bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia-induced circWSB1 promotes breast cancer progression through destabilizing p53 by interacting with USP10
Authors: Yang Rui , Chen Hang , Xing Lei , Wang Bin , Hu Mengting , Ou Xiaoqiang , Chen Hong , Deng Yumei , Liu Dawei , Jiang Rong , Chen Junxia
Published: March 2022

Background

Hypoxia has long been considered as a hallmark of solid tumors and is closely associated with tumor progression. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as a critical modulator in various cancers. However, the connections between hypoxia and circRNAs are largely unknown.

Methods

Here, we investigated the expression profile of circRNAs in breast cancer (BC) MCF-7 cells under hypoxia and normoxia using microarray. We identified a novel hypoxia-responsive circRNA named circWSB1, whose expression pattern, potential diagnostic value and prognostic significance were assessed by qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. Loss- and gain-of-function investigations in vivo and in vitro were performed to determine the biological functions of circWSB1. Mechanistically, chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase reporter assays were carried out to analyze the biogenesis of circWSB1. Furthermore, biotin-labeled RNA pull-down, mass spectrometry, RNA immunoprecipitation, fluorescent in situ hybridization, RNA electrophoretic mobility shift, deletion-mapping, co-immunoprecipitation assays and rescue experiments were applied to investigate the interaction between circWSB1 and Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10) as well as the relationship between USP10 and p53.

Results

We found that the expression of circWSB1 was significantly upregulated in BC tissues and correlated with poor clinical outcomes, which might serve as an independent prognostic factor for BC patients. Ectopic expression of circWSB1 promoted the proliferation of BC cell in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circWSB1 was transcriptionally upregulated by HIF1α in response to hypoxia and could competitively bind to deubiquitinase USP10 to prevent the access of p53 to USP10 in BC cells, leading to degradation of p53 and tumor progression of BC.

Conclusions

Taken together, our findings disclose a novel mechanism that hypoxia-inducible circWSB1 could interact with USP10 to attenuate USP10 mediated p53 stabilization and promote the progression of BC, providing an alternative prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for BC.
Breakfast consumption frequency is associated with dyslipidemia: a retrospective cohort study of a working population
Authors: Li Qi-mei , Wu Cheng-kai , Ma Peng-cheng , Cui Hao , Li Rui-ning , Hong Chang , Zeng Lin , Liao Sheng-wu , Xiao Lu-shan , Liu Li , Li Wen-yuan
Published: March 2022

Background

Dyslipidemia is a significant contributor to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Research on the relationship between breakfast consumption frequency and dyslipidemia in the working population is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this relationship based on a retrospective cohort study of a large working population in China.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used data from the physical examinations and questionnaire survey of working participants at Nanfang Hospital from January 20, 2015 to October 16, 2020. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between breakfast consumption frequency and dyslipidemia in this working population (n = 7644).

Results

The prevalence of dyslipidemia among the participants was 26.4%. The univariate logistic regression test showed that the breakfast consumption frequency was inversely correlated with dyslipidemia. After adjusting for multiple factors, such as sex, age, body mass index, hypertension, hyperuricaemia, diabetes, smoking status, alcohol consumption, education level, marital status, long-term exposure to kitchen oil fumes, attending business dinners, and sleep time, it was found that breakfast consumption remained inversely associated with dyslipidaemia. The odds ratio for daily breakfast consumption was 0.466 (95% confidence interval 0.283–0.770, P = 0.003). After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that the higher the frequency of breakfast consumption, the lower the odds ratios for hypertriglyceridaemia.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that breakfast consumption frequency was inversely correlated with dyslipidemia. The higher the frequency of breakfast, the lower the risk of hypertriglyceridaemia. This study provides a basis on which dietary suggestions for the working population and lifestyle guidance for patients with a clinical need to prevent dyslipidemia can be made.
SPIONs mediated magnetic actuation promotes nerve regeneration by inducing and maintaining repair-supportive phenotypes in Schwann cells
Authors: Liu Ting , Wang Yang , Lu Laijin , Liu Yi
Published: March 2022

Background

Schwann cells, the glial cells in the peripheral nervous system, are highly plastic. In response to nerve injury, Schwann cells are reprogrammed to a series of specialized repair-promoting phenotypes, known as repair Schwann cells, which play a pivotal role in nerve regeneration. However, repair Schwann cells represent a transient and unstable cell state, and these cells progressively lose their repair phenotypes and repair‐supportive capacity; the transience of this state is one of the key reasons for regeneration failure in humans. Therefore, the ability to control the phenotypic stability of repair Schwann cells is of great practical importance as well as biological interest.

Results

We designed and prepared a type of fluorescent–magnetic bifunctional superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). In the present study, we established rat sciatic nerve injury models, then applied SPIONs to Schwann cells and established an effective SPION-mediated magnetic actuation system targeting the sciatic nerves. Our results demonstrate that magnetic actuation mediated by SPIONs can induce and maintain repair-supportive phenotypes of Schwann cells, thereby promoting regeneration and functional recovery of the sciatic nerve after crush injury.

Conclusions

Our research indicate that Schwann cells can sense these external, magnetically driven mechanical forces and transduce them to intracellular biochemical signals that promote nerve regeneration by inducing and maintaining the repair phenotypes of Schwann cells. We hope that this study will provide a new therapeutic strategy to promote the regeneration and repair of injured peripheral nerves.

Graphical Abstract
Supervised training of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections does not adversely affect short- and long-term outcomes: a Propensity-score-matched cohort study
Authors: Odermatt Manfred , Khan Jim , Parvaiz Amjad
Published: March 2022

Background

Supervised training of laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery to fellows and consultants (trainees) may raise doubts regarding safety and oncological adequacy. This study investigated these concerns by comparing the short- and long-term outcomes of matched supervised training cases to cases performed by the trainer himself.

Methods

A prospective database was analysed retrospectively. All elective laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections in curative intent of adult patients (≥ 18 years) which were performed (non-training cases) or supervised to trainees (training cases) by a single laparoscopic expert surgeon (trainer) were identified. All trainees were specialist surgeons in training for laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Supervised training was standardised. Training cases were 1:1 propensity-score matched to non-training cases using age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, tumour site (rectum, left and right colon) and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumour stage. The resulting groups were analysed for both short- (operative, oncological, complications) and long-term (time to recurrence, overall and disease-free survival) outcomes.

Results

From 10/2006 to 2/2016, a total of 675 resections met the inclusion criteria, of which 95 were training cases. These resections were matched to 95 non-training cases. None of the matched covariates exhibited an imbalance greater than 0.25 (│d│>0.25). There were no significant differences in short- (length of procedure, conversion rate, blood loss, postoperative complications, R0 resections, lymph node harvest) and long-term outcomes. When comparing training cases to non-training cases, 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 71.6% (62.4–82.2) versus 81.9% (74.2–90.4) and 70.0% (60.8–80.6) versus 73.6% (64.9–83.3), respectively (not significant). The corresponding hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals, p) were 0.57 (0.32–1.02, p = 0.057) and 0.87 (0.51–1.48, p = 0.61), respectively (univariate Cox proportional hazard model).

Conclusions

Standardised supervised training of laparoscopic colorectal cancer procedures to specialist surgeons may not adversely impact short- and long-term outcomes. This result may also apply to newer surgical techniques as long as standardised teaching methods are followed.
Effectiveness of NLRP3 Inhibitor as a Non-Hormonal Treatment for ovarian endometriosis
Authors: Murakami Mayuko , Osuka Satoko , Muraoka Ayako , Hayashi Shotaro , Bayasula  , Kasahara Yukiyo , Sonehara Reina , Hariyama Yumi , Shinjo Kanako , Tanaka Hideaki , Miyake Natsuki , Yoshita Sayako , Nakanishi Natsuki , Nakamura Tomoko , Goto Maki , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: March 2022

Background

Endometriosis is a complex syndrome characterized by an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory process that affects 10% of women of reproductive age. Ovarian endometriosis (OE) is the most common lesion in endometriosis and may cause infertility, in addition to dysmenorrhea. Hormonal treatments, which are the conventional treatment methods for endometriosis, suppress ovulation and hence are not compatible with fertility. The inflammasome is a complex that includes Nod-like receptor (NLR) family proteins, which sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns and homeostasis-altering molecular processes. It has been reported that the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing (NLRP) 3 inflammasome, which contributes to the activation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), might be related to the progression of endometriosis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate non-hormonal therapies for OE, such as inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Methods

The expression of NLRP3 was measured in the eutopic endometrium (EM) of patients with and without endometriosis and OE samples, as well as stromal cells derived from the endometrium of patients with and without endometriosis and OE samples (endometrial stromal cells with endometriosis [ESCs] and cyst-derived stromal cells [CSCs]). The effects of an NLRP3 inhibitor (MCC950) on ESCs and CSCs survival and IL-1β production were evaluated. We then administered MCC950 to a murine model of OE to evaluate its effects on OE lesions and ovarian function.

Results

NLRP3 gene and protein expression levels were higher in OE and CSCs than in EM and ESCs, respectively. MCC950 treatment significantly reduced the survival of CSCs, but not that of ESCs. Moreover, MCC950 treatment reduced the co-localization of NLRP3 and IL-1β in CSCs, as well as IL-1β concentrations in CSCs supernatants. In the murine model, MCC950 treatment reduced OE lesion size compared to phosphate-buffered saline treatment (89 ± 15 vs. 49 ± 9.3 mm3 per ovary; P < 0.05). In the MCC950-treated group, IL-1β and Ki67 levels in the OE-associated epithelia were reduced along with the oxidative stress markers of granulosa cells.

Conclusions

These results indicated that NLRP3/IL-1β is involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and that NLRP3 inhibitors may be useful for suppressing OE and improving the function of ovaries with endometriosis.
Impact of reliable light and electricity on job satisfaction among maternity health workers in Uganda: A cluster randomized trial
Authors: Chang Wei , Cohen Jessica , Mwesigwa Brian , Waiswa Peter , Rokicki Slawa
Published: March 2022

Background

Maintaining a motivated health workforce is critical to health system effectiveness and quality of care. Scant evidence exists on whether interventions aimed to strengthen health infrastructure in low-resource settings affect health workers. This study evaluated the impact of an intervention providing solar light and electricity to rural maternity facilities in Uganda on health workers’ job satisfaction.

Methods

We used a mixed-methods design embedded in a cluster randomized trial to evaluate whether and how the We Care Solar Suitcase intervention, a solar electric system providing lighting and power, affected health workers in rural Ugandan maternity facilities with unreliable light. Facilities were randomly assigned to receive the intervention or not without blinding in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Outcomes were assessed through two rounds of surveys with health workers. We used regression analyses to examine the intervention’s impact on job satisfaction. We used an inductive approach to analyze qualitative data to understand the study context and interpret quantitative findings.

Results

We interviewed 85 health workers across 30 facilities, the majority of whom were midwives or nurses. Qualitative reports indicated that unreliable light made it difficult to provide care, worsened facility conditions, and harmed health workers and patients. Before the intervention, only 4% of health workers were satisfied with their access to light and electricity. After the installation, satisfaction with light increased by 76 percentage points [95% confidence interval (CI): 61–92 percentage points], although satisfaction with electricity did not change. Experience of negative impacts of lack of overhead light also significantly decreased and the intervention modestly increased job satisfaction. Qualitative evidence illustrated how the intervention may have strengthened health workers’ sense of job security and confidence in providing high-quality care while pointing towards implementation challenges and other barriers health workers faced.

Conclusions

Reliable access to light and electricity directly affects health workers’ ability to provide maternal and neonatal care and modestly improves job satisfaction. Policy makers should invest in health infrastructure as part of multifaceted policy strategies to strengthen human resources for health and to improve maternal and newborn health services.

Trial registration socialscienceregistry.org: AEARCTR-0003078. Registered June 12, 2018, https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/trials/3078

Additionally registered on: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03589625, Registered July 18, 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03589625)
Use of external fixators in developing countries: a short socioeconomic analysis
Authors: Cinthuja Pathmanathan , Wijesinghe P. C. I. , Silva Pujitha
Published: March 2022

The use of external fixators (EFs) dates back to 377 BC Hippocrates’ time, and it has a wide range of orthopaedic applications. External fixator has expanded its use in the management of fractures and other musculoskeletal conditions. It is widely used all over the world to manage complex musculoskeletal injuries. It has many advantages as compared to internal fixation in some trauma scenarios. However, the cost of the external fixators presents a dilemma to the healthcare system in developing countries. The goals of this review article are to explain the importance of EFs in developing countries in managing fractures, to determine the problems encountered at present during external fixation by developing countries, to identify solutions that could be used to address these issues, expand the use of external fixation into other domains of treatment, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on fracture management based on existing literature. In conclusion, EFs are very expensive, researches have been conducted to overcome these barriers in developing countries. However, there are limitations in implementing in developing countries. It is important to have affordable and clinically acceptable EFs available in developing countries.
Mass spectrometric study of variation in kinin peptide profiles in nasal fluids and plasma of adult healthy individuals
Authors: Gangnus Tanja , Bartel Anke , Burckhardt Bjoern B.
Published: March 2022

Background

The kallikrein-kinin system is assumed to have a multifunctional role in health and disease, but its in vivo role in humans currently remains unclear owing to the divergence of plasma kinin level data published ranging from the low picomolar to high nanomolar range, even in healthy volunteers. Moreover, existing data are often restricted on reporting levels of single kinins, thus neglecting the distinct effects of active kinins on bradykinin (BK) receptors considering diverse metabolic pathways. A well-characterized and comprehensively evaluated healthy cohort is imperative for a better understanding of the biological variability of kinin profiles to enable reliable differentiation concerning disease-specific kinin profiles.

Methods

To study biological levels and variability of kinin profiles comprehensively, 28 healthy adult volunteers were enrolled. Nasal lavage fluid and plasma were sampled in customized protease inhibitor prespiked tubes using standardized protocols, proven to limit inter-day and interindividual variability significantly. Nine kinins were quantitatively assessed using validated LC–MS/MS platforms: kallidin (KD), Hyp4-KD, KD1-9, BK, Hyp3-BK, BK1-8, BK1-7, BK1-5, and BK2-9. Kinin concentrations in nasal epithelial lining fluid were estimated by correlation using urea.

Results

Circulating plasma kinin levels were confirmed in the very low picomolar range with levels below 4.2 pM for BK and even lower levels for the other kinins. Endogenous kinin levels in nasal epithelial lining fluids were substantially higher, including median levels of 80.0 pM for KD and 139.1 pM for BK. Hydroxylated BK levels were higher than mean BK concentrations (Hyp3-BK/BK = 1.6), but hydroxylated KD levels were substantially lower than KD (Hyp4-KD/KD = 0.37). No gender-specific differences on endogenous kinin levels were found.

Conclusions

This well-characterized healthy cohort enables investigation of the potential of kinins as biomarkers and would provide a valid control group to study alterations of kinin profiles in diseases, such as angioedema, sepsis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and COVID-19.
The SETD8/ELK1/bach1 complex regulates hyperglycaemia-mediated EndMT in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Li Xue , Lu Lihong , Hou Wenting , Wang Fei , Huang Ting , Meng Zhipeng , Zhu Minmin
Published: March 2022

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), the most common microvascular complication in patients with diabetes, induces kidney failure. Previous research showed that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) of human glomerular endothelial cells (HGECs) is involved in the progression of DN. Moreover, SET domain-containing protein 8 (SETD8), ETS-domain containing protein (ELK1) and BTB and CNC homology 1 (bach1) all participate in endothelial injury. In this study, we hypothesize that the SETD8/ELK1/bach1 functional axis is involved in mediating EndMT in diabetic nephropathy.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and qPCR were performed to determine the protein and mRNA levels of genes in HGECs and the kidney tissues of participants and rats. Immunofluorescence, Co-IP and GST pulldown assays were performed to verify the direct interaction between SETD8 and ELK1. ChIP and dual-luciferase assays were performed to determine the transcriptional regulation of bach1 and Snail. AVV-SETD8 injection in rat kidney was used to verify the potential protective effect of SETD8 on DN.

Results

Our current study showed that hyperglycaemia triggered EndMT by increasing Snail expression both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, high glucose increased bach1 expression in HGECs, positively regulating Snail and EndMT. As a transcription factor, ELK1 was augmented and participated in hyperglycaemia-induced EndMT via modulation of bach1 expression. Moreover, ELK1 was found to associate with SETD8. Furthermore, SETD8 negatively regulated EndMT by cooperating with bach1 to regulate Snail transcription. Furthermore, histone H4-Lys-20 monomethylation (H4K20me1), which is downstream of SETD8, was accompanied by ELK1 localization at the same promoter region of bach1. ELK1 overexpression enhanced bach1 promoter activity, which disappeared after specific binding site deletion. Mutual inhibition between ELK1 and SETD8 was found in HGECs. In vivo, SETD8 overexpression decreased ELK1 and bach1 expression, as well as EndMT. Moreover, SETD8 overexpression improved the renal function of rats with DN.

Conclusions

SETD8 cooperates with ELK1 to regulate bach1 transcription, thus participating in the progression of DN. In addition, SETD8 interacts with bach1 to modulate Snail transcription, thus inducing EndMT in DN. SETD8 plays a core role in the SETD8/ELK1/bach1 functional axis, which participates in hyperglycaemia-mediated EndMT in DN, and SETD8 may be a potential therapeutic target for DN.

Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR2000029425. 2020/1/31, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=48548
Dysfunctional bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells are involved in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Xing Tong , Lyu Zhong-Shi , Duan Cai-Wen , Zhao Hong-Yan , Tang Shu-Qian , Wen Qi , Zhang Yuan-Yuan , Lv Meng , Wang Yu , Xu Lan-Ping , Zhang Xiao-Hui , Huang Xiao-Jun , Kong Yuan
Published: March 2022

Background

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of heterogeneous myeloid clonal disorders characterized by ineffective haematopoiesis and immune deregulation. Emerging evidence has shown the effect of bone marrow (BM) endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in regulating haematopoiesis and immune balance. However, the number and functions of BM EPCs in patients with different stages of MDS remain largely unknown.

Methods

Patients with MDS (N = 30), de novo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) (N = 15), and healthy donors (HDs) (N = 15) were enrolled. MDS patients were divided into lower-risk MDS (N = 15) and higher-risk MDS (N = 15) groups according to the dichotomization of the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System. Flow cytometry was performed to analyse the number of BM EPCs. Tube formation and migration assays were performed to evaluate the functions of BM EPCs. In order to assess the gene expression profiles of BM EPCs, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were performed. BM EPC supporting abilities of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), leukaemia cells and T cells were assessed by in vitro coculture experiments.

Results

Increased but dysfunctional BM EPCs were found in MDS patients compared with HDs, especially in patients with higher-risk MDS. RNA-seq indicated the progressive change and differences of haematopoiesis- and immune-related pathways and genes in MDS BM EPCs. In vitro coculture experiments verified that BM EPCs from HDs, lower-risk MDS, and higher-risk MDS to AML exhibited a progressively decreased ability to support HSCs, manifested as elevated apoptosis rates and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and decreased colony-forming unit plating efficiencies of HSCs. Moreover, BM EPCs from higher-risk MDS patients demonstrated an increased ability to support leukaemia cells, characterized by increased proliferation, leukaemia colony-forming unit plating efficiencies, decreased apoptosis rates and apoptosis-related genes. Furthermore, BM EPCs induced T cell differentiation towards more immune-tolerant cells in higher-risk MDS patients in vitro. In addition, the levels of intracellular ROS and the apoptosis ratios were increased in BM EPCs from MDS patients, especially in higher-risk MDS patients, which may be therapeutic candidates for MDS patients.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that dysfunctional BM EPCs are involved in MDS patients, which indicates that improving haematopoiesis supporting ability and immuneregulation ability of BM EPCs may represent a promising therapeutic approach for MDS patients.
Ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles cause significant toxicity by specifically inducing acute oxidative stress to multiple organs
Authors: Wu Lin , Wen Wen , Wang Xiaofeng , Huang Danhua , Cao Jin , Qi Xueyong , Shen Song
Published: March 2022

Background

Iron oxide nanoparticles have been approved by food and drug administration for clinical application as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and are considered to be a biocompatible material. Large iron oxide nanoparticles are usually used as transversal (T2) contrast agents to exhibit dark contrast in MRI. In contrast, ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIONs) (several nanometers) showed remarkable advantage in longitudinal (T1)-weighted MRI due to the brighten effect. The study of the toxicity mainly focuses on particles with size of tens to hundreds of nanometers, while little is known about the toxicity of USPIONs.

Results

We fabricated Fe3O4 nanoparticles with diameters of 2.3, 4.2, and 9.3 nm and evaluated their toxicity in mice by intravenous injection. The results indicate that ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles with small size (2.3 and 4.2 nm) were highly toxic and were lethal at a dosage of 100 mg/kg. In contrast, no obvious toxicity was observed for iron oxide nanoparticles with size of 9.3 nm. The toxicity of small nanoparticles (2.3 and 4.2 nm) could be reduced when the total dose was split into 4 doses with each interval for 5 min. To study the toxicology, we synthesized different-sized SiO2 and gold nanoparticles. No significant toxicity was observed for ultrasmall SiO2 and gold nanoparticles in the mice. Hence, the toxicity of the ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles should be attributed to both the iron element and size. In the in vitro experiments, all the ultrasmall nanoparticles (< 5 nm) of Fe3O4, SiO2, and gold induced the generation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) efficiently, while no obvious ROS was observed in larger nanoparticles groups. However, the ·OH was only detected in Fe3O4 group instead of SiO2 and gold groups. After intravenous injection, significantly elevated ·OH level was observed in heart, serum, and multiple organs. Among these organs, heart showed highest ·OH level due to the high distribution of ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles, leading to the acute cardiac failure and death.

Conclusion

Ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles (2.3 and 4.2 nm) showed high toxicity in vivo due to the distinctive capability in inducing the generation of ·OH in multiple organs, especially in heart. The toxicity was related to both the iron element and size. These findings provide novel insight into the toxicology of ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and also highlight the need of comprehensive evaluation for their clinic application.

Graphical Abstract
Differences in the flexion and extension phases during kneeling investigated by kinematic and contact point analyses: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nakazoe Yusuke , Yonekura Akihiko , Takita Hiroyuki , Miyaji Takeshi , Okazaki Narihiro , Chiba Ko , Kidera Kenichi , Miyamoto Takashi , Tomita Masato , Gamada Kazuyoshi , Osaki Makoto
Published: March 2022

Background

Kneeling is necessary for certain religious and ceremonial occasions, crouching work, and gardening, which many people take part in worldwide. However, there have been few reports about kneeling activities. The purpose of this study was to clarify the kinematics of kneeling.

Methods

The subjects were 15 healthy young males. Kneeling activity was analysed within a knee flexion angle from 100° to maximum flexion (maxflex, mean ± SD = 161.3 ± 3.2°). The kinematic and contact point (CP) analyses were performed using a 2D/3D registration method, in which a 3D bone model created from computed tomography images was matched to knee lateral fluoroscopic images and analysed on a personal computer.

Results

In the kinematic analysis, the femur translated 37.5 mm posteriorly and rotated 19.8° externally relative to the tibia during the knee flexion phase. During the knee extension phase, the femur translated 36.4 mm anteriorly, which was almost the same amount as in the knee flexion phase. However, the femur rotated only 7.4° internally during the knee extension phase. In the CP analysis, the amount of anterior translation of the CP in the knee extension phase was greater in the medial CP and smaller in the lateral CP than that of posterior translation in the knee flexion phase.

Conclusions

In kneeling, there was a difference in the rotational kinematics between the flexion phase and the extension phase. The kinematic difference between the flexion and extension phases may have some effect on the meniscus and articular cartilage.
Pediatric hypersensitivity pneumonitis: literature update and proposal of a diagnostic algorithm
Authors: Mastrorilli Carla , Pecoraro Luca , Arasi Stefania , Barni Simona , Caminiti Lucia , Castagnoli Riccardo , Giovannini Mattia , Liotti Lucia , Mori Francesca , Saretta Francesca , Marseglia Gian Luigi , Novembre Elio ,   Rare Allergic Diseases Commission of the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Mastrorilli Carla , Pecoraro Luca , Arasi Stefania , Barni Simona , Caminiti Lucia , Castagnoli Riccardo , Giovannini Mattia , Liotti Lucia , Mori Francesca , Saretta Francesca , Marseglia Gian Luigi , Novembre Elio
Published: March 2022

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a rare disease in childhood with the prevalence of 4 cases per 1 million children and an incidence of 2 cases per year. The average age of diagnosis at pediatric age is approximately 10 years. The pathogenesis of HP is characterized by an immunological reaction caused by recurrent exposure to triggering environmental agents (mostly bird antigens in children). The clinical picture of HP is complex and variable in children, often presenting in subacute forms with cough and exertion dyspnea. A diagnosis of HP should be considered in patients with an identified exposure to a triggering antigen, respiratory symptoms, and radiologic signs of interstitial lung disease. Blood tests and pulmonary function tests (PFT) support the diagnosis. Bronchoscopy (with bronchoalveolar lavage and tissue biopsy) may be needed in unclear cases. Antigen provocation test is rarely required. Of note, the persistence of symptoms despite various treatment regimens may support HP diagnosis. The avoidance of single/multiple triggers is crucial for effective treatment. No evidence- based guidelines for treatment are available; in particular, the role of systemic glucocorticoids in children is unclear. With adequate antigen avoidance, the prognosis in children with HP is generally favorable.
Towards sustainable management of forest residues in the southern Apennine Mediterranean mountain forests: a scenario-based approach
Authors: Pergola Maria Teresa , Saulino Luigi , Castellaneta Maria , Rita Angelo , Pecora Giovanni , Cozzi Mario , Moretti Nicola , Pericolo Osvaldo , Pierangeli Domenico , Romano Severino , Viccaro Mauro , Ripullone Francesco
Published: March 2022

Key message

Managing forest residues according to the carbon content of the soil helps to minimize the ecological footprint of their removal.

Context

In Mediterranean mountain ecosystems, unsustainable harvesting of wood residues might contribute to land degradation, carbon, and nutrient depletion in forest soils.

Aims

This study aimed to assess the amount of forest biomass residues that should be left on-site to minimize the depletion of soil fertility.

Methods

We estimated the availability of biomass residues in the public forest land of the Basilicata region of Southern Italy by collecting stand-scale inventory attributes from forest management plans. Subsequently, we quantified the amount of forest biomass residue released by implementing a scenario-based approach.

Results

Approximately 5800 m3 year−1of forest residues could be potentially available for bio-based industries at the regional scale within the next 10 years. Such residues mainly belong to broadleaved forest types, having a high variability in their soil organic stock (228.5–705.8 Mg C ha−1) and altitudinally spanning from 400 to 1500 m a.s.l. In these forests, the simulated scenarios displayed a wide range of average harvestable residues from 2.5 to 5.5 m3 ha−1, containing approximately 1.1 to 2.1 Mg ha−1of organic carbon.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that forest management plans are a useful source of information to estimate the available forest biomass residues consistently. In southern Mediterranean mountain forests, the management of forest residues according to soil carbon content helps to minimize the environmental impact and increase their sustainability.
IC261 inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by TGF-β in A549 lung cancer cells
Authors: Kim Sung Jim , Shin Myoung-Sook
Published: March 2022

Despite rapid advances in cancer diagnosis and therapy, lung cancer continues to be the primary cause of cancer-related mortality. Epithelial mesenchymal transition has been implicated in drug resistance and cancer metastasis. IC261 mediates various pathophysiological processes, including inflammation and tumorigenesis. Therefore, we analyzed the involvement of IC261 in epithelial mesenchymal transition. Pretreatment with IC261 significantly inhibited the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced mesenchymal cell markers, including N-cadherin (N-cad), vimentin (Vim), and β-catenin (β-cat), at the mRNA and protein levels in A549 lung cancer cells, which was confirmed using immunofluorescence staining. A migration assay revealed that IC261 treatment strongly inhibited TGF-β1-induced migration activity at 24 and 48 h. Additionally, IC261 treatment suppressed the activation of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in A549 cells and phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. Our findings demonstrate that IC261, a selective inhibitor of casein kinase 1, inhibits the TGF-β1-induced migration of A549 cells by inhibiting Smad2/3 phosphorylation and downregulating the expression of N-cad, Vim, and β-cat.
Current status of renal replacement therapy in Cambodia and Japanese support activities in developing countries in East and Southeast Asia: a report as of June 2018 from the Non-Western World Countries Symposium at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy
Authors: Hyodo Toru , Hirawa Nobuhito , Isaka Yoshitaka , Nakamoto Hidetomo , Thim Pichthida , Phon Elin , Hy Chanseila , Chan Sovandy , Kokubo Kenichi , Matsubara Hirokazu , Wakai Haruki , Yamashita Akihiro C. , Kawanishi Hideki
Published: March 2022

Since 2015, the Committee of International Communication for Academic Research of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy has held a symposium every year at the society’s Annual Congress to discuss the current status of and demand for dialysis therapy in developing countries in Asia with the aim of identifying ways to contribute to the field of dialysis therapy in these countries. The 2018 symposium opened the door further, beyond Asian countries to include all non-Western countries. Two speakers from Cambodia and Japan contributed their manuscripts to the 2018 symposium issue. In Cambodia in 2017, a study of hemodialysis data from 5 centers in Phnom Penh was conducted for the first time. This study involving 407 patients (233 men [57.2%]; mean age 52 [SD, ± 15] years) revealed that hypertension was the main cause of end-stage renal disease (46.8%), followed by concomitant hypertension and diabetes mellitus (31%), with diabetes mellitus alone accounting for only 8.1% of cases. Mean frequency of hemodialysis was 7.5 (SD, ± 2.3) sessions per month. The duration of each session was 4 h. Patients in Cambodia are required to bear the full cost for hemodialysis because the country lacks a national health insurance system. From 2007 to 2018, several Japanese societies and organizations for dialysis therapy and technology carried out activities aimed at resolving problems in dialysis medical care in developing countries in East and Southeast Asia. The role of the academic societies and their activities in this region are discussed.
Population ecology and economic thresholds-based time series for climate smart pest management of Spilosoma obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) on three sesame cultivars
Authors: Roy Nayan
Published: March 2022

Background

Sesame (Sesamum indicumL.) is a widely used oil seed crop throughout the world but its productivity is extremely low due to use of low yielding cultivars as well as biotic stress for the major pestSpilosoma obliquaWalker. But even today, farmers generally use broad-spectrum synthetic pesticides for their management injudiciously without considering any economic threshold (ET) limit and creates ecosystem crisis. So, time-based ecologically sustainable management of the said pest and selection of a superior cultivar of sesame was studied by stage-specific two-sex pooled life table and nutritional ecology ofS. obliquaon three sesame cultivars (Rama, Shubhra and Amrit) along with their economic thresholds (ETs) in 2019.

Results

The nutritional ecology and population dynamics ofS. obliquawere significantly affected by the host phytoconstituents in terms of host suitability or susceptibility (Rama > Shubhra > Amrit). The mean EIL and ETL forS obliquawas 36.316 ± 3.911 and 33.243 ± 2.734 pests/m2, respectively on cv. Rama that were significantly (F2,6 = 5.421–5.435;P ≤ 0.042) lower than Shubhra and Amrit. For a single pest per m2(30 ± 2 plants/m2) the possible time that can be taken to reach EIL (Ti) and ETL (Tt) were 39.132 ± 3.969 and 38.132 ± 3.969 days, respectively on cv. Rama which were also significantly (F2,6 = 26.551;P = 0.001) lower than the other cultivars. The seed yield and benefit cost ratio (BCR) were 857.099 ± 0.000 (Kg/ha) and 0.607 ± 0.000, respectively for cv. Rama that were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the others.

Conclusions

It will enable growers to find the most preferred cultivar (Rama > Shubhra > Amrit) based on BCR values irrespective of their biotic resistance (Rama < Shubhra < Amrit) due to host antibiosis. Even, the ETs-based time series for judicious management of the pest along with carbon sequestration efficiency (CSE) will also support superiority of the cultivars (Rama > Shubhra > Amrit) towards climate smart pest management (CSPM) of sesame and or other such crops in near future.
Ipsilateral hip and knee joints ochronotic arthropathy treated by total joint replacement, a case report
Authors: Khalifa Ahmed A. , Moustafa Mohamed M. A. , Bakr Hatem , Abdelaal Ahmed M.
Published: March 2022

Background

Ochronotic arthropathy affecting the hip and knee joints is one of the musculoskeletal manifestations of alkaptonuria which results from a tyrosine amino acid metabolism disorder. The condition has no definitive management; however, end-stage joint arthritis is well treated by total joint replacement.

Case presentation

We present a case of a healthy male patient who presented with left hip and bilateral knee (more on the left side) progressive pain and limitation of motion how was diagnosed as having advanced arthritis and was treated by total hip and total knee replacement for the left hip and knee joints respectively. Intraoperatively, the tissues had blackish discoloration characterizing ochronosis. This patient was diagnosed as having ochronotic arthropathy based on the intraoperative findings.

Conclusions

Accurate diagnosis of ochronotic arthropathy could only be reached intraoperatively; furthermore, end-stage joint arthritis could be treated efficiently by total joint replacement surgery.
Beyond the smart city: a typology of platform urbanism
Authors: Caprotti Federico , Chang I.-Chun Catherine , Joss Simon
Published: March 2022

Platform urbanism has emerged in recent years as an area of research into the ways in which digital platforms are increasingly central to the governance, economy, experience, and understanding of the city. In the paper, we argue that platform urbanism is an evolution of the smart city, constituted by novel, digitally-enabled socio-technical assemblages that enable new forms of social, economic and political intermediation. We offer a typological framework for a better conceptualization of platform urbanism and its complex socio-economic relationships. We further outline several directions for future research on platform urbanism, specifically: a.) the need to critically investigate new power geometries of corporate, legal and regulatory alignments; b.) how platform urbanism may be expressed in, and affect, cities in the Global South; c.) how it may need to be critically engaged with in regard to its development in response to emergent events such as the Covid-19 pandemic; and d.) how it may shape visions of the current and future city.
Rydberg energies and transition probabilities of Li I for np–ms (m ≤ 5) transitions
Authors: Siddiq R. , Hameed M. N. , Zaheer M. H. , Khan M. B. , Uddin Z.
Published: March 2022

Background

Mathematical modeling provides grounds for understanding scientific systems theoretically. It serves as a guide for experimentalists in determining directions of investigation. Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused disturbances in almost every walk of life. Scientists have played their role and have continued research on the effects of the pandemic. Various mathematical models have been used in different branches of science (Djilali et al. in Phys Scr 96 12 124016, 2021; Math Biosci Eng 18(6):8245–8256, 2021; Zeb et al. in Alex Eng J 61(7):5649–5665). Well-established mathematical models give results close to those obtained by experiments. The Weakest Bound Electron Potential Model is one such model, which explains hydrogen-like atoms and ions. This model has been used extensively for hydrogen-like atoms and ions to calculate energies of Rydberg levels and ionization energies. This model has been used extensively for hydrogen-like atoms and ions to calculate energies of Rydberg levels and ionization energies.

Results

This paper presents the energies of the Rydberg series, 2s2ns, and 2s2np of Li I, calculated using WBEPM. The energies are used to calculate transition probabilities from np to 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s levels. The transition probabilities are compared with corresponding values in published data where available. The agreement with known values is good; most of the transition probabilities calculated in this work are new. A computer program was developed to find the value of the dipole matrix element. The calculations were further verified by calculating the lifetimes of some low-lying levels.

Conclusions

Four series of Li I have been studied, and energies of the Rydberg levels in the series were calculated. The energies then are used to calculate transition probabilities from np to ms transitions, where m = 2, 3, 4, & 5 and n = 1–15. The results are compared where available. An excellent agreement with previously published data shows the reliability of calculations. Most of the transition probabilities are new.
Uncovering the biodiversity and biosynthetic potentials of rare actinomycetes
Authors: Ezeobiora Chijioke E. , Igbokwe Nwamaka H. , Amin Dina H. , Enwuru Nkechi V. , Okpalanwa Chiamaka F. , Mendie Udoma E.
Published: March 2022

Background

Antibiotic resistance is on the rise, and new antibiotic research has slowed in recent years, necessitating the discovery of possibly novel microbial resources capable of producing bioactive compounds. Microbial infections are gaining resistance to existing antibiotics, emphasizing the need for novel medicinal molecules to be discovered as soon as possible. Because the possibilities of isolating undiscovered actinomycetes strains have decreased, the quest for novel products has shifted to rare actinomycetes genera from regular environments or the identification of new species identified in unusual habitats.

Main body of the abstract

The non-streptomyces actinobacteria are known as rare actinomycetes that are extremely difficult to cultivate. Rare actinomycetes are known to produce a variety of secondary metabolites with varying medicinal value. In this review, we reported the diversity of rare actinomycetes in several habitat including soil, plants, aquatic environment, caves, insects and extreme environments. We also reported some isolation methods to easily recover rare Actinobacteria from various sources guided with some procedures to identify the rare Actinobacteria isolates. Finally, we reported the biosynthetic potential of rare actinomycetes and its role in the production of unique secondary metabolites that could be used in medicine, agriculture, and industry. These microbial resources will be of interest to humanity, as antibiotics, insecticides, anticancer, antioxidants, to mention but a few.

Short conclusion

Rare actinomycetes are increasingly being investigated for new medicinal compounds that could help to address existing human health challenges such as newly emerging infectious illnesses, antibiotic resistance, and metabolic disorders. The bioactive secondary metabolites from uncommon actinomycetes are the subject of this review, which focuses on their diversity in different habitats, isolation, identification and biosynthetic potentials.
Parabolic fitting method for quality factor estimation
Authors: Zhao Yan , Wang Yongsheng , Ren Zhiming
Published: March 2022

The quality factor [Formula: see text] has a wide application range in seismic data processing and interpretation. Compared with the commonly used methods of Q estimation (e.g., the spectral ratio method and the centroid frequency shift method), the logarithmic spectral area difference (LSAD) method exhibits better noise immunity. However, the LSAD method uses the area difference in one frequency band, and the [Formula: see text] values estimated using this method are still unstable under the influence of noise. We have developed a new parabolic fitting (PF) method to estimate Q. This method is an extension of the LSAD method. We derive an analytical relationship between [Formula: see text] and area difference curve of the logarithmic amplitude spectra. Using the logarithmic area difference of multiple frequency bands to fit the parabola, we improve the accuracy and stability of [Formula: see text] estimation. In addition, the PF method does not require special assumptions regarding the source wavelet. We test the PF method in the presence of noise and at varying bandwidths and compare the results with those obtained using the LSAD method. The results of the theoretical examples indicate that the PF method is noise resistant and stable. Applying the PF method to real zero-offset vertical seismic profiling records also indicates that the proposed method can reasonably and stably estimate the [Formula: see text] value of the formation.
On the derivatives of scattering coefficients in smooth elastic models
Authors: Ball Vaughn , Foster Douglas , Cooke Dennis , Schiøtt Christian Rau , Simmons James
Published: March 2022

At a planar elastic discontinuity, the Zoeppritz scattering coefficients quantify the abrupt repartitioning of seismic wave energy among the various wave modes, whether up- or downgoing, or compressional or shear modes. In smooth (differentiable) elastic models, the depth derivatives of the Zoeppritz scattering coefficients quantify a continuous repartitioning of energy per unit depth. The derivatives of the Zoeppritz scattering coefficients have simple closed-form expressions that are exact in smooth elastic models. Although the form of the depth derivatives resembles the small-contrast approximations of Zoeppritz equations, their derivation does not require a small-contrast assumption. The scattering derivatives play a fundamental role in smooth models that corresponds with the role of the Zoeppritz scattering coefficients in blocked models. The matrix of scattering derivatives is identical to a row permutation with sign changes of the coupling matrix of the wave vector differential equation for smooth elastic models.