bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formação técnica em enfermagem: perfil dos egressos e inserção no mercado de trabalho
Authors: Pedrolo Edivane , Oliveira Gabriella Lemes Rodrigues de , Ziesemer Nadine de Biagi , Boostel Radamés , Ramos Tangriane Hainiski , Haeffner Rafael
Published: April 2022

Os técnicos em enfermagem representam um dos maiores quantitativos de profissionais da saúde e têm um amplo campo de atuação. O mercado de trabalho leva em consideração, além de habilidades técnicas, competências interpessoais na contratação dos profissionais e formar um profissional com tal perfil é um constante desafio. Objetivou-se descrever o perfil dos egressos do curso técnico em enfermagem dos primeiros dez anos de existência da instituição pesquisada, bem como a formação recebida e inserção no mercado de trabalho. Trata-se de estudo descritivo com delineamento de corte transversal realizado com egressos de um curso técnico em enfermagem da rede federal de educação dos anos de 2010 a 2019. Utilizou-se instrumento estruturado próprio encaminhado pelo Google Forms®. Foram incluídos 143 egressos, com predomínio de: mulheres (93,7%, n = 134), jovens (30,1 ± 8,6 anos), ingresso no mercado de trabalho no período de um a seis meses após a formação (51,5%, n = 67), atuando em hospitais (74,0%, n = 97), em setores críticos (26,7%, n = 37) e com baixa remuneração (média de R$ 1.702,92). O perfil levantado reforça a característica profissional de maioria feminina, com único vínculo empregatício e baixa remuneração. Os participantes alcançaram rápida inserção no mercado de trabalho e o ensino ofertado impactou positivamente na atuação profissional e na conquista do primeiro emprego.
Factors of contraban cigarettes smuggling in Malaysia
Authors: Vijayan Kamalashan , Mariamdaran Chethiyar Saralah Devi , Muniandy Venothiney Dewi
Published: April 2022

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department takes seriously the issue related to cigarette smuggling activities which due to the study conducted put the smuggled cigarette market and the sale of smuggled cigarettes in this country is the largest in the world. This study aims to examine the issues related to cigarette smuggling in Malaysia. The research methodology is to use the library research method. The findings of the study are based on previous studies. This study focuses on the factors of smuggling in Malaysia. The results of the study can list the main factors that contribute to the widespread smuggling of cigarettes in Malaysia. The findings of this study on the factor of cigarette smuggling can be used as a guide to further improve control and enforcement at the country's entrances. The implementation of research rpelated to the type and form of punishment that can be imposed on those convicted of smuggling prohibited goods, especially contraband cigarettes. The second is the formation of a police community consisting of the general public.
Molecular Characterisation of Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Captive and Free-Ranging Papio anubis Faecal Samples
Authors: Waititu Kenneth Kariuki , Ngetich Ronald , Obiero Jael Apondi
Published: April 2022

Background: Escherichia coli is a normal inhabitant of the mammalian gut, but it also exists in a number of pathogenic forms. Diarrhoeagenic E. coli constitute pathotypes that are responsible for fatal infections in humans. Increasing contact between humans and non-human primates provides an opportunity for the transfer of potential pathogens between host species. This study aimed to characterise diarrhoeagenic E. coli pathotypes isolated from baboon faecal samples.

Methods: E. coli were isolated from faecal samples of 124 animals using culture-based methods. Characterisation was achieved by isolating deoxyribonucleic acid from pure isolates and subjecting them to PCR, using specific primers for detection of virulence genes.

Results: Four E. coli pathotypes including enterotoxigenic, enteropathogenic, enterohaemorrhagic and enteroinvasive were detected from baboon faecal samples. The most prevalent pathotypes were enterotoxigenic (14.5%) and atypical enteropathogenic (14.5%) in the captive and the free-ranging populations respectively. However, the observed differences in the pathotype detection were not significant (p>0.05). Enteroaggregative and diffusely adherent E. coli were not detected from any of the study samples.

Conclusion: Olive baboons harbour diarrhoeagenic E. coli pathotypes; hence, the species could be a potential source of zoonotic transmission.
Lobbying London: Scottish Attempts to Influence Oliver Cromwell's Government, 1653–1658
Authors: Little Patrick
Published: April 2022

This article explores efforts by different groups of Scots to do business with the complex and hierarchical Cromwellian government, and in particular their attempts to gain access to the protector and his council in London. Three groups are examined: the burghs, which tended to use formal, paid agents; the rival kirk factions, which sought help from different political parties at Whitehall; and private petitioners, especially among the nobility, who relied on personal contacts with individual councillors. None of these strategies was entirely successful, as the Scots found lobbying the government more difficult than their English or Irish counterparts, but their persistence reveals an underlying pragmatism that encouraged them to overcome their misgivings and engage with the Cromwellian state.
A Review of Cooperative Learning in Chinese College English Classroom Teaching
Authors: Han Xiaobao , Damio Siti Maftuhah Binti , Narayanan Geethanjali
Published: April 2022

In many parts of college English instruction, cooperative learning (CL) has been used; it has numerous benefits, and many professors and students in China prefer it. However, despite the extensive use of CL in college English classes, there are still multiple issues and dilemmas. More research into its practical application is required to reap the benefits of CL and enhance students' holistic development. The key results of a review of CL include that teachers must comprehend students' genuine requirements and the issues they face in learning and give full play to the role of teachers' effective intervention in both online and offline CL.
Personal Growth Initiatives Among Perpetrators of Sexual Violence in Correctional Institutes
Authors: Shanti Theresia Indira , Kristiani Reneta , Tandias Evelyn , Wynne Theresa , Samudera Benedictus Wishnu , Claudia Carmen
Published: April 2022

Victims, rather than perpetrators, have been commonly the focus of sexual violence research and intervention. The ability of perpetrators to initiate the personal growth initiative (PGI) process on their own is the topic of this research. Six sexual violence perpetrators who are now wards of penal institutions in Indonesia and have exhibited high PGI Scale-II scores, are the participants of the study. The convenience sample method was used to recruit six persons for a focus group discussion on PGI. Findings reveal that these wards have time to reflect on their actions and emotional blunders, prepare themselves for a better life, and plan what they will do after being freed from penal institutions. We suggest that violators explore various personal development activities that can aid in self-improvement.
Identification of Peripheral Anterior Synechia by Corneal Deformation Using Air-Puff Dynamic Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Ye Shuling , Bao Chenhong , Chen Yulei , Shen Meixiao , Lu Fan , Zhang Shaodan , Zhu Dexi
Published: April 2022

Indentation gonioscopy is commonly used in the clinic to evaluate peripheral anterior synechia (PAS) of angle closure glaucoma (ACG). The examination requires contacting with the cornea, resulting in an uncomfortable feeling for patients, and it only provides qualitative outcomes which may be affected by subjective judgment of the clinicians. Previous studies had reported to identify the presence of PAS by measuring the changes of morphological parameters of the anterior chamber angle (ACA) under the pupillary light reflex, by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). However, this method was invalid for some subjects who had low sensitiveness to light. This article describes an air-puff dynamic anterior segment optical coherence tomography (DAS-OCT) system that can evaluate the presence of PAS in a non-contact approach. The peripheral cornea is deformed by an air puff jetted from the DAS-OCT, causing a transfer of force to the ACA, just as how indentation gonioscopy works. The dynamic changes of the ACA before and after the air puff are recorded by OCT. Ten eyes of normal subjects were enrolled in this study to validate the repeatability and availability of the measurements. Then, ten samples of the ACA from five subjects with ACG were recruited and were assigned into two groups, the non PAS group (NPAS) and PAS group, according to the results of gonioscopy. The ACA structural parameters including the angle opening distance at 750 μm to the scleral spur (AOD750) and the trabecular-iris space area at 750 μm anterior to the scleral spur (TISA750) were then calculated automatically by a custom-written algorithm. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of measured parameters was all above 0.85 for normal subjects, exhibiting good repeatability. For patients, both parameters showed significant differences between the two groups after the air puff, while no differences were observed before the air puff. AOD750dif and TISA750dif between two groups showed more significant differences, indicating that they could be used as indicators to identify the presence of PAS. In conclusion, the DAS-OCT system proposed in this study is demonstrated effective to identify the presence of PAS by measuring the changes of the ACA via a noncontact approach. It shows great potential for applications in guidance for diagnosis of angle closure glaucoma.
Evaluation Circular Failure of Soil Slopes Using Classification and Predictive Gene Expression Programming Schemes
Authors: Hanandeh Shadi
Published: April 2022

This article presents an analysis of a dataset related to slope stability circular failure cases using the GeneXproTools program. Two models were developed: The first model was utilized to find a classification model that shows the stability status (S), and the second model was utilized to estimate the factor of safety and predict the mathematical model to serve as an indicator of slope stability. The proposed models include cohesion, unit weight, slope angle, coefficient of pore water pressure, internal friction angle, slope height, internal friction angle, and safety factor. The results showed that the values of accuracy and error were 93.1 and 6.9%, respectively, for classification model 1. The relationship between the actual values of the factor of safety and the output of model 2 was an R2 value of 0.96. The models developed were subjected to sensitivity analysis to determine the input variables’ impact on output for the two models. The selected slope locations with different material characterizations were introduced into geox5 software, and the results were compared to those of the two developed models. Furthermore, when the proposed models were compared to the available models in the literature, the results showed that the proposed models in this study performed better than the available models.
Integration Analysis of Transcriptome and Proteome Reveal the Mechanisms of Goat Wool Bending
Authors: Liu Yue , Ding Yangyang , Liu Zhanfa , Chen Qian , Li Xiaobo , Xue Xianglan , Pu Yabin , Ma Yuehui , Zhao Qianjun
Published: April 2022

Zhongwei goat is a unique Chinese native goat breed for excellent lamb fur. The pattern of flower spikes of the lamb fur was significantly reduced due to the reduction of the bending of the hair strands with growth. In order to explore the molecular mechanism underlying hair bending with growth, we performed the comprehensive analysis of transcriptome and proteome of skins from 45-days, 108-days and 365-days goat based on TMT-based quantitative proteomics and RNA-seq methods. In the three comparison groups, 356, 592 and 282 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were screened, respectively. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that DEPs were significantly enriched in a set of signaling pathways related to wool growth and bending, such as ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, protein digestion and absorption, and metabolic pathways. In addition, 20 DEPs abundance of goat skin at three development stages were examined by PRM method, which validated the reliability of proteomic data. Among them, KRT and collagen alpha family may play an important role in the development of goat hair follicle and wool bending. COL6A1, COL6A2, CRNN, TNC and LOC102178129 were identified as candidate genes based on combined analysis of transcriptome and proteome data and PRM quantification. Our results identify the differential expressed proteins as well as pathways related to the wool bending of Zhongwei goats and provide a theoretical basis for further revealing the molecular mechanism underlying wool bending of goats.
Type 1 T Helper Cell-Based Molecular Subtypes and Signature Are Associated with Clinical Outcome in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wei Ran , Zhang Huihui , Cao Jianzhong , Qin Dailei , Deng Wuguo , Li Shengping
Published: April 2022

Lymph node metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is shown to be related with poor prognosis. To construct an immune-related gene prognostic risk model for PDAC and clarify the molecular and immune characteristics and the benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in prognostic risk model-defined subgroups of PDAC, we analyze the association between the density of immune cell infiltration and lymph node metastatic status and further study the potential role of immune cells, immune cell–related genes, and immunotherapy outcomes in PDAC patients using bioinformatics models and machine learning methods. Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), PACA-AU and PACA-CA data sets, 62 immune-related hub genes were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Four genes were selected to construct a molecular subtype identification based on the type 1 T helper cell–related hub genes by using the Cox regression method. We found that lower type 1 T helper cell abundance was correlated with prolonged survival in PDAC patients. Further, prognostic risk score model constructed with the type 1 T helper cell-related signature showed high accuracy in predicting overall survival and response to immunotherapy. This study might improve the understanding of the role of type 1 T helper cells in PDAC patients and aid in the development of immunotherapy and personalized treatments for these patients.
Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Dysfunction—A Hallmark Pathology of Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease?
Authors: Flønes Irene H. , Tzoulis Charalampos
Published: April 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common age-dependent neurodegenerative synucleinopathy. Loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta, together with region- and cell-specific aggregations of α-synuclein are considered main pathological hallmarks of PD, but its etiopathogenesis remains largely unknown. Mitochondrial dysfunction, in particular quantitative and/or functional deficiencies of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC), has been associated with the disease. However, after decades of research in this field, the pervasiveness and anatomical extent of MRC dysfunction in PD remain largely unknown. Moreover, it is not known whether the observed MRC defects are pathogenic, compensatory responses, or secondary epiphenomena. In this perspective, we give an overview of current evidence for MRC dysfunction in PD, highlight pertinent knowledge gaps, and propose potential strategies for future research.
Lyapunov-Based Economic Model Predictive Control for Detecting and Handling Actuator and Simultaneous Sensor/Actuator Cyberattacks on Process Control Systems
Authors: Oyama Henrique , Messina Dominic , Rangan Keshav Kasturi , Durand Helen
Published: April 2022

The controllers for a cyber-physical system may be impacted by sensor measurement cyberattacks, actuator signal cyberattacks, or both types of attacks. Prior work in our group has developed a theory for handling cyberattacks on process sensors. However, sensor and actuator cyberattacks have a different character from one another. Specifically, sensor measurement attacks prevent proper inputs from being applied to the process by manipulating the measurements that the controller receives, so that the control law plays a role in the impact of a given sensor measurement cyberattack on a process. In contrast, actuator signal attacks prevent proper inputs from being applied to a process by bypassing the control law to cause the actuators to apply undesirable control actions. Despite these differences, this manuscript shows that we can extend and combine strategies for handling sensor cyberattacks from our prior work to handle attacks on actuators and to handle cases where sensor and actuator attacks occur at the same time. These strategies for cyberattack-handling and detection are based on the Lyapunov-based economic model predictive control (LEMPC) and nonlinear systems theory. We first review our prior work on sensor measurement cyberattacks, providing several new insights regarding the methods. We then discuss how those methods can be extended to handle attacks on actuator signals and then how the strategies for handling sensor and actuator attacks individually can be combined to produce a strategy that is able to guarantee safety when attacks are not detected, even if both types of attacks are occurring at once. We also demonstrate that the other combinations of the sensor and actuator attack-handling strategies cannot achieve this same effect. Subsequently, we provide a mathematical characterization of the “discoverability” of cyberattacks that enables us to consider the various strategies for cyberattack detection presented in a more general context. We conclude by presenting a reactor example that showcases the aspects of designing LEMPC.
Research Advances on Matrine
Authors: Sun Xiao-Ying , Jia Li-Yi , Rong Zheng , Zhou Xin , Cao Lu-Qi , Li Ai-Hong , Guo Meng , Jin Jie , Wang Yin-Di , Huang Ling , Li Yi-Heng , He Zhong-Jing , Li Long , Ma Rui-Kang , Lv Yi-Fan , Shao Ke-Ke , Zhang Juan , Cao Hui-Ling
Published: April 2022

Matrine is an alkaloid extracted from traditional Chinese herbs including Sophora flavescentis, Sophora alopecuroides, Sophora root, etc. It has the dual advantages of traditional Chinese herbs and chemotherapy drugs. It exhibits distinct benefits in preventing and improving chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and tumors. The review introduced recent research progresses on extraction, synthesis and derivatization of Matrine. The summary focused on the latest research advances of Matrine on anti-atherosclerosis, anti-hypertension, anti-ischemia reperfusion injury, anti-arrhythmia, anti-diabetic cardiovascular complications, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterium, anti-virus, which would provide new core structures and new insights for new drug development in related fields.
Efficacy and Safety of Antiviral Agents in Preventing Allograft Rejection Following CMV Prophylaxis in High-Risk Kidney Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Ruenroengbun Narisa , Sapankaew Tunlanut , Chaiyakittisopon Kamolpat , Phoompoung Pakpoom , Ngamprasertchai Thundon
Published: April 2022

Many antiviral agents have been studied in clinical trials for allograft rejection prevention following cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis in high-risk kidney transplant patients. However, data on the most effective and safest treatment are lacking. We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis to rank CMV prophylaxis agents for allograft rejection prevention following CMV prophylaxis in high-risk kidney transplant patients according to their efficacy and safety. We conducted searches on the MEDLINE, Embase, SCOPUS, and CENTRAL databases, as well as the reference lists of selected studies up to December 2021, for published and peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of CMV prophylaxis agents in high-risk kidney transplant patients. Thirteen studies were independently selected by three reviewers and included post-kidney transplant patients indicated for CMV prophylaxis who had been randomized to receive prophylactic antiviral agents or standard of care. The reviewers independently extracted data from the included studies, and direct and network meta-analyses were applied to assess the study outcomes. The probability of efficacy and safety was evaluated, and the drugs were assigned a numerical ranking. We evaluated the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. The primary outcome was an incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection, whereas the secondary outcome was a composite of major adverse drug reactions. Each outcome referred to the definition provided in the original studies. Valganciclovir, valacyclovir, and ganciclovir were identified to significantly decrease the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection with pooled risk differences (RDs) of −20.53% (95% confidence interval [CI] = −36.09% to −4.98%), −19.3% (95% CI = −32.7% to −5.93%), and −10.4% (95% CI = −19.7% to −0.12%), respectively. The overall major adverse drug reaction was 5.7% without a significant difference when compared with placebo. Valganciclovir had the best combined efficacy and safety among the examined antiviral agents and was the most effective and safest antiviral agent overall for allograft rejection prevention following CMV prophylaxis. Valacyclovir was the optimal alternative antiviral agent for patients who were unable to tolerate intravenous ganciclovir or access oral valganciclovir as financial problem. However, compliance and dose-related toxicities should be closely monitored.
With Clear Intention—An Ethical Responsibility Model for Robot Governance
Authors: Rousi Rebekah
Published: April 2022

There is much discussion about super artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous machine learning (ML) systems, or learning machines (LM). Yet, the reality of thinking robotics still seems far on the horizon. It is one thing to define AI in light of human intelligence, citing the remoteness between ML and human intelligence, but another to understand issues of ethics, responsibility, and accountability in relation to the behavior of autonomous robotic systems within a human society. Due to the apparent gap between a society in which autonomous robots are a reality and present-day reality, many of the efforts placed on establishing robotic governance, and indeed, robot law fall outside the fields of valid scientific research. Work within this area has concentrated on manifestos, special interest groups and popular culture. This article takes a cognitive scientific perspective toward characterizing the nature of what true LMs would entail—i.e., intentionality and consciousness. It then proposes the Ethical Responsibility Model for Robot Governance (ER-RoboGov) as an initial platform or first iteration of a model for robot governance that takes the standpoint of LMs being conscious entities. The article utilizes past AI governance model research to map out the key factors of governance from the perspective of autonomous machine learning systems.
Students’ Attitude Toward Active Learning in Health Science Education: The Good, the Challenges, and the Educational Field Differences
Authors: Leksuwankun Surachai , Bunnag Suwiwat , Namasondhi Amornrut , Pongpitakmetha Thanakit , Ketchart Wannarasmi , Wangsaturaka Danai , Itthipanichpong Chandhanee
Published: April 2022

Active learning is an important shift in pedagogical paradigms in recent decades. Previous studies establish many benefits from this learning strategy. However, an implementation is challenging. This study aimed to clarify an explanation of the benefits and challenges of active learning from various educational field students’ perspectives. This study was conducted in a general education course at Chulalongkorn University. Underpinning with a mixed-method study, 22 undergraduates were interviewed in a focus group study. Results were analyzed with deductive thematic analysis and contributed to 23 items in close-ended questionnaires for a cross-sectional quantitative survey study. Notably, 222 undergraduates revealed their attitude toward active learning including benefits and challenges. Quantitative data were analyzed with analytical statistics including the Mann-Whitney U test, and these results are supported by thick descriptions derived from the qualitative data. This study revealed students’ attitude in benefits of active learning dividing into cognitive domain, student efficacy, and 21st century skills, and also challenges of active learning in teachers, students, and pedagogical aspects. Health science undergraduates tended to agree that active learning exposure enhances effective active learning than non-health science undergraduates (U = 2843, p = 0.029). An educational theory is also discussed with these results, and an educational implication to achieve an effective learning strategy is presented in this study.
Relief of Phosphate Limitation Stimulates Methane Oxidation
Authors: Nijman Thomas P. A. , Amado André M. , Bodelier Paul L. E. , Veraart Annelies J.
Published: April 2022

Aquatic ecosystems such as shallow lakes and wetlands are important emitters of the greenhouse gas methane (CH4). Increased phosphorus (P) loading is expected to increase CH4production in these ecosystems. This increased CH4production can potentially be mitigated by increased CH4oxidation, but how P availability affects methane-oxidizing bacterial (MOB) community composition and potential CH4oxidation remains to be tested. Here, we incubated MOB from sediments of four subtropical lakes of different trophic states for 7 days at different phosphate (PO43-) concentrations to determine the effects of P on MOB community composition and potential CH4oxidation. We measured CH4consumption daily and compared CH4oxidation during the exponential growth phase. Furthermore, we determined MOB community composition at the end of the incubations using qPCR of thepmoAgene. To test for differences in N and P uptake, we determined bacterial biomass N and P content. We found that increases in PO43-concentrations until 10 µM significantly increased CH4oxidation. PO43-also increased bacterial biomass P content, while N content was not affected. MOB community composition was not affected by PO43-but more strongly correlated to lake of origin, likely due to the short duration of the incubations. Our results show that PO43-can not only stimulate CH4oxidation indirectly through increased CH4production, but also directly by increasing MOB growth. Importantly, these effects only occur at low PO43-concentrations, indicating that at high nutrient loads the increased CH4oxidation will likely not mitigate the increased CH4production.
Modeled Impacts of LULC and Climate Change Predictions on the Hydrologic Regime in Belize
Authors: Martín-Arias Vanesa , Evans Christine , Griffin Robert , Cherrington Emil A. , Lee Christine M. , Mishra Deepak R. , Gomez Nicole Auil , Rosado Andria , Callejas Ileana A. , Jay Jennifer A. , Rosado Samir
Published: April 2022

Land use and land cover (LULC) change can have detrimental effects on water quality. In Belize, agricultural expansion creates the risk of increased sediment load and excess nutrients in runoff water, while deforestation removes potential infiltration sites for this outflow. Climate change and evolving precipitation rates can intensify the quantity of runoff, further enabling the flow of sediments and excess nutrients out to the lagoon surrounding the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS). This study sought to estimate potential impacts on future water quality in Belize by first modeling LULC change through 2090 across Belize’s major watersheds based on observed trends from 2008 to 2018. Those LULC projections were subsequently combined with soil type data, elevation, and precipitation rates into a hydrologic model to produce runoff flow estimates as a proxy for water quality. The two Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP-6) scenarios employed in the study represented bookend climate change scenarios, and both indicated generally lower precipitation rates in Belize over the next century due to climate change. The most extreme scenario predicted a 46% decrease in precipitation. When holding LULC change constant, these climate scenarios projected a decrease in runoff, suggesting a positive relationship between precipitation and runoff. In contrast with the northern watersheds, the southern watersheds are projected to experience greater decreases in annual rainfall and runoff by 2090. When holding climate constant, runoff increased by approximately 2.8% in the Conservation-focused LULC scenario by 2090, which was 28% lower than the Business as Usual scenario, and 42% lower than the Development scenario. The study’s integration of CMIP6 climate scenarios into LULC and hydrologic modeling provides a more holistic view of the future of Belize’s water quality and supports the long-term planning efforts of local decision-making agencies.
Controls of Initial Wood Decomposition on and in Forest Soils Using Standard Material
Authors: Risch Anita C. , Page-Dumroese Deborah S. , Schweiger Anna K. , Beattie James R. , Curran Mike P. , Finér Leena , Hyslop Mike D. , Liu Yong , Schütz Martin , Terry Tom A. , Wang Weiwei , Jurgensen Martin F.
Published: April 2022

Forest ecosystems sequester approximately half of the world’s organic carbon (C), most of it in the soil. The amount of soil C stored depends on the input and decomposition rate of soil organic matter (OM), which is controlled by the abundance and composition of the microbial and invertebrate communities, soil physico-chemical properties, and (micro)-climatic conditions. Although many studies have assessed how these site-specific climatic and soil properties affect the decomposition of fresh OM, differences in the type and quality of the OM substrate used, make it difficult to compare and extrapolate results across larger scales. Here, we used standard wood stakes made from aspen (Populus tremuloidesMichx.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) to explore how climate and abiotic soil properties affect wood decomposition across 44 unharvested forest stands located across the northern hemisphere. Stakes were placed in three locations: (i) on top of the surface organic horizons (surface), (ii) at the interface between the surface organic horizons and mineral soil (interface), and (iii) into the mineral soil (mineral). Decomposition rates of both wood species was greatest for mineral stakes and lowest for stakes placed on the surface organic horizons, but aspen stakes decomposed faster than pine stakes. Our models explained 44 and 36% of the total variation in decomposition for aspen surface and interface stakes, but only 0.1% (surface), 12% (interface), 7% (mineral) for pine, and 7% for mineral aspen stakes. Generally, air temperature was positively, precipitation negatively related to wood stake decomposition. Climatic variables were stronger predictors of decomposition than soil properties (surface C:nitrogen ratio, mineral C concentration, and pH), regardless of stake location or wood species. However, climate-only models failed in explaining wood decomposition, pointing toward the importance of including local-site properties when predicting wood decomposition. The difficulties we had in explaining the variability in wood decomposition, especially for pine and mineral soil stakes, highlight the need to continue assessing drivers of decomposition across large global scales to better understand and estimate surface and belowground C cycling, and understand the drivers and mechanisms that affect C pools, CO2emissions, and nutrient cycles.
Bacillus subtilis- and Pseudomonas fluorescens-Mediated Systemic Resistance in Tomato Against Sclerotium rolfsii and Study of Physio-Chemical Alterations
Authors: Shukla Vaishali , Kumar Sunil , Tripathi Yashoda Nandan , Upadhyay Ram S.
Published: April 2022

The present study is a comparative study between Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) signaling and antioxidative enzymatic signaling and deals with induced systemic resistance (ISR) in enhancing the disease resistance in typical tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicumL.) infected by the collar rot fungus,Sclerotium rolfsii(Teleomorph:Athelia rolfsii)by priming withBacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and their microbial consortia by a single strain ofBacillus subtilis, andP. fluorescensas well as by developed microbial consortium with both bacteria. Leaf samples were collected after different durations of pathogen inoculation, i.e., 1, 2, 3, and 4 days, and the systemic level of oxidative stress parameters, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), photosynthetic apparatus, superoxide radicals, and enzymatic antioxidants, were studied. Plant mortality under various treatments in two different seasons was calculated. The highest H2O2was scavenged by the microbial consortium-treated plants (B1P1) and the lowest in pathogen-challenged plants (PC) compared to the untreated control. Cellular damage and reduction in the chlorophyll pigments were the highest at 48 h, and the photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) was evaluated from 24 to 96 h; the lowest values were observed for pathogen-challenged plants and the highest for B1P1. Enzymatic antioxidants showed the maximum value for B1P1 and the minimum for PC compared to the unchallenged control. Furthermore, an analysis of variance and principal component analysis (PCA) were conducted to examine the effect of the evaluation time (ET) and inoculation conditions (ICs) alone and in combination (ET × IC) on the physiological and biochemical parameters; accordingly, the score and the loading plots were constructed. Tomato root sections inoculated with different treatments were observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to validate the potentiality of primed biocontrol agents in controlling the invasion of the pathogen. Further studies on the potential of this isolate to enhance the plant growth at the field level would strengthen the possibility of using the isolate as an alternative for organic fertilizers and pesticides.
TLR2 Activation by Porphyromonas gingivalis Requires Both PPAD Activity and Fimbriae
Authors: Wielento Aleksandra , Bereta Grzegorz P. , Łagosz-Ćwik Katarzyna B. , Eick Sigrun , Lamont Richard J. , Grabiec Aleksander M. , Potempa Jan
Published: April 2022

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone oral pathogen implicated in development and progression of periodontitis, may also contribute to the pathogenicity of diseases such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer’s. P. gingivalis is a master manipulator of host immune responses due to production of a large variety of virulence factors. Among these, P. gingivalis peptidilarginine deiminase (PPAD), an enzyme unique to P. gingivalis, converts C-terminal Arg residues in bacterium- and host-derived proteins and peptides into citrulline. PPAD contributes to stimulation of proinflammatory responses in host cells and is essential for activation of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis pathway in gingival fibroblasts. Since P. gingivalis is recognized mainly by Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2), we investigated the effects of PPAD activity on TLR2-dependent host cell responses to P. gingivalis, as well as to outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and fimbriae produced by this organism. Using reporter cell lines, we found that PPAD activity was required for TLR2 activation by P. gingivalis cells and OMVs. We also found that fimbriae, an established TLR2 ligand, from wild-type ATCC 33277 (but not from its isogenic PPAD mutant) enhanced the proinflammatory responses of host cells. Furthermore, only fimbriae from wild-type ATCC 33277, but not from the PPAD-deficient strains, induced cytokine production and stimulated expression of genes within the PGE2 synthesis pathway in human gingival fibroblasts via activation of the NF-ĸB and MAP kinase-dependent signaling pathways. Analysis of ten clinical isolates revealed that type I FimA is preferable for TLR2 signaling enhancement. In conclusion, the data strongly suggest that both PPAD activity and fimbriae are important for TLR2-dependent cell responses to P. gingivalis infection.
Patterns of Peripheral Blood B-Cell Subtypes Are Associated With Treatment Response in Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Prospective Longitudinal Pan-Cancer Study
Authors: Barth Dominik A. , Stanzer Stefanie , Spiegelberg Jasmin A. , Bauernhofer Thomas , Absenger Gudrun , Szkandera Joanna , Gerger Armin , Smolle Maria A. , Hutterer Georg C. , Ahyai Sascha A. , Madl Tobias , Posch Florian , Riedl Jakob M. , Klec Christiane , Jost Philipp J. , Kargl Julia , Stradner Martin H. , Pichler Martin
Published: April 2022

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized systemic anti-tumor treatments across different types of cancer. Nevertheless, predictive biomarkers regarding treatment response are not routinely established yet. Apart from T-lymphocytes, the humoral immunity of B-lymphocytes is studied to a substantially lesser extent in the respective setting. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate peripheral blood B-cell subtypes as potential predictors of ICI treatment response.

Methods

Thirty-nine cancer patients receiving ICI therapy were included into this prospective single-center cohort study. All had a first blood draw at the date before treatment initiation and a second at the time of first response evaluation (after 8-12 weeks). Seven different B-cell subtypes were quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Disease control- (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR) were co-primary study endpoints.

Results

Overall, DCR was 48.7% and ORR was 25.6%, respectively. At baseline, there was no significant association of any B-cell subtype with neither DCR nor ORR. At the first response evaluation, an increase in the frequency of CD21- B-cells was a statistically significant negative predictor of response, both regarding DCR (OR=0.05, 95%CI=0.00-0.67, p=0.024) and ORR (OR=0.09, 95%CI=0.01-0.96, p=0.046). An increase of the frequency of switched memory B-cells was significantly associated with reduced odds for DCR (OR=0.06, 95%CI=0.01-0.70, p=0.025). Patients with an increased frequency of naïve B-cells were more likely to benefit from ICI therapy as indicated by an improved DCR (OR=12.31, 95%CI=1.13-134.22, p=0.039).

Conclusion

In this study, certain B-cell subpopulations were associated with ICI treatment response in various human cancer types.
Murine Chronic Pancreatitis Model Induced by Partial Ligation of the Pancreatic Duct Encapsulates the Profile of Macrophage in Human Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Peng Cheng , Tu Guangping , Yu Li , Wu Peng , Zhang Xianlin , Li Zheng , Li Zhiqiang , Yu Xiao
Published: April 2022

Immune responses are an integral part of the pathogenesis of pancreatitis. Studies applying the mouse model of pancreatitis induced by partial ligation of the pancreatic duct to explore the pancreatic immune microenvironment are still lacking. The aim of the present study is to explore the macrophage profile and associated regulatory mechanisms in mouse pancreatitis, as well as the correlation with human chronic pancreatitis (CP). In the present study, the mouse model of pancreatitis was induced by partial ligation of the pancreatic duct. Mice in the acute phase were sacrificed at 0, 4, 8, 16, 32, 72 h after ligation, while mice in the chronic phase were sacrificed at 7, 14, 21, 28 days after ligation. We found that the pancreatic pathological score, expression of TNF-α and IL-6 were elevated over time and peaked at 72h in the acute phase, while in the chronic phase, the degree of pancreatic fibrosis peaked at day 21 after ligation. Pancreatic M1 macrophages and pyroptotic macrophages showed a decreasing trend over time, whereas M2 macrophages gradually rose and peaked at day 21. IL-4 is involved in the development of CP and is mainly derived from pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). The murine pancreatitis model constructed by partial ligation of the pancreatic duct, especially the CP model, can ideally simulate human CP caused by obstructive etiologies in terms of morphological alterations and immune microenvironment characteristics.
A Novel Porcine Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury After Cross-Clamping the Thoracic Aorta Revealed Substantial Cardiopulmonary, Thromboinflammatory and Biochemical Changes Without Effect of C1-Inhibitor Treatment
Authors: Nielsen Erik Waage , Miller Yoav , Brekke Ole-Lars , Grond Joost , Duong Anh Hoang , Fure Hilde , Ludviksen Judith Krey , Pettersen Kristin , Reubsaet Leon , Solberg Rigmor , Johansen Harald Thidemann , Mollnes Tom Eirik
Published: April 2022

Ischemic injury worsens upon return of blood and innate immunity including the complement system play a central role in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) as in thoracic aortic surgery. Complement component1 inhibitor (C1-INH) has been shown to reduce IRI and is a broad-acting plasma cascade inhibitor. We established a new porcine model of IRI by cross-clamping the thoracic aorta and evaluated the global changes occurring in organ function, systemic inflammatory response and organ damage with or without treatment with C1-INH-concentrate. Twenty-four piglets (8.8-11.1 kg) underwent 45 minutes clamping of the thoracic aorta at the Th8 level. Upfront 12 piglets received human saline and 12 received C1-INH (250 IU/kg) intravenously. Three sham animals received thoracic opening without clamping. Reperfusion lasted 5 hours. We studied ten cardiorespiratory markers, three hematologic markers, eleven inflammatory markers, and twelve organ damage markers over the whole experimental period. Postmortem tissue homogenates from seven organs were examined for inflammatory markers and analysed by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, area under the curve or unpaired t-tests. By excluding sham and combining treated and untreated animals, the markers reflected a uniform, broad and severe organ dysfunction. The mean and range fold change from before cross-clamp onset to maximum change for the different groups of markers were: cardiorespiratory 1.4 (0.2-3.7), hematologic 1.9 (1.2-2.7), plasma inflammatory 19.5 (1.4-176) and plasma organ damage 2.9 (1.1-8.6). Treatment with C1-INH had only a marginal effect on the IRI-induced changes, reaching statistical significance only for the plasma complement activation product TCC (p=0.0083) and IL-4 (p=0.022) and INF-α (p=0.016) in the colon tissue. In conclusion, the present novel model of porcine global IRI is forceful with regards to central markers and could generally be applicable for pathophysiological studies. C1-INH treatment had no significant effect, but the model allows for future testing of other drugs attenuating IRI globally.
HIV Infection Predisposes to Increased Chances of HBV Infection: Current Understanding of the Mechanisms Favoring HBV Infection at Each Clinical Stage of HIV Infection
Authors: Zaongo Silvere D. , Ouyang Jing , Chen Yaling , Jiao Yan-Mei , Wu Hao , Chen Yaokai
Published: April 2022

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) selectively targets and destroys the infection-fighting CD4+ T-lymphocytes of the human immune system, and has a life cycle that encompasses binding to certain cells, fusion to that cell, reverse transcription of its genome, integration of its genome into the host cell DNA, replication of the HIV genome, assembly of the HIV virion, and budding and subsequent release of free HIV virions. Once a host is infected with HIV, the host’s ability to competently orchestrate effective and efficient immune responses against various microorganisms, such as viral infections, is significantly disrupted. Without modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV is likely to gradually destroy the cellular immune system, and thus the initial HIV infection will inexorably evolve into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Generally, HIV infection in a patient has an acute phase, a chronic phase, and an AIDS phase. During these three clinical stages, patients are found with relatively specific levels of viral RNA, develop rather distinctive immune conditions, and display unique clinical manifestations. Convergent research evidence has shown that hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection, a common cause of chronic liver disease, is fairly common in HIV-infected individuals. HBV invasion of the liver can be facilitated by HIV infection at each clinical stage of the infection due to a number of contributing factors, including having identical transmission routes, immunological suppression, gut microbiota dysbiosis, poor vaccination immune response to hepatitis B immunization, and drug hepatotoxicity. However, there remains a paucity of research investigation which critically describes the influence of the different HIV clinical stages and their consequences which tend to favor HBV entrenchment in the liver. Herein, we review advances in the understanding of the mechanisms favoring HBV infection at each clinical stage of HIV infection, thus paving the way toward development of potential strategies to reduce the prevalence of HBV co-infection in the HIV-infected population.
O-GlcNAcylation and Its Role in Cancer-Associated Inflammation
Authors: Ouyang Muzi , Yu Changmeng , Deng Xiaolian , Zhang Yingyi , Zhang Xudong , Duan Fangfang
Published: April 2022

Cancer cells, as well as surrounding stromal and inflammatory cells, form an inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME) to promote all stages of carcinogenesis. As an emerging post-translational modification (PTM) of serine and threonine residues of proteins, O-linked-N-Acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) regulates diverse cancer-relevant processes, such as signal transduction, transcription, cell division, metabolism and cytoskeletal regulation. Recent studies suggest that O-GlcNAcylation regulates the development, maturation and functions of immune cells. However, the role of protein O-GlcNAcylation in cancer-associated inflammation has been less explored. This review summarizes the current understanding of the influence of protein O-GlcNAcylation on cancer-associated inflammation and the mechanisms whereby O-GlcNAc-mediated inflammation regulates tumor progression. This will provide a theoretical basis for further development of anti-cancer therapies.