bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of the energy transfer between thulium ions in tungstate and molybdate crystals
Authors: Gusakova Natali V. , Demesh Maxim P. , Yasukevich Anatol S. , Pavlyuk Anatoliy A. , Kuleshov Nikolay V.
Published: April 2021

In this work, we investigated mechanisms of the energy transfer in Tm : KY(WO4)2, Tm : KLu(WO4)2 and Tm:NaBi(MoO4)2 crystals. Room-temperature absorption and emission spectra were used to determine microparameters of energy migration among thulium ions in the 3H4 and 3F4 excited states in the frames of Förster – Dexter theory. Parameters of cross-relaxation 3H4 + 3H6 → 3F4 + 3F4 and energy migration were obtained via analysis of luminescence decay 3H4 → 3F4 with a hopping model. The parameters describing excitation migration between thulium ions in 3H4 state obtained by two methods were in good agreement. It has been shown that the dipole-dipole mechanism of interaction is responsible for the efficient cross-relaxation process in the crystals under study. The results indicate that the energy migration between 3H4 enhances the cross-relaxation at thulium content more than ∼1.3–1.5 at. % in these laser materials. The obtained values of the migration parameters CDD exceed the values of the cross-relaxation parameters CDA, and the energy transfer in these materials can be described with the hopping model. An efficient cross-relaxation process leads to the relatively high efficiencies of the systems based on these crystals under pumping at 0.8 µm. The dominant process of energy migration between thulium ions in 3F4 excited state makes tungstate and molybdate crystals good candidates for the Ho3+ co-activation for laser generation at 2.1 µm. Parameters obtained in this study can be used for mathematical modeling of laser characteristics.
Optimisation problem for some class of hybrid differential-difference systems with delay
Authors: Dymkov Michael P.
Published: April 2021

In the paper, the linear differential-difference dynamic systems with delayed arguments are considered. Such systems have a lot of application areas, in particular, processes with repetitive and learning structure. We apply the method of the separation hyperplane theorem for convex sets to establish optimality conditions for the control function to drive the trajectory to zero equilibrium state in the fastest possible way. For the special case of the integral control constraints, the proposed method is detailed to establish an analytical form of the optimal control function. The illustrative example is given to demonstrate the obtained results with the step-by-step calculation of the basic elements of the optimal control.
Применение формальных методов при проектировании системы одного окна
Authors: Sharykin Raman E.
Published: April 2021

Предлагается подход, демонстрирующий разработку систем документооборота по принципу одного окна на раннем этапе их проектирования, основанный на применении формальных методов в части спецификации системы и метрик ее анализа, а также оценки значений метрик. Пример системы одного окна моделируется формально в рамках модели распределенных объектно ориентированных стохастических гибридных систем (РООСГС) с помощью языка спецификации SHYMaude. Предлагаются несколько метрик, позволяющих оценить систему. Данные метрики специфицируются формально посредством языка QuaTEx. Система одного окна, представленная как спецификация переписывающей логики Maude, полученная трансляцией спецификации SHYMaude, анализируется статистически с помощью инструмента MultiVeStA. В процессе статистического анализа определяется количество сотрудников, необходимое для эффективного функционирования системы. Полученное значение используется как стартовое значение в расширенной системе, в которой присутствует управление количеством сотрудников в целях поддержания длины очереди пакетов документов в желаемом диапазоне. При статистическом исследовании расширенной системы обнаруживается недостаток, который устраняется доработкой системы, что показывает, как данный подход может быть использован для изучения и доработки систем подобного типа на раннем этапе построения самой модели системы.
Contradictions and tensions in the employment of older persons in modern Russia
Authors: Sizova Irina L. , Orlova Natalia S.
Published: April 2021

The article identifies the main contradictions and tensions in the work and employment of older people in the modern Russian economy. On the basis of current theoretical concepts and discussions, the definition of older workers is given and the key problems in their employment are identified on the basis of Federal State Statistic Servece and research results. The main contradictions are primarily related to doubts about the possibility of fully using the labour potential of older people in the modern economy and the recognition of the need for this. In addition, Russian society still continues to be dominated by stereotypes regarding older generations of workers and, in particular, the elderly. In the labour market, they are clearly manifested in the difficulties of employment after the age of 45 and in their segregation into the sector of low-paid and unattractive work. As the age increases, the position of a person in the labour market deteriorates, and the retirement age for many people who are still actually healthy and fully able-bodied becomes a marker of liberation from the compulsions and discrimination of the Russian labour and employment system. For the majority of people who retire, the main factor that keeps them at work is only income, which, in combination with a pension, allows them to lead a normal lifestyle. In this context, education focused on the needs of age-related workers is of particular importance. The situation is such that, on the one hand, it is necessary to implement programs of retraining and systematic professional development of employees at older ages, and, on the other hand, this goal is useless due to the lack of motivation on the part of the employees themselves.
Messengers in the structure of media preferences of the national audience
Authors: Postalovsky Alexander V.
Published: April 2021

The presented article is devoted to the analysis of the place and role of messengers in the structure of media consumption of the audience and the national information field as a whole. Based on the data of a mass survey of the population conducted by the Center of Sociological and Political Studies of the Belarusian State University in 2020, the most popular instant messengers are identified, the place of these resources among traditional media and social media space is determined, and the features of media consumption practices are considered. As part of the study, it was possible to establish that instant messengers, in particular, the Telegram resource are used for their intended purpose both as a communication channel and as a channel for disseminating mass information. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the popularity of instant messengers relative to other segments of the national information field will continue to grow.
Worldlines and social networks
Authors: Jenkovszky László L.
Published: April 2021

Familiar laws of physics are applied to study human relations, modelled by their world lines (worldlines) combined with social networks. We focus upon the simplest, basic element of any society: a married couple, stable due to the dynamic balance between attraction and repulsion. By building worldlines (worldsheets), we arrive at a two-level coordinate systems: one describing the behaviour of a string-like binary system (here, a married couple), the other one, external, corresponding to the motion of this couple in the medium, in which the worldline is embedded, sweeping there a string-like sheet or brane. The approach is illustrated by simple examples (semi-quantitative toy models) of worldlines (sheets), open to further extension, perfections and generalisation. Worldlines are combined with social networks. Simple illustrative examples with empirical inputs taken from intuition and (or) observation are appended.
Rifampicin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report and Short Review of the Literature
Authors: Koumpis Epameinondas , Papathanasiou Konstantina , Papakonstantinou Ioannis , Tassi Iliana , Serpanou Anastasia , Kapsali Eleni , Hatzimichael Eleftheria
Published: April 2021

Thrombocytopenia may be associated with a variety of conditions and risks depending on its severity, ranging from mild epistaxis to life-threating bleeding. Many drugs or herbal remedies can cause thrombocytopenia by either inhibiting platelet production and/or enhancing their destruction from the peripheral blood mediated via an immunological mechanism implicating drug-dependent antibodies. The latter entity is called drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia: a life-threatening, under-recognised condition, which is often a diagnostic challenge. Rifampicin is a widely used, well-tolerated, and effective bactericidal drug. Adverse events, except for gastrointestinal effects, headache, skin rash, and pruritus, are uncommon. The authors herein report on a patient with isolated thrombocytopenia with a recent medical history of brucellosis on rifampicin and doxycycline. Thrombocytopenia was proved to be rifampicin-induced. Also presented is a short review of the literature on this rare subject, which should be of great importance to clinicians.
Determining Partnering Effects in the “Rise and Fall” Motion of Competitive Waltz by the Use of Statistical Parametric Mapping
Authors: Yoshida Yasuyuki , Bizokas Arunas , Demidova Katusha , Nakai Shinichi , Nakai Rie , Nishimura Takuichi
Published: April 2021

Background. Competitive dance, also known as “DanceSport,” is a competitive style of ballroom dance. The waltz features a particular movement in which the dancer lifts and lowers his/her body while dancing. In ballroom dance terms, this movement is known as the “rise and fall.” The purpose of this research was to examine partnering effects in relation to the vertical component of dancers’ center of mass when performing the competitive waltz.

Methods. This investigation was conducted through statistical parametric mapping of the movements of 13 national level competitive dance couples and a world champion couple as they danced both solo and in pairs. The Xsens MVN system was used to record their movements, using a capture rate of 240 Hz.

Results. We consequently found that, in the pair condition, the vertical component of the center of mass was smaller for the male dancers and larger for the champion male dancer when compared to their respective solo conditions. However, for the female dancers and the champion female dancer, unlike the males, no significant partner effects were found.

Conclusion. Therefore, in terms of partner effects, the “rise and fall.” motion was smaller for the male dancers and larger for the champion male dancer.

Keywords: DanceSport, ballroom, kinematics, partnering, statistical parametric mapping.
Relationships Between Young Men’s Health-Related Behaviour, Psychological Distress, Physical Education and Sports Experience
Authors: Ambrutytė Jovita , Miežienė Brigita , Emeljanovas Arūnas , Česnaitienė Vida Janina , Vizbaraitė Daiva , Žumbakytė-Šermukšnienė Renata
Published: April 2021

Background. Negative health-related behaviours among young adults are common worldwide. Most of young males are physically inactive, have poor diets, drink a lot of alcohol or smoke, and such behavior causes physical and mental health disorders (Aubert et al., 2018). Nowadays more mental health problems are diagnosed among young people than a decade. Researchers are trying to determine the causes of harmful behaviour in adults, but the impact of previous physical education on further health-related behaviours in adults has not been studied.

Methods. Physical activity, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking was evaluated according to the 2008 US Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviours (Bray et al., 2009). Adherence to a healthy eating pattern was evaluated using the Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS). Psychological distress was assessed using the six-item Kessler scale (Kessler et al., 2003).

Results. Nearly half of young adults were physically inactive, ate poorly, had harmful habits, one of ten had high psychological distress. Two thirds of the respondents participated in sports in childhood, 61% of young people liked the physical education lessons, 44% of them attended every PE lesson. Lower distress was significantly associated with better nutrition, higher physical activity, lower alcohol consumption, and smoking. Also, significant associations were found between higher alcohol consumption and more frequent smoking. Higher incomes, younger age, better perception and attendance of PE classes in the past, active lifestyle in childhood and adulthood are the predictive factors of more favourable health-related behaviours and better mental health.

Conclusions. Harmful health-related behaviours are prevalent among young adults, one of tenth has high psychological distress. Although the majority of young adults were active in childhood, the percentage of active adults decreases significantly. More favourable health-related behaviours are related to less distress. Better economic status, better PE experiences in childhood, sports activities in adulthood lead to better health-related behaviours and less distress.

Keywords: young adults, health-related behaviours, mental health, physical education.
The Importance of Psychosocial Aspects in the Formation of New Healthy Lifestyle Habits in Adult Women: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Palevičiūtė Gabrielė , Čapkauskienė Sandrija , Miežienė Brigita
Published: April 2021

Background. Healthy lifestyle is one of the main health determinants. Chronic diseases can be prevented by adopting health-related behavior and developing it into habits. Scientific literature suggests that psychosocial factors are part of people’s lives as they also affect health and health behaviors and it is important to understand them.

Methods. Primary data collection method was face-to-face interview based on previous research. The main data was collected with self-reported diaries. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. Data was gathered on psychosocial factors and habits of adult women. There were eight participants in the study.

Results. The following psychosocial aspects related to health behaviors were encoded in the results: self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, social support, distress and extrinsic motivation. The following emotions were encoded: joy, surprise, sadness, anger and fear. Women had similar psychosocial aspects and emotions towards new physical activity and nutritional habits.

Conclusions. The findings indicated that self-efficacy was a dominant psychosocial aspect in the formation of physical activity habits. Together with intrinsic motivation, which manifested mostly after performing their chosen physical activity behavior, self-efficacy was restored in cases that women felt down about themselves. Social support and extrinsic motivation also suggested positive effect on habit formation. Emotion of joy was observed both before and after physical activity. Sadness and anger appeared when a daily task was not accomplished. Fear was not a widespread emotion among women who developed physical activity habits. Self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation were not important in nutritional habits formation. Social support was as important as extrinsic motivation for women to pursue their chosen habits. Joy was the dominant emotion for women with nutritional habits. One example of surprise was given. Sadness occurred because of unaccomplished tasks. Anger led to not performing nutritional habits.

Keywords: psychosocial aspects, emotions, habits formation, adult women.
Effect of Copper Particles Shape on the Heat Transfer Characteristics of Porous Microchannels During Boiling of Working Fluid
Authors: Jiang Weiyu , Sun Lili , Mao Jijin , Donghui Zhang , Levtsev A.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, the heat transfer performance of porous microchannels sintered with spherical and dendritic copper particle is compared. The working fluid is deionized water. For uniform particle size sample, the dendritic-particle microchannel presents better boiling heat transfer performance than the spherical-particle one. It includes higher critical heat flux (CHF), which was related to the connected pore structure of the dendritic copper powder. For mixed particle size sample, the dendritic-particle microchannel also shows higher heat transfer coefficient and CHF. At high heat flux, the dendritic-particle microchannel can effectively suppress the pressure pulsation and maintain a relatively stable flow boiling state in the microchannel.
Warehouse Problems in Logistics. Systems and Their Digital Solutions
Authors: Gafforov M. , Gulomov F.
Published: April 2021

Warehouse operations are the lifeline of all companies doing business in Uzbekistan and around the world. Good warehouse management keeps products flowing efficiently through the system, which is a critical factor in serving customers and securing increasing profit margins. When warehouse operations are smooth, the entire company can organize a reliable supply chain to prevent shortages and holdups.
Organizing Marketing Research and Information on Internet Marketing
Authors: Madieva Z.
Published: April 2021

The solution of issues related to the digitization of marketing activities in enterprises in the digital economy is in many respects related to the use of Internet marketing. It is important to organize marketing research, collect primary and secondary information, and conduct surveys through Internet marketing to ensure speed and accuracy in marketing decisions. Therefore, the article describes the conduct of Internet surveys, forms of surveys, methods of collecting marketing information. The focus is on methods of collecting primary marketing information.
Philosophical Approach to Law, the Principle of Proportionality and Constitutional Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2020-2021
Authors: Imankulov T. , Ulukbek uulu B.
Published: April 2021

The authors analyze the democratic achievements of the Kyrgyz Republic as a sovereign state, propose amendments to the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic against the background of the next constitutional reform, based on the European principles of building the state and law: the rule of law, proportionality, proportionality, justice.
Educational Activity in Higher Educational Institutions in the Context of Modern Requirements
Authors: Maksakova A.
Published: April 2021

The article discusses the features of students' educational activity in the aspect of modern requirements in the system of higher education. The methodological foundations of this process and its specificity are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the innovative learning activities of students. The topicality of the article is due to the need to identify a number of theoretical grounds for organizing student’s educational activity in a modern university. Educational activity is the main type of student’s activity, and the quality of education of university graduates depends on its methodologically corrected implementation. The purpose of the article is to identify individual theoretical aspects of students' educational activity in the light of modern requirements. The following research methods were used in writing the article: analysis of literature on the problem, our own experience in teaching at the university. The result of the article is the development of individual theoretical provisions relating to the improvement of students' educational activity in the light of modern requirements. The results of the article may be applied in studies aimed at improving the quality of education and in the practical work of teachers of higher education. The article is devoted to one of the important problems of the higher education and is aimed at improving the quality of university education.
Identification of the Contemporary Language Status of “Spanglish”
Authors: Yartseva S.
Published: April 2021

In the article, the problem of “Spanglish” language status is being investigated. Its possible belonging to a Pidgin, a Creole language or a dialect is being analyzed. A possibility that “Spanglish” can be related to the “interlanguage” category is also being discussed. On the basis of the analysis of “Spanglish” historical development and contemporary characteristics, such as the area of distribution, the speakers’ age, gender and social peculiarities, the application sphere and some other aspects, its belonging to the “mixed language” category is being revealed.
Official Words in Dictionary Diwan Lughat at-Turk by M. Kashgari and Their Relationship With the Modern Kyrgyz Language
Authors: Davlatova S.
Published: April 2021

The relevance of the research: defining the role of the modern Kyrgyz language as one of the ancient Turkic languages and defining the development process of the Kyrgyz language. Purpose of the research: to analyze the types of official words in the written monument of the XI century in the dictionary Diwan Lughat at-Turk by Mahmud Kashgari by types, to compare the facts with the modern Kyrgyz language and determine the level of their use. The object of the research is M. Kashkari’s dictionaries translated into the Kyrgyz language. The research was carried out using the historical-comparative method. The vocabulary of the dictionary has been studied in comparison with the materials of the modern Kyrgyz language. In some cases, facts from related languages were also used. As a result, the words in the M. Kashgari dictionary are divided into the following types: particles, after words, conjunctions, modal words. In addition, the level of use of official words in the dictionary of the modern Kyrgyz language was determined: words that occur in the dictionary and are used in the modern Kyrgyz language without semantic and phonetic changes: köp kök – kөpkөk, sap sarɪğ — yellow, qup–kup, çulq–chylk, ҫaq – dal, chak, üçün — for, etc.; service words used in the case of phonetic change: ҫɪm-chylk, la — yes, taky — one more, shu — chu, ärdi — so, birlän — with someone (something), yana — and so on; unused service words by their appearance in the dictionary: uș — exactly like, yama — yes, — yes, isrä — then, son, ärinç — maybe etc. Dictionary Diwan Lughat at-Turk by Mahmud Kashgari contains information about the history of the Kyrgyz language, historical lexicology, comparative study of the official words of the Turkic languages.
Theory of change: The Safer Gambling Movement
Authors:   GREO
Published: April 2021

Addiction Recovery Agency (Ara) and Beacon Counseling Trust (BCT) provide critical safer gambling education and treatment services for the West of England, North West England, and Wales. Their respective dedication to the safer gambling field and commitment to enhancing system integration led to a natural partnership between the two organisations. Drawing from Ara and BCT’s significant expertise, they partnered to develop a suite of safer gambling programmes. As the suite of innovative programmes grew, they recognised a need to articulate and share their leadership in transforming the safer gambling landscape in England and Wales. The Safer Gambling Movement describes Ara and Beacon’s leadership in developing a grassroots movement to build momentum for a national public health approach in Great Britain by first building this capacity in England and Wales. GREO was brought on as the evaluation partner to help create a theory of change to describe this work and lay the foundation for future evaluations.
Case Report: Histological and Histomorphometrical Results of a 3-D Printed Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Ceramic 7 Years After Insertion in a Human Maxillary Alveolar Ridge
Authors: Mangano Carlo , Giuliani Alessandra , De Tullio Ilaria , Raspanti Mario , Piattelli Adriano , Iezzi Giovanna
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Dental implant placement can be challenging when insufficient bone volume is present and bone augmentation procedures are indicated. The purpose was to assess clinically and histologically a specimen of 30%HA-60%β-TCP BCP 3D-printed scaffold, after 7-years.

Case Description: The patient underwent bone regeneration of maxillary buccal plate with 3D-printed biphasic-HA block in 2013. After 7-years, a specimen of the regenerated bone was harvested and processed to perform microCT and histomorphometrical analyses.

Results: The microarchitecture study performed by microCT in the test-biopsy showed that biomaterial volume decreased more than 23% and that newly-formed bone volume represented more than 57% of the overall mineralized tissue. Comparing with unloaded controls or peri-dental bone, Test-sample appeared much more mineralized and bulky. Histological evaluation showed complete integration of the scaffold and signs of particles degradation. The percentage of bone, biomaterials and soft tissues was, respectively, 59.2, 25.6, and 15.2%. Under polarized light microscopy, the biomaterial was surrounded by lamellar bone. These results indicate that, while unloaded jaws mimicked the typical osteoporotic microarchitecture after 1-year without loading, the BCP helped to preserve a correct microarchitecture after 7-years.

Conclusions: BCP 3D-printed scaffolds represent a suitable solution for bone regeneration: they can lead to straightforward and less time-consuming surgery, and to bone preservation.
Enhancing Fatty Acid Catabolism of Macrophages Within Aberrant Breast Cancer Tumor Microenvironment Can Re-establish Antitumor Function
Authors: Gu Yucui , Niu Xingjian , Yin Lei , Wang Yiran , Yang Yue , Yang Xudong , Zhang Qingyuan , Ji Hongfei
Published: April 2021

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains an intractable challenge owing to its aggressive nature and lack of any known therapeutic targets. Macrophages play a crucial role in cancer promotion and poor prognosis within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The phagocytosis checkpoint in macrophages has broader implications for current cancer immunotherapeutic strategies. Here, we demonstrate the modulation in the antitumor activity of macrophages within the aberrant metabolic microenvironment of TNBC by metabolic intervention. The co-culture of macrophages with TNBC cell lines led to a decrease in both their phagocytic function and expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The transcription of glycolysis and fatty acid (FA) catabolism-related factors was inhibited within the dysregulated tumor metabolic microenvironment. Enhancement of FA catabolism by treatment with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) agonist, fenofibrate (FF), could re-establish macrophages to gain their antineoplastic activity by activating the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathway and increasing ATP production by FA oxidation. The combination of fenofibrate and anti-CD47 therapy significantly inhibited tumor growth in a 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse model. In conclusion, the enhancement of FA catabolism of macrophages could re-establish them to resume antitumor activity in the TME. Anti-CD47 therapy combined with fenofibrate may serve as a novel and potential immunotherapeutic approach for the treatment of TNBC.
Behavioral and Brain Measures of Morphological Processing in Children With and Without Familial Risk for Dyslexia From Pre-school to First Grade
Authors: Louleli Natalia , Hämäläinen Jarmo A. , Leppänen Paavo H. T.
Published: April 2021

School-age reading skills are associated with and predicted by preschool-age cognitive risk factors for dyslexia, such as deficits in phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming, letter knowledge, and verbal short-term memory. In addition, evidence exists that problems in morphological information processing could be considered a risk factor for dyslexia. In the present study, 27 children at pre-school age and the same 27 children at first grade age performed a morphological awareness task while their brain responses were measured with magnetoencephalography. Our aim was to examine how derivational morphology in Finnish language, and concomitant accuracy and reaction times are associated with first grade reading, in addition to the preschool age reading-related cognitive skills. The results replicated earlier findings; we found significant correlations between pre-school phonological skills and first-grade reading, pre-school rapid naming and first-grade reading, and pre-school verbal short-term memory and first-grade reading. The results also revealed a significant correlation between the pre-school children's reaction time for correctly derived words in the morphological task and the first-grade children's performance in rapid automatized naming for letters. No significant correlations were found between brain activation measures of morphological processing and first-grade reading.
The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Postgraduate Endodontic Programs in the United States
Authors: Aboubakare Bianca , Chen James , Galicia Johnah C.
Published: April 2021

In December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified as an acute infectious disease in Wuhan, China, and subsequently led to an ongoing pandemic. At the onset of the pandemic, dental professionals were understood to face the greatest exposure risk to SARS-CoV-2 due to aerosolization of fluids from the oral cavity and respiratory airways. As a result, dental professionals, including academic institutions and their students and residents, halted much of their operations to minimize exposure risks and potentially slow the spread of infection to peers and patients alike. Currently, there is little in the literature that describes the changes that academic institutions have implemented in the face of pandemics. This study will discuss the chronology, modifications, and possible resultant outcomes of COVID-19 related events in respect to graduate endodontic programs in the United States.
Considerations About How Emotional Intelligence can be Enhanced in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Trevisan Dominic A. , Abel Emily A. , Brackett Marc A. , McPartland James C.
Published: April 2021

In this perspective paper, we review established areas of ASD emotional difficulties in relation to “emotional intelligence” (EI) theoretical frameworks. Existing literature suggests that people with ASD have lower EI on average in the domains of perceiving emotions from the environment and body language, using emotions to relate to other’s experience, understanding emotions based on contextual cues, and managing emotions in the self and others. Poorer EI in ASD may detract from academic success, even when cognitive intelligence is intact. We conclude by considering the manner in which EI interventions in special education classrooms and school settings, formerly termed “Social and Emotional Learning” (SEL) programs, can be adapted to promote EI in children with ASD.
Adiponectin and Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Authors: Komici Klara , Dello Iacono Antonio , De Luca Antonio , Perrotta Fabio , Bencivenga Leonardo , Rengo Giuseppe , Rocca Aldo , Guerra Germano
Published: April 2021

Background

Sarcopenia is a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass whose pathophysiology has been proposed to possibly involve mechanisms of altered inflammatory status and endocrine function. Adiponectin has been shown to modulate inflammatory status and muscle metabolism. However, the possible association between adiponectin levels and sarcopenia is poorly understood. In order to fill this gap, in the present manuscript we aimed to summarize the current evidence with a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies reporting serum adiponectin levels in patients with sarcopenia compared to non-sarcopenic controls.

Methods

An electronic search through Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct was performed till March 1, 2020. From the included papers, meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies comparing serum levels of adiponectin between patients with sarcopenia and controls was performed.

Results

Out of 1,370 initial studies, seven studies were meta-analyzed. Sarcopenic participants had significantly higher levels of adiponectin Hedges’ g with 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20 (0.19–2.22), p = 0.02 than controls. Subgroup analysis, performed in Asian population and focused on identification of the condition based on AWGS criteria, reported higher adiponectin levels in sarcopenic population (2.1 (0.17–4.03), p = 0.03 and I2 = 98.98%. Meta-regression analysis revealed female gender to significantly influence the results as demonstrated by beta = 0.14 (95% CI (0.010–0.280), p = 0.040).

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis found evidence that sarcopenia is associated with higher adiponectin levels. However, caution is warranted on the interpretation of these findings, and future longitudinal research is required to disentangle and better understand the topic.
Advances of Regulatory B Cells in Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Zhu Qiugang , Rui Ke , Wang Shengjun , Tian Jie
Published: April 2021

With the ability to induce T cell activation and elicit humoral responses, B cells are generally considered as effectors of the immune system. However, the emergence of regulatory B cells (Bregs) has given new insight into the role of B cells in immune responses. Bregs exhibit immunosuppressive functions via diverse mechanisms, including the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines and direct cell contact. The balance between Bregs and effector B cells is important for the immune tolerance. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the characteristics of Bregs and their functional roles in autoimmunity.
CMV Status Drives Distinct Trajectories of CD4+ T Cell Differentiation
Authors: Zhang Weiwen , Morris Anna B. , Peek Erica V. , Karadkhele Geeta , Robertson Jennifer M. , Kissick Haydn T. , Larsen Christian P.
Published: April 2021

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most commonly recognized opportunistic pathogens and remains the most influential known parameter in shaping an individual’s immune system. As such, T cells induced by CMV infection could have a long-term impact on subsequent immune responses. Accumulating evidence indicates that memory T cells developed during past bacterial and viral infection can cross-react with unrelated pathogens, including transplant antigens, and can alter responses tode novoinfections, vaccines, cancers, or rejection. Therefore, careful examination of T cell responses elicited by CMV is warranted to understand their potentially beneficial or harmful roles in future major immune events. Our detailed exploration of the distribution, phenotype, TCR repertoire and transcriptome of CD4+ T cells within CMV seropositive healthy individuals using high-dimensional flow cytometry and single cell multi-omics sequencing reveals that CMV seropositivity has highly significant age-independent effects, leading to a reduction in CD4+ naïve T cells and an expansion of CD4+ effector memory T cells and CD45RA+ effector memory T cells. These induced CD4+ effector memory T cells undergo a specific differentiation trajectory resulting in a subpopulation of CD57+CD27-CD28-CD244+ CD4+ T cells with cytotoxic function and TCR oligoclonality for optimal controlled coexistence with cytomegalovirus. Through gene set enrichment analysis, we found that this subpopulation is similar to virus-specific CD8+ T cells and T cells that mediate acute rejection in patients using tacrolimus and belatacept, a selective costimulation blocker. Together, these data suggest that memory CD4+ T cells induced by cytomegalovirus are formedviaa distinct differentiation program to acquire cytotoxic function and can be potentially detrimental to transplant patients adopting costimulation blockade immunosuppressive regimen.
Immune-Therapy-Related Toxicity Events and Dramatic Remission After a Single Dose of Pembrolizumab Treatment in Metastatic Thymoma: A Case Report
Authors: Shen Li , Chen Haiyan , Wei Qichun
Published: April 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has become a promising option for the treatment of late-stage thymic epithelial tumors. In this manuscript, we presented a patient with metastatic thymoma administrated of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody pembrolizumab. Although the patient underwent a rapid and dramatic response to one dose of pembrolizumab, she suffered a storm of immune-therapy related toxicity events (irAEs), including liver and kidney dysfunction, hypothyroidism and myocarditis. We didn’t observe >grade 3 irAEs, and proceed with pembrolizumab therapy after the function recovered. Although no guidelines recommend dose reduction of immunotherapy re-treating following initial irAEs, we optimize dose of pembrolizumab to minimize the irAEs induced by PD-1 antibody while maintaining clinical effectiveness. Excitingly, we observe remarkable tumor remission and mild toxicities of half dose of pembrolizumab in this case. In conclusion, the clinical utilization of immunotherapy is an encouraging therapeutic alternative for advanced thymomas. At the same time, patients have to be monitored very carefully, because of the risk to develop irAEs.
Identification of a Sensitive Human Immunological Target of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation: CD5+ Innate-Like B Cells
Authors: Blevins Lance K. , Zhou Jiajun , Crawford Robert B. , Kaminski Norbert E.
Published: April 2021

Xenobiotic-mediated activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is immunotoxic in a number of immune cell types, with the B cell being a well-established sensitive target. Recent advances have provided evidence that the B cell repertoire is a heterogeneous population, with subpopulations exhibiting vastly different cellular and functional phenotypes. Recent work from our laboratory identified the T cell specific kinase lck as being differentially regulated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), which is a potent activator of AHR. While LCK is primarily expressed in T cells, a subset of CD5+ B cells also express LCK. CD5 positivity describes a broad class of B lymphocytes termed innate-like B cells (ILBs) that are critical mediators of innate immunity through constitutive secretion of polyvalent natural immunoglobulin M (IgM). We hypothesized that CD5+ ILBs may be sensitive to AHR-mediated immunotoxicity. Indeed, when CD5+ B cells were isolated from the CD19+ pool and treated with TCDD, they showed increased suppression of the CD40 ligand-induced IgM response compared to CD5- B cells. Further, characterization of the CD5+ population indicated increased basal expression of AHR, AHR repressor (AHRR), and cytochrome p450 family 1 member a1 (CYP1A1). Indeed the levels of AHR-mediated suppression of the IgM response from individual donors strongly correlated with the percentage of the B cell pool that was CD5+, suggesting that CD5+ B cells are more sensitive to AHR-mediated impairment. Together these data highlight the sensitive nature of CD5+ ILBs to AHR activation and provide insight into mechanisms associated with AHR activation in human B cells.
The Wanderings of Gut-Derived IgA Plasma Cells: Impact on Systemic Immune Responses
Authors: Keppler Selina J. , Goess Marie Christine , Heinze Julia M.
Published: April 2021

Humoral immunity is mainly mediated by a B cell population highly specialized to synthesize and secrete large quantities of antibodies – the antibody-secreting cells (ASC). In the gastrointestinal environment, a mixture of foreign antigens from the diet, commensal microbiota as well as occasional harmful pathogens lead to a constant differentiation of B cells into ASC. Due to this permanent immune response, more than 80% of mammalian ASC reside in the gut, of which most express immunoglobulin A (IgA). IgA antibodies contribute to intestinal homeostasis and can mediate protective immunity. Recent evidence points at a role for gut-derived ASC in modulating immune responses also outside of mucosal tissues. We here summarize recent evidence for wandering ASC, their antibodies and their involvement in systemic immune responses.
Analysis of Tumor Microenvironment Characteristics in Bladder Cancer: Implications for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy
Authors: Chen Xingyu , Chen Haotian , He Dong , Cheng Yaxin , Zhu Yuxing , Xiao Mengqing , Lan Hua , Wang Zhanwang , Cao Ke
Published: April 2021

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in cancer progression and recent evidence has clarified its clinical significance in predicting outcomes and efficacy. However, there are no studies on the systematic analysis of TME characteristics in bladder cancer. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the TME invasion pattern of bladder cancer in 1,889 patients, defined three different TME phenotypes, and found that different subtypes were associated with the clinical prognosis and pathological characteristics of bladder cancer. We further explored the signaling pathways, cancer-immunity cycle, copy number, and somatic mutation differences among the different subtypes and used the principal component analysis algorithm to calculate the immune cell (IC) score, a tool for comprehensive evaluation of TME. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that ICscore is a reliable and independent prognostic biomarker. In addition, the use of anti-programmed death-ligand (PD-L1) treatment cohort, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE), Subnetwork Mappings in Alignment of Pathways (SubMAP), and other algorithms confirmed that ICscore is a reliable prognostic biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor response. Patients with higher ICscore showed a significant therapeutic advantage in immunotherapy. In conclusion, this study improves our understanding of the characteristics of TME infiltration in bladder cancer and provides guidance for more effective personalized immunotherapy strategies.
Foraging Habits of Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Howell Lyndsey N. , Shaver Donna J.
Published: April 2021

Knowledge of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) foraging ecology in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is critical as populations begin to recover from heavy harvesting in prior centuries. We present a comprehensive long-term assessment of green turtle diets from carcasses salvaged from 1987 to 2014 along the Texas coast. Digestive tract contents were examined from 420 green turtles, ranging in size from 7.3 to 86.0 cm in straight carapace length (SCLmax). Green turtles as small as 16.2 cm SCLmaxrecruit from the oceanic environment to nearshore foraging habitat in the northwestern GOM and consume macroalgae principally. A successive shift in diet and habitat to inshore seagrasses was evident by the seagrass-dominated diet of turtles larger than 30 cm SCLmax. Animal matter remained a frequently ingested diet item suggesting these immature green turtles are better classified as omnivores. The overall evidence indicates that Texas’ recovering green turtle assemblage is exhibiting foraging plasticity within seagrass meadows changing species composition and density.
Chloroplast Genomes of the Green-Tide Forming Alga Ulva compressa: Comparative Chloroplast Genomics in the Genus Ulva (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta)
Authors: Liu Feng , Melton James T.
Published: April 2021

To understand the evolution of Ulva chloroplast genomes at intraspecific and interspecific levels, in this study, three complete chloroplast genomes of Ulva compressa Linnaeus were sequenced and compared with the available Ulva cpDNA data. Our comparative analyses unveiled many noticeable findings. First, genome size variations of Ulva cpDNAs at intraspecific and interspecific levels were mainly caused by differences in gain or loss of group I/II introns, integration of foreign DNA fragments, and content of non-coding intergenic spacer regions. Second, chloroplast genomes of U. compressa shared the same 100 conserved genes as other Ulva cpDNA, whereas Ulva flexuosa appears to be the only Ulva species with the minD gene retained in its cpDNA. Third, five types of group I introns, most of which carry a LAGLIDADG or GIY-YIG homing endonuclease, and three of group II introns, usually encoding a reverse transcriptase/maturase, were detected at 26 insertion sites of 14 host genes in the 23 Ulva chloroplast genomes, and many intron insertion-sites have been found for the first time in Chlorophyta. Fourth, one degenerate group II intron previously ignored has been detected in the infA genes of all Ulva species, but not in the closest neighbor, Pseudoneochloris marina, and the other chlorophycean taxa, indicating that it should be the result of an independent invasion event that occurred in a common ancestor of Ulva species. Finally, the seven U. compressa cpDNAs represented a novel gene order which was different from that of other Ulva cpDNAs. The structure of Ulva chloroplast genomes is not conserved, but remarkably plastic, due to multiple rearrangement events.
3D Printed Monolithic Device for the Microfluidic Capture, Perfusion, and Analysis of Multicellular Spheroids
Authors: Markoski Alex , Wong Ian Y. , Borenstein Jeffrey T.
Published: April 2021

Microfluidic systems for the analysis of tissue models of cancer and other diseases are rapidly emerging, with an increasing recognition that perfusion is required to recapitulate critical aspects of the in vivo microenvironment. Here we report on the first application of 3D printing for the fabrication of monolithic devices suitable for capturing and imaging tumor spheroids under dynamic perfusion flow. Resolution of the printing process has been refined to a level sufficient to obtain high precision features that enable capture and retention of tumor spheroids in a perfusion flow stream that provides oxygen and nutrient requirements sufficient to sustain viability over several days. Use of 3D printing enables rapid design cycles, based on optimization of computational fluid dynamic analyses, much more rapidly than conventional techniques involving replica molding from photolithographic masters. Ultimately, these prototype design and fabrication approaches may be useful in generating highly multiplexed monolithic arrays capable of supporting rapid and efficient evaluation of therapeutic candidates in the cancer drug discovery process.
Antigenic and Genetic Characterization of Swine Influenza Viruses Identified in the European Region of Russia, 2014–2020
Authors: Danilenko Daria M. , Komissarov Andrey B. , Fadeev Artem V. , Bakaev Mikhail I. , Ivanova Anna A. , Petrova Polina A. , Vassilieva Anastasia D. , Komissarova Kseniya S. , Zheltukhina Alyona I. , Konovalova Nadezhda I. , Vasin Andrey V.
Published: April 2021

Pigs have long been recognized as “mixing vessels” in which new viruses are formed by reassortment involving various influenza virus lineages (avian, animal, human). However, surveillance of swine influenza viruses only gained real significance after the 2009 pandemic. A fundamentally important point is the fact that there is still no regular surveillance of swine flu in Russia, and the role of swine viruses is underestimated since, as a rule, they do not cause serious disease in animals. Since the pig population in Russia is large, it is obvious that the lack of monitoring and insufficient study of swine influenza evolution constitutes a gap in animal influenza surveillance, not only for Russia, but globally. A 6 year joint effort enabled identification of SIV subtypes that circulate in the pig population of Russia’s European geographic region. The swine influenza viruses isolated were antigenically and genetically diverse. Some were similar to human influenza viruses of A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) subtype, while others were reassortant A(H1pdm09N2) and A(H1avN2) and were antigenically distinct from human H1N1 and H1N1pdm09 strains. Analysis of swine serum samples collected throughout the seasons showed that the number of sera positive for influenza viruses has increased in recent years. This indicates that swine populations are highly susceptible to infection with human influenza viruses. It also stresses the need for regular SIV surveillance, monitoring of viral evolution, and strengthening of pandemic preparedness.