, international expert meeting was to elaborate a set of consensus recommendations on testing, diagnosis and treatment of PDAC patients with alterations in DDR pathways. Ahead of the meeting, experts completed a 27-question survey evaluating the key issues. The final recommendations herein should aid in facilitating clinical practice decisions on the management of DDR-deficient PDAC.
Impairment of Autophagic Flux Participates in the Antitumor Effects of TAT-Cx43266-283 in Glioblastoma Stem Cells
Authors: Pelaz Sara G. , Ollauri-Ibáñez Claudia , Lillo Concepción , Tabernero Arantxa
Published: August 2021

Autophagy is a physiological process by which various damaged or non-essential cytosolic components are recycled, contributing to cell survival under stress conditions. In cancer, autophagy can have antitumor or protumor effects depending on the developmental stage. Here, we use Western blotting, immunochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy to demonstrate that the antitumor peptide TAT-Cx43266-283, a c-Src inhibitor, blocks autophagic flux in glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) under basal and nutrient-deprived conditions. Upon nutrient deprivation, GSCs acquired a dormant-like phenotype that was disrupted by inhibition of autophagy with TAT-Cx43266-283 or chloroquine (a classic autophagy inhibitor), leading to GSC death. Remarkably, dasatinib, a clinically available c-Src inhibitor, could not replicate TAT-Cx43266-283 effect on dormant GSCs, revealing for the first time the possible involvement of pathways other than c-Src in TAT-Cx43266-283 effect. TAT-Cx43266-283 exerts an antitumor effect both in nutrient-complete and nutrient-deprived environments, which constitutes an advantage over chloroquine and dasatinib, whose effects depend on nutrient environment. Finally, our analysis of the levels of autophagy-related proteins in healthy and glioma donors suggests that autophagy is upregulated in glioblastoma, further supporting the interest in inhibiting this process in the most aggressive brain tumor and the potential use of TAT-Cx43266-283 as a therapy for this type of cancer.
The Effect of Catalyst Calcination Temperature on Catalytic Decomposition of HFC-134a over γ-Al2O3
Authors: Sheraz Mahshab , Anus Ali , Thi Le Van Cam , Andrew Swamidoss Caroline Mercy , Kim Seungdo
Published: August 2021

This paper explores the thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of HFC-134a over γ-Al2O3 calcined at temperatures of 550 °C (A550), 650 °C (A650), 750 °C (A750), and 850 °C (A850). The physicochemical properties of catalysts were studied through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller equation for nitrogen physisorption analysis (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD). The non-catalytic pyrolysis of HFC-134a showed less than 15% decomposition of HFC-134a. Catalysts increased the decomposition as A650 revealed the highest decomposition efficiency by decomposing more than 95% HFC-134a for 8 h followed by A750, A850, and A550. The larger surface area and pore volume paired with a low amount of strong acidic sites were considered as the main contributors to the comparatively longer catalytic activity of A650.
Inflammasomes and Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Keshavarz Shahbaz Sanaz , Koushki Khadijeh , Ayati Seyed Hassan , Bland Abigail R. , Bezsonov Evgeny E. , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: August 2021

Inflammasomes are important intracellular multiprotein signaling complexes that modulate the activation of caspase-1 and induce levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 in response to pathogenic microorganisms and molecules that originated from host proteins. Inflammasomes play contradictory roles in the development of inflammation-induced cancers. Based on several findings, inflammasomes can initiate and promote carcinogenesis. On the contrary, inflammasomes also exhibit anticancer effects by triggering pyroptosis and immunoregulatory functions. Herein, we review extant studies delving into different functions of inflammasomes in colorectal cancer development.