bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Tongluozhitong Prescription-Assisted Intra-Articular Injection of Sodium Hyaluronate on VAS Score and Knee Lysholm Score in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Gong Jianfang , Li Qiang , Wei Mengling , Xue Liangliang , Liu Yinlian , Gao Jun , Qin Tiantian
Published: October 2021

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) has become one of the leading causes of workforce loss in the middle-aged and elderly population and a global public health problem second only to cardiovascular disease, so we need to find more effective treatments for this disease. In this study, we selected 120 patients with KOA admitted to our hospital from June 2018 to December 2020 and divided them into treatment group 1, treatment group 2, and joint group according to the random number table method, with 40 patients in each group. Treatment group 1 was treated with Tongluozhitong prescription dip-soaking therapy, treatment 2 group was treated with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate, and the joint group was treated with a combination of both modalities for 4 weeks in all three groups. Clinical efficacy, visual analogue scale (VAS), Lysholm knee score (LKS), activity of daily living score (ADL), the levels of bone metabolic markers such as cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), type II collagen degradation maker (CTX-II), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and the levels of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were used as observations to compare and analyze the therapeutic effects of the three treatment regimens in KOA patients. The results showed that the clinical excellence rates of the joint group, treatment group 1, and treatment group 2 were 72.50%, 50.00%, and 90.00%, respectively, with statistically significant differences between any two comparisons. After treatment, VAS scores, serum COMP, CTX-II, MMP-3, IL-1β, TNF-α, and hs-CRP levels decreased in all three groups, and the levels of each index were as follows: joint group < treatment group 1 < treatment group 2, and the difference between any two comparisons was statistically significant. The LKS score and ADL score increased in all three groups, and the levels of each index were as follows: joint group > treatment group 1 > treatment group 2, with statistically significant differences in any two groups compared. None of the patients in the three groups experienced any significant adverse effects during treatment. This suggests that the dip-soaking therapy of Tongluozhitong prescription is more advantageous than intra-articular sodium hyaluronate injection treatment in suppressing the level of serum bone metabolic markers and inflammatory mediators, reducing pathological joint damage, relieving symptoms of pain, alleviating degenerative joint symptoms, and improving knee function in KOA patients. The combination of the two in KOA patients can significantly improve the efficacy and has a good safety profile.
A Partial Differential Equation-Based Image Restoration Method in Environmental Art Design
Authors: Li Chen
Published: October 2021

With the rapid development of networks and the emergence of various devices, images have become the main form of information transmission in real life. Image restoration, as an important branch of image processing, can be applied to real-life situations such as pixel loss in image transmission or network prone to packet loss. However, existing image restoration algorithms have disadvantages such as fuzzy restoration effect and slow speed; to solve such problems, this paper adopts a dual discriminator model based on generative adversarial networks, which effectively improves the restoration accuracy by adding local discriminators to track the information of local missing regions of images. However, the model is not optimistic in generating reasonable semantic information, and for this reason, a partial differential equation-based image restoration model is proposed. A classifier and a feature extraction network are added to the dual discriminator model to provide category, style, and content loss constraints to the generative network, respectively. To address the training instability problem of discriminator design, spectral normalization is introduced to the discriminator design. Extensive experiments are conducted on a data dataset of partial differential equations, and the results show that the partial differential equation-based image restoration model provides significant improvements in image restoration over previous methods and that image restoration techniques are exceptionally important in the application of environmental art design.
Effect of Epidural Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant to Local Anesthetics for Labor Analgesia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Li Nijuan , Hu Li , Li Chunping , Pan Xuelin , Tang Yong
Published: October 2021

Background. This study aims to determine the analgesic effect and safety of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to epidural local anesthetics during labor. Methods. Randomized controlled trials comparing epidural blocks with or without dexmedetomidine for labor analgesia were comprehensively searched. Review manager 5.4 was used to analyze the extracted data. Results. Compared with placebo and opioids, dexmedetomidine relieved labor pain of 15 min (

P
=
0.002

), 30 min (

P
=
0.01

), and 120 min (

P
=
0.02

) after block and at the moment of fetal disengagement (

P
=
0.0002

), decreased mean arterial pressure of 120 min (

P
=
0.01

), heart rate of 30 min (

P
=
0.003

), 60 min (

P
<
0.00001

), and 120 min (

P
<
0.00001

) after block, blood loss (

P
=
0.02

), and the incidence of nausea/vomiting (

P
=
0.006

), and increased the incidence of maternal bradycardia (

P
=
0.04

). However, sensitivity analysis only found that the incidence of nausea/vomiting was significantly different. Compared with placebo, dexmedetomidine relieved labor pain of 30 min after block (

P
<
0.00001

) and did not increase the incidences of side effects, but only two studies were enrolled. Compared with opioids, dexmedetomidine decreased the incidence of nausea/vomiting (

P
=
0.002

), increased the incidence of maternal bradycardia (

P
=
0.04

), and had a similar effect on labor pain relief; however, sensitivity analysis found that significant difference existed only at the incidence of nausea/vomiting. Other outcomes from meta-analysis or subgroup analysis were not different. Conclusions. Epidural dexmedetomidine has the potential to offer a better analgesic effect than placebo, similar labor pain control to opioids, and has no definite adverse effects on the parturient or fetus, but more high-quality studies are needed to confirm these conclusions.
A Rare Case of Fatal Hemorrhagic Stroke in a Young Female with Early Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Authors: Agapoff IV James R.
Published: October 2021

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) often presents as a slow progressive illness with low morbidity and mortality. Serious central nervous system disease is uncommon, and fatal outcomes are rarely seen. Here, we report a rare case of fatal hemorrhagic stroke in a 43-year-old female with a rapidly progressive MCTD. She presented to primary care with a history of headaches, visual disturbances, and unprovoked lower extremity swelling and pain. A rheumatological workup showed positive antinuclear (ANA) and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) found a 12 mm hemorrhage along a cortical sulcus of the right frontal lobe, and a follow-up magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and ophthalmological exam showed no definitive signs of vasculitis. Over the course of her workup, she developed swollen hands, Raynaud’s syndrome, myalgias, and synovitis characteristic of evolving MCTD. The patient then began to experience severe headaches over one month. Repeat MRI was ordered, but never completed, and the patient presented to the emergency department (ED) with a severe, right-sided headache, and left-sided visual disturbance. In the ED, she began to display evidence of delirium and seizure activity and became unresponsive. A computerized tomography scan (CT) of the brain showed a right parietal lobe intraparenchymal hemorrhage approximately 5 × 3 × 5 cm in size with secondary mass effect including mid- and hind-brain herniation. Computerized tomography angiography (CTA) of the brain showed signs of large vessel vasculitis. A craniectomy was performed; however, the patient never regained consciousness and died several days later. Vasculitis, while rare in connective tissue diseases, should be aggressively assessed for and managed in patients with any early signs and symptoms of cerebrovascular involvement to prevent fatal outcomes.
Crack Growth Signal Processing Approach Combining Wavelet Threshold Denoising and Variable Amplitude DCPD Technique
Authors: Ni Chenqiang , Xue He , Wang Shuai , Fang Xiurong , Yang Hongliang
Published: October 2021

The direct current potential drop (DCPD) method is widely used in laboratory environments to monitor the crack initiation and propagation of specimens. In this study, an anti-interference signal processing approach, combining wavelet threshold denoising and a variable current amplitude DCPD signal synthesis technique, was proposed. Adaptive wavelet threshold denoising using Stein’s unbiased risk estimate was applied to the main potential drop signal and the reference potential signal under two different current amplitudes to reduce the interference caused by noise. Thereafter, noise-reduced signals were synthesized to eliminate the time-varying thermal electromotive force. The multiplicative interference signal was eliminated by normalizing the main potential drop signal and the reference potential drop signal. This signal processing approach was applied to the crack growth monitoring data of 316 L stainless steel compact tension specimens in a laboratory environment, and the signal processing results of static cracks and propagation cracks under different load conditions were analyzed. The results showed that the proposed approach can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio as well as the accuracy and resolution of the crack growth measurement.
The Spatial Spillover Effect of Environmental Regulation and Technological Innovation on Industrial Carbon Productivity in China: A Two-Dimensional Structural Heterogeneity Analysis
Authors: Ren Xiaosong , Wu Xuting , Liu Yujia , Sun Sha
Published: October 2021

Environmental regulation and technological innovation are two crucial factors for improving industrial carbon productivity. However, prior research ignored the spatial spillover effects of these factors, and heterogeneity caused by industrialization level and resource dependence did not acquire attention either. Thus, we use the STIRPAT model and spatial panel Durbin model to study the spatial spillover effects of two independent variables. Then, a two-dimensional structural heterogeneity analysis is conducted according to the industrialization level and resource dependence. The results are as follows: improving environmental regulation and technological innovation is good for industrial carbon productivity. Simultaneously, there are obvious regional differences under two-dimensional structural heterogeneity. From the perspective of space, industrial carbon productivity has high spatial autocorrelation, and it can be enhanced through local environmental legislation, as well as technological innovation. Environmental regulation’s spatial spillover impact inhibits the improvement of industrial carbon productivity in surrounding provinces, resulting in a pollution haven effect. However, there is no evident regional spillover effect of technological innovation. Therefore, we provided new perspectives from spatial spillover and structural heterogeneity to optimize low-carbon policies.
The Mechanism Exploration of Follicular Fluids on Granulose Cell Apoptosis in Endometriosis‐Associated Infertility
Authors: Chen Lu , Ni Zhexin , Cai Zailong , Cheng Wen , Sun Shuai , Yu Chaoqin , JinYu
Published: October 2021

Objective. To explore the mechanisms of follicular fluids (FFs) on granulose cell (GC) apoptosis in endometriosis‐associated infertility. Materials and Methods. 60 infertile women were enrolled. The FFs from 30 endometriosis‐associated infertility (EI) patients were collected and processed by ELISA hormone assay and proteomic profiling. The ovary GCs collected from 30 tubal‐associated infertility (TI) patients were cultured in follicular fluids of endometriosis‐associated infertility patients (EI‐FFs), and the apoptosis mechanisms were explored by flow cytometry assay, real‐time PCR, Western blotting, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Results. Our results showed that the expression of 22 specific proteins was significantly different in the FFs from EI and TI patients, and the level of testosterone and anti‐Müllerian hormone was not obviously different between the two groups. EI‐FFs could accelerate the apoptosis process of granulose cells of tubal‐associated infertility patients (TI‐GCs) by regulating the expression of 5 apoptosis‐related proteins including BCL2, BAX, CASP3, CASP9, and TP53. The correlation of these 22 specific proteins and 5 apoptosis‐related proteins was analyzed by PPI, and 5 protein biomarkers (INS, CXCL10, ICAM1, WIF1, and TNFRSF13C) and 5 signaling pathways (cytokine‐cytokine receptor interaction, apoptosis, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, MAPK, and p53 signaling pathway) were predicted. Conclusion. This research clarified the effect and explored the mechanisms of EI‐FFs on the apoptosis of TI‐GCs and indicated the protein biomarkers and signaling pathways for further study.
Internet of Things‐Based Smart Electricity Monitoring and Control System Using Usage Data
Authors: Hasan Mohammad Kamrul , Ahmed Musse Mohamud , Pandey Bishwajeet , Gohel Hardik , Islam Shayla , Khalid Izzul Fitrie
Published: October 2021

In everyday life, electricity is necessary, and proper use is critical. To strengthen home electricity control, the existing systems have been examined over the years. However, the existing PMAS method’s error ratio is higher and does not allow for a remote monitoring system. Therefore, this study proposes a smart monitoring and control system (SMACS) for household appliances. The application’s significance is to monitor household appliances’ electricity usage using hardware and the Internet of Things (IoT) methods. The prototype of the proposed system is designed and developed considering Arduino UNO, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an ACS712 current sensor module, relays, and AC sources. The components are selected from the software library, and the simulation results are found the same as the prototype. WiFi module ESP8266 is not included in the design because it is not provided in the system. The data is recorded in cloud storage using Thing‐speak. A mobile application (Virtuino) also accesses the data to visualize it through the graphical and numerical display. This study provides users with an easy system to monitor and control household appliances’ power consumption using mobile applications. Results show that the proposed system provides 0.6% current errors for the hairdryer appliance, whereas the existing Power Monitoring and Switching (PMAS) system provides 7.8% current errors.
ADAM17 Mediates Hypoxia‐Induced Keratinocyte Migration via the p38/MAPK Pathway
Authors: Zhu Guoqin , Liu Jie , Wang Yuan , Jia Naixin , Wang Weiyi , Zhang Junhui , Liang Yi , Tian Hao , Zhang Jiaping
Published: October 2021

Although hypoxia has been shown to promote keratinocyte migration and reepithelialization, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. ADAM17, a member of the metalloproteinase superfamily, has been implicated in a variety of cellular behaviors such as proliferation, adhesion, and migration. ADAM17 is known to promote cancer cell migration under hypoxia, and whether or how ADAM17 plays a role in hypoxia‐induced keratinocyte migration has not been identified. Here, we found that ADAM17 expression and activity were significantly promoted in keratinocytes under hypoxic condition, inhibition of ADAM17 by TAPI‐2, or silencing of ADAM17 using small interfering RNA which suppressed the hypoxia‐induced migration of keratinocytes significantly, indicating a pivotal role for ADAM17 in keratinocyte migration. Further, we showed that p38/MAPK was activated by hypoxia. SB203580, an inhibitor of p38/MAPK, significantly attenuated the upregulation of ADAM17 as well as the migration of keratinocytes induced by hypoxia. Activation of p38/MAPK by MKK6 (Glu) overexpression, however, had adverse effects. Taken together, our study demonstrated that hypoxia‐induced keratinocyte migration requires the p38/MAPK‐ADAM17 signal axis, which sheds new light on the regulatory mechanisms of keratinocyte migration. Our study might also help in developing therapeutic strategies to facilitate wound healing in vivo, where cells are migrated in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Investigation of Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Coal after Freeze-Thaw Cyclic Conditions
Authors: Gong Shuang , Wang Wen , Xi Furui , Shen Wenlong
Published: October 2021

Due to the extensive excavation of the mine pit, a special frozen rock slope is formed, which transforms the permafrost (coal rock) of certain thickness in the frozen state to the melting state. To evaluate the dynamic mechanical properties and deformation characteristics of coal under cyclic freeze-thaw conditions, freeze-thaw experiments with different cycle times were conducted. And the mechanical properties of coal under quasistatic and dynamic conditions were investigated by using GCTS multifunctional rock mechanic experimental apparatus and SHPB dynamic loading apparatus, respectively. The results show that with the increase of freeze-thawing times, mass of both water-saturated and dried coal samples gradually decreased, the postpeak becomes gentler, and the specimens show ductile damage characteristics. The damage of the coal samples changed more after 30 freeze-thaw cycles, when deterioration of the coal samples was highest. The elastic modulus of the coal sample after freeze-thawing decreases continuously with the increase of the number of freeze-thaw cycles, and its trend decreases approximately linearly. Dynamic compressive strength of the coal samples decreases after freeze-thaw cycles, and this trend is consistent with the quasistatic loading conditions.
Water Pollution Control and Treatment Based on Quantum Dot Chemical and Biological High‐Sensitivity Sensing
Authors: Zheng Guihua , Li Shiyao , Zhang Ting , Zhu Feiyun , Sun Jing , Li Shuangjiang , You Linfeng
Published: October 2021

Inorganic pollutants in water can have an important impact on ecosystems and human health, so the development of rapid and sensitive detection methods for typical inorganic pollutants in water samples is important for understanding the pollution status of the water environment, as well as water pollution prevention and protection of drinking water safety. Fluorescence sensing technology has the advantages of fast response, high sensitivity, simple operation, and low cost but still has the problems of low quantum yield, cumbersome construction process, and limited practical applications. Based on the excellent fluorescence properties, a series of fluorescence sensing was constructed for the rapid, highly sensitive, and selective detection of various typical inorganic pollutants in water. And the related fluorescence sensing mechanism was investigated in this paper. In this paper, nitrogen/sulfur codoped carbon quantum dots (N, S‐CQDs) were prepared for the sensitive and selective detection of sulfide and ferric ion. The blue fluorescent N, S‐CQDs were prepared by a one‐step hydrothermal method using ammonium citrate and L‐cysteine as raw materials, which have excitation wavelength dependence and fluorescence quantum yield of 16.1% for the selective detection of sulfides with a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 11.0 nM (about 0.35 μg/L). CQDs with significantly higher fluorescence quantum yields (69%) and no excitation dependence were prepared when citric acid was used instead of ammonium citrate and were used for the selective detection of ferric ion with a detection limit of 14.0 nM (~0.8 μg/L). The method has been successfully applied to the determination of total phosphorus in surface water and human urine, and the fluorescence color change of the dual‐emission sensing can be used for the naked‐eye identification and semiquantitative detection of phosphate.
Field Validation for the Constructability of Exposed Aggregate Concrete Overlay
Authors: Kim Jaehoon , Rith Makara , Lee Seung Woo , Kim Young Kyu
Published: October 2021

Functional performance of existing concrete pavement is necessarily improved to maintain the low tire‐pavement noise and the long‐term skid resistance. Thus, exposed aggregate concrete overlay is introduced since these high functional performances are expected. Its surface texture requires the removal of cement mortar to expose the aggregates. This technique results a durable surface texture and an effective surface drainage through the random shape of aggregates. In Korea, concrete overlay is allowed to construct between 200 and 400 meters per day. This concrete amount is insufficient to use batch plant. Therefore, mobile mixer is employed to supply a consistent quality and on‐time production. In addition, surface texture of this overlay method is significantly related to the reduction of tire‐pavement noise. Accordingly, outcome of surface texture should be validated in the real field construction. This study intended to verify the constructability of exposed aggregate concrete overlay using mobile mixer for concrete production and deck finisher for concrete placement to acquire the surface texture and structural strengths. Surface texture and concrete strengths from mock‐up and laboratory tests were measured and compared with design criteria. This research indicated that the suggested equipment and construction procedure can efficiently maintain the required surface texture of EACO for low tire‐pavement noise and the adequate strengths for early traffic opening.
Employing Multimodal Machine Learning for Stress Detection
Authors: Walambe Rahee , Nayak Pranav , Bhardwaj Ashmit , Kotecha Ketan
Published: October 2021

In the current information age, the human lifestyle has become more knowledge-oriented, leading to sedentary employment. This has given rise to a number of health and mental disorders. Mental wellness is one of the most neglected, however crucial, aspects of today’s fast-paced world. Mental health issues can, both directly and indirectly, affect other sections of human physiology and impede an individual’s day-to-day activities and performance. However, identifying the stress and finding the stress trend for an individual that may lead to serious mental ailments is challenging and involves multiple factors. Such identification can be achieved accurately by fusing these multiple modalities (due to various factors) arising from a person’s behavioral patterns. Specific techniques are identified in the literature for this purpose; however, very few machine learning-based methods are proposed for such multimodal fusion tasks. In this work, a multimodal AI-based framework is proposed to monitor a person’s working behavior and stress levels. We propose a methodology for efficiently detecting stress due to workload by concatenating heterogeneous raw sensor data streams (e.g., face expressions, posture, heart rate, and computer interaction). This data can be securely stored and analyzed to understand and discover personalized unique behavioral patterns leading to mental strain and fatigue. The contribution of this work is twofold: firstly, proposing a multimodal AI-based strategy for fusion to detect stress and its level and, secondly, identifying a stress pattern over a period of time. We were able to achieve 96.09% accuracy on the test set in stress detection and classification. Further, we were able to reduce the stress scale prediction model loss to 0.036 using these modalities. This work can prove important for the community at large, specifically those working sedentary jobs, to monitor and identify stress levels, especially in current times of COVID-19.
Exploration of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen in Treating Insomnia Based on Network Pharmacology Strategy
Authors: Feipeng Gong , Luxin Xie , Beili Chen , Songhong Yang , Wenting Wu , Junmao Li , Qianfeng Gong , Lingyun Zhong , Jianxiong Wu
Published: October 2021

Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS) is a common natural medicine used to treat insomnia, and to show clearly its method of action, we managed and did an in-depth discussion. Network pharmacology research is very suitable for the analysis of multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to the relevant theory, we first carefully collected and screened the active ingredients in ZSS and received 11 active ingredients that may work. The targets going along with these active components were also strongly related to insomnia targets, 108 common genes were identified, and drug-compound-gene symbol-disease visualization network and protein-protein interaction network were constructed. Forty-eight core genes were identified by PPI analysis and subjected to GO functional analysis with KEGG pathway analysis. The results of GO analysis pointed that there were 998 gene ontology items for the treatment of insomnia, including terms of 892 biological processes, 47 cellular components, and 59 molecular functions. It mainly shows the coupling effect and transport mode of some proteins in the biological pathways of ZSS in the treatment of insomnia and explains the mechanism of action through the connection between the target and the cell biomembrane. KEGG enrichment analyzed 19 signaling pathways, which were collectively classified into seven categories. We have identified the potential pathways of ZSS against insomnia and obtained the regulatory relationship between core genes and pathways and know that the same target can be regulated by multiple components at the same time. The results of molecular docking also prove this conclusion. We sought to provide a new analytical approach to explore TCM treatments for diseases using network pharmacology analysis tools.
An Algorithm for Detecting Collision Risk between Trucks and Pedestrians in the Connected Environment
Authors: Son Seung-oh , Park Juneyoung , Oh Cheol , Yeom Chunho
Published: October 2021

This study develops an algorithm to detect the risk of collision between trucks (i.e., yard tractors) and pedestrians (i.e., workers) in the connected environment of the port. The algorithm consists of linear regression-based movable coordinate predictions and vertical distance and angle judgments considering the moving characteristics of objects. Time-to-collision for port workers (TTCP) is developed to reflect the characteristics of the port using the predictive coordinates. This study assumes the connected environment in which yard tractors and workers can share coordinates of each object in real time using the Internet of Things (IoT) network. By utilizing microtraffic simulations, a port network is implemented, and the algorithm is verified using data from simulated workers and yard trucks in the connected environment. The risk detection algorithm is validated using confusion matrix. Validation results show that the true-positive rate (TPR) is 61.5∼98.0%, the false-positive rate (FPR) is 79.6∼85.9%, and the accuracy is 72.2∼88.8%. This result implies that the metric scores improve as the data collection cycle increases. This is expected to be useful for sustainable transportation industry sites, particularly IoT-based safety management plans, designed to ensure the safety of pedestrians from crash risk by heavy vehicles (such as yard tractors).
A Dual PI3K/HDAC Inhibitor Induces Immunogenic Ferroptosis to Potentiate Cancer Immune Checkpoint Therapy
Authors: Fan Fushun , Liu Pei , Bao Rudi , Chen Jian , Zhou Minhua , Mo Zhenxian , Ma Yaru , Liu Haiqi , Zhou Yiping , Cai Xiong , Qian Changgeng , Liu Xinjian
Published: October 2021

The capacity of targeted anticancer agents to exert immunomodulatory effects provides a strong rationale to develop novel agents suitable for combinatorial regimens with immunotherapy to improve clinical outcomes. In this study, we developed a dual-targeting PI3K and HDAC inhibitor BEBT-908 that potently inhibits tumor cell growth and potentiates anti-PD1 therapy in mice by inducing immunogenic ferroptosis in cancer cells. Treatment with BEBT-908 promoted ferroptotic cell death of cancer cells by hyperacetylating p53 and facilitating the expression of ferroptotic signaling. Furthermore, BEBT-908 promoted a proinflammatory tumor microenvironment that activated host antitumor immune responses and potentiated immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Mechanistically, BEBT-908–induced ferroptosis led to upregulation of MHC class I and activation of endogenous IFNγ signaling in cancer cells via the STAT1 signaling pathway. The dual PI3K/HDAC inhibitor BEBT-908 is a promising targeted therapeutic agent against multiple cancer types that promotes immunogenic ferroptosis and enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Significance:

The dual PI3K/HDAC inhibitor BEBT-908 elicits potent antitumor responses, effectively inducing immunogenic ferroptosis of tumor cells and potentiating cancer immunotherapy.
Gut Microbiome–Dependent Metabolic Pathways and Risk of Lethal Prostate Cancer: Prospective Analysis of a PLCO Cancer Screening Trial Cohort
Authors: Reichard Chad A. , Naelitz Bryan D. , Wang Zeneng , Jia Xun , Li Jianbo , Stampfer Meir J. , Klein Eric A. , Hazen Stanley L. , Sharifi Nima
Published: October 2021

Background:

Diet and the gut microbiome have a complex interaction that generates metabolites with an unclear effect on lethal prostate cancer risk. Identification of modifiable risk factors for lethal prostate cancer is challenging given the long natural history of this disease and difficulty of prospectively identifying lethal cancers.

Methods:

Mass spectrometry was performed on baseline serum samples collected from 173 lethal prostate cancer cases and 519 controls enrolled in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening trial. Baseline serum levels of choline, carnitine, betaine, γ-butyrobetaine, crotonobetaine, phenylacetylglutamine, hippuric acid, and p-cresol sulfate were quantified and analyzed by quartile. Conditional multivariable logistic regression analysis associated analyte levels with lethal prostate cancer incidence after adjusting for body mass index and PSA. The Cochran–Armitage test evaluated analyte level trends across quartiles.

Results:

Relative to those in the first quartile, cases with the highest baseline levels of choline (Q4 OR: 2.19; 95% CI, 1.23–3.90; P-trend: 0.005) and betaine (Q4 OR: 1.86; 95% CI, 1.05–3.30; P-trend: 0.11) exhibited increased odds of developing lethal prostate cancer. Higher baseline serum levels of phenylacetylglutamine (Q4 OR: 2.55; 95% CI, 1.40–4.64; P-trend: 0.003), a gut microbiome metabolite of phenylalanine with adrenergic activity, were also associated with lethal prostate cancer.

Conclusions:

Baseline serum levels of one-carbon methyl donors and adrenergic compounds resulting from human and gut microbiota–mediated metabolism are associated with increased lethal prostate cancer risk.

Impact:

Dietary composition, circulating metabolite levels, and downstream signaling pathways may represent modifiable risk factors associated with incident lethal prostate cancer. Beta-adrenergic blockade represents an additional target for oncologic risk reduction.
Intracellular Cholesterol Pools Regulate Oncogenic Signaling and Epigenetic Circuitries in Early T-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Rashkovan Marissa , Albero Robert , Gianni Francesca , Perez-Duran Pablo , Miller Hannah I. , Mackey Adam L. , Paietta Elisabeth M. , Tallman Martin S. , Rowe Jacob M. , Litzow Mark R. , Wiernik Peter H. , Luger Selina , Sulis Maria Luisa , Soni Rajesh K. , Ferrando Adolfo A.
Published: October 2021

Early T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy associated with early relapse and poor prognosis that is genetically, immunophenotypically, and transcriptionally distinct from more mature T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) tumors. Here, we leveraged global metabolomic and transcriptomic profiling of primary ETP- and T-ALL leukemia samples to identify specific metabolic circuitries differentially active in this high-risk leukemia group. ETP-ALLs showed increased biosynthesis of phospholipids and sphingolipids and were specifically sensitive to inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway. Mechanistically, inhibition of cholesterol synthesis inhibited oncogenic AKT1 signaling and suppressed MYC expression via loss of chromatin accessibility at a leukemia stem cell–specific long-range MYC enhancer. In all, these results identify the mevalonate pathway as a druggable novel vulnerability in high-risk ETP-ALL cells and uncover an unanticipated critical role for cholesterol biosynthesis in signal transduction and epigenetic circuitries driving leukemia cell growth and survival.

Significance:

Overtly distinct cell metabolic pathways operate in ETP- and T-ALL pointing to specific metabolic vulnerabilities. Inhibition of mevalonate biosynthesis selectively blocks oncogenic AKT–MYC signaling in ETP-ALL and suppresses leukemia cell growth. Ultimately, these results will inform the development of novel tailored and more effective treatments for patients with high-risk ETP-ALL.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 587
Automated Large Artery Occlusion Detection in Stroke: A Single-Center Validation Study of an Artificial Intelligence Algorithm
Authors: Rodrigues Gabriel , Barreira Clara M. , Bouslama Mehdi , Haussen Diogo C. , Al-Bayati Alhamza , Pisani Leonardo , Liberato Bernardo , Bhatt Nirav , Frankel Michael R. , Nogueira Raul G.
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Expediting notification of lesions in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is critical. Limited availability of experts to assess such lesions and delays in large vessel occlusion (LVO) recognition can negatively affect outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) may aid LVO recognition and treatment. This study aims to evaluate the performance of an AI-based algorithm for LVO detection in AIS. Methods: Retrospective analysis of a database of AIS patients admitted in a single center between 2014 and 2019. Vascular neurologists graded computed tomography angiographies (CTAs) for presence and site of LVO. Studies were analyzed by the Viz-LVO Algorithm® version 1.4 – neural network programmed to detect occlusions from the internal carotid artery terminus (ICA-T) to the Sylvian fissure. Comparisons between human versus AI-based readings were done by test characteristic analysis and Cohen’s kappa. Primary analysis included ICA-T and/or middle cerebral artery (MCA)-M1 LVOs versus non-LVOs/more distal occlusions. Secondary analysis included MCA-M2 occlusions. Results: 610 CTAs were analyzed. The AI algorithm rejected 2.5% of the CTAs due to poor quality, which were excluded from the analysis. Viz-LVO identified ICA-T and MCA-M1 LVOs with a sensitivity of 87.6%, specificity of 88.5%, and accuracy of 87.9% (AUC 0.88, 95% CI: 0.85–0.92, p < 0.001). Cohen’s kappa was 0.74. In the secondary analysis, the algorithm yielded a sensitivity of 80.3%, specificity of 88.5%, and accuracy of 82.7%. The mean run time of the algorithm was 2.78 ± 0.5 min. Conclusion: Automated AI reading allows for fast and accurate identification of LVO strokes with timely notification to emergency teams, enabling quick decision-making for reperfusion therapies or transfer to specialized centers if needed.
A new species of Abacarus Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) from Brazil
Authors: Flechtmann Carlos Holger Wenzel , Tassi Aline Daniele
Published: October 2021

Zoysiagrass is an important ornamental and turfgrass cultivated in different countries. Recently, damage to this plant, characterized by a type of witch’s broom and stunting were observed in southern Brazil, suggesting possible attack by mites. A detailed examination of these plants showed the presence of a new mite species, Abacarus zoysiae Flechtmann & Tassi sp. nov., as responsible for the damage. The objective of this publication is to describe that new species, based on adult females and males.
Species list of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Nhecolândia, Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Martins Mila Ferraz de Oliveira , Nickele Mariane Aparecida , Feitosa Rodrigo Machado , Pie Marcio Roberto , Reis-Filho Wilson
Published: October 2021

This study provides a list of the ground-dwelling ant species in Nhecolândia, Pantanal, Mato Grosso Sul, Brazil. The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland in the world and is currently under strong anthropic pressure. Ground-dwelling ants were collected in three sites: (1) a forest regeneration area; (2) a pasture area; and (3) an area of secondary native vegetation. In each site, 120 samples were collected using pitfall traps in the dry and rainy seasons of 2016. Additional samplings were performed with Winkler extractors (30 leaf-litter samples) and manually, also in dry and rainy seasons of 2016. In total, we collected 172 species, which, summed with the additional records from literature, raise the number of ant species recorded in Nhecolândia to 184 in 42 genera and nine subfamilies. Eleven species were recorded for the first time in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Also, the survey adds two new species records to Brazil. Besides contributing to the inventory of the ant species present in the Pantanal biome, the present study provides an important resource for future conservation plans for this threatened ecoregion.
Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)
Authors: Zocche Jairo José , Carvalho Fernando , Cruz-Neto Ariovaldo Pereira
Published: October 2021

Cinclodes pabsti is an endemic passerine restricted to the highland areas in southern Brazil. The aim of this study was to provide information on its breeding biology. The nesting cavities along road cuts were monitored from May 2008 to March 2011. The survey was carried out monthly from May to July 2008, February to July 2009, 2010 (non-breeding season), weekly from August 2008 to January 2009, 2010 (breeding season), and on a 2 to 4-days basis from August 2010 to January 2011. The geographic location, physical characteristics, and soil/substrate type in which the nesting cavities were situated were recorded. The total number of cavities used in the three breeding seasons was 136, resulting in 295 nests. The distance of a nest to its nearest neighbor ranged from 24-2,368 m, with a higher number of nests (n = 34; 59.7%) in the distance interval of 24-500 m. There was a greater usage of cavities located in Inceptisols, and the distances of nesting cavity entrances to the ground and to the top of road cuts were 1.6 ± 0.9 m and 0.8 ± 0.62 m, respectively. The breeding season lasted 148 days from mid-August to early January. Clutch size (n = 256) varied from 2 to 3 eggs, and the eggs (n = 155) had a total length of 27.2 ± 1.3 mm, breadth of 20.9 ± 0.8 mm, and mass of 6.2 ± 0.7 g. The incubation phase lasted 17.3 ± 0.8 days and the nestling phase for 18.3 ± 1.5 days. The body mass of the chicks was 6.0 ± 1.0 g just after hatching and reached a maximum of 59.6 ± 2.4 g at 16 days of age. Our results can contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge of C. pabsti ecology, because its habitat is under high anthropic pressures and the information on its life history is yet limited.
New genus and species of Schizomyiina (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Brazil
Authors: Proença Barbara , Cid Maia Valéria
Published: October 2021

A new gall midge genus, Distinctamyia gen. nov., and a new species Distinctamyia matogrossensis sp. nov. (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) are herein described and illustrated (larvae, pupal exuviae, male and female). The new species induces conical, green, hairy and one chambered galls on leaf and bud of Simarouba amara Aubl. (Simaroubaceae). Gall-inducer specimens, samples of gall and host plant were collected at Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, in the state of Mato Grosso (Midwestern Brazil).
A preliminary survey and range extension of millipedes species introduced in Brazil (Myriapoda, Diplopoda)
Authors: Iniesta Luiz Felipe Moretti , Bouzan Rodrigo Salvador , Rodrigues Patrícia Elesbão da Silva , Almeida Thais Melo de , Ott Ricardo , Brescovit Antonio Domingos
Published: October 2021

The present study provides historical and new records of the introduced millipedes species in Brazil, Oxidus gracilis (C.L. Koch, 1847), Orthomorpha coarctata (Saussure, 1860) (Paradoxosomatidae), Prosopodesmus jacobsoni Silvestri, 1910 (Haplodesmidae), Trachyjulus calvus (Pocock, 1893a), Glyphiulus granulatus (Gervais, 1847) (Cambalopsidae), Trigoniulus corallinus (Gervais, 1842), Leptogoniulus sorornus (Butler, 1876), Epitrigoniulus cruentatus (Brölemann, 1903) (Pachybolidae), Paraspirobolus lucifugus (Gervais, 1837) (Spirobolellidae), Cylindroiulus britannicus (Verhoeff, 1891), Cylindroiulus truncorum (Silvestri, 1896) (Julidae), and Rhinotus purpureus (Pocock, 1894) (Siphonotidae). Among the 27 federative units in Brazil, 21 states present at least one record of a non-native species. Orthomorpha coarctata was the most widely distributed species, occurring in 15 states. Glyphiulus granulatus (state of Rio Grande do Sul), C. truncorum (São Paulo), and R. purpureus (Amazonas) were recorded from only one Brazilian state. The Southeast region concentrates most of the compiled records (42,6%) and richness by grid (5-7 species), mainly in urban areas of the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Megalopodidae (Insecta, Coleoptera): new occurrence and host plant records for Brazil
Authors: Morais Daniela Machado da Rosa , Rodríguez-Mirón Geovanni Miguel , Linzmeier Adelita Maria
Published: October 2021

The Brazilian Megalopodidae fauna consists of 147 species from 11 genera, of which Mastostethus Lacordaire is the most diverse, representing about half of the species. Nevertheless, knowledge about species distributions and their relationships with host plants is still scarce. Since this group has endophytic immatures and bore into branches, they are economically important as they mainly damage Solanaceae species. Thus, this study sought to determine the Megalopodidae species that occur in forest fragments of southwestern and western Paraná and associate them with their host plants. For this purpose, we used material collected with Malaise traps and active manual sampling to determine associations with host plants. A total of 170 specimens of 11 species were sampled, of which Pseudhomalopterus carinatus Pic, 1920 was the most abundant and collected in all fragments. Four species were sampled exclusively through manual collections and associated with their host plants, all of which were new association records for Brazilian megalopodides. Mastostethus pantherinus Lacordaire, 1845 was associated with an Asteraceae for the first time. Additionally, Mastostethus minutus Monrós, 1947 is a new record for Brazil.
The first Dexiinae from Mauritius: the description of a new species of Pandelleia Villeneuve, 1907 (Diptera, Tachinidae)
Authors: De Santis Marcelo Domingos , Nihei Silvio Shigueo
Published: October 2021

A new species of the Afro-Palearctic genus Pandelleia Villeneuve, 1907 (Diptera: Tachinidae), P. crosskeyi sp. nov., from Mauritius is described. This is the first Dexiinae to be described from Mauritius. In addition, this new species corresponds to the ninth species for this genus, and the third in the Afrotropics. The main external features that distinguish it from the other species in this genus is the abdomen that lacks the pair of small, round and dark brown spots, vein M ending in R₄₊₅ at a 90° angle, and female with dark brown scutellum.
Bird-plant interaction networks in native forests and eucalyptus plantations within a protected area
Authors: Baldiviezo Cristian Daniel Veliz , Passos Marcela Fortes de Oliveira , Azevedo Cristiano Schetini de
Published: October 2021

Frugivory is a plant-animal mutualistic interaction carried out mostly by birds. It consists in the bird consumption of fruits with later dispersion of the plants' seeds, helping in the vegetation regeneration. Frugivory can be affected by the habitat fragmentation and introduction of exotic species, which may alter the species interaction by extinction or competitor introduction. This study aimed to compare the structure of the network of frugivorous interactions between birds and plants in native forest and eucalyptus plantation. Birds were captured by mist nets and had their feces collected. Later, the seeds were identified in laboratory. The records of fruit consumption by birds in the zoochoric plant species present in the study area were also conducted. The data collected was used to build a network of interactions and identify the most important network metrics, species, and ecological functional groups in the studied environments. The results showed that the species composition, the connectivity of the relationships, the importance of the species for the interaction networks and the number of subgroups within the networks were highly similar between the native forest and the eucalyptus plantation. This could be explained by the favorable conditions that the studied eucalyptus plantations presented, such as the lack of anthropogenic activities, well-developed understory, and the presence of native surrounding vegetation, allowing practically the same seed dispersal capacity in both types of environments.
Agricultural activities and threat to fauna in Brazil: an analysis of the Red Book of Endangered Brazilian Fauna
Authors: Oliveira Marcelo Marcelino de , Morato Ronaldo Gonçalves , Jorge Rodrigo Silva Pinto , Paula Rogério Cunha de
Published: October 2021

The recent edition of the Red Book of Endangered Brazilian Fauna brings 1,173 threatened species, 86% of them in terrestrial or freshwater environments. For these species, the main threat vector is agricultural activities that affect 519 species (51%). This information brought by the Red Book is examined in-depth and its consistency is discussed in search of an objective view on the impacts of agriculture, its importance, how they affect the different groups of animals, the different biomes of the country, and the different types of habitats continental. Birds, fish, and invertebrates are the groups with the highest number of species threatened by agricultural activity, accounting for more than 70% of the species. Habitat loss is by far the biggest impact caused by the activity, affecting almost 90% of the species. However, there is a difference between the impact of agriculture and livestock. The work seeks to understand why livestock threatens a smaller number of species, although pastures occupy more than twice the area occupied by crops and forestry. The work brings an objective debate on the relationship between agricultural activities and the conservation of wild fauna in Brazil, without falling into the trap of the useless demonization of human activities, highlighting, instead, the need to define and implement strategies for the conservation of biodiversity in the midst the land use matrix itself, complementary to the conservation units, based on the best available information on the vulnerability of fauna to the impacts of this vector.