bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Face Personality in Identity Falsification and Catfishing Behavior on Online Dating Tinder
Authors: Kristy Amelya , Krisdinanto Nanang , Akhsaniyah Akhsaniyah
Published: July 2023

This research stems from using online dating, originally used to make it easier for users to find friends, relationships, or partners. However, online dating is often used to practice catfishing or identity fraud. This phenomenon arises as an implication of the ease of creating more than one personal account, which is used as a reflection of the identity that the perpetrator wants to display. This topic is related to the theme of computer-mediated communication (CMC), which allows individuals to communicate asynchronously, which makes it easier for perpetrators to find victims. This research aims to find out the experiences of catfishing perpetrators and how they interpret the experience of doing so. This research uses the phenomenological method, where each informant constructs meaning through their intersubjective side. Data collection techniques were conducted through in-depth interviews to obtain results from a first-person perspective. The results of this research describe the experience of catfishing perpetrators interacting and finding victims in online dating applications. In addition, the research also found that the perpetrators interpreted their catfishing practice not only as the fulfillment of sexual desires but also as the fulfillment of desires that are not in the real world (wanting to be praised, recognized, and have a sense of pride). The experiences and meanings of the research subjects reflect modernity and the fulfillment of sexual desires online. Unlike several previous studies, this phenomenological research can see the depth of the essence of catfishing behavior because it uses original data extracted from the perpetrator’s experience (first party).
RNF20/RNF40 ameliorates streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes by activating vitamin D receptors in vivo
Authors: Liu Junxiang , Wu Xuri , Qin Haixia , Hu Ying , Zhang Zhiyun , Wang Yanmei , Li Jinlan
Published: July 2023

Background: Type 1 diabetes is one of the chronic autoimmune diseases. Its features include the immune-triggered pancreatic beta-cells destruction. Ubiquitin ligases RNF20 and RNF40 have been discovered to participate into beta cells gene expression, insulin secretion, and expression of vitamin D receptors (VDRs). However, no reports about the role of RNF20/RNF40 in type 1 diabetes are known till now. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of RNF20/RNF40 in type 1 diabetes and explore the mechanism.
Methods: In this study, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced mice type 1 diabetes model was used. The protein expressions of genes were examined through Western blot analysis. Fasting blood glucose was detected through glucose meter. The plasma insulin was tested through the commercial kit. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was utilized to observe pathological changes of pancreatic tissues. Immunofluorescence assay was performed to evaluate the level of insulin. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum were assessed by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay. The cell apoptosis was measured through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling assay.
Results: STZ was used to stimulate mice model for type 1 diabetes. At first, both RNF20 and RNF40 expressions were down-regulated in STZ-mediated type 1 diabetes. Additionally, RNF20/RNF40 improved hyperglycemia in STZ-stimulated mice. Moreover, RNF20/RNF40 relieved pancreatic tissue injury in STZ-induced mice. Further experiments found that RNF20/RNF40 rescued the strengthened inflammation mediated by STZ treatment. The cell apoptosis was enhanced in the pancreatic tissues of STZ-triggered mice, but this effect was weakened by overexpression of RNF20/RNF40. Besides, the VDR expression was positively regulated by RNF20/RNF40. Finally, VDR knockdown reversed improved hyperglycemia, inflammation, and cell apoptosis stimulated by overexpression of RNF20/RNF40.
Conclusion: Our findings proved that RNF20/RNF40 activated VDR to relieve type 1 diabetes. This work might highlight the functioning of RNF20/RNF40 in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
Factors associated with allergic rhinitis and combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome (CARAS) in adults undergoing immunotherapy in a tropical country: Is ISAAC-III questionnaire useful in adult populations?
Authors: Peñaranda Augusto , Pérez-Herrera Lucía C. , Gantiva Manuela , Moreno-López Sergio , Manrique Julian , Peñaranda Daniel , García Elizabeth
Published: July 2023

Background: Allergic diseases affect about 10–30% of the population in low- or middle-income tropical countries. Few studies describe the factors associated with allergic diseases in adult patients undergoing immunotherapy in Latin American countries.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) and AR in comorbidity with asthma (CARAS) in adults treated with immunotherapy in two allergy referral centers in Bogotá (Colombia).
Material and Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study conducted between January 2018 and January 2019. ISAAC-III and sociodemographic questionnaires were applied to determine the factors associated with AR and CARAS in adults treated with immunotherapy who attended the allergy consult at the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá and Unimeq-Orl.
Results: Among 416 adults aged 18–68 years, 71.4% (n = 297) were women. Regarding the sensitization results obtained by skin prick test, the most frequent allergens were house dust mites (64.18%): 49.03% were positive for both Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, while 28.61% were positive for Blomia tropicalis. Excluding house dust mites, the most frequent allergens were dog hair (31.01%), cat hair (15.1%), grasses (15.9%), and food (15.9%). The main factor associated with exclusive AR was regular acetaminophen use more than four times a year: Prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.77 (95% CI: 1.12–2.25). The main factor associated with CARAS was cesarean delivery PR: 1.44 (95% CI: 1.09–1.78).
Conclusion: The main factor associated with AR was regular acetaminophen use, while that associated with CARAS was cesarean delivery. The ISAAC-III questionnaire can be a useful low-cost tool to assess the factors associated with allergic diseases in adults in tropical countries.
Effects of training on teachers’ food allergy and anaphylaxis management self-efficacy levels
Authors: Yıldırım Atiye , Ozturk Haney Meryem
Published: July 2023

Background: Children are affected by food allergies more than adults, so teachers have the most significant responsibility for food allergy management in schools.
Objective: To determine the effect of food allergies and anaphylaxis management training on Turkish teachers’ self-efficacy.
Material and methods: In this study, 90 teachers were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected before and immediately after the training on School Personnel’s Self-Efficacy in Managing Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis at School Scale. A training program that consisted of 60-minute sessions was conducted. Data were evaluated using the paired samples t-test.
Results: There was a significant difference between the teachers’ self-efficacy levels before (22.76±8.94) and after the training (32.81±6.09), and self-efficacy levels significantly increased (p < .05).
Conclusions: The training increased the teachers’ self-efficacy in managing food allergies and anaphylaxis.
Frequency of allergic reactions in egg allergic patients after receiving the yellow fever vaccine
Authors: García-Paba Maria Beatriz , Aparicio Camila , Rodríguez Mateo , Moreno Sergio , García Elizabeth
Published: July 2023

Background: Immunization with live attenuated viral yellow fever vaccine (YFV) grants effective immunity in most cases, and is recommended and prioritized for residents and travelers of endemic countries. YFV is seldom administered to egg-allergic patients (EAP) since it is cultivated in embryonated chicken eggs and may contain residual egg proteins, being a problem for egg-allergic residents and travelers of endemic countries.
Objective: Describe the frequency of allergic reactions after YFV administration in confirmed EAP from an allergy outpatient center in Bogotá, Colombia.
Methods: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2019. EAP whose allergy was confirmed with a positive Skin Prick Test (SPT) and/or egg protein–specific IgE levels who hadn’t received the YFV were included. Every patient had an SPT, severe EAP, and an additional Intradermal Test (IDT) done with the vaccine. If the vaccine SPT and IDT were negative, the YFV was administered as a single dose; if either were positive, the YFV was administered in graded doses. Statistical analysis was done in Stata16MP.
Results: Seventy one patients were included, 24 (33.8%) of those had a history of egg anaphylaxis. All patients had negative YFV SPTs, and two of the five YVF IDTs were positive. Two patients, with previous egg-anaphylaxis, presented allergic reactions to the vaccine.
Conclusions: YFV did not trigger allergic reactions in EAP without history of egg-anaphylaxis. With further research, safe single-dose vaccination to this population could be considered; however, patients with previous egg-anaphylaxis should be evaluated by an allergist before vaccination.
Rapid maxillary expansion and nasal patency in mouth breathing children with maxillary atresia due to or not due to allergic rhinitis
Authors: Carvalho Paulo de Tarso Almeida , Cappellette Junior Mario , Wandalsen Gustavo Falbo , Solé Dirceu
Published: July 2023

Aim: To evaluate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on nasal patency in mouth breathing (MB) children with maxillary atresia due to or not due to allergic rhinitis (AR) associated with asthma.
Methods: Fifty-three MB children/adolescents (aged 7–14 years) with mixed or permanent dentition and maxillary atresia participated, with or without unilateral or bilateral crossbite. They formed the groups: RAD (AR + asthma; clinical treatment, RME); RAC (AR + asthma; clinical treatment, no RME); and D (mouth breathers; RME only). RAD and RAC patients received topical nasal corticosteroid and/or systemic H1 antihistamine (continuous use) and environmental exposure control. All were evaluated before RME (T1) and 6 months after (T2) with the CARATkids score, acoustic rhinometry, and nasal cavity computed tomography (CT). Patients RAD and D underwent RME (Hyrax® orthopedic appliance).
Results: A significant reduction in the CARATkids score occurred in the RAD (−4.06; p < 0.05), similarly when patient and parent/guardian scores were evaluated (−3.28 and −3.16, respectively). Acoustic rhinometry (V5) showed increased nasal volume in all groups, significantly higher in RAD patients than in RAC and D (0.99 × 0.71 × 0.69 cm3, respectively). CT of the nasal cavity documented increased volume in all three groups, with no significant differences between them.
Conclusion: In MB patients with AR, asthma, and maxillary atresia, RME increased nasal cavity volume and improved respiratory symptoms. However, it should not be used as the only treatment for managing patients with respiratory allergies.
Echinacoside alleviates airway remodeling and inflammation in an ovalbumin-induced neonatal mouse model of asthma by modulating the SIRT1–NF-κB pathway
Authors: Pan Yunbo , Liu Yijun
Published: July 2023

Purpose: Echinacoside (ECH) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-immune effects, and may be effective for treating asthma. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ECH on asthma.
Methods: A mouse model of asthma was established by ovalbumin (OVA) induction, and the effect of ECH on airway remodeling in mice was evaluated using the Periodic Acid-Schiff stain and enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA). Additionally, the effect of ECH on collagen deposition in asthmatic mice was assessed using Western blotting (WB) analysis, and response to airway inflammation was evaluated by ELISA. The signaling pathway regulated by ECH was also investigated using WB.
Results: Our findings demonstrated that ECH restored OVA-induced increase in mucin, -immunoglobulin E, and respiratory resistance. ECH also alleviated OVA-induced collagen -deposition, including collagen I, collagen III, alpha smooth muscle actin, and epithelial (E)-cadherin. Moreover, ECH restored the elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-13, IL-17, and the increased -number of macrophages, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and neutrophills induced by OVA. ECH mainly exerted its regulatory effects by modulating the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Sirtuin 1/SIRT1)–nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in the mouse models of asthma.
Conclusion: This study highlights the therapeutic potential of ECH for attenuating airway remodeling and inflammation in an OVA-induced neonatal mouse model of asthma through the modulation of SIRT1/NF-κB pathway.
Protective effects of aloin on asthmatic mice by activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibiting TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathway
Authors: Wu Siyu , Xia Yan , Yang Chengcheng , Li Mei
Published: July 2023

Background: Asthma is a severe chronic respiratory disease affecting all age groups with increasing prevalence. Anti-inflammatory strategies are promising options for the treatment of asthma. Although the inhibitory effect of aloin on inflammation has been demonstrated in various diseases, its effect on asthma remains unknown.
Methods: A mice asthma model was established by treating with ovalbumin (OVA). The effects and mechanism of aloin on the OVA-treated mice were determined by enzyme-linked--immunosorbent serologic assay, biochemical examination, hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's staining, and Western blot assay.
Results: OVA treatment in mice significantly increased the number of total cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages and the concentration of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which were attenuated with the administration of aloin. The content of malondialdehyde was enhanced in OVA-treated mice, with the decreased levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione, which were reversed with aloin treatment. Aloin treatment reduced the airway resistance of OVA-induced mice. The inflammatory cell infiltration around small airways was accompanied by the thickening and contraction of bronchial walls and pulmonary collagen deposition in OVA-treated mice; however, these conditions were ameliorated with aloin treatment. Mechanically, aloin upregulated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)—heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway but inhibited the level of transforming growth factor beta–SMAD2/3 genes (TGF-β/Smad2/3) axis in OVA-induced mice.
Conclusion: Aloin treatment lessened airway hyperresponsiveness, airway remodeling, inflammation, and oxidative stress in OVA-treated mice, and was closely related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and the weakening of TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathway.
CTRP3 regulates NF-κB and TGFβ1/Smad3 pathways to alleviate airway inflammation and remodeling in asthmatic mice induced by OVA
Authors: Lin Hai , Yi Jinrong
Published: July 2023

Background: Asthma is a common illness with chronic airway inflammation. C1q/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related protein 3 (CTRP3) plays a vital role ininflammatory response, but its effect on asthma is imprecise. Herein, we analyzed the functions of CTRP3 in asthma.
Methods: The BALB/c mice were randomized into four groups: control, ovalbumin (OVA), OVA+vector, and OVA+CTRP3. The asthmatic mice model was established by OVA stimulation. Overexpression of CTRP3 was implemented by the transfection of corresponding adeno-associated virus 6 (AAV6). The contents of CTRP3, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, smooth muscle alpha-actin (α-SMA), phosphorylated (p)-p65/p65, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1), and p-Smad3/Smad3 were determined by Western blot analysis. The quantity of total cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assessed by using a hemocytometer. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in BALF were examined by enzyme-linked immunesorbent serologic assay. The lung function indicators and airway resistance (AWR) were measured. The bronchial and alveolar structures were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining and sirius red staining.
Results: The CTRP3 was downregulated in mice of OVA groups; however, AAV6-CTRP3 treatment markedly upregulated the expression of CTRP3. Upregulation of CTRP3 diminished asthmatic airway inflammation by decreasing the number of inflammatory cells and the contents of proinflammatory factors. CTRP3 markedly lessened AWR and improved lung function in OVA-stimulated mice. Histological analysis found that CTRP3 alleviated OVA-induced airway remodeling in mice. Moreover, CTRP3 modulated NF-κB and TGFβ1/Smad3 pathways in OVA-stimulated mice.
Conclusion: CTRP3 alleviated airway inflammation and remodeling in OVA-induced asthmatic mice via regulating NF-κB and TGFβ1/Smad3 pathways.
A different starting line for allergic march: food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis
Authors: Bahceci Semiha , Kuyum Töz Pınar , Celebi Celik Figen , Can Demet
Published: July 2023

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term prognosis of food protein--induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) patients, the risk of developing both allergic and gastrointestinal diseases, and to evaluate whether it leads to allergic march.
Methods: A total of 149 children who were diagnosed with FPIAP and developed tolerance at least 5 years prior to the study and 41 children (with no history of food allergy) as a control group were enrolled. Both groups were re-evaluated for allergic diseases as well as gastrointestinal disorders.
Results: The mean age of diagnosis for the FPIAP group was 4.2 ± 3.0 months, while the mean age of tolerance was 13.9 ± 7.7 months. The mean age of both FPIAP and control groups at the last visit was 101.6 ± 24.4 and 96.3 ± 24.1 months, respectively (P = 0.213). At the final evaluation of both groups, the comorbid allergic disease was significantly higher in the FPIAP group (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease (P = 0.198, 0.579, and 0.579, respectively).
In the FPIAP group, the allergic disease was significantly higher at the final visit in patients with comorbid allergic disease at diagnosis (P < 0.001). In the FPIAP group, FGID was significantly higher in the group that developed allergic diseases in the future, compared to the group that did not develop allergic diseases in the future (P = 0.034). The proportion of both FGID and allergic diseases was significantly higher in subjects that developed tolerance at >18 months, compared to subjects that developed tolerance at >18 months (P < 0.001 and <0.001, respectively).
Conclusions: Patients with FPIAP may develop allergic diseases as well as FGID in the long term.
Inhibition of CREB promotes glucocorticoids action on airway inflammation in pediatric asthma by promoting ferroptosis of eosinophils
Authors: Yu Tong , Yu Yiping , Ma Yingyu , Chen Guoqing
Published: July 2023

Background: Pediatric asthma is a common chronic disease of childhood with airway inflammation. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) plays a significant role in the transcription of proinflammatory genes, but its role in pediatric asthma has remained unclear. Herein, we investigated the functions of CREB in pediatric asthma.
Methods: Eosinophils were purified from the peripheral blood of interleukin 5 (IL5) transgenic (IL5T) neonatal mice. The contents of CREB, long-chain fatty-acid–CoA ligase 4, transferrin receptor protein 1, ferritin heavy chain 1, and glutathione peroxidase 4 in eosinophils were examined by Western blot analysis. The viability of eosinophils, and the mean fluorescence intensity of Siglec F, C-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3), and reactive oxygen species were examined by flow cytometry. The concentration of iron in eosinophils was assessed by a commercial kit. The contents of malondialdehyde, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, IL-5, and IL-4 were discovered by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay. The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: sham, ovalbumin (OVA), OVA+Ad-shNC, and OVA+Ad-shCREB. The bronchial and alveolar structures were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Leukocytes and eosinophils in the blood were measured using a HEMAVET 950.
Results: The abundance of CREB in eosinophils was enhanced by CREB overexpression vector transfection, but reduced by short hairpin (sh)CREB transfection. Downregulation of CREB triggered the cell death of eosinophils. Knockdown of CREB could obviously contribute to ferroptosis of eosinophils. In addition, downregulation of CREB facilitated dexamethasone (DXMS, a type of glucocorticoid)-induced eosinophils death. Moreover, we established an asthma mouse model by OVA treatment. The CREB was upregulated in OVA group mice, but Ad-shCREB treatment obviously downregulated CREB level. Downregulation of CREB diminished OVA-induced asthmatic airway inflammation by reducing the number of inflammatory cells and the levels of proinflammatory factors. Downregulated CREB enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of DXMS in OVA-induced mice.
Conclusion: Inhibition of CREB promoted the effect of glucocorticoids on airway inflammation in pediatric asthma through promoting ferroptosis of eosinophils.
Effect of budesonide formoterol combined with tiotropium bromide on pulmonary function and inflammatory factors in patients with asthma–COPD overlap syndrome
Authors: Jiang Ting , Li Pengfei , Wang Yang
Published: July 2023

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of combining budesonide formoterol with tiotropium bromide for treating asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (AOCS).
Methods: The data of 104 patients with AOCS admitted to our hospital from December 2019 to December 2020 were assessed, randomly and divided into an experimental group (comprising 52 patients, receiving drug combination therapy) and a conventional group (comprising 52 patients, receiving drug therapy alone). Patients’ clinical efficacy, pulmonary function, fractioned exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), immune function, endothelial function, serum lipid peroxidation injury indexes, adverse reactions, and quality of life scores were compared.
Results: Prior to treatment, no significant differences were observed in various pulmonary function indicators, FeNO, immune function, endothelial function, and lipid peroxidation injury indexes between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, after treatment, all observation indexes in both groups improved to different levels, with the experimental group -demonstrating -significantly superior improvement, compared to the conventional group (P < 0.05). We also observed that adverse reactions in the experimental group were significantly lower than in the conventional group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The combination of budesonide formoterol to tiotropium bromide in treating asthma–COPD overlap syndrome may significantly improve pulmonary function, endothelial function, and immune status of patients and encourage the recovery of serum lipid peroxidation injury; therefore, this may deserve widespread adoption and application.
Rosavin inhibits neutrophil extracellular traps formation to ameliorate sepsis-induced lung injury by regulating the MAPK pathway
Authors: Gao Tianwei , Li Juan , Shi Lei , Hu Bo
Published: July 2023

Background: Sepsis is a systemic organ dysfunction caused by infection, and the most affected organ is the lungs. Rosavin, a traditional Tibetan medicine, exerts an impressive anti--inflammatory effect. However, its effects on sepsis-related lung damage have not been investigated.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Rosavin on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced lung injury.
Methods: The sepsis mouse model was established by CLP, and the mice were pretreated with Rosavin to explore whether it contributed to the alleviation of lung injury. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) stain and lung injury score were used to assess the severity of lung injury. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin-6 [IL-6], IL-1β, and IL-17A) were detected by ELISA. The number of neutrophils in BALF was detected using flow cytometry. The immunofluorescence assay was used to detect histone and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung tissues. Then, the western blot was performed to detect the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (extracellular regulated kinase [ERK], p-ERK, p38, p-p38, Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 [JNK1/2], and p-JNK1/2) in lung tissues.
Results: We found that Rosavin significantly attenuated sepsis-induced lung injury. Specifically, Rosavin significantly inhibited inflammation response by decreasing the secretion of inflammatory mediators. The level of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and MPO activity in CLP were decreased after administration with Rosavin. Moreover, the western blot showed that Rosavin could suppress NETs formation by inhibiting the MAPK/ERK/p38/JNK signaling pathway.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that Rosavin inhibited NETs formation to attenuate sepsis-induced lung injury, and the inhibitory effect may be exerted via deregulation of the MAPK pathways.
MG53 alleviates airway inflammatory responses by regulating nuclear factor-κB pathway in asthmatic mice
Authors: Tan Sijia , Li Mengtian , Song Xiaoxi
Published: July 2023

Background: Asthma is a common lung disease with increasing incidence and prevalence globally, thereby imposing a substantial global health and economic burden. Recently, studies have shown that Mitsugumin 53 (MG53) exhibits multiple biological functions and plays a protective role in a variety of diseases. However, the role of MG53 in asthma remained unknown; hence, in the present study we aimed to explore the functioning of MG53 in asthma.
Methods: Using ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, an OVA-induced asthmatic animal model was constructed and administered with MG53. After establishing mice model, inflammatory cell counts and the levels of type 2 inflammatory cytokines were examined and histological staining of lung tissues were performed. The levels of key factors associated with the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway were detected.
Results: Asthmatic mice displayed a remarkable accumulation of white blood cells, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, compared to control mice. MG53 treatment lowered the number of these inflammatory cells in asthmatic mice. The level of type 2 cytokines in asthmatic mice was higher than that in control mice, and was lessened by MG53 intervention. In asthmatic mice, airway resistance was elevated, which was reduced by MG53 treatment. In addition, inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion were aggravated in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice, and both were attenuated by MG53 intervention. The levels of phosphorylated p65 and phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase were elevated in asthmatic mice, but were downregulated by MG53 supplement.
Conclusion: The aggravated airway inflammation was observed in asthmatic mice; however, MG53 treatment suppressed airway inflammation by targeting the NF-κB pathway.
Cardiac arrhythmia and immune response in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Wang Chunlian , Hao Wenqiang
Published: July 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented substantial challenges for providing health care due to the numerous complications on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of people. Cardiac arrhythmia is one of the cardiac complications, and it was observed in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, arrhythmia and cardiac arrest are common in COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit. The occurrence of cardiac arrhythmia in COVID-19 patients is associated with hypoxia, cytokine storm, myocardial ischemia and inflammatory disease such as congestive heart failure. It is necessary to know the occurrence and mechanisms of tachyarrhythmia and bradyarrhythmia in patients with COVID-19 infection for their proper management. This review provides an overview of the association between COVID-19 and arrhythmias by detailing possible pathophysiological mechanisms.
Knocking down TNFAIP1 alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress in pediatric pneumonia through PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhao Mengtian , Fang Wei , Du Chaojun
Published: July 2023

Background: Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection with increasing global incidences. Children are more susceptible to pneumonia than adults, and its incidences grow extremely high during peak seasons. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of childhood pneumonia.
Methods: This study examined the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha-inducible protein 1 (TNFAIP1) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pneumonia mice. After LPS exposure, lung function, TNFAIP1 activation, infarction volume, oxidative stress, lung tissue apoptosis ratio, and inflammatory response were assessed by immunohistochemistry staining, hematoxylin and eosin staning, Western blot analysis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling assay, and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay, respectively. The mechanism of TNFAIP1 regulating phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)–protein kinase B (Akt)–nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway was analyzed by Western blot analysis.
Results: TNFAIP1 expression was enhanced in the LPS-induced pneumonia mice but was negatively correlated with the LPS-induced lung injury. Silencing TNFAIP1 alleviated inflammatory response, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cellular apoptosis in LPS-induced pneumonia. Moreover, PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathways were predominantly involved in the TNFAIP1-mediated lung injury, which also played a role in the process of LPS-induced pneumonia.
Conclusion: This study suggested that TNFAIP1 acted as a negative regulator of acute pneumonia by attenuating inflammatory response, production of ROS, and cellular apoptosis via PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway. The findings suggested that TNFAIP1 is a potential candidate for pneumonia therapy.
IgG food hypersensitivity: A potential hidden precipitant for chronic spontaneous urticaria A case report
Authors: Koshak Emad Abdulkader , Atwah Ali Fahad , Yaqoob Ahmad Hanan Mohammed
Published: July 2023

Background: While the link between foods and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is controversial, many immunological mechanisms have been proposed to establish a causal relationship.
Objective: To explore the potential benefit of avoiding immunoglobulin G (IgG)-mediated food hypersensitivity as a triggering factor in a case with CSU.
History: The patient is a 50-year-old woman who complained of CSU for 1 and half year, which responded partially and temporarily to antihistamine medications. Of interest, it started 6 months after she followed an oat-rich diet. Her Urticaria Activity Score 7 was 23 out of 40.
Results: Specific immunoglobulin E responses to common food and inhalant allergens were negative. A food-specific IgG antibody test was conducted, and it was mainly elevated for chicken eggs, rye, sweet pepper, gluten, garlic, wheat, and pineapple. Avoiding these foods had a curative effect on the CSU over a 2-month period.
Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of symptoms of CSU that resolved after identifying and avoiding food items with IgG antibodies. Furthermore, well-controlled studies are advocated to verify the potential role of IgG food hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of CSU.
Prevalence of atopic dermatitis in the adolescent population of Catalonia (Spain)
Authors: Mora Toni , Sánchez-Collado Irene , Mullol Joaquim , Muñoz-Cano Rosa , Ribó Paula , Valero Antonio
Published: July 2023

Background: Studies on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) for the adolescent cohort in general-based large populations are scarce worldwide. We performed a retrospective population--based observational cohort study of 76,665 adolescent patients diagnosed with AD in Catalonia (Spain). We studied the prevalence of AD by age, gender, disease severity, comorbidities, serum total immunoglobulin E (tIgE) and appropriate medical treatment (AMT) for the Catalan population.
Methods: Adolescent individuals (12–17 years) diagnosed with AD by medical records at different health care levels (primary, hospital, emergency) from the Catalan Health System (CHS) were included. Statistical analyses evaluated sociodemographic characteristics, prevalence, comorbidities, serum tIgE and AMT.
Results: The overall diagnosed AD prevalence in the adolescent Catalan population (76,665) was 16.9%, being higher for the non-severe (16.7%) than for the severe (0.2%) populations. Topical corticosteroids were the most prescribed drug (49.5%), and the use of all prescribed treatments was higher in severe AD patients, especially systemic corticosteroids (49.7%) and immunosuppressants (45.4%). AD patients had, on average, a serum tIgE of 163.6 KU/L, which was higher for severe than non-severe disease (155.5 KU/L vs 101.9 KU/L, respectively). Allergic rhinitis (15.0%) and asthma (13.5%) were among the most frequent comorbid respiratory and allergy diseases.
Conclusions: This is the first Spanish study reporting the overall diagnosed prevalence for a large-scale adolescent cohort (12–17 years old) from Catalonia. It provides new and robust evidence of AD’s prevalence and related characteristics in this region.
Effect of budesonide combined with montelukast sodium on pulmonary function parameters and immunoglobulin levels in children with bronchial asthma
Authors: Chu Fangfang , Liang Lei , Chen Fuzhe
Published: July 2023

Background and aim: Bronchial asthma is a prevalent type of respiratory disease that affects a large proportion of pediatric patients. The purpose of this study is to further investigate the clinical effects of budesonide combined with montelukast sodium in treating bronchial asthma.
Methods: Eighty six children with bronchial asthma were equally divided into study and control groups via randomized double-blind controlled trial. The control group was treated with aerosol inhalation of budesonide combined with placebo, while the study group was treated with budesonide combined with montelukast sodium. Pulmonary function parameters, immunoglobulin, and recovery of related symptoms, along with the adverse reaction rate, were observed and compared between both groups.
Results: Before treatment, there was no marked difference in pulmonary function parameters and immunoglobulin indexes between both groups (P > 0.05). All pulmonary function indicators and immunoglobulin indexes in both groups improved following therapy, with the study group outperforming the control group (P < 0.05). The recovery time of related symptoms in the study group was shorter than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in both groups was compared, with notable differences (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Budesonide combined with montelukast sodium in the treatment of bronchial asthma has the value of clinical application and promotion.
Tamibarotene targets heparin-binding protein for attenuating lung injury in sepsis
Authors: Xu Chuanjie , Li Jianping
Published: July 2023

Background: Excessively active pulmonary inflammation is a hallmark of sepsis-induced lung damage. A synthetic retinoid drug called tamibarotene reduces inflammation in a variety of conditions, including acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), renal fibrosis, and neuroinflammation. Its effect on sepsis-related lung injury, however, has not been explained.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate how tamibarotene affected lung damage induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) procedure.
Methods: A CLP sepsis mouse model was developed, and tamibarotene was pretreated to determine whether it improved lung injury and survival. The degree of lung injury was evaluated using the Hematoxylin and eosin staining and lung injury score. In order to determine pulmonary vascular permeability, measurements were taken for total protein and cell content of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), wet/dry ratio of the lung, and Evans blue stain. The BALF inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and IL-17A were discovered by enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA). Then, the levels of heparin-binding protein (HBP), and phospho-nuclear factor kappa-B (p-NF-κB) P65, and NF-κB P65 were determined using ELISA and Western blot analysis, respectively.
Results: Tamibarotene considerably increases survival and lessens lung damage stimulated by sepsis. Specifically, tamibarotene significantly relieves pulmonary vascular permeability and inhibits inflammation response in sepsis. Moreover, we further confirmed that these ameliorating effects of tamibarotene on sepsis may be exerted by targeting HBP and regulating the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that tamibarotene lessens sepsis-induced lung injury, and the effect could be exerted by targeting HBP and thereby deregulating the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Effects of omalizumab combined with budesonide formoterol on clinical efficacy, pulmonary function, immune function, and adverse reactions in children with moderate and severe allergic asthma
Authors: Chen Fuzhe , Liang Lei , Chu Fang Fang , Lu Changlong , Xu Chongyu
Published: July 2023

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of combining omalizumab with budesonide formoterol to treat children with moderate and severe allergic asthma, and investigate the effect of this combination therapy on pulmonary and immune functions.
Methods: The data of 88 children with moderate and severe allergic asthma, who were admitted to our hospital between July 2021 and July 2022, were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned either to control group (n = 44; received budesonide formoterol inhalation therapy) or experimental group (n = 44; received omalizumab subcutaneous injection + budesonide formoterol inhalation therapy) using computer-generated randomization. The clinical efficacy, asthma control (measured using childhood Asthma-Control Test [C-ACT] score), pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow), immune function (cluster of differentiation 3 cells [CD3+ cells], cluster of differentiation 4 cells [CD4+ cells], immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A, and immunoglobulin E), and adverse reactions were observed and compared between both groups.
Results: After treatment, the experimental group had improved levels of pulmonary function and immune function indexes, higher C-ACT scores, and a higher overall response rate than the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the incidence of adverse reactions was not significantly different between both groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The combination of omalizumab with budesonide formoterol for treating moderate and severe allergic asthma in children demonstrated promising clinical efficacy and improved their pulmonary and immune functions, leading to more rational asthma control. The combined regimen demonstrated satisfactory clinical safety and deserved clinical promotion.
Percepção dos profissionais de enfermagem sobre a capacitação para o cuidado de pacientes neurocirúrgicos
Authors: Paudarco Leandro Da Silva , Rodrigues Quessia Paz
Published: July 2023

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a percepção da equipe de enfermagem sobre as capacitações para o cuidado em neurocirurgia, tendo como campo de estudo uma enfermaria neurocirúrgica de um hospital público de grande porte em Salvador-Bahia. No qual foi realizado uma investigação qualitativa e exploratória, entrevistando 19 profissionais de enfermagem, entre os meses de Junho a Agosto de 2021, através de questionário semi-estruturado e flexível, para a coleta de dados. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Os resultados apontam a importância da educação em saúde para as profissionais de enfermagem desenvolverem habilidades para sua prática diária, além de destacar ações que garantam um foco no cliente neurocirúrgico, bem como na construção de práxis que vão de encontro para o desenvolvimento do potencial destes profissionais nesta unidade especializada.
Boundary spanners in inter-organizational relationships: A literature review and research agenda
Authors: Fagundes Ernando , Gasparetto Valdirene
Published: July 2023

The literature on interorganizational relationships has explored them at the organizational level and ignored interpersonal relationships. This paper consists of a literature review analyzing, consolidating, and synthesizing studies on boundary spanners in business–to–business (B2B) interorganizational relationships, pointing out directions for future research. The review was carried out in ten steps, separated into three phases encompassing planning, collecting, and synthesizing data, and disclosing the results. The study assesses 3,156 published articles, and 45 of them addressed the theme of boundary spanners in B2B interorganizational relationships. These articles were analyzed, identifying their characteristics and the evolution of research through time. The definitions of interpersonal and interorganizational relationships were compared, observing how the literature has addressed the interdependency between these relationships. Also, the concepts and roles assigned to boundary spanners were analyzed, leading to an integrated framework of the existing literature on the theme. Finally, suggestions for future research are presented, followed by this review’s implications and limitations.
Management Control Systems – Strategic Alignment Relations: A Study at Itaipu Binacional
Authors: Tavares Ronaldo , Norberto Wenderson Diego , Damke Eloi Junior , Panek Luciano
Published: July 2023

Several papers have connected management controls to strategic commitment, innovation, and corporate governance, among other organizational outcomes. There are few studies that relate the levers of control framework proposed by Simons (1995) to strategic alignment. This paper aims to evaluate the relationships between Simons' strategic levers of control with the vertical strategic alignment at Itaipu Binacional. Data collected through a survey of 341 respondents and analysed through structural equation modelling by the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method revealed that the levers of control are associated, exerting a positive influence, with the strategic alignment, with diagnostic, beliefs, and interactive systems showing significant statistical associations.
Tres reflexiones para el pensamiento universitario
Authors: Sánchez Diana Mireya Cuéllar , Peña Alex Dueñas
Published: July 2023

Introducción. El pensamiento universitario se nutre de preceptos que encarnan principios esenciales, tales como la búsqueda de la verdad, la promoción del conocimiento, el desarrollo de habilidades críticas y analíticas, la formación ética y la responsabilidad social, entre otros. Objetivo. Reflexionar desde los principios fundamentales del pensamiento universitario sobre los conceptos de "espíritu universitario", "pensamiento crítico" y "modernidad líquida" con el fin de promover el diálogo y fomentar la práctica de la dialéctica en los centros universitarios. Discusión. Se realiza un análisis cualitativo exploratorio basado en la observación y análisis de documentos relevantes para examinar los principios del pensamiento universitario: búsqueda de la verdad, promoción del conocimiento, habilidades críticas y analíticas, así como la formación ética y la responsabilidad social. Se destaca la responsabilidad de la universidad en fomentar el diálogo y la práctica de la dialéctica para formar individuos comprometidos y capacitados para los desafíos actuales. Conclusión. Es necesario y factible promover la reflexión universitaria en torno al pensamiento crítico como una habilidad esencial. Se resalta la importancia de abordar los temas de manera objetiva y se enfatiza la necesidad de reflexionar y actuar de manera colectiva para construir una sociedad más justa y sostenible, enfrentando los desafíos y cambios de la modernidad. Además, se reconoce el impacto que puede lograr en la cultura universitaria el uso de herramientas fundamentales para el desarrollo intelectual y social de los estudiantes y profesionales en los centros universitarios.
Falsification of Cyber-Physical Systems Using PDDL+ Planning
Authors: Aineto Diego , Scala Enrico , Onaindia Eva , Serina Ivan
Published: July 2023

This work explores the capabilities of current planning technologies to tackle the falsification of safety requirements for cyber-physical systems. Cyber-physical systems are systems where software and physical processes interact over time, and their requirements are commonly specified in temporal logic with time bounds. Roughly, falsification is the process of finding a trajectory of the cyber-physical system that violates the safety requirements, and it is a task typically tackled with black-box algorithms.
We analyse the challenges posed by industry-driven falsification benchmarks taken from the ARCH-COMP competition, and propose a first attempt to deal with these problems through PDDL+ planning instead. Our experimental analysis on a selection of these problems provides empirical evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of planning-based approaches, whilst also identifying the main areas of improvement.
Explainable Goal Recognition: A Framework Based on Weight of Evidence
Authors: Alshehri Abeer , Miller Tim , Vered Mor
Published: July 2023

We introduce and evaluate an eXplainable goal recognition (XGR) model that uses the Weight of Evidence (WoE) framework to explain goal recognition problems. Our model provides human-centered explanations that answer `why?' and `why not?' questions. We computationally evaluate the performance of our system over eight different goal recognition domains showing it does not significantly increase the underlying recognition run time. Using a human behavioral study to obtain the ground truth from human annotators, we further show that the XGR model can successfully generate human-like explanations. We then report on a study with 40 participants who observe agents playing a Sokoban game and then receive explanations of the goal recognition output. We investigated participants’ understanding obtained by explanations through task prediction, explanation satisfaction, and trust.
Exploiting Geometric Constraints in Multi-Agent Pathfinding
Authors: Atzmon Dor , Bernardini Sara , Fagnani Fabio , Fairbairn David
Published: July 2023

In tackling the multi-agent pathfinding problem (MAPF), we study a specific class of paths that are constructed by taking the agents’ shortest paths from the start to the goal locations and adding safe delays at the beginning of the paths, which guarantee that they are non-conflicting. Safe delays are calculated by exploiting a set of fundamental geometric constraints among the distances between all agents’ start and goal locations. Those constraints are simple, but the MAPF problem reformulated in terms of them remains computationally hard. Nonetheless, based on safe delays, we devise a new, fast and lightweight algorithm, called Delayed Shortest Path (DSP), to find solutions to the MAPF problem. Via an extensive experimental evaluation on standard benchmarks, we show that, in many cases, our technique runs several orders of magnitudes faster than related methods while addressing problems with thousands of agents and returning low-cost solutions.