bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Elderly Patients: The Impact of Sarcopenia
Authors: Hisada Hiroyuki , Tsuji Yosuke , Cho Rina , Miura Yuko , Mizutani Hiroya , Ohki Daisuke , Yakabi Seiichi , Takahashi Yu , Sakaguchi Yoshiki , Kakushima Naomi , Yamamichi Nobutake , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is a public health concern associated with high incidence rates. Sarcopenia is a known risk factor for postoperative complications, although an association between increased complications after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and sarcopenia remains undocumented. Herein, we aimed to explore the feasibility of colorectal ESD in patients with sarcopenia. Methods: This retrospective study included 499 patients (69 with and 430 without sarcopenia). We evaluated the short- and long-term outcomes of colorectal ESD. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding en bloc, R0, or curative resection rates. However, poor bowel preparation was significantly more common in the sarcopenia group. Moreover, patients with sarcopenia exhibited a significant increase in complications (37.7% vs. 10.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed that sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR]: 3.78, 95% confidence interval [Cl]: 1.85–7.73, p < 0.001), anticoagulation therapy (OR: 3.59, 95% Cl: 1.86–6.92, p < 0.001), procedure time (OR: 1.28, 95% Cl: 1.11–1.47, p < 0.001), and resection size (OR: 1.25, 95% Cl: 1.03–1.52, p = 0.02) were significantly correlated with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) ≥ grade 2. The correlation between sarcopenia and CTCAE ≥ grade 2 was maintained after matching, resulting in more extended hospital stays in patients with sarcopenia. However, we detected no association between sarcopenia and overall survival and ESD-related death. Conclusion: Sarcopenia is a risk factor for complications in colorectal ESD, suggesting that colorectal ESD could be performed for patients with sarcopenia, although much caution should be taken.
Conhecer (n)os sonhos: uma busca na Antropologia
Authors: Nascimento Maria Sampaio do , Creado Eliana S. J
Published: January 2024

Escrever sobre os sonhos é desafiador. É acreditar no que não se vê, mas aguçar a curiosidade frente aos mistérios proporcionados pelas experiências oníricas. São dois os objetivos principais neste artigo: primeiro, refletir sobre o que alguns teóricos escreveram sobre sonhos, pondo em diálogo autores de etnologia indígena e estudos sobre religiões afro-brasileiras; segundo, por em diálogo relatos de sonhos em que relações entre humanos e não humanos foram fundamentais: de um lado, um parente falecido e uma cachorrinha; de outro, espíritos de Pretas Velhas.  Os sonhos podem ser uma das vias para, ao mesmo tempo, compreender relações e acontecimentos (d)e perdas, bem como a existência de outros mundos a entrelaçar o individual e o coletivo, o humano e o não humano.
Cultura como recusa criativa
Authors: Graeber David , Soares Renato Martelli , Braga Leonardo Viana
Published: January 2024

Estamos acostumados a interpretar muitos aspectos da cultura em termos essencialistas, ou tacitamente evolucionistas, que podem ser melhor observados como atos de uma rejeição autoconsciente, ou formados através de um processo esquizogenético de definição mútua contra valores das sociedades vizinhas. As chamadas “sociedades heroicas”, por exemplo, parecem ter se formado pela rejeição consciente dos valores das civilizações urbanas da Idade do Bronze. Considerar as origens e a história inicial dos Malgaxe sugere uma rejeição consciente do mundo ecumênico islâmico do Oceano Índico, afetando uma ordem social que poderia ser justificadamente descrita como auto conscientemente anti-heroica
Floresta de flautas: interações multiespecíficas entre plantas, espíritos, humanos e os aerofones iyamaka
Authors: Salles Pedro Paulo
Published: January 2024

Este artigo oferece uma abordagem sobre as taquaras iyana e os fluxos desta planta nos mundos do povo Haliti Paresi do Mato Grosso e na construção de suas estruturas sociais e musicais. Os caminhos da taquara desenham redes de interação entre plantas, espíritos, humanos e o conjunto de aerofones denominados genericamente iyamaka, flautas ou simplesmente jararacas. Esse feixe de relações multiespecíficas opera transformações nos corpos das taquaras e em sua notável diversidade ontológica e sonora quando se metamorfoseiam em poderosos instrumentos de sopro. Sobre esse processo, marcado por um regime cosmopolítico cercado de cuidados e intenções, pretende-se argumentar que os circuitos transformativos e performativos das iyana – como caminhos que atravessam e revolvem tempos e espaços de uma geografia cósmica – se fazem por meio de negociações e seduções sistematizadas em estratégias relacionais como a contradomesticação e o mutualismo assimétrico, nas quais implicam a luz do dia e a escuridão da noite.
Piratas e Malagasy à deriva de um encontro produtivo
Authors: Huyer Bruno Nascimento
Published: January 2024

Resenha do livro Pirate Enlightenment, or the real Libertalia (Graeber, 2023) que compõe do dossiê David Graeber: uma etnografia da autoridade.
Histórias emaranhadas, arquivos subterrâneos: relações multiespécies nas paisagens do baixo rio Madeira
Authors: Amoroso Marta
Published: January 2024

Neste artigo, chamo a atenção para as trilhas e caminhos que conectam e permeiam o território mura e pirahã e destaco aspectos - obliterados na literatura especializada - de relacionalidades multiespecíficas impressas nas paisagens, que os Mura acionam mais recentemente em suas lutas, sendo uma delas a retomada da língua mura. Inicio focalizando o fosso que separou os Mura dos Pirahã, abismo construído por políticas indigenistas, divisor baseado na apreensão que diferentes experiências de contato desses coletivos foram suficientes para afastá-los. As classificações do indigenismo, baseadas na diferenciação linguística, cultural e no processo de etnificação são revistas, para o que retomo a crítica à noção de aculturação construída por Peter Gow. A atenção aos regimes multiespecíficos de relações com plantas, animais e a atenção para a presença dos mortos que participam da construção da floresta sugere pensarmos tais coletivos indígenas enquanto conjuntos, já que se reportam a experiências de relacionalidades antigas e atuais, e se entendem como constituindo uma rede de trocas que deixa vestígios nas paisagens.
Acontecimentos jardim e as parcerias artísticas e antropológicas com as plantas: Teresa Siewerdt em conversação com Joaquim Almeida
Authors: Almeida Neto Joaquim Pereira de , Siewerdt Teresa
Published: January 2024

Este texto é um experimento de escrita intermediado por plantas. Seu objetivo é explorar as possibilidades de encontro entre dois mundos disciplinares que, mesmo interessados por uma série de temas e assuntos comuns, continuam bastante separados: o mundo da arte contemporânea e o mundo da antropologia. O texto, que assume a forma de uma conversação, é guiado pela apresentação de quatro trabalhos artísticos desenvolvidos por Teresa Siewerdt entre os anos de 2013 e 2019 e por uma espécie de argumento radicular que procura indisciplinar a visão recorrente de jardim e chamar atenção para as relações estabelecidas por plantas e para o que elas podem nos ensinar.
Percursos de migrantes sírios em Brasília: os sentidos produzidos sobre o conceito de cidade
Authors: Brasil Emmanuel , Dutra Delia
Published: January 2024

O presente artigo propõe compreender como imigrantes sírios, vivendo na cidade de Brasília, traduzem o conceito de cidade com base em suas próprias experiências e vivências urbanas. A cidade, ou melhor, as cidades (no plural, tal como se argumenta neste texto) apresentam múltiplas interpretações e significados. Essa dinâmica das significações tem sido fator fundamental para a produção de conhecimento no campo dos estudos urbanos nas ciências sociais e nas ciências humanas. Diversas teorias têm buscado dar respostas aos desafios que o objeto cidade apresenta. Nessa linha, se propõe uma análise fundamentada em debates teóricos caros à Sociologia Urbana, incorporando conceitos como cidades invisíveis e cidades imaginadas, assim como a ideia de itinerários imaginários recriados a partir das vivências urbanas.
Memória e lugar: parques que contam história em São José dos Campos-SP
Authors: Rosado Ana Maria da Cunha , Ambrogi Ingrid Hötte
Published: January 2024

Memórias são, muitas vezes, vinculadas a lugares e muitos desses lugares preservam momentos da história e ajudam a compreender a sociedade onde estão inseridos. O presente trabalho aborda a relação de memória e lugar usando como ponto de estudo o município de São José dos Campos, localizado no interior do Estado de São Paulo, e mais especificamente os parques públicos existentes em seu distrito sede. A hipótese trabalhada é do apagamento histórico por meio de marketing urbano, que leva a mudanças territoriais e sociais, incluindo ressignificar locais e suas funções; como objetivos pretende-se apresentar, brevemente, a história de São José dos Campos e a relação dos munícipes com os parques estudados, em um período contido entre a década de 1920 e 2022 resgatando, inclusive, memórias familiares.
Sex Differences in the Association of Age at Hypertension Diagnosis With Brain Structure
Authors: Kaur Amanpreet , Angarita Fonseca Adriana , Lissaman Rikki , Behlouli Hassan , Rajah M. Natasha , Pilote Louise
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

Sex differences exist in the likelihood of cognitive decline. The age at hypertension diagnosis is a unique contributor to brain structural changes associated with cerebral small vessel disease. However, whether this relationship differs between sexes remains unclear. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate sex differences in the association between the age at hypertension diagnosis and cerebral small vessel disease–related brain structural changes.

METHODS:

We used data from the UK Biobank to select participants with a known age at hypertension diagnosis and brain magnetic resonance imaging (n=9430) and stratified them by sex and age at hypertension diagnosis. Control participants with magnetic resonance imaging scans but no hypertension were chosen at random matched by using propensity score matching. For morphological brain structural changes, generalized linear models were used while adjusting for other vascular risk factors. For the assessment of white matter microstructure, principal component analysis led to a reduction in the number of fractional anisotropy variables, followed by regression analysis with major principal components as outcomes.

RESULTS:

Males but not females with a younger age at hypertension diagnosis exhibited lower brain gray and white matter volume compared with normotensive controls. The volume of white matter hyperintensities was greater in both males and females with hypertension than normotensive controls, significantly higher in older females with hypertension. Compared with normotensive controls, white matter microstructural integrity was lower in individuals with hypertension, which became more prominent with increasing age.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study demonstrates that the effect of hypertension on cerebral small vessel disease–related brain structure differs by sex and by age at hypertension diagnosis.
Perceived Stress From Childhood to Adulthood and Cardiometabolic End Points in Young Adulthood: An 18‐Year Prospective Study
Authors: Guo Fangqi , Chen Xinci , Howland Steve , Danza Phoebe , Niu Zhongzheng , Gauderman W. James , Habre Rima , McConnell Rob , Yan Mingzhu , Whitfield Lora , Li Yanjie , Hodis Howard N. , Breton Carrie V. , Bastain Theresa M. , Farzan Shohreh F.
Published: January 2024

Background

We investigated how childhood‐to‐adulthood perceived stress patterns predict adult cardiometabolic risk.

Methods and Results

This study included 276 participants from the Southern California Children's Health Study (2003–2014), and a follow‐up assessment (2018–2021). Perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) was initially reported by participants' parents for themselves during early childhood (mean age, 6.3 years), and later self‐reported during adolescence (13.3 years) and young adulthood (23.6 years). Participants were grouped into 4 stress patterns: consistently high, decreasing, increasing, and consistently low. Cardiometabolic risk was assessed in young adulthood by carotid artery intima‐media thickness, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, obesity, percent body fat, android/gynoid ratio, and glycated hemoglobin. A cardiometabolic risk score was generated by summing the clinically abnormal markers. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to (1) examine the associations between Perceived Stress Scale at 3 time points and adult cardiometabolic risk, and (2) assess the impact of stress pattern on adult cardiometabolic risk. Findings suggested that in adulthood, higher Perceived Stress Scale score was associated with increased overall cardiometabolic risk (β=0.12 [95% CI, 0.01–0.22]), carotid artery intima‐media thickness (β=0.01 [95% CI, 0.0003–0.02]), systolic blood pressure (β=1.27 [95% CI, 0.09–2.45]), and diastolic blood pressure (β=0.94 [95% CI, 0.13–1.75]). Individuals with a consistently high adolescence‐to‐adulthood stress pattern had greater overall cardiometabolic risk (β=0.31 [95% CI, 0.02–0.60]), android/gynoid ratio (β=0.07 [95% CI, 0.02–0.13]), percent body fat (β=2.59 [95% CI, 0.01–5.17]), and greater odds of obesity (odds ratio, 5.57 [95% CI, 1.62–19.10]) in adulthood, compared with those with a consistently low Perceived Stress Scale score.

Conclusions

Consistently high perceived stress from adolescence to adulthood may contribute to greater cardiometabolic risk in young adulthood.
Methods for decoding cortical gradients of functional connectivity
Authors: Peraza Julio A. , Salo Taylor , Riedel Michael C. , Bottenhorn Katherine L. , Poline Jean-Baptiste , Dockès Jérôme , Kent James D. , Bartley Jessica E. , Flannery Jessica S. , Hill-Bowen Lauren D. , Lobo Rosario Pintos , Poudel Ranjita , Ray Kimberly L. , Robinson Jennifer L. , Laird Robert W. , Sutherland Matthew T. , de la Vega Alejandro , Laird Angela R.
Published: January 2024

Macroscale gradients have emerged as a central principle for understanding functional brain organization. Previous studies have demonstrated that a principal gradient of connectivity in the human brain exists, with unimodal primary sensorimotor regions situated at one end and transmodal regions associated with the default mode network and representative of abstract functioning at the other. The functional significance and interpretation of macroscale gradients remains a central topic of discussion in the neuroimaging community, with some studies demonstrating that gradients may be described using meta-analytic functional decoding techniques. However, additional methodological development is necessary to fully leverage available meta-analytic methods and resources and quantitatively evaluate their relative performance. Here, we conducted a comprehensive series of analyses to investigate and improve the framework of data-driven, meta-analytic methods, thereby establishing a principled approach for gradient segmentation and functional decoding. We found that a two-segment solution determined by a k-means segmentation approach and an LDA-based meta-analysis combined with the NeuroQuery database was the optimal combination of methods for decoding functional connectivity gradients. Finally, we proposed a method for decoding additional components of the gradient decomposition. The current work aims to provide recommendations on best practices and flexible methods for gradient-based functional decoding of fMRI data.
Expectation modifies the representational fidelity of complex visual objects
Authors: Moore Margaret Jane , Robinson Amanda K. , Mattingley Jason B.
Published: January 2024

Prediction has been shown to play a fundamental role in facilitating efficient perception of simple visual features such as orientation and motion, but it remains unclear whether expectations modulate neural representations of more complex stimuli. Here, we addressed this issue by characterising patterns of brain activity evoked by two-dimensional images of familiar, real-world objects which were either expected or unexpected based on a preceding cue. Participants (n=30) viewed stimuli in rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) streams which contained both high-fidelity and degraded (diffeomorphically warped) object images. Multivariate pattern analyses of electroencephalography (EEG) data were used to quantify and compare the degree of information represented in neural activity when stimuli were random (unpredictable), expected, or unexpected. Degraded images elicited reduced representational fidelity relative to high-fidelity images. However, degraded images were represented with improved fidelity when they were presented in expected relative to random sequence positions; and stimuli in unexpected sequence positions yielded reduced representational fidelity relative to random presentations. Most notably, neural responses to unexpected stimuli contained information pertaining to the expected (but not presented) stimulus. Debriefing at the conclusion of the experiment revealed that participants were not aware of the relationship between cue and target stimuli within the RSVP streams, suggesting that the differences in stimulus decoding between conditions arose in the absence of explicit predictive knowledge. Our findings extend fundamental understanding of how the brain detects and employs predictive relationships to modulate high-level visual perception.
The Efficacy of the Development Studies Programme in Zimbabwe’s Development Work
Authors: Muzorewa Terence Tapiwa , Sillah Ramphal , Chibanda Tawanda William
Published: January 2024

The article analyses the impact of the development studies (DS) programme at Zimbabwean higher education institutions on development work in Zimbabwe. It describes how development studies became one of the most popular subjects in the humanities, offered by more than 10 universities and colleges in Zimbabwe. More than two decades later, there is convincing evidence that the programme’s influence on the development sector in Zimbabwe is diminishing. The article contends that the programme has been essential in sparking policy debates and incubating development theory among students and academics. However, the discipline has provided little in terms of actual practice and expertise in development work and community implementation. Therefore, development studies in Zimbabwe is an academic discipline with limited relevance to community development on the ground. This research is qualitative in nature. Qualitative data collected using purposive sampling is used to illustrate the rise of the discipline and its disparate effects on development activities in Zimbabwe. The article recommends a revision of the DS curriculum so that it fits the practical requirements for development work in Zimbabwe.
The New Scramble for Africa
Authors: Danso Felix , Ahadzi Dzifa
Published: January 2024

The relationship between Africa and the developed world has been a subject of much discussion over the years. Recently, however, there has been a lot of controversy around China’s activities in Africa. Several criticisms have arisen alleging the exploitation of Africa by China. This study set out to examine China’s activities on the African continent with a focus on Ghana and Ethiopia to clearly reveal the various sides of the argument and put them into perspective. The study also sought to establish whether a new scramble is occurring in Africa, with neocolonialist strategies. The study relied on the realist theory to understand China’s intentions regarding its activities on the continent and on neocolonialism to explore any incidence of a new scramble. Secondary sources were employed to collect data for analysis. The study found that although some of the activities of China on the continent were questionable, they have been partially beneficial to the continent. Africa is not as vulnerable as perceived but has the capacity to leverage some of its resources to foster its development.
Enhancing the Effectiveness of African-led Peace Support Operations through an Adaptive Stabilisation Approach
Authors: de Coning Cedric , Tchie Andrew E. Yaw
Published: January 2024

The African continent’s security landscape is constantly changing. Alongside this evolution, changes in the global order have emerged, a decline of multilateralism and an overreliance on security tools to defeat terrorism across Africa. In contrast, these challenges have allowed the African continent and its peace and security mechanisms under the African Peace and Security Architecture to respond to these insecurities through African-led Peace Support Operations (pso)—amongst other mechanisms. These African capacities, particularly in pso, have not always been consistently deployed as part of a multidimensional approach to dealing with insecurity. African-led pso s have evolved and developed unique characteristics distinguishing them from traditional peacekeeping operations. However, their increased use as a sole mechanism to deal with insecurity has led to a deficiency in broader conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and peacemaking mechanisms. This has made it difficult for African-led pso s to tackle the growing and intersecting challenges and dynamics the continent faces now and in the future. This article posits that while African-led pso s have come to represent an increase in African agency, capability and utilisation, their increased use to deal with insecurity has led to African-led pso s failing to deal with intersecting and growing challenges and dynamics the continent faces. Thus, the article argues that there is a need for African-led pso s to be more agile, adaptive and comprehensive through the adoption of an Adaptive Stabilisation Approach.
Stealing the Citadel
Authors: Derby Lauren
Published: January 2024

This essay analyzes popular Haitian tales about sovereign theft by stealth which seek to expose machinations of graft and usurpation by outsiders and politicians. The foundational act for this genre of popular narratives in Haiti I argue is the indemnity that the Haitian State was forced to pay France of 150 million francs in exchange for international recognition to compensate for losses in property incurred by the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) which Haitian statesman Frédéric Marcelin described as an “act of dispossession.” But popular rumors of national theft kept returning. I argue that these stories linking sovereignty, debt, and theft represent truth claims on the part of those who have long been “hermeneutically marginalized” and should be seen as a call for testimonial justice that challenges the triumphalist story of Haitian independence through revealing and denouncing deceitful chicanery on the part of those in power.
First Upper Triassic Diptera (Insecta) from Germany
Authors: LUKASHEVICH ELENA DMITRIEVNA , ANSORGE JÖRG
Published: January 2024

First Upper Triassic dipterans (Nematocera) are described based on isolated wings from Fuchsberg near Seinstedt (Sevatian, uppermost Norian of Lower Saxony, Germany): Crivoptychoptera nebrias gen. et sp. nov. (Psychodomorpha, Ptychopteridae), Ptychopteridae incertae sedis, Dohloboyia triassica gen. et sp. nov. (Bibionomorpha, Boholdoyidae) and Chironomidae incertae sedis (Culicomorpha). All taxa under discussion present the oldest occurrences of their families. Geological background and composition of the Upper Triassic insect fauna of Seinstedt are briefly discussed.
Establishment of Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism Molecular Markers System and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Fritillaria thunbergii
Authors: Dong Yunzhe , Wu Qiuli , Dong Lili , Guo Huanru , Wang Zhonghua
Published: January 2024

After years of selective breeding, numerous cultivars of Fritillaria thunbergii have been cultivated in various regions of Zhejiang Province, showing significant genomic and epigenetic differences. Molecular marker loci developed so far are mainly based on non-coding regions
of the genome, and their identification efficiency is limited when applied to these cultivars. Therefore, this study used start codon targeted polymorphism molecular marker to detect PCR amplification of 100 Fritillaria thunbergii samples from various sources. The SCoT-PCR reaction
system was optimized using a single-factor and orthogonal testing to determine the optimal conditions: DNA concentration of 4.2 ng • μL−1, primer concentration of 0.88 μmol • L−1, dNTP concentration of 0.35 mmol • L−1,
Mg2+ concentration of 2.5 mmol • L−1, Supercharm Fidelity enzyme amount of 1.2 U, and total reaction volume of 25 μL. Moreover, 16 effective primers were identified, including SCoT1, SCoT2, SCoT3, SCoT7, SCoT11, SCoT12, SCoT14, SCoT17, SCoT19, SCoT23, SCoT25,
SCoT26, SCoT29, SCoT35, and SCoT37. The annealing temperature for each primer was determined. Among them, SCoT14, SCoT25, SCoT29, SCoT35, and SCoT41 were specific for identifying six main cultivars: “Zhebei 1”, “Zhebei 2”, “Zhebei 3”, “Xuansanzi”,
“Sanzi”, and “Duozi”. SCoT7, SCoT14, and SCoT35 were useful in tracking mutations in progeny of Zhebei 3 after radiation treatment, while SCoT29 could distinguish Zhebei 1 from Chunan. In addition, cluster analysis was conducted to simulate the genetic relationship
between different cultivars, demonstrating that genetic similarity analysis is practically significant for predicting genetic correlation among different cultivars. The results not only improve the identification ability of Fritillaria thunbergii cultivars, but also help objectively
evaluate their genetic stability and environmental adaptability. These achievements provide important scientific evidence for the ecological protection and utilization of germplasm resources of Fritillaria thunbergii and serve as a reference for exploring genetic diversity and evolution
of traditional Chinese medicine.
Investigation of Properties and Product Development from the Industrial Fiber Crops (Musa acuminata) Biowaste
Authors: Dhesinghraja J. , Mayandi K. , Rajini N. , Prakash C. , Ayrilmis Nadir , Mohammad Faruq , Al-Lohedan Hamad A. , Ismail SikiruOluwarotimi
Published: January 2024

One of the most common concerns worlds over is negating the harmful effects of human-generated waste through the RRR principle–reduce, reuse and recycle. One of the methods of achieving this is by the use of biodegradable materials for producing products for our daily use. One
such product that contributes to huge waste generation is sanitary napkins and synthetic fabrics. This research deals with fibers derived from natural sources can be used for manufacturing sanitary napkins, yarn, fabrics. The Musa acuminata wild species H2O treated and alkali
treated (4% NaOH) banana fibers were taken to develop a biodegradable sanitary napkin and fabrics, which is one of the big industrial crops biomass. These fibres were machine extracted only from the pseudo-banana stem. The biomass level was measured and physical (166.2–220.4 µ
m), chemical (Cellulose 57–66%), and structural analyses (XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDAX) of alkali (NaOH) and water-treated (H2O) fibers were identified. The antibacterial, antifungal property, moisture regain (12%) and fibre absorbency (43–64%) were discussed as per the standard
of CTL/SOP/MICRO/004. The napkin test report has been taken as per IS 5405-1980 & 1390-1961 standards that was to be compared with the standard values. The napkin test parameters such as absorbency level, disposable, pH value, cost analysis, biodegradability level, and consumer perception
were found. Finally, the basic yarn (20 s & 5 s) and fabric (C/B blend & weft banana) tests were carried out.
Component Analysis of Corncob After Hydrothermal Treatment
Authors: Sun Juntao , Zhang Zhichao , Wang Deguo , Wei Quanzeng , Xiao Fugang , Zhan Jing , Lan Tianlu
Published: January 2024

Hydrothermal pretreatment is a green pretreatment technology, which can effectively promote the degradation of biomass without adding any chemical reagent. In this study, hydrothermal pretreatment on improving digestibility of corncobs was investigated and the effect of hydrothermal
pretreatment on changes of structure of the corncob lignocellulose was investigated. The composition and amounts of sugar content in hydrolysate and enzymatic hydrolysate were determined. Hydrothermal treatment destroyed the lignocellulose structure of corncob and caused different degrees
of degradation. With the increasing temperature of hydrothermal treatment, the degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in corncob was detected with increasing the content of reducing sugars in hydrolysate. The hydrolysate of corncob treated by hydrothermal treatment at 190 °C
for 60 min mainly included glucose, xylobiose, xylotriose and xylotetraose. The content of glucose, xylobiose, xylotriose and xylotetraose in the hydrolysate of hydrothermal treatment corncob was at level of 0.001 mg • g−1, 16.740 mg • g−1, 4.306
mg • g−1 and 3.164 mg • g−1 respectively. The yield of glucose, xylobiose, xylotriose and xylotetraose in enzymatic hydrolysate were 4.771 mg • g−1, 64.437 mg • g−1, 6.853 mg • g−1
and 1.835 mg • g−1, respectively. The understanding will help to improve the conversion and utilization of corncob as an agriculture residue.
Hurdles Techniques (Combined Effects): A Novel Approach for Enhanced Broccoli Florets Stability, Quality, and Safety
Authors: Nagib Ashraf , Sami Rokayya , Aljumayi Huda , Alshehry Garsa , Algarni Eman , Al-Mushhin Amina A. M. , Al-Ghamdi Saleh , Alharbi Zeyad M. , Aljuhani Fawaz , Taha Ibrahim M.
Published: January 2024

This study demonstrates the changes in broccoli heads samples sensory, physicochemical, chemias blanching at 100 °C for 90 seconds, then dipping for 10 minutes in a coating solution concal, and microbial load after harvest. The samples were preserved using hurdles techniques
such taining 0.15% potassium metabisulfite, 4% sodium chloride, 1% citric, 0.2% sodium benzoate and 1% chitosan. After coating samples were divided into two groups, one packaged using the aerobic method (A.P), and the other by vacuum method (V.P). Coated broccoli was stored at two conditions
(ambient at 25 ± 3 °C and refrigeration at 4 ± 1 °C) for different period intervals. The control sample was blanched and packaged aerobically (uncoated). The combined treatments delayed the development loss of weight, titratable acid (TA), chlorophyll,
and carotenoids, and prevented the growth of aerobic, anaerobic, psychrotrophic, coli form, mold, and yeast in the stored samples. Coated plus V.P. treatment demonstrated the highest weight, pigments, and TA values during storage. Further-more, it achieved the highest score in sensory evaluation
after 50 and 240 days of both ambient and cold storage. Moreover, it inhibited the growth of tested microorganisms. So best treatment for the preservation of broccoli between 50 and 240 days of storage period was coated plus V.P. The combined technology application will lead to a safe product
with optical shelf-life, improve microbial stability, and sensory quality. Thus, this technology is a technology that aims to improve the overall quality of food.
Antioxidant Mechanism of Black Garlic Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Shang Yuchen , Wang Qiuhong , Feng Shuyang , Du Zhangbing , Liang Shiyou , Dai Jing , Wang Zhenzhen , Sha Ruyi , Mao Jianwei , Zhang Liming
Published: January 2024

Black garlic possesses antioxidant effects, however, its specific antioxidant mechanism remains elusive. The present study investigates the antioxidant mechanism of black garlic using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. By reviewing literature and collecting the Traditional
Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform database, a total of 67 black garlic active ingredients and 583 potential target proteins were obtained. Taking the intersection with oxidative stress targets resulted in 357 intersection targets. After network pharmacology
analysis, the core active ingredients apigenin, ferulic acid, palmitic acid, quercetin and caffeic acid were identified. The core targets are KIT, KDR and ERBB2. The core pathway is the PI3K/Akt pathway. Molecular docking results showed that KIT and ERBB2 have relatively high docking scores,
and all three targets have the best binding effects with quercetin, indicating that active ingredients in black garlic such as quercetin may mainly act on targets like KIT, KDR and ERBB2 to exert antioxidant effects. Collectively, the study indicates that black garlic have good antioxidant
effects at a theoretical level, providing theoretical basis for the development of functional products of black garlic.
Optimization of the Conditions for the Growth and Ethanol Production of Strain Bacillus sp. EtOH
Authors: Wu Haifeng , Huang Limei , Li Jieli , Yang Donglin , Shang Changhua
Published: January 2024

Numerous factors can influence the growth, reproduction, and metabolism of microbes, which influence the yield and production cost. Bacillus sp. EtOH is a bacterial strain with a high yield of ethanol. In this paper, medium of Bacillus sp. EtOH was optimized. Different
carbon/nitrogen sources were investigated, and the best carbon source (sucrose) and nitrogen source (ammonium sulfate) were determined to improve ethanol production. In addition, the best initial pH, temperature, and inoculation volume were 7, 37 °C and 1%, respectively. This
study will be conducive to the subsequent ethanol fermentation, and improve application level of Bacillus sp. EtOH.
Euphoria and heartbreak: Two sides of the coin in the development of structural ceramics
Authors: Thompson D.P.
Published: January 2024

The 1950s saw the emergence of the group of materials originally referred to as ‘special ceramics'. These then became ‘engineering ceramics’, and more recently have been further subdivided into bioceramics, functional ceramics, and structural ceramics. These materials demonstrate excellent properties for the application areas indicated, and share the common feature of not using clay as a starting material. In the early 1960s, it could not have been foreseen that electrical ceramics (including superconductors) would develop much more rapidly than the rest; of course this move was stimulated by concurrent developments in computing and electronic devices. In contrast, the more diverse, scientifically challenging structural ceramics have struggled to find niches in a very competitive marketplace, showing only modest growth over the last 30 years. Silicon carbide has been perhaps the least dramatic in its progress, whereas zirconia, stimulated by the toughening revolution, generated an explosion of interest in the early 1980s, though this has since moderated. In contrast, silicon nitride, with the associated family of sialon ceramics, has maintained an overall upward curve for some 40 years, punctuated by occasional spurts due either to new market opportunities or to materials developments, a good current example of the latter being the recent appearance of a group of ultrahard high pressure derivatives.
Microstructure and cutting performance of carbonitride coated tools in high speed machining of 40Cr steel
Authors: Zhong N , Zhou Y X , Zhu X F , Zhang J J , Li G Y
Published: January 2024

TiN, TiCN and TiAlN coatings were deposited on K20 cemented carbide tools by arc ion plating method. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings were investigated using an X-ray diffractometer, a scanning electron microscope and micromechanic probes. The cutting performances of the coated mills and drillers were accessed by milling and drilling the quenched and tempered 40Cr steels under dry and high speed cutting conditions. The performance of K20 cemented carbide tools was evaluated with respect to the tool wear and the torque generated during the cutting. The results revealed that the cutting tools coated with TiCN and TiAlN films obviously outperformed those with TiN film, especially at high cutting speeds.
Burden of employment loss and absenteeism in adults and caregivers of children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Gordon Rachel D’Amico , Welkie Rina Li , Quaye Nives , Hankins Jane S. , Kassim Adetola A. , Thompson Alexis A. , Treadwell Marsha , Lin Chyongchiou J. , Cronin Robert M.
Published: January 2024

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder affecting 100 000 people with an estimated annual medical cost of $3 billion in the United States; however, the economic impact on patients is not well described. We aimed to examine the indirect economic burden and test the hypothesis that socioeconomic status and greater social vulnerability risks are associated with increased absenteeism and employment loss. We surveyed adults and caregivers of children with SCD at 5 US centers from 2014 to 2021. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of employment loss and missed days of work with demographics and social determinants. Indirect costs were estimated by multiplying the self-reported missed days of work and job loss by 2022 average wages by the state of the participating institution. Of the 244 participants, 10.3% reported employment loss in the last 5 years, and 17.5% reported missing 10 or more days of work. Adults had 3 times more employment loss compared with caregivers of children with SCD (OR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.12-9.01) but fewer missed days of work (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11-0.0.51). Participants who did not live with a partner reported increased employment loss (OR, 4.70; 95% CI, 1.04-21.17) and more missed days of work (OR, 4.58; 95% CI, 1.04-20.15). The estimated annual indirect economic burden was $2 266 873 ($9290 per participant). Adults with SCD and caregivers of children with SCD commonly report employment loss and missed days of work as important risk factors. The high indirect economic burden suggests that future economic evaluations of SCD should include SCD-related indirect economic burden.
Liver abnormalities are frequent and persistent in patients with Fanconi anemia
Authors: Snyder Alana J. , Campbell Kathleen M. , Lane Adam , Mehta Parinda A. , Myers Kasiani , Davies Stella M. , Koo Jane
Published: January 2024

Liver disease has not been well described in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA). Improvements in outcomes of transplant mean that more individuals with FA are reaching adulthood and new features of the FA phenotype are being discovered. We performed a retrospective review of liver function in a cohort of 97 patients with FA followed-up for at least 10 years at a single center. We identified a high frequency of transaminitis (n = 31, 32%) without elevation of bilirubin and with no evidence of structural hepatic abnormality in patients with FA. Transaminitis was persistent in many cases, sometimes lasting more than a decade without clinical manifestation, although 2 patients with prolonged transaminitis are deceased from liver failure, indicating important long-term clinical consequences. Transaminitis was found in patients who had and had not received transplant but was more frequent in recipients of transplant. Exposure to total body irradiation increased risk (odds ratio, 15.5 [95% confidence interval, 2.44-304.54]; P = .01), whereas treatment with androgens did not. Review of limited numbers of liver biopsies and autopsy material showed a cholestatic pattern of liver injury, with progressive fibrosis, in the majority of patients. Occurrence in cases without transplant as well as cases with transplant argues against a potential diagnosis of atypical liver graft-versus-host disease. Limited data regarding therapy suggest no benefit from treatment with steroids or other immune suppressive medications or ursodeoxycholic acid. Our data show that liver disease is common in patients with FA, and because most children with FA now reach adulthood, end-stage liver disease in young adulthood means systematic testing of potential therapies is urgently needed.
Mechanistic role of quercetin as inhibitor for adenosine deaminase enzyme in rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review
Authors: Atta Amira , Salem Maha M. , El-Said Karim Samy , Mohamed Tarek M.
Published: January 2024

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease involving T and B lymphocytes. Autoantibodies contribute to joint deterioration and worsening symptoms. Adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme in purine metabolism, influences adenosine levels and joint inflammation. Inhibiting ADA could impact RA progression. Intracellular ATP breakdown generates adenosine, which increases in hypoxic and inflammatory conditions. Lymphocytes with ADA play a role in RA. Inhibiting lymphocytic ADA activity has an immune-regulatory effect. Synovial fluid levels of ADA are closely associated with the disease’s systemic activity, making it a useful parameter for evaluating joint inflammation. Flavonoids, such as quercetin (QUE), are natural substances that can inhibit ADA activity. QUE demonstrates immune-regulatory effects and restores T-cell homeostasis, making it a promising candidate for RA therapy. In this review, we will explore the impact of QUE in suppressing ADA and reducing produced the inflammation in RA, including preclinical investigations and clinical trials.

Graphical Abstract
SUMOylation modulates eIF5A activities in both yeast and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Seoane Rocío , Lama-Díaz Tomás , Romero Antonia María , El Motiam Ahmed , Martínez-Férriz Arantxa , Vidal Santiago , Bouzaher Yanis H. , Blanquer María , Tolosa Rocío M. , Castillo Mewa Juan , Rodríguez Manuel S. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Xirodimas Dimitris , Sutherland James D. , Barrio Rosa , Alepuz Paula , Blanco Miguel G. , Farràs Rosa , Rivas Carmen
Published: January 2024

Background

The eukaryotic translation initiation protein eIF5A is a highly conserved and essential factor that plays a critical role in different physiological and pathological processes including stress response and cancer. Different proteomic studies suggest that eIF5A may be a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) substrate, but whether eIF5A is indeed SUMOylated and how relevant is this modification for eIF5A activities are still unknown.

Methods

SUMOylation was evaluated using in vitro SUMOylation assays, Histidine-tagged proteins purification from His6–SUMO2 transfected cells, and isolation of endogenously SUMOylated proteins using SUMO-binding entities (SUBES). Mutants were engineered by site-directed mutagenesis. Protein stability was measured by a cycloheximide chase assay. Protein localization was determined using immunofluorescence and cellular fractionation assays. The ability of eIF5A1 constructs to complement the growth ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaestrains harboring thermosensitive mutants of a yeastEIF5Ahomolog gene(HYP2)was analyzed. The polysome profile and the formation of stress granules in cells expressing Pab1–GFP (a stress granule marker) by immunofluorescence were determined in yeast cells subjected to heat shock. Cell growth and migration of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma PANC-1 cells overexpressing different eIF5A1 constructs were evaluated using crystal violet staining and transwell inserts, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad Software, using unpaired Student’st-test, or one-way or two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

We found that eIF5A is modified by SUMO2 in vitro, in transfected cells and under endogenous conditions, revealing its physiological relevance. We identified several SUMO sites in eIF5A and found that SUMOylation modulates both the stability and the localization of eIF5A in mammalian cells. Interestingly, the SUMOylation of eIF5A responds to specific stresses, indicating that it is a regulated process. SUMOylation of eIF5A is conserved in yeast, the eIF5A SUMOylation mutants are unable to completely suppress the defects ofHYP2mutants, and SUMOylation of eIF5A is important for both stress granules formation and disassembly of polysomes induced by heat-shock. Moreover, mutation of the SUMOylation sites in eIF5A abolishes its promigratory and proproliferative activities in PANC-1 cells.

Conclusions

SUMO2 conjugation to eIF5A is a stress-induced response implicated in the adaptation of yeast cells to heat-shock stress and required to promote the growth and migration of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells.

Graphical Abstract
Simulation of dual-purpose chicken breeding programs implementing gene editing
Authors: Chuang Edward Y. S. , Wellmann Robin , Meijboom Franck L. B. , Tetens Jens , Bennewitz Jörn
Published: January 2024

Background

In spite of being controversial and raising ethical concerns, the application of gene editing is more likely to be accepted when it contributes to improving animal welfare. One of the animal welfare and ethical issues in chicken breeding is chick culling, the killing of the male layer chicks after hatching due to the poor fattening performance. Although establishing dual-purpose chicken lines could solve this problem, unfavorable genetic correlations between egg and meat production traits hindered their competitiveness. Although it is also controversial in ethical terms, gene editing may accelerate genetic progress in dual-purpose chicken and alleviate the ethical concerns from chick culling.

Results

The simulation compared the utility improvement in dual-purpose use under two breeding schemes: one consisting in the improvement of the laying hens, and the second in the improvement of a synthetic line obtained from a layer broiler cross. In each breeding scheme, the breeding programs were simulated with and without gene editing. Polygenic breeding values and 500 simulated quantitative trait loci (QTL) with different levels of pleiotropy caused negative correlations between egg production, meat production, and overall health. The results of the simulation demonstrated that genetic gain could be accelerated by at most 81% for several generations if gene editing was used. The actual increase in genetic gain depended on the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) being edited per animal. The rate of genetic improvement became equal in scenarios with and without gene editing after 20 generations. This is because the remaining segregating QTL had small effects and their edition would have negative overall health effects from potential off-target edits. Although gene editing can improve genetic gain in quantitative traits, it can only be recommended as long as QTL with reasonable effect sizes are segregating and detectable.

Conclusions

This simulation demonstrates the potential of gene editing to accelerate the simultaneous improvement of negatively correlated traits. When the risk of negative consequences from gene editing persists, the number of SNPs to be edited should be chosen carefully to obtain the optimal genetic gain.