bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Satellite Cell Proliferation Induced by L-Carnosine Benefits Muscle Growth of Pigs in Part through Activation of the Akt/mTOR/S6K Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Yaojun , Shen Wenqiang , Liu Tao , Mosenthin Rainer , Bao Yinghui , Chen Peng , Hao Wenbo , Zhao Lihong , Zhang Jianyun , Ji Cheng , Ma Qiugang
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: L-carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine), a natural dipeptide, exists at relatively high concentrations in skeletal muscles, and has been shown to protect cells from adverse conditions due to its antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-glycation, and buffering properties. Satellite cells (SCs), residing on the myofiber surface, are crucial for muscle post-growth and regeneration. However, the effects of L-carnosine on muscle development of pigs in vivo, on proliferation and growth of SCs in vitro, and the relationship between SCs and muscle development have not yet been investigated. (2) Methods: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of dietary L-carnosine on growth performance and longissimus dorsi muscle development of pigs in vivo, and to elaborate its molecular mechanisms in vitro using L-carnosine-treated SCs. (3) Results: It was shown that L-carnosine supplementation (0.2 and 2 mM) increased (p < 0.05) SC proliferation and cell percentage in the synthesis (S) phase and decreased cell percentage in the resting (G0)/first gap (G1)/phase. Moreover, average daily gain (ADG) of pigs fed diets containing 0.1% of L-carnosine was higher (p < 0.05) than that of pigs fed diets without L-carnosine, and the longissimus dorsi muscle weight of pigs assigned to the L-carnosine treatments was 7.95% higher compared to control pigs. Both in the longissimus dorsi muscle and cultured SCs of pigs, the Akt/mTOR/S6K signaling pathway was activated (p < 0.05), suggesting that L-carnosine improved muscle growth and SC proliferation of pigs. (4) Conclusions: Considering the important role of SCs in post-natal muscle growth, there is evidence that L-carnosine may improve muscle growth of pigs through promoting SC proliferation via activating the Akt/mTOR/S6K signaling pathway.
Advances in the Biological Functions of Auxin Transporters in Rice
Authors: Feng Yaning , Bayaer Enhe , Qi Yanhua
Published: July 2022

Auxin is the earliest discovered plant hormone, which plays important roles in each aspect of plant growth and development. There are two main pathways for auxin to be transported from the synthetic site (such as young leaves and terminal buds) to the active site. First, auxin is transported over long distances through phloem in an unfixed direction throughout the whole plant. Second, short-distance polar transport between cells requires the participation of auxin carriers, including unidirectional transport from stem tip to root and local unidirectional transport between tissues. Polar transport is critical to the establishment and maintenance of the auxin concentration gradient, which specifically regulates plant growth and development and responds to environmental changes. In this article, we reviewed the research progress of auxin transporters AUX1/LAX, PIN, and ABCB families, and some potential auxin transporters in rice growth and development, which provide information for the interpretation of biological functions of polar auxin transport families and lay a foundation for the genetic improvement of important agronomic traits in rice.
Biostimulant Effects of Waste Derived Biobased Products in the Cultivation of Ornamental and Food Plants
Authors: Montoneri Enzo , Baglieri Andrea , Fascella Giancarlo
Published: July 2022

Soluble bio-based substances (SBS) may be isolated from the anaerobic digestate of the organic humid fraction of urban waste; from the whole vegetable compost made from gardening residues and from the compost obtained after aerobic digestion of a mixture of urban waste digestate, gardening residues and sewage sludge. These SBS can be used as sustainable and efficient plant biostimulants in alternatives to the commercial products based on fossil sources such as the Leonardite. The present review summarizes the main findings obtained from recent studies accomplished with the SBS applied on several ornamental (Euphorbia; Lantana; Murraya; Hibiscus) and vegetable species (tomato; red pepper; spinach; maize; bean; wheat; tobacco; oilseed rape) with the aim to evaluate their effect on plant growth; fruit and ornamental quality. The main results from these studies show that the non-commercial SBS are more efficient than commercial fossil-based products; at equal applied doses; in enhancing plant growth; leaf chlorophylls; photosynthetic activity; fruit ripening and yield and aesthetic effect; improving flower and fruit quality and optimizing water use efficiency. Depending upon the plant species, increases of the plant performance indicators ranging from zero to 1750% are reported for the plants cultivated in the presence of SBS, relatively to the control plants cultivated in absence of SBS added to the cultivation substrate. The review suggests that biowaste recycling is a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of plant biostimulants, as an alternative to existing fossil sourced agrochemicals.
Rapid Diagnostic Test to Detect and Discriminate Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHNV) Genogroups U and M to Aid Management of Pacific Northwest Salmonid Populations
Authors: Batts William N. , Capps Tony R. , Crosson Lisa M. , Powers Rachel L. , Breyta Rachel , Purcell Maureen K.
Published: July 2022

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is an acute pathogen of salmonids in North America, Europe, and Asia that is phylogenetically classified into five major virus genogroups (U, M, L, E, and J). The geographic range of the U and M genogroup isolates overlap in the North American Columbia River Basin and Washington Coast region, where these genogroups pose different risks depending on the species of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). For certain management decisions, there is a need to both test for IHNV presence and rapidly determine the genogroup. Herein, we report the development and validation of a U/M multiplex reverse transcription, real-time PCR (RT-rPCR) assay targeting the IHNV nucleocapsid (N) protein gene. The new U/M RT-rPCR is a rapid, sensitive, and repeatable assay capable of specifically discriminating between North American U and M genogroup IHNV isolates. However, one M genogroup isolate obtained from commercially cultured Idaho rainbow trout (O. mykiss) showed reduced sensitivity with the RT-rPCR test, suggesting caution may be warranted before applying RT-rPCR as the sole surveillance test in areas associated with the Idaho trout industry. The new U/M assay had high diagnostic sensitivity (DSe > 94%) and specificity (DSp > 97%) in free-ranging adult Pacific salmon, when assessed relative to cell culture, the widely accepted reference standard, as well as the previously validated universal N RT-rPCR test. The high diagnostic performance of the new U/M assay indicates the test is suitable for surveillance, diagnosis, and confirmation of IHNV in Pacific salmon from the Pacific Northwest regions where the U and M genogroups overlap.
Freedom to Move: Free Lactation Pens Improve Sow Welfare
Authors: Kinane Orla , Butler Fidelma , O’Driscoll Keelin
Published: July 2022

Farrowing crates present a major animal welfare problem. This study investigated the effects of temporary confinement at farrowing on sow welfare and aimed to determine whether this type of system could improve sow welfare through increased freedom of movement. Sows were housed in one of two farrowing accommodation treatments: conventional farrowing crates (Control) or free lactation pens (Free). Sows in the Control treatment were confined from entry to weaning, a period of five weeks. Sows in the Free treatment were temporarily confined from before farrowing (approximately 24 h) until day 4 post-partum, after which time the crate was opened, and they had increased freedom of movement. Sow physical measures (weight, back-fat thickness, hoof score, locomotion score and tear stain score) were measured at entry to farrowing accommodation and at weaning. Salivary cortisol concentration was measured throughout lactation. Farrowing duration and sow posture (Days 1, 3, 7 and 34 after entry) were recorded. Between entry and weaning, locomotion scores significantly increased for sows housed in the Control treatment compared with those housed in Free lactation pens (p < 0.01). Sows in the Free treatment were observed to use all orientations in the pen, showing that when more space is made available to them, they will choose to utilise the space. Tear staining under the left eye was found to be less in Free sows at weaning (p = 0.05), indicating reduced stress. However, salivary cortisol concentration was higher in Free sows overall; cortisol is affected by both positive and negative stimuli, and so, this may be due to factors other than stress, such as higher levels of activity and mental stimulation. These results suggest that free lactation pens can benefit sow welfare; increased freedom of movement throughout lactation can improve sow locomotory health, and as suggested by improved tear stain scores, sow stress levels may be reduced in this type of system compared with conventional farrowing crates.
Effect of Raw Chickpea in the Broiler Chicken Diet on Intestinal Histomorphology and Intestinal Microbial Populations
Authors: Danek-Majewska Anna , Kwiecień Małgorzata , Samolińska Wioletta , Kowalczyk-Pecka Danuta , Nowakowicz-Dębek Bożena , Winiarska-Mieczan Anna
Published: July 2022

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of partial replacement of SBM protein with CPR-derived protein in the broiler rearing period from 22 to 42 days of age on the intestinal histomorphology and the composition of the intestinal microbial population. Male broiler chicks aged 1 day were assigned to two groups with different nutrition schemes (n = 100 in each, 5 cages of 20 chicks in each). The chickens were reared for 42 days. All birds were fed isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets: starter (1 to 21 d), grower (22 to 35 d), and finisher (36 to 42 d). From rearing day 22, different diets were provided to the birds: the SBM group received feed with 100% soybean meal protein, and the diet of the CPR group the protein originated from soybean meal was replaced by 50% chickpea protein. The study results indicated a significant impact of the inclusion of CPR in the diet on the basic intestinal structures (thickness of myenteron: submucosa, jejunum and duodenum mucosa, and jejunum transversal lamina). The addition of CPR led to shortening of intestinal villi, an increase in villus thickness, and reduced intestine absorptive surface in the duodenum and jejunum. The CPR group exhibited a significantly lower villus length-to-crypt depth ratio in the jejunum (p < 0.001). The inclusion of chickpeas in the diet increased the total count of mesophilic bacteria and coliforms in the intestinal contents (p < 0.05). In summary, it has been demonstrated that the inclusion of CPR in the diet induced considerable disturbances in metabolism and intestinal structure. Although CPR is a cheap protein source, its use in poultry diet does not ensure development of the intestinal structure comparable to that in the case of an SBM-only diet.
The First Genome Survey and De Novo Assembly of the Short Mackerel (Rastrelliger brachysoma) and Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta)
Authors: Surachat Komwit , Narkthewan Patcharaporn , Thotsagotphairee Chayanin , Wonglapsuwan Monwadee , Thongpradub Walaiporn
Published: July 2022

Rastrelliger brachysoma (short mackerel) and Rastrelliger kanagurta (Indian mackerel) are commercially important marine species in Southeast Asia. In recent years, numbers of these two species have been decreasing in the wild, and genomic information about them is still limited. We conducted a genome survey of these two mackerel species to acquire essential genomic information using next-generation sequencing data. To obtain this genetic information, comprehensive bioinformatics analyses were performed, including de novo assembly, gene prediction, functional annotation, and phylogenetic analysis. The estimated genome sizes were around 680.14 Mbp (R. brachysoma) and 688.82 Mbp (R. kanagurta). The heterozygosity of these species was very similar (≈0.81), while the repeat content for R. kanagurta (9.30%) was slightly higher than for R. brachysoma (8.30%). Functional annotation indicated that most of the genes predicted in these two species shared very close average amino acid identities (94.06%). The phylogenetic analysis revealed close phylogenetic relationships between these two species and other scombrids. This is the first reported genome survey and assembly of species in the genus Rastrelliger and could be useful for future comparative genomic studies.
Protective Effects of Wine Polyphenols on Oxidative Stress and Hepatotoxicity Induced by Acrylamide in Rats
Authors: Banc Roxana , Popa Daniela-Saveta , Cozma-Petruţ Anamaria , Filip Lorena , Kiss Béla , Fărcaş Anca , Nagy Andras , Miere Doina , Loghin Felicia
Published: July 2022

In recent years, it has been increasingly suggested that the consumption of natural polyphenols, in moderate amounts, is beneficial for health. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a red wine (the administered dose of 7 mL/kg/day being equivalent to ~16.5 mg/kg/day total polyphenols) compared to a white wine (the administered dose of 7 mL/kg/day being equivalent to ~1.7 mg/kg/day total polyphenols), on the prevention of acrylamide-induced subacute hepatic injury and oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Hepatic damage due to acrylamide intoxication (the administered dose being 250 µg/kg body weight, for 28 days, by intragastric gavage) was assessed by employing biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) and by histopathological studies. Markers of oxidative damage were measured in terms of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and liver antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) activities. Regarding hepatic enzyme activities, treatment with red wine significantly decreased the AST values (p < 0.05), while for the ALT values only a normalization tendency was observed. Treatment with red wine and white wine, respectively, significantly prevented the increase in MDA and TBARS levels (p < 0.05), as well as the depletion of GSH (p < 0.05). Red wine treatment normalized the activities of the antioxidant enzymes CAT and SOD in rats intoxicated with acrylamide, while supplementing the diet with white wine did not produce significant differences in the antioxidant enzyme activities. Histopathological findings revealed a moderate protective effect of red wine after four weeks of daily consumption. Our findings provide evidence that red wine, having a higher phenolic content than white wine, has a significant protective effect on oxidative stress and liver injury induced by acrylamide in rats, through its antioxidative activity.
Stability and Antioxidant Activity of Hydro-Glyceric Extracts Obtained from Different Grape Seed Varieties Incorporated in Cosmetic Creams
Authors: Salem Yara , Rajha Hiba N. , Franjieh Diana , Hoss Israa , Manca Maria Letizia , Manconi Maria , Castangia Ines , Perra Matteo , Maroun Richard G. , Louka Nicolas
Published: July 2022

Grape seeds are agro-industrial by-products, which if improperly managed, may be responsible for socioeconomic and environmental problems. Nevertheless, it is possible to effectively valorize them by means of extraction of the bioactive compounds, especially the antioxidant phenolic molecules, using a safe, green, and environmentally-friendly extractive medium (i.e., hydro-glyceric solution). In the present study, the extraction was performed using seeds from two Lebanese varieties, Obeidi and Asswad Karech, and three international varieties, Marselan, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. The type and amount of phenolic compounds were identified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Marselan was the extract richer in catechins (132.99 ± 9.81 μg/g of dried matter), and it also contained a higher amount of phenolic compounds (49.08 ± 0.03 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of dry matter and 10.02 ± 0.24 mg of proanthocyanidin content/g of dry matter). The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was assessed using three different colorimetric assays including 2,2-DiPhenyl-1-PicrylHydrazyl (DPPH), CUPRIC ion Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). As expected, Marselan exhibited the highest antioxidant activity; as well, the total phenolic and proanthocyanidin content were the highest. The stability of the Marselan extract incorporated into a commercial cream, was performed at three different temperatures (4, 25, and 50 °C), and four different concentrations (5, 4, 3, 2%), over a period of 4 months, using different methods such as centrifugation, Heat-Shock Cycles, pH, and viscosity. All Marselan hydro-glyceric extract formulations were proven to be stable over the entire 4 months, where the highest stability was achieved at 4 °C and the least at 50 °C. This study supports the suitability of the incorporation of phenolic extracts into commercial creams to enrich the cosmetic industry with effective, natural, and safe skincare products.
Combining Androgen Deprivation and Immunotherapy in Prostate Cancer Treatment: A Mechanistic Approach
Authors: Barnaby Johnna , Jain Harsh Vardhan
Published: July 2022

Due to its initial dependence on testosterone, prostate cancer patients are initially treated with androgen deprivation therapy, a form of chemical castration. However, in many cases, the cancer develops resistance to this treatment. Sipuleucel-T (Provenge), is the first live cell vaccine approved for treating patients with advanced, hormonally refractive prostate cancer. However, it has shown limited survival benefit. Recently, it has been proposed that combining Provenge with androgen deprivation may result in a better treatment outcome. Here, we develop a nonlinear dynamical systems model with a view to predicting the therapeutic potential of such a combination. Our model accounts for the mechanism of action of Provenge and the immune system response elicited by androgen deprivation. We use data from mouse xenograft experiments to calibrate and validate our model. The validated model is then used to explain the limited clinical success of Provenge, and predict optimal scheduling that maximizes the anti-tumor potential of Provenge combined with androgen deprivation. In particular, we demonstrate that the two treatments should be given concurrently, rather than sequentially, as is current practice.
Channel-Wise Average Pooling and 1D Pixel-Shuffle Denoising Autoencoder for Electrode Motion Artifact Removal in ECG
Authors: Jhang Yu-Syuan , Wang Szu-Ting , Sheu Ming-Hwa , Wang Szu-Hong , Lai Shin-Chi
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a channel-wise average pooling and one dimension pixel-shuffle architecture for a denoising autoencoder (CPDAE) design that can be applied to efficiently remove electrode motion (EM) artifacts in an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. The three advantages of the proposed design are as follows: (1) In the skip connection layer, less memory is needed to transfer the features extracted by the neural network; (2) Pixel shuffle and pixel unshuffle techniques with point-wise convolution are used to effectively reserve the key features generated from each layer in both the encoder and decoder; (3) Overall, fewer parameters are required to reconstruct the ECG signal. This paper describes three deep neural network models, namely CPDAELite, CPDAERegular, and CPDAEFull, which support various computational capacity and hardware arrangements. The three proposed structures involve an encoder and decoder with six, seven, and eight layers, respectively. Furthermore, the CPDAELite, CPDAERegular, and CPDAEFull structures require fewer multiply-accumulate operations—355.01, 56.96, and 14.69 million, respectively—and less parameter usage—2.69 million, 149.7 thousand, and 55.5 thousand, respectively. To evaluate the denoising performance, the MIT–BIH noise stress test database containing six signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of noisy ECGs was employed. The results demonstrated that the proposed models had a higher improvement of SNR and lower percentage root-mean-square difference than other state-of-the-art methods under various conditions of SNR.
Survey of Machine Learning Techniques in the Analysis of EEG Signals for Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Maitin Ana M. , Romero Muñoz Juan Pablo , García-Tejedor Álvaro José
Published: July 2022

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects 7–10 million people worldwide. Its diagnosis is clinical and can be supported by image-based tests, which are expensive and not always accessible. Electroencephalograms (EEG) are non-invasive, widely accessible, low-cost tests. However, the signals obtained are difficult to analyze visually, so advanced techniques, such as Machine Learning (ML), need to be used. In this article, we review those studies that consider ML techniques to study the EEG of patients with PD. Methods: The review process was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, which are used to provide quality standards for the objective evaluation of various studies. All publications before February 2022 were included, and their main characteristics and results were evaluated and documented through three key points associated with the development of ML techniques: dataset quality, data preprocessing, and model evaluation. Results: 59 studies were included. The predominating models were Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). In total, 31 articles diagnosed PD with a mean accuracy of 97.35 ± 3.46%. There was no standard cleaning protocol for EEG and a great heterogeneity in EEG characteristics was shown, although spectral features predominated by 88.37%. Conclusions: Neither the cleaning protocol nor the number of EEG channels influenced the classification results. A baseline value was provided for the PD diagnostic problem, although recent studies focus on the identification of cognitive impairment.
Numerical Simulation of the Hydrodynamic Performance and Self-Propulsion of a UUV near the Seabed
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Hu Yuli , Mao Zhaoyong , Tian Wenlong
Published: July 2022

Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) face maneuverability and rapidity challenges when they are applied for detecting and repairing submarine oil and gas pipelines, and fiber cables near the seabed. This research establishes numerical models of the bare UUV and self-propelled UUV near the seabed using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The effect of dimensionless distance Hd and ReL on the hydrodynamic performance of the vehicle and the interaction between the hull and the propeller is investigated. The range of Hd is 1.5D–10D, and the ReL is 9.97 × 105~7.98 × 106. Findings indicate that: (1) There is an obvious strong coupling between the hydrodynamic performance of the bare UUV and Hd. With the increase of Hd, the hydrodynamic performance such as Cd, the absolute value of Cl and my decreases continuously and finally tends to be stable. The absolute values of Cd and Cl increase with the increase of ReL. The change trend of my is opposite to that of Cl. (2) The variation trend of hydrodynamic performance of the self-propelled UUV with Hd is consistent with those of the bare UUV. Additionally, it increases to some extent, respectively, compared with the bare UUV. (3) The self-propelled characteristics such as t, ηH, w and ηi are weakly related to Hd. The t and ηi increase with the increasing of ReL, while ηH and w decrease with the increasing of ReL.
Prediction of Sound Insulation Using Artificial Neural Networks—Part II: Lightweight Wooden Façade Structures
Authors: Bader Eddin Mohamad , Vardaxis Nikolaos-Georgios , Ménard Sylvain , Bard Hagberg Delphine , Kouyoumji Jean-Luc
Published: July 2022

A prediction model based on artificial neural networks is adapted to forecast the acoustic performance of airborne sound insulation of various lightweight wooden façade walls. A total of 100 insulation curves were used to develop the prediction model. The data are laboratory measurements of façade walls in one-third-octave bands (50 Hz–5 kHz). For each façade wall, geometric and physical information (material type, dimensions, thicknesses, densities, and more) are used as input parameters. The model shows a satisfactory predictive capability for airborne sound reduction. A higher accuracy is obtained at middle frequencies (250 Hz–1 kHz), while lower and higher frequency ranges often show higher deviations. The weighted airborne sound reduction index (Rw) of façades can be estimated with a maximum difference of 3 dB. Sometimes, the model shows high variations within fundamental and critical frequencies that influence the predictive precision. A sensitivity analysis is implemented to investigate the significance of parameters in insulation estimations. The material density (i.e., cross-laminated timber panel, gypsum board), thickness of the insulation materials, thickness and spacing between interior studs and the total density of façades are factors of significant weight on predictions. The results also emphasize the importance of façade thickness and the total density of the clustered exterior layers.
Study on Bulge State of PCrNi3MoV Target Plates Penetrated by Square Fragments
Authors: Hong Dou , Li Wenbin , Zheng Yu , Jiang Ning , Zhang Kebin , Liu Zhonghua , Jiang Yao
Published: July 2022

The objective of this study was to study the penetration characteristics of tungsten alloy fragments on PCrNi3MoV target plates. Specifically, the penetration of square tungsten alloy fragments of gun steel target plates of different thicknesses were studied using a ballistic gun launching device. Based on the ballistic test results, the relationship between the bulge height of the target plate and the kinetic energy of the fragments was obtained, and the failure mode and process of the tungsten alloy fragments penetrating the steel target were analyzed. Then, the variation on the bulge height of the target plate with the kinetic energy of the fragments was obtained using dimensional analysis. The prediction results were consistent with the test results, and thus, the prediction model can be used in practical applications.
A Comparison of Two Methods for Detection of Norovirus RNA in Environmental Swab Samples
Authors: Kelly Daniel , Allen David J. , Akello Joyce O. , Hau Sarah , Iturriza-Gómara Miren ,   on Behalf of the NoVAS Study Consortium
Published: July 2022

Standardised molecular methods are available for the detection of norovirus from water and specific food items. Detection of norovirus from stool samples also relies on molecular methods, but differences exist between nucleic acid extraction, reverse transcription, and amplification strategies recommended by the ISO 15216-1:2017, and those employed in clinical laboratories. Here, we conduct a direct comparison of two methods for the detection and quantitation of norovirus from a stool sample and from artificially contaminated swabs. We also compare use of linear dsDNA standards as recommended in ISO 15216:2017 against an in vitro-transcribed single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) for estimation of norovirus genome copy number. Our results show that the two methods have comparable sensitivity for the detection of norovirus RNA from a clinical sample or swab. The use of a ssRNA standard revealed that quantitation performed against a linear dsDNA standard consistently underestimated the genome copy numbers by 1.5 to 2 log due to the relative inefficiency of the reverse transcription step. This has important implications for the estimation of the sensitivity of norovirus detection methods, comparability of results across sites, and assessment of viral loads that may be clinically significant or estimated to constitute infectious doses.
Mesospheric Gravity Wave Potential Energy Density Observed by Rayleigh Lidar above Golmud (36.25° N, 94.54° E), Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhao Weibo , Hu Xiong , Pan Weilin , Yan Zhaoai , Guo Wenjie
Published: July 2022

Rayleigh lidar data in 2013–2015 is used to describe the characteristics of gravity wave potential energy density in the mesosphere above Golmud (36.25° N, 94.54° E) of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the vertical profiles of the atmospheric gravity wave potential energy density between 50–80 km above the region are presented, including the potential energy mass density Epm and the potential energy volume density Epv. It shows the mathematical characteristics of the atmospheric gravity wave potential energy density vertical distribution, which also indicate the gravity waves are obviously dissipated in the lower mesosphere and close to conservative growth in the upper mesosphere (the turning point is around 61 km). A total of 1174 h of data covers seasonal changes, which reveals the seasonal characteristics of the potential energy density. The Epm increases faster with altitude in summer than others. All seasons of the potential energy density profiles show that gravity waves are dissipated in the lower mesosphere, among which spring and winter are the most severe and summer is weakest. The Epm is higher in spring and winter below 55 km. Above 55 km, it is the maximum in winter, followed by summer. Then, the AGWs activities between the location with mid–latitudes and different longitudes are compared and discussed.
Cloud Vertical Structure of Stratiform Clouds with Embedded Convections Occurring in the Mei-Yu Front
Authors: Zhu Shichao , Yuan Ye , Wu Yue , Zhang Ying
Published: July 2022

Cloud Vertical Structure (CVS) plays a crucial role in determining atmospheric circulation and the hydrological cycle. We analyzed the CVS in Stratiform Clouds with Embedded Convection (SCEC) occurring in the mei-yu front over central-eastern China based on the conjunction of the S-band Doppler weather radar, the C-band Frequency Modulation Continuous Wave (C-FMCW) rad ar, and the Microrain Radar (MRR). Our results showed that both the melting layers and the rain rate were unevenly distributed in the three SCEC cases, and there was a thicker melting layer and a larger rain rate in the embedded convection. In the stratiform regions, the vertical velocity of particles in the upper region of the melting layer was generally in the range of 0–4 m·s−1, and increased rapidly to 4–12 m·s−1 near the bottom of the melting layer. In the case of June 28, due to the vigorous development of embedded convection, the cloud particles in the upper layer showed upward movement, and the growth rate of the particles in this region was faster than that in the surrounding stratiform regions. The vertical distributions of Drop Spectrum Distributions (DSDs) showed that the average concentration of drops larger than 3 mm increased as they fell from 3 km to 1 km, and the collision–coalescence process of drops in the embedded convection was stronger.
The Ice-and-Snow Tourism in Harbin Met Its Waterloo: Analysis of the Causes of the Warm Winter with Reduced Snowfall in 2018/2019
Authors: Yuan Dian , Lu Er , Dai Wei , Chao Qingchen , Wang Hui , Li Shuling
Published: July 2022

Harbin, located in northeast China (NEC), has obvious monsoon climate characteristics due to the influence of its geographical environment. Under the control of the polar continental air mass, winter in Harbin is exceedingly cold and long, with the frequent invasion of the cold and dry air from the north. Because of its intensely cold climate in winter, Harbin has created a local form of tourism with its own characteristics: the snow and ice landscape attracts a large number of tourists. Therefore, the anomalies of air temperature and precipitation in winter have an important impact on the livelihood of the local people and economy. In the winter of 2018/2019, the ice and snow tourism in Harbin was harshly affected by the extreme weather, and the direct cause is the anomalies of atmospheric circulation. There is a center of strong positive geopotential height anomalies over east China, which favors the movement of warm air northwards to the NEC, resulting in warmer-than-normal air temperature. Anomalous precipitation is largely controlled by the anomalies of local water vapor and air temperature. The aim of this study was to determine whether the warmer-than-normal temperature, which made the atmosphere more resistant to saturation, was the primary cause of the reduced snowfall. The relative importance of water vapor and air temperature anomalies to the anomalous precipitation was compared. The results suggest that the warmer-than-normal temperature affected all levels, but its impact on the near-surface level was greater. At the middle and upper levels (above 850 hPa), in addition to the warmer-than-normal temperature, the amount of water vapor was less than normal. These conditions both reduced the amount of snow; however, by comparison, the dryness of the air contributed more significantly.
Stochastic Modelling of Red Palm Weevil Using Chemical Injection and Pheromone Traps
Authors: El-Shahed Moustafa , Al-Nujiban Asma , Abdel-Baky Nagdy F.
Published: July 2022

This paper deals with the mathematical modelling of the red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in date palms using chemical control by utilizing injection and sex pheromone traps. A deterministic and stochastic model for RPW is proposed and analyzed. The existence of a positive global solution for the stochastic RPW model is investigated, and the conditions for the extinction of RPWs from the stochastic system are obtained. The adequate criteria for the presence of a unique ergodic stationary distribution for the RPW system are established by creating suitable Lyapunov functions. The impact of chemical injection and pheromone traps on RPW is demonstrated. The importance of environmental noise on RPW is highlighted and simulated using the Milstein method.
B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Revisited—Is BNP Still a Biomarker for Heart Failure in the Angiotensin Receptor/Neprilysin Inhibitor Era?
Authors: Nishikimi Toshio , Nakagawa Yasuaki
Published: July 2022

Myocardial wall stress, cytokines, hormones, and ischemia all stimulate B-type (or brain) natriuretic peptide (BNP) gene expression. Within the myocardium, ProBNP-108, a BNP precursor, undergoes glycosylation, after which a portion is cleaved by furin into mature BNP-32 and N-terminal proBNP-76, depending on the glycosylation status. As a result, active BNP, less active proBNP, and inactive N-terminal proBNP all circulate in the blood. There are three major pathways for BNP clearance: (1) cellular internalization via natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-A and NPR-C; (2) degradation by proteases in the blood, including neprilysin, dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV, insulin degrading enzyme, etc.; and (3) excretion in the urine. Because neprilysin has lower substrate specificity for BNP than atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), the increase in plasma BNP after angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) administration is much smaller than the increase in plasma ANP. Currently available BNP immunoassays react with both mature BNP and proBNP. Therefore, BNP measured with an immunoassay is mature BNP + proBNP. ARNI administration increases mature BNP but not proBNP, as the latter is not degraded by neprilysin. Consequently, measured plasma BNP initially increases with ARNI administration by the amount of the increase in mature BNP. Later, ARNI reduces myocardial wall stress, and the resultant reduction in BNP production more than offsets the increase in mature BNP mediated by inhibiting degradation by neprilysin, which lowers plasma BNP levels. These results suggest that even in the ARNI era, BNP can be used for diagnosis and assessment of the pathophysiology and prognosis of heart failure, though the mild increases early during ARNI administration should be taken into consideration.
The FGFR2c/PKCε Axis Controls MCL-1-Mediated Invasion in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells: Perspectives for Innovative Target Therapies
Authors: Ranieri Danilo , French Deborah , Persechino Flavia , Guttieri Luisa , Torrisi Maria Rosaria , Belleudi Francesca
Published: July 2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy whose main characterizations are Kirsten Rat Sarcoma-activating mutations (KRAS) and a highly aggressive phenotype. Based on our recent findings demonstrating that the highly aberrant expression of the mesenchymal isoform of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2c) in PDAC cells activates Protein-Kinase C Epsilon (PKCε), which in turn controls receptor-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), here we investigated the involvement of these signaling events in the establishment of additional tumorigenic features. Using PDAC cell lines expressing divergent levels of the FGFR2c and stable protein depletion approaches by short hairpin RNA (shRNA), we found that FGFR2c expression and its PKCε downstream signaling are responsible for the invasive response to Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) and for anchorage-independent growth. In addition, in vitro clonogenic assays, coupled with the check of the amount of cleaved Poly Adenosine Diphosphate-Ribose Polymerase 1 (PARP1) by Western blot, highlighted the involvement of both FGFR2c and PKCε in cell viability. Finally, monitoring of Myeloid Cell Leukemia 1 (MCL-1) expression and Sarcoma kinase family (SRC) phosphorylation suggested that the FGFR2c/PKCε axis could control cell migration/invasion possibly via MCL-1/SRC-mediated reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Being PKCs RAS-independent substrates, the identification of PKCε as a hub molecule downstream FGFR2c at the crossroad of signaling networks governing the main malignant tumor hallmarks could represent an important advance towards innovative target therapies overcoming RAS.
Serum Free Light-Chain Ratio at Diagnosis Is Associated with Early Renal Damage in Multiple Myeloma: A Case Series Real-World Study
Authors: De Novellis Danilo , Fontana Raffaele , Carobene Angela , Serio Bianca , Ferrara Idalucia , Martorelli Maria Carmen , Mettivier Laura , Guariglia Roberto , Luponio Serena , Ruggiero Immacolata , D’Addona Matteo , Di Leo Tiziana , Giudice Valentina , Selleri Carmine
Published: July 2022

The serum free light-chain (FLC) ratio is a sensitive tool for the differential diagnosis of plasma cell disorders and is biomarker of multiple myeloma (MM) progression from premalignant conditions. Here, we investigate the potential role of FLC ratio at diagnosis in identifying early renal damage in MM patients and other correlations with clinical, laboratory, and molecular findings. A total of 34 MM patients who had undergone autologous stem cell transplantation were included in this retrospective case series study, and FLC quantification was performed with nephelometric assays. In our study, sFLC ratio was significantly associated with light-chain MM and β-2 microglobulin levels, likely indicating a high disease burden at diagnosis, especially in patients without heavy chain M-protein at serum electrophoresis. Moreover, the sFLC ratio was inversely correlated with glomerular filtration rate, possibly identifying early renal damage in MM patients. Our preliminary results confirm the importance of early sFLC evaluation, especially in patients with the light-chain MM type and low disease burden, to minimize the risk of late renal failure.
Association between Polymorphisms in CFH, ARMS2, CFI, and C3 Genes and Response to Anti-VEGF Treatment in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Kozhevnikova Oyuna S. , Fursova Anzhella Zh. , Derbeneva Anna S. , Nikulich Ida F. , Tarasov Mikhail S. , Devyatkin Vasiliy A. , Rumyantseva Yulia V. , Telegina Darya V. , Kolosova Nataliya G.
Published: July 2022

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. The gold standard of nAMD treatment is intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. Genetic factors may influence the response to anti-VEGF therapy and result in a high degree of response variability. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of the polymorphisms in genes related to the complement system (rs2285714-CFI, rs10490924-ARMS2, rs2230199-C3, rs800292-CFH, and rs6677604-CFH) with nAMD its clinical features and optical coherent tomography (OCT) biomarkers of treatment response to anti-VEGF therapy. Genotyping by allele-specific PCR was performed in 193 AMD patients and 147 age-matched controls. A prospective study of the dynamics of changes in OCT biomarkers during aflibercept treatment included 110 treatment-naive patients. Allele T rs10490924 was associated with the increased risk of nAMD. For both rs800292 and rs6677604, carriage of the A allele was protective and decreased the nAMD risk. Associations of rs2230199 with central retinal thickness (CRT) and intraretinal cysts were revealed. The height of pigment epithelium detachment and the height of neuroretinal detachment were significantly higher in carriers of the minor allele of rs2285714, both at baseline and during treatment. The reduction of CRT was associated with higher CRT at baseline and the presence of the T allele of rs2285714. By the end of one-year follow-up the patients homozygous for the minor allele rs2285714 had significantly higher odds of the presence of anastomoses and loops and active neovascular membrane. Furthermore, minor allele carriers had decreased levels of complement factor I level in aqueous humor but not in the plasma, which may be due to the influence of rs2285714 on tissue-specific splicing. Our results suggest that the severity of AMD macular lesions is associated with rs2285714 and rs2230199 polymorphisms, which could be explained by their high regulatory potential. Patients with the minor allele of rs2285714 respond worse to antiangiogenic therapy.
Design of 3D-Printed Electronic Fiber Optic Sensor to Detect Rhodamine B Reagent: An Initiation to Potential Virus Detection
Authors: Guo Ningyuan , Liu Jingwen , He Qing , Zhou Rongyan , Yuan Haobo
Published: July 2022

A fluorescence device based on ultraviolet light is proposed in this paper, which currently stands at the design stage with the eventual aim to potentially detect virus/antibody fluorescence reactions. The designed device is proposed to have the characteristics of high reflectivity, low power consumption, wide spectrum of light source, and proper silver coating. For fabrication and raising product quality, 3D printing technology and a sputtering test will be used. In this connection, this paper firstly introduces the design sources; then, the ideas of inventing fluorescence detection devices based on ultraviolet light, followed by the data analysis as well as discussing the results of computer simulations. The design process, materials, methods, and experiments are demonstrated following the reality work procedure. Instead of directly using a virus or antibodies for the experiment, at the current design stage, we focus on using this device to detect the rhodamine B reagent. Experiment shows that this reagent can be successfully detected. With this achievement, we logically believe that such type of an ultraviolet optical sensor, with further development and testing, may have the possible value to detect a single virus such as COVID-19, as well as other viruses or small molecules. Though there is long way to go to achieve such a goal, future works experimenting with the detection device on real virus or antibodies can take place more efficiently with a good foundation.
Recent Advances in Electrochemical Sensing Strategies for Food Allergen Detection
Authors: Curulli Antonella
Published: July 2022

Food allergy has been indicated as the most frequent adverse reaction to food ingredients over the past few years. Since the only way to avoid the occurrence of allergic phenomena is to eliminate allergenic foods, it is essential to have complete and accurate information on the components of foodstuff. In this framework, it is mandatory and crucial to provide fast, cost-effective, affordable, and reliable analysis methods for the screening of specific allergen content in food products. This review reports the research advancements concerning food allergen detection, involving electrochemical biosensors. It focuses on the sensing strategies evidencing different types of recognition elements such as antibodies, nucleic acids, and cells, among others, the nanomaterial role, the several electrochemical techniques involved and last, but not least, the ad hoc electrodic surface modification approaches. Moreover, a selection of the most recent electrochemical sensors for allergen detection are reported and critically analyzed in terms of the sensors’ analytical performances. Finally, advantages, limitations, and potentialities for practical applications of electrochemical biosensors for allergens are discussed.
Cognitive and Affective Theory of Mind across Adulthood
Authors: Raimo Simona , Cropano Maria , Roldán-Tapia María Dolores , Ammendola Lidia , Malangone Daniela , Santangelo Gabriella
Published: July 2022

Background: Theory of mind (ToM) is a fundamental aspect of social cognition. Previous studies on age-related changes in mentalizing processes have provided conflicting results. This study aims to investigate the age-related changes in the cognitive and affective components of ToM throughout adulthood. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-eight healthy participants divided into five age groups (18–40 years old; 41–50 years old; 51–60 years old; 61–70 years; 71–80 years old) underwent tasks assessing the cognitive (ToM Picture Sequencing Task, TMPS, and the Advanced Test of ToM, ATT) and affective (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task, RMET, and the Emotion Attribution Task, EAT) components of ToM, in both verbal and nonverbal modality. Results: Regarding affective ToM, both the youngest- and middle-old adult groups (61 to 80 years) performed worse than the young and youngest-middle adult groups (18 to 50 years) in the RMET, but no significant differences were found in the EAT. Regarding cognitive ToM, the middle-old adult group (71 to 80 years) performed worse than the young adult group (18 to 40 years) only in the TMPS, but no significant differences were found in the ATT. Conclusion: Rather than a general decline in ToM, our results provide evidence regarding selective changes in ToM in older adults, further confirming the dissociation of cognitive and affective ToM.