bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Overlap Analysis Identifies a Shared Etiology between Migraine and Headache with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Islam Md Rafiqul ,   The International Headache Genetics Consortium (IHGC), Nyholt Dale R.
Published: October 2022

Migraine and headache frequently co-occur with type 2 diabetes (T2D), suggesting a shared aetiology between the two conditions. We used genome-wide association study (GWAS) data to investigate the genetic overlap and causal relationship between migraine and headache with T2D. Using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), we found a significant genetic correlation between migraine and T2D (rg = 0.06, p = 1.37 × 10−5) and between headache and T2D (rg = 0.07, p = 3.0 × 10−4). Using pairwise GWAS (GWAS-PW) analysis, we identified 11 pleiotropic regions between migraine and T2D and 5 pleiotropic regions between headache and T2D. Cross-trait SNP meta-analysis identified 23 novel SNP loci (Pmeta < 5 × 10−8) associated with migraine and T2D, and three novel SNP loci associated with headache and T2D. Cross-trait gene-based overlap analysis identified 33 genes significantly associated (Pgene-based < 3.85 × 10−6) with migraine and T2D, and 11 genes associated with headache and T2D, with 7 genes (EHMT2, SLC44A4, PLEKHA1, CFDP1, TMEM170A, CHST6, and BCAR1) common between them. There was also a significant overlap of genes nominally associated (Pgene-based < 0.05) with both migraine and T2D (Pbinomial-test = 2.83 × 10−46) and headache and T2D (Pbinomial-test = 4.08 × 10−29). Mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses did not provide consistent evidence for a causal relationship between migraine and T2D. However, we found headache was causally associated (inverse-variance weighted, ORIVW = 0.90, Pivw = 7 × 10−3) with T2D. Our findings robustly confirm the comorbidity of migraine and headache with T2D, with shared genetically controlled biological mechanisms contributing to their co-occurrence, and evidence for a causal relationship between headache and T2D.
Elucidation of Functional Genes Associated with Long Chain-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LC-PUFAs) Metabolism in Oleaginous Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Rehmanji Mohammed , Kumar Ashish , Nesamma Asha Arumugam , Khan Nida Jamil , Fatma Tasneem , Jutur Pannaga Pavan
Published: October 2022

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a marine diatom rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a nutraceutical-relevant product. Long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are crucial dietary components for human development and growth. With the availability of genome information and genetic engineering tools, the productivities of OMEGAs have improved, but the functional and organizational relationship of such protein-encoding genes associated with LC-PUFAs biosynthesis is still not clear. Henceforth, our study highlights the conservation pattern, functionality and interaction of LC-PUFAs protein-encoding genes via in silico analysis. The transcriptome and quantitative PCR analysis demonstrates downregulation of ACS4, ELO6b, PTD5a, and MYB106 genes associated with LC-PUFAs synthesis and upregulation of ECoAH and ACAT1 genes associated with β-oxidation in nitrogen-depleted conditions in P. tricornutum. Phylogenomics studies of LC-PUFAs protein-encoding genes show a highly conserved evolutionary pattern in various microalgal lineages. Further, for elucidating the interaction of LC-PUFA metabolic genes, subcellular networks were predicted and pathway enrichment analysis was performed, providing new insights on the crosstalk between LC-PUFA protein-encoding genes (ELO6, PTD5, ACS, and ACL1), regulatory elements (LEC2, MYB, WIN) and transporters (ABCD1). In conclusion, such extensive functional enrichment analysis will undoubtedly aid in the development of genetically engineered algal strains with enhanced production of biomolecules i.e., LC-PUFAs.
Design and Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Evaluate the Consumption of Trans Fatty Acids in the Adult Population (FFQ-TFA)
Authors: Soto-Equihua Edgar Ricardo , Ramírez-Silva Claudia Ivonne , Elton-Puente Juana Elizabeth , Chávez-Servín Jorge Luis , Gutiérrez-Lara Pablo , Chávez-Alabat Elsa Fernanda , Caamaño María del Carmen , de la Torre-Carbot Karina
Published: October 2022

Instruments for estimating the intake of food components can be useful in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases related to improper diet. There is, at present, no scientifically validated instrument for estimating consumption of trans fatty acids (TFA) in the Mexican population. The objective of this study was to design and validate such an instrument: a questionnaire that can be used to estimate consumption of TFA from food products. The questionnaire was applied to 162 students from the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ). There were two phases to the study: (1) design of a food frequency questionnaire to assess consumption of trans fatty acids (FFQ-TFA) and an eating practices questionnaire (EPQ-TFA); (2) validation of the instrument. Content validity was measured by expert review and by Aiken’s V method, obtaining an overall score of 0.895. As final tests for the FFQ-TFA analysis, criterion validity was measured using Spearman’s correlation (r = 0.717, p < 0.01) and a linear regression (B = 0.668), considering the results of the 24-h dietary recall (24 HR); and reproducibility or temporal stability was measured using Pearson’s correlation (r = 0.406, p < 0.01). Subsequently, a Pearson correlation was applied between TFA consumption estimated by the FFQ-TFA-2 and the global score from the EPQ-TFA-2 (r = 0.351, p < 0.01). A Pearson correlation was applied between the EPQ-TFA-1 and the EPQ-TFA-2 (r = 0.575, p < 0.01). TFA consumption per day was 2.49 ± 1.32 g in the participating population, which was 1.04 ± 0.51% of their total kcal consumption.
The Association between High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Metabolic Syndrome in an Elderly Population Aged 50 and Older in a Community Receiving Primary Health Care in Taiwan
Authors: Shih Yu-Lin , Lin Yueh , Chen Jau-Yuan
Published: October 2022

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become the most important issue in family medicine and primary care because it is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that are a burden on health care in many countries. Highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), which is elevated in inflammatory situations, can be produced by monocyte-derived macrophages in adipose tissue. People with MetS tend to have more adipose tissue. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between hsCRP and MetS among elderly individuals aged 50 years and older in northern Taiwan. This study was a cross-sectional community-based study that included 400 middle-aged and elderly Taiwanese adults, and 400 participants were eligible for analysis. We divided the participants into a MetS group and a non-MetS group. Pearson’s correlations were calculated between hsCRP and other related risk factors. Furthermore, the relationship between hsCRP and MetS was analyzed with logistic regression. People in the MetS group were more likely to have higher hsCRP levels. The Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a positive correlation with hsCRP. In the logistic regression, hsCRP was significantly associated with MetS, even with the adjustment for BMI, uric acid, age, sex, smoking status, drinking status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. In summary, our research indicated that hsCRP could be an independent risk factor for MetS.
Home Cancer Care Research: A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis (1990–2021)
Authors: Fhoula Boutheina , Hadid Majed , Elomri Adel , Kerbache Laoucine , Hamad Anas , Al Thani Mohammed Hamad J. , Al-Zoubi Raed M. , Al-Ansari Abdulla , Aboumarzouk Omar M. , El Omri Abdelfatteh
Published: October 2022

Home cancer care research (HCCR) has accelerated, as considerable attention has been placed on reducing cancer-related health costs and enhancing cancer patients’ quality of life. Understanding the current status of HCCR can help guide future research and support informed decision-making about new home cancer care (HCC) programs. However, most current studies mainly detail the research status of certain components, while failing to explore the knowledge domain of this research field as a whole, thereby limiting the overall understanding of home cancer care. We carried out bibliometric and visualization analyses of Scopus-indexed papers related to home cancer care published between 1990–2021, and used VOSviewer scientometric software to investigate the status and provide a structural overview of the knowledge domain of HCCR (social, intellectual, and conceptual structures). Our findings demonstrate that over the last three decades, the research on home cancer care has been increasing, with a constantly expanding stream of new papers built on a solid knowledge base and applied to a wide range of research themes.
Analysis of Nurses’ Attitudes toward Patient Death
Authors: Cybulska Anna Maria , Żołnowska Monika Anna , Schneider-Matyka Daria , Nowak Marta , Starczewska Małgorzata , Grochans Szymon , Cymbaluk-Płoska Aneta
Published: October 2022

(1) The aim of the study was to analyze nurses’ attitudes toward a patient’s death, taking into account the emotions they experience and the general perception of death. (2) The study involved 516 nurses from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. The research was carried out using the diagnostic survey method using The Death Attitudes Profile Revisited (DAP-R-PL), the Scale of Fear and Fascination with Death, and a demographic questionnaire. (3) Research has shown that nurses accept the phenomenon of death as a natural process of human life; however, they adopt the attitude of fear of death. Most of the respondents experienced: sadness (73.4%), helplessness (58.5%), and regret (43.6%) due to the patient’s death. (4) Both age, sex, marital status, and place of residence significantly influenced the attitudes of nurses toward the patient’s death. Therefore, it is important to provide psychological support or special education in the case of dealing with the fear of death.
Multiple Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface Water and Sediment in Taihu Lake, China
Authors: Yang Jiwei , Sun Fuhong , Su Hailei , Tao Yanru , Chang Hong
Published: October 2022

Taihu Lake is the third-largest freshwater lake in eastern China. The contamination of heavy metals (HMs) in Taihu Lake resulting from rapid economic development and population growth has raised significant concerns in recent years. In this study, the contents and spatial distributions of eight typical HMs (Hg, Cr(VI), As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the fresh surface water and sediments from Taihu Lake were investigated. The potential ecological and health risks posed by HMs were evaluated using multiple assessment methods. Risk quotients were used to assess the ecological risks of HMs, and chronic risk quotients of Cu, Ni, and Pb (>1.0) were found in the surface water of Taihu Lake. According to the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and pollution load index (PLI) values, the lake sediments exhibited moderate risks of Cd and Hg. In general, the sediments were moderately contaminated by HMs based on the average risk index (RI < 300). Spatially, a high ecological risk posed by the HMs existed in the sediments of northern Taihu Lake (RI > 300), while the sediments in the southwestern and eastern regions had moderate risk levels. The non-carcinogenic risk levels of Hg, Cd, Cu, and Zn were acceptable based on the exposure characteristics of residents living around Taihu Lake. The carcinogenic risk levels of Cr(VI), As, Pb, and Ni through drinking water were acceptable. However, the ingestion of Cr(VI), As, and Ni through drinking water and fish consumption may pose certain health risks. Therefore, the levels of toxic metals, in particular, Cr(VI), As, and Ni, in edible organisms should be monitored periodically and controlled to alleviate the potential carcinogenic risks through food ingestion. Our work provides valuable information concerning the ecological risk distribution of HMs in Taihu Lake, which is essential for protecting the safety of aquatic organisms and human health and minimizing HM pollution in the lake.
Spatial-Temporal Evolution and Driving Factors of the Coupling Coordination between Urbanization and Urban Resilience: A Case Study of the 167 Counties in Hebei Province
Authors: Shi Weihao , Tian Jian , Namaiti Aihemaiti , Xing Xiaoxu
Published: October 2022

Urban resilience, as an important ability to deal with disasters in the process of urbanization, has been paid more and more attention as the result of the increasing risks that are caused by rapid urbanization. China is taking the county level as the basic unit to promote new-type urbanization and constructing resilient cities has become one of the development strategies. However, to achieve this strategy researchers need to analyze the interaction between county urbanization and urban resilience and its driving mechanism, which have been paid little attention. Therefore, this paper selected 167 counties in Hebei Province as the investigation subject. Based on the statistical data from 2010 to 2020, a comprehensive index system was developed to quantify the degree of coupling coordination between urbanization and urban resilience, and the spatial Durbin model was used to analyze the driving mechanism of it. The study shows that: Firstly, the urbanization level of counties rose year after year, with there being a geographical distribution that was “lower from southeast to northwest”. The level of urban resilience increased year after year, showing a geographical distribution that was “higher from south to north” and a “core-edge” feature that was localized. Secondly, the coupling coordination degree increased steadily, and the overall level changed from a basic imbalance to a mild imbalance. In space, it is bounded by “Pingquan City—Pingshan County”, which showed the distribution of “high in the east and low in the west, high in the center and low on the outskirts”. Thirdly, the coupling coordination degree has spatial spillover effect. Government financial expenditure, innovation level, industrial upgrading level and urban shape index all influence the coupling coordination degree positively, with a successively decreasing impact, while the urban compactness has significant negative impacts. This study indicates that the regional differences exist in the coupling coordination degree, and the counties in different development stages need to adopt different strategies to promote the coordinated development of urbanized and resilient cities. Inter-regional support is also necessary in this process. Meanwhile, it is necessary for the government to govern various urban elements, especially in terms of their urban form.
Maternal Mortality in Africa: Regional Trends (2000–2017)
Authors: Onambele Luc , Ortega-Leon Wilfrido , Guillen-Aguinaga Sara , Forjaz Maria João , Yoseph Amanuel , Guillen-Aguinaga Laura , Alas-Brun Rosa , Arnedo-Pena Alberto , Aguinaga-Ontoso Ines , Guillen-Grima Francisco
Published: October 2022

Background: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals state that by 2030, the global maternal mortality rate (MMR) should be lower than 70 per 100,000 live births. MMR is still one of Africa’s leading causes of death among women. The leading causes of maternal mortality in Africa are hemorrhage and eclampsia. This research aims to study regional trends in maternal mortality (MM) in Africa. Methods: We extracted data for maternal mortality rates per 100,000 births from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) databank from 2000 to 2017, 2017 being the last date available. Joinpoint regression was used to study the trends and estimate the annual percent change (APC). Results: Maternal mortality has decreased in Africa over the study period by an average APC of −3.0% (95% CI −2.9; −3,2%). All regions showed significant downward trends, with the greatest decreases in the South. Only the North African region is close to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals for Maternal mortality. The remaining Sub-Saharan African regions are still far from achieving the goals. Conclusions: Maternal mortality has decreased in Africa, especially in the South African region. The only region close to the United Nations’ target is the North African region. The remaining Sub-Saharan African regions are still far from achieving the goals. The West African region needs more extraordinary efforts to achieve the goals of the United Nations. Policies should ensure that all pregnant women have antenatal visits and give birth in a health facility staffed by specialized personnel.
Do Land Use Structure Changes Impact Regional Carbon Emissions? A Spatial Econometric Study in Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Li Heping , Lin Tao
Published: October 2022

Human activities are closely related to carbon emissions and the mechanism of land-use structure change on carbon emissions is unclear. In this study, 143 counties in the Sichuan Basin of China were used as sample units, and the land use structure of each sample unit in the Sichuan Basin was measured by applying the information entropy theory, analyzing the spatial and temporal evolutionary characteristics and the influencing relationships of land use structure and carbon emissions in the Sichuan Basin, by spatial econometric analysis of panel data on carbon emissions and information entropy of land use structure over five time periods from 2000 to 2018. The results indicate that: the carbon emission intensity and information entropy of land use in the Sichuan basin are increasing over the years, and the cross-sectional data reflect inconsistent spatial distribution characteristics, with greater changes around large cities; both carbon emissions and land use structure are spatially auto-correlated, the information entropy of land use positively affects carbon emission intensity; carbon emissions have positive spillover effects, and changes in land use structure have no obvious regional impact on surrounding areas; there may be potential threshold areas for the impact of land-use structure change on carbon emissions. This study has certain reference value for land use planning and carbon emission reduction policies.
LncGSAR Controls Ovarian Granulosa Cell Steroidogenesis via Sponging MiR-125b to Activate SCAP/SREBP Pathway
Authors: Wang Yong , Guo Yunxia , Duan Chunhui , Li Junjie , Ji Shoukun , Yan Huihui , Liu Yueqin , Zhang Yingjie
Published: October 2022

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in livestock fecundity, and many lncRNAs that affect follicular development and reproductive diseases have been identified in the ovary. However, only a few of them have been functionally annotated and mechanistically validated. In this study, we identified a new lncRNA (lncGSAR) and investigated its effects on the proliferation and steroidogenesis of ovine granulosa cells (GCs). High concentrations of glucose (add 33.6 mM glucose) caused high expression of lncGSAR in GCs by regulating its stability, and lncGSAR overexpression promoted GCs proliferation, estrogen secretion, and inhibited progesterone secretion, whereas interference with lncGASR had the opposite effect. Next, we found that the RNA molecules of lncGSAR act on MiR-125b as competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), and SREBP-cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) was verified as a target of MiR-125b. LncGASR overexpression increased the expression of SCAP, SREBP, and steroid hormone-related proteins, which can be attenuated by MiR-125b. Our results demonstrated that lncGSAR can act as a ceRNA to activate SCAP/SREBP signaling by sponging MiR-125b to regulate steroid hormone secretion in GCs. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of nutrient-regulated follicle development in ewes.
Molecular and Physiological Effects of Browning Agents on White Adipocytes from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Di Maio Girolamo , Alessio Nicola , Peluso Gianfranco , Perrotta Silverio , Monda Marcellino , Di Bernardo Giovanni
Published: October 2022

Two different types of adipose depots can be observed in mammals: white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). The primary role of WAT is to deposit surplus energy in the form of triglycerides, along with many metabolic and hormonal activities; as thermogenic tissue, BAT has the distinct characteristic of using energy and glucose consumption as a strategy to maintain the core body temperature. Under specific stimuli—such as exercise, cold exposure, and drug treatment—white adipocytes can utilize their extraordinary flexibility to transdifferentiate into brown-like cells, called beige adipocytes, thereby acquiring new morphological and physiological characteristics. For this reason, the process is identified as the ‘browning of WAT’. We evaluated the ability of some drugs, including GW501516, sildenafil, and rosiglitazone, to induce the browning process of adult white adipocytes obtained from differentiated mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). In addition, we broadened our investigation by evaluating the potential browning capacity of IRISIN, a myokine that is stimulated by muscular exercises. Our data indicate that IRISIN was effective in promoting the browning of white adipocytes, which acquire increased expression of UCP1, increased mitochondrial mass, and modification in metabolism, as suggested by an increase of mitochondrial oxygen consumption, primarily in presence of glucose as a nutrient. These promising browning agents represent an appealing focus in the therapeutic approaches to counteracting metabolic diseases and their associated obesity.
Carrot DcALFIN4 and DcALFIN7 Transcription Factors Boost Carotenoid Levels and Participate Differentially in Salt Stress Tolerance When Expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana and Actinidia deliciosa
Authors: Quiroz-Iturra Luis Felipe , Simpson Kevin , Arias Daniela , Silva Cristóbal , González-Calquin Christian , Amaza Leticia , Handford Michael , Stange Claudia
Published: October 2022

ALFIN-like transcription factors (ALs) are involved in several physiological processes such as seed germination, root development and abiotic stress responses in plants. In carrot (Daucus carota), the expression of DcPSY2, a gene encoding phytoene synthase required for carotenoid biosynthesis, is induced after salt and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Interestingly, the DcPSY2 promoter contains multiple ALFIN response elements. By in silico analysis, we identified two putative genes with the molecular characteristics of ALs, DcAL4 and DcAL7, in the carrot transcriptome. These genes encode nuclear proteins that transactivate reporter genes and bind to the carrot DcPSY2 promoter in yeast. The expression of both genes is induced in carrot under salt stress, especially DcAL4 which also responds to ABA treatment. Transgenic homozygous T3 Arabidopsis thaliana lines that stably express DcAL4 and DcAL7 show a higher survival rate with respect to control plants after chronic salt stress. Of note is that DcAL4 lines present a better performance in salt treatments, correlating with the expression level of DcAL4, AtPSY and AtDXR and an increase in carotenoid and chlorophyll contents. Likewise, DcAL4 transgenic kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) lines show increased carotenoid and chlorophyll content and higher survival rate compared to control plants after chronic salt treatment. Therefore, DcAL4 and DcAL7 encode functional transcription factors, while ectopic expression of DcAL4 provides increased tolerance to salinity in Arabidopsis and Kiwi plants.
Pain Management and Rehabilitation for Central Sensitization in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Ferrillo Martina , Giudice Amerigo , Marotta Nicola , Fortunato Francesco , Di Venere Daniela , Ammendolia Antonio , Fiore Pietro , de Sire Alessandro
Published: October 2022

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of musculoskeletal diseases affecting masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). In this context, the chronic TMD could be considered as a condition with chronic primary orofacial pain, presenting as myofascial TMD pain or TMJ arthralgia. In this context, myogenous TMD may present overlapping features with other disorders, such as fibromyalgia and primary headaches, characterized by chronic primary pain related to dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), probably through the central sensitization. This phenomenon could be defined as an amplified response of the CNS to sensory stimuli and peripheral nociceptive, characterized by hyperexcitability in the dorsal horn neurons in the spinal cord, which ascend through the spinothalamic tract. The main objectives of the management of TMD patients are: decreasing pain, increasing TMJ function, and reducing the reflex masticatory muscle spasm/pain. The first-line treatments are physical therapy, pharmacological drugs, occlusal splints, laser therapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and oxygen–ozone therapy. Although all these therapeutic approaches were shown to have a positive impact on the central sensitization of TMD pain, there is still no agreement on this topic in the scientific literature. Thus, in this comprehensive review, we aimed at evaluating the evidence on pain management and rehabilitation for the central sensitization in TMD patients.
A Comprehensive Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis Reveals a Role of GhWRKY46 in Responding to Drought and Salt Stresses
Authors: Chen Pengyun , Wei Fei , Jian Hongliang , Hu Tingli , Wang Baoquan , Lv Xiaoyan , Wang Hantao , Fu Xiaokang , Yu Shuxun , Wei Hengling , Ma Liang
Published: October 2022

Abiotic stress, such as drought and salinity stress, seriously inhibit the growth and development of plants. Therefore, it is vital to understand the drought and salinity resistance mechanisms to enable cotton to provide more production under drought and salt conditions. In this study, we identified 8806 and 9108 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through a comprehensive analysis of transcriptomic data related to the PEG-induced osmotic and salt stress in cotton. By performing weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we identified four co-expression modules in PEG treatment and five co-expression modules in salinity stress, which included 346 and 324 predicted transcription factors (TFs) in these modules, respectively. Correspondingly, whole genome duplication (WGD) events mainly contribute to the expansion of those TFs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and gene ontology (GO) analyses revealed those different modules were associated with stress resistance, including regulating macromolecule metabolic process, peptidase activity, transporter activity, lipid metabolic process, and responses to stimulus. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis was used to confirm the expression levels of 15 hub TFs in PEG6000 and salinity treatments. We found that the hub gene GhWRKY46 could alter salt and PEG-induced drought resistance in cotton through the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) method. Our results provide a preliminary framework for further investigation of the cotton response to salt and drought stress, which is significant to breeding salt- and drought-tolerant cotton varieties.
Interferon Beta-1a versus Combined Interferon Beta-1a and Oligodendrocyte-Specific FGFR1 Deletion in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Rajendran Ranjithkumar , Rajendran Vinothkumar , Gupta Liza , Shirvanchi Kian , Schunin Darja , Karnati Srikanth , Giraldo-Velásquez Mario , Berghoff Martin
Published: October 2022

Recombinant beta interferons-1 (IFNβ-1) are used as first line therapies in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the CNS. IFNβ-1a/b has moderate effects on the prevention of relapses and slowing of disease progression. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and FGF receptors (FGFRs) are known to play a key role in the pathology of MS and its model EAE. To investigate the effects of short-term treatment with s.c. IFNβ-1a versus the combined application of s.c. IFNβ-1a and oligodendrocyte-specific deletion of FGFR1 (Fgfr1ind−/− mice) in MOG35-55-induced EAE. IFNβ-1a (30 mg/kg) was applied s.c. from days 0–7 p.i. of EAE in controls and Fgfr1ind−/− mice. FGFR signaling proteins associated with inflammation/degeneration in MS/EAE were analyzed by western blot in the spinal cord. Further, FGFR1 in Oli-neu oligodendrocytes were inhibited by PD166866 and treated with IFNβ-1a (400 ng/mL). Application of IFNβ-1a over 8 days resulted in less symptoms only at the peak of disease (days 9–11) compared to controls. Application of IFNβ-1a in Fgfr1ind−/− mice resulted in less symptoms primarily in the chronic phase of EAE. Fgfr1ind−/− mice treated with IFNβ-1a showed increased expression of pERK and BDNF. In Oli-neu oligodendrocytes, treatment with PD166866 and IFNβ-1a also showed an increased expression of pERK and BDNF/TrkB. These data suggest that the beneficial effects in the chronic phase of EAE and on signaling molecules associated with ERK and BDNF expression are caused by the modulation of FGFR1 and not by interferon beta-1a. FGFR may be a potential target for therapy in MS.
Assessment of the Anti-Thrombogenic Activity of Polyurethane Starch Composites
Authors: Cespedes Jhoan F. , Arévalo-Alquichire Said , Diaz Luis E. , Valero Manuel F.
Published: October 2022

The increasing morbidity and mortality of patients due to post-surgery complications of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABPG) are related to blood–material interactions. Thus, the characterization of the thrombogenicity of the biomaterial for cardiovascular devices is of particular interest. This research evaluated the anti-thrombogenic activity of polyurethanes–starch composites. We previously synthesized polyurethane matrices that were obtained from polycaprolactone diol (PCL), polyethylene glycol (PEG), pentaerythritol (PE), and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI). In addition, potato starch (AL-N) and zwitterionic starch (AL-Z) were added as fillers. The anti-thrombogenic property was characterized by the clot formation time, platelet adhesion, protein absorption, TAT complex levels, and hemolysis. Additionally, we evaluated the cell viability of the endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Statically significant differences among the polyurethane matrices (P1, P2, and P3) were found for protein absorption and the blood clotting time without fillers. The polyurethanes composites with AL-Z presented an improvement in the anti-thrombogenic property. On the other hand, the composites with AL-Z reduced the viability of the endothelial cells and did not significantly affect the AoSCM (except for P1, which increased). These results classify these biomaterials as inert; therefore, they can be used for cardiovascular applications.
Whole-Genome Sequencing and Transcriptome Analysis of Ganoderma lucidum Strain Yw-1-5 Provides New Insights into the Enhanced Effect of Tween80 on Exopolysaccharide Production
Authors: Wu Tuheng , Cai Manjun , Hu Huiping , Jiao Chunwei , Zhang Zhi , Liu Yuanchao , Chen Jian , Xiao Chun , Li Xiangmin , Gao Xiong , Chen Shaodan , Wu Qingping , Xie Yizhen
Published: October 2022

Ganoderma lucidum is an important medicinal mushroom widely cultured in Asian countries. Exopolysaccharides are bioactive compounds of G. lucidum with health benefits. Limited exopolysaccharide content hinders its extraction from G. lucidum. The addition of Tween80 had an enhanced effect on G. lucidum exopolysaccharide production in submerged fermentation. However, the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. In this study, we report on a high-quality assembly of G. lucidum strain yw-1-5 to lay the foundation for further transcriptome analysis. The genome sequence was 58.16 Mb and consisted of 58 scaffolds with an N50 of 4.78 Mb. A total of 13,957 protein-coding genes were annotated and Hi-C data mapped to 12 pseudo-chromosomes. Genes encoding glycosyltransferases and glycoside hydrolases were also obtained. Furthermore, RNA-seq was performed in a Tween80-treated group and control group for revealing the enhanced effect of Tween80 on exopolysaccharide production. In total, 655 genes were identified as differentially expressed, including 341 up-regulated and 314 down-regulated. Further analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that groups of MAPK, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, autophagy, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, peroxisome, starch and sucrose metabolism, TCA cycle, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis KEGG pathway, glycosyltransferases and glycoside hydrolases played important roles in the enhanced effect of Tween80 on exopolysaccharide production. This work provides a valuable resource for facilitating our understanding of the synthesis of polysaccharides and accelerating the breeding of new strains with a high content of exopolysaccharides.
Identification of Exoenzymes Secreted by Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria pseudobassiana RGM 2184 and Their Effect on the Degradation of Cocoons and Pupae of Quarantine Pest Lobesia botrana
Authors: Arias-Aravena Matias , Altimira Fabiola , Gutiérrez Daniela , Ling Jian , Tapia Eduardo
Published: October 2022

Beauveria pseudobassiana RGM 2184 has shown 80% maximum efficacy against the pest Lobesia botrana in the autumn and winter seasons. This suggests that the strain possesses an interesting battery of enzymes that are cold-adapted to penetrate the thick and hydrophobic cocoon of L. botrana. In this study, screening of the proteolytic, lipolytic, and chitinolytic activity of enzyme extracts secreted by the RGM 2184 strain was carried out in various culture media. The enzyme extracts with the highest activity were subjected to zymography and mass spectrometry. These analyses allowed the identification of two proteases, two lipases, and three chitinases. Comparative analysis indicated that the degree of similarity between these enzymes was substantially reduced when the highest degree of taxonomic relatedness between RGM 2184 and the entomopathogenic fungus strain was at the family level. These results suggest that there is a wide variety of exoenzymes in entomopathogenic fungi species belonging to the order Hypocreales. On the other hand, exoenzyme extract exposure of cocoons and pupae of L. botrana provoked damage at 10 °C. Additionally, an analysis of the amino acid composition of the RGM 2184 exoenzyme grouped them close to the cold-adapted protein cluster. These results support the use of this strain to control pests in autumn and winter. Additionally, these antecedents can form a scaffold for the future characterization of these exoenzymes along with the optimization of the strain’s biocontrol ability by overexpressing them.
Correlations of Taxation and Macroeconomic Indicators in the OECD Member Countries from 2014 to the First Year of the Crisis Caused by COVID-19
Authors: Lentner Csaba , Hegedűs Szilárd , Nagy Vitéz
Published: October 2022

This paper explores the characteristics and inter-relationships of tax systems in the OECD countries over the period 2014–2020, i.e., from a relatively consolidated economic period until the end of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A predictable tax system is essential for the proper functioning of the economy. One of our two main research objectives was to develop a composite indicator for taxation, consisting of tax rates and tax administration time. This composite indicator was then tested using multivariate statistical methods. Our second research objective was to explore the correlation between tax rates, tax burden indicators and macroeconomic indicators over the period 2014–2020, focusing on three years, 2014, 2019 and 2020. An important criterion for the choice of the study years was that 2014 was considered the first overall year of recovery from the crisis, 2019 the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2020 the first year affected by the pandemic. We investigated the significant differences between the composite indicator categories and the tax burden macroeconomic indicators, and examined and tested correlations between the variables under study (tax rates, tax burden and macroeconomic variables). We found that the amount of working time spent on tax administration is decreasing, presumably due to the increasingly digitalised environment, but this trend has been slightly interrupted by the pandemic. Furthermore, we found that countries with more complex tax systems with a high tax burden perform worse on certain macroeconomic indicators, mainly in southern Europe from a geographical perspective; however, these potentially more burdensome, higher-rate tax systems of more developed countries do not put these countries at a competitive disadvantage. This reflects on the fact that these countries rely on the monetarist school rather than the Keynesian school, a fact which was also compared and considered in our paper.
Price Stability Properties and Volatility Analysis of Precious Metals: An ICSS Algorithm Approach
Authors: Fatima Sameen , Gan Christopher , Hu Baiding
Published: October 2022

This paper investigates the price stability properties of precious metals during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, 2007–2008 Global Financial Crisis, and 2010 Eurozone Crisis. To analyse the interaction between precious metal prices and the US stock market stock performances, we use the ICSS algorithm along with the GARCH model to evaluate how the number of rapid changes in volatility of precious metals has been reduced. The results suggest gold is the most stable of the precious metals. However, silver, platinum, and palladium showed positive price correlation when the US Dow Jones market was unstable. These results imply that: (1) the correlation among stocks market returns has little to no significant impact on the price movement of precious metals, but the US Dow Jones has some influence on precious metal markets except gold, which means investors can reap this benefit from diversification; (2) investors can systematically increase their portfolio returns by going short with the gold investments with low price co-movement and long on silver, platinum, and palladium with high co-movement with stock prices.
(E)-1-(5-Methyl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-3-(naphthalen-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Kariuki Benson M. , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Mohamed Hanan A. , El-Hiti Gamal A.
Published: October 2022

A reaction of equimolar equivalents of 2-naphthaldehyde (1) and 1-(5-methyl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethan-1-one (2) in ethanolic sodium hydroxide at 20 °C for 4 h gave (E)-1-(5-methyl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-3-(naphthalen-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (3) in 92% yield. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction were used to establish the structure of 3.
Additively Manufactured Scaffolds with Optimized Thickness Based on Triply Periodic Minimal Surface
Authors: Zhu Junjie , Zou Sijia , Mu Yanru , Wang Junhua , Jin Yuan
Published: October 2022

Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) became an effective method to design porous scaffolds in recent years due to their superior mechanical and other engineering properties. Since the advent of additive manufacturing (AM), different TPMS-based scaffolds are designed and fabricated for a wide range of applications. In this study, Schwarz Primitive triply periodic minimal surface (P-TPMS) is adopted to design a novel porous scaffold according to the distribution of the scaffold stress under a fixed load with optimized thickness to tune both the mechanical and biological properties. The designed scaffolds are then additively manufactured through selective laser melting (SLM). The micro-features of the scaffolds are studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (CT) images, and the results confirm that morphological features of printed samples are identical to the designed ones. Afterwards, the quasi-static uniaxial compression tests are carried out to observe the stress–strain curves and the deformation behavior. The results indicate that the mechanical properties of the porous scaffolds with optimized thickness were significantly improved. Since the mass transport capability is important for the transport of nutrients within the bone scaffolds, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are used to calculate the permeability under laminar flow conditions. The results reveal that the scaffolds with optimized structures possess lower permeability due to the rougher inner surface. In summary, the proposed method is effective to tailor both the mechanical properties and permeability, and thus offers a means for the selection and design of porous scaffolds in biomedical fields.
Programmable Density of Laser Additive Manufactured Parts by Considering an Inverse Problem
Authors: Altmann Mika León , Bosse Stefan , Werner Christian , Fechte-Heinen Rainer , Toenjes Anastasiya
Published: October 2022

In this Article, the targeted adjustment of the relative density of laser additive manufactured components made of AlSi10Mg is considered. The interest in demand-oriented process parameters is steadily increasing. Thus, shorter process times and lower unit costs can be achieved with decreasing component densities. Especially when hot isostatic pressing is considered as a post-processing step. In order to be able to generate process parameters automatically, a model hypothesis is learned via artificial neural networks (ANN) for a density range from 70% to almost 100%, based on a synthetic dataset with equally distributed process parameters and a statistical test series with 256 full factorial combined instances. This allows the achievable relative density to be predicted from given process parameters. Based on the best model, a database approach and supervised training of concatenated ANNs are developed to solve the inverse parameter prediction problem for a target density. In this way, it is possible to generate a parameter prediction model for the high-dimensional result space through constraints that are shown with synthetic test data sets. The presented concatenated ANN model is able to reproduce the origin distribution. The relative density of synthetic data can be predicted with an R2-value of 0.98. The mean build rate can be increased by 12% with the formulation of a hint during the backward model training. The application of the experimental data shows increased fuzziness related to the big data gaps and a small number of instances. For practical use, this algorithm could be trained on increased data sets and can be expanded by properties such as surface quality, residual stress, or mechanical strength. With knowledge of the necessary (mechanical) properties of the components, the model can be used to generate appropriate process parameters. This way, the processing time and the amount of scrap parts can be reduced.
Research on Splitting-Tensile Properties and Failure Mechanism of Steel-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Based on DIC and AE Techniques
Authors: Luo Tao , Pan Xiaofeng , Tang Liyun , Sun Qiang , Pan Jiaojiao
Published: October 2022

Concrete presents different internal micro-structure and damage characteristics because of the different content of steel fibers and the randomness of its distribution. Therefore, the failure process of steel-fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) should be divided into different stages and the damage types should be classified to further clarify the strengthening mechanism of steel fibers. The role of volume fractions of steel fibers in the splitting-tensile strength of concrete was investigated by split tensile tests for concrete with four different volume fractions of steel fibers (0.0%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%). The acoustic emission energy and horizontal displacement of concrete in the splitting-tensile process were monitored by combing digital image correlation (DIC) and acoustic emission (AE) techniques, and the microscopic failure mechanism of SFRC was analyzed emphatically. The results showed that the addition of steel fibers improved the splitting-tensile strength of concrete. With the increase of the volume fraction of steel fibers, the splitting-tensile strength of concrete increased first and then decreased, and reached the maximum value of 5.294 MPa when the content was 1.5%. It was observed that the overall failure mechanism could be divided into four stages: slow accumulation of elastic energy (I); rapid accumulation of elastic energy (II); rapid accumulation of dissipated energy (III); a slow decrease of elastic energy and a slow increase of dissipated energy (IV). Tensile failure dominated the failure process of concrete splitting-tensile resistance, while there was a part of shear failure.
Experimental Characterization and Numerical Modeling of the Corrosion Effect on the Mechanical Properties of the Biodegradable Magnesium Alloy WE43 for Orthopedic Applications
Authors: Saconi Felipe , Diaz Geraldine Hincapie , Vieira André Costa , Ribeiro Marcelo Leite
Published: October 2022

Computational modeling plays an important role in the design of orthopedic implants. In the case of biodegradable magnesium alloys, a modeling approach is required to predict the effects of degradation on the implant’s capacity to provide the desired stabilization of fractured bones. In the present work, a numerical corrosion model is implemented to predict the effects of biodegradation on the structural integrity of temporary trauma implants. A non-local average pitting corrosion model is calibrated based on experimental data collected from in vitro degradation experiments and mechanical testing of magnesium WE43 alloy specimens at different degradation stages. The localized corrosion (pitting) model was implemented by developing a user material subroutine (VUMAT) with the program Abaqus®/Explicit. In order to accurately capture both the linear mechanical reduction in specimen resistance, as well as the non-linear corrosion behavior of magnesium WE43 observed experimentally, the corrosion model was extended by employing a variable corrosion kinetic parameter, which is time-dependent. The corrosion model was applied to a validated case study involving the pull-out test of orthopedic screws and was able to capture the expected loss of screw pull-out force due to corrosion. The proposed numerical model proved to be an efficient tool in the evaluation of the structural integrity of biodegradable magnesium alloys and bone-implant assembly and can be used in future works in the design optimization and pre-validation of orthopedic implants.
Detecting Defects in Composite Polymers by Using 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometry
Authors: Derusova Daria A. , Vavilov Vladimir P. , Druzhinin Nikolay V. , Shpil’noi Victor Y. , Pestryakov Alexey N.
Published: October 2022

The technique of 3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometry has recently appeared as a promising tool of nondestructive evaluation of discontinuity-like defects in composite polymers. The use of the phenomenon of local defect resonance (LDR) allows intensifying vibrations in defect zones, which can reliably be detected by means of laser vibrometry. The resonance acoustic stimulation of structural defects in materials causes compression/tension deformations, which are essentially lower than the material tensile strength, thus proving a nondestructive character of the LDR technique. In this study, the propagation of elastic waves in composites and their interaction with structural inhomogeneities were analyzed by performing 3D scanning of vibrations in Fast Fourier Transform mode. At each scanning point, the in-plane (x, y) and out of plane (z) vibration components were analyzed. The acoustic stimulation was fulfilled by generating a frequency-modulated harmonic signal in the range from 50 Hz to 100 kHz. In the case of a reference plate with a flat bottom hole, the resonance frequencies for all (x, y, and z) components were identical. In the case of impact damage in a carbon fiber reinforced plastic sample, the predominant contribution into total vibrations was provided by compression/tension deformations (x, y vibration component) to compare with vibrations by the z coordinate. In general, inspection results were enhanced by analyzing total vibration patterns obtained by averaging results at some resonance frequencies.