bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUBVERSÃO: REFLEXÕES SOBRE ASSIMETRIAS DE GÊNERO POR MEIO DA PRODUÇÃO ARTÍSTICA EM CERÂMICA
Authors: Rosenmann Carolina Haidée Bail Afonso , Salgado Luiz Antonio Zadhi
Published: January 2023

Este artigo dedica-se ao processo de criação das séries “Mulheres em Pedaços” e “SubVersão”, realizadas entre os anos de 2020 e 2021. As séries são compostas por esculturas desenvolvidas a partir da apropriação de louças de mesa industriais de segunda linha, que foram descartadas por estarem trincadas, lascadas ou quebradas. Também são utilizados outros materiais como fios de bordado e cerâmica por modelagem manual. Tendo a pesquisa como fio condutor para a produção artística, o trabalho envolve uma investigação teórica que tem como base a história das mulheres, transitando nos estudos feministas, nos estudos de gênero e na escrita de si. O relato foi produzido com base em anotações realizadas em diário de campo e registros fotográficos. O texto foi desenvolvido pela artista, sob a supervisão de seu orientador, com base no Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso para obtenção do grau de Licenciatura em Artes Visuais da Universidade Estadual do Paraná, campus II - FAP. A motivação para o desenvolvimento destes trabalhos parte da experiência pessoal da autora enquanto mulher, artista, pesquisadora e docente. Por meio da pesquisa e da produção artística evidencia-se as assimetrias de gênero, demonstrando a importância de produzir registros de experiências de mulheres artistas.
UMA RELEITURA DA BIOGRAFIA CRIATIVA DE LEONARDO DA VINCI.
Authors: Eugênio Alisson
Published: January 2023

Nesse artigo será abordada a trajetória criativa de Leonardo Da Vinci, como exemplo do que Eugênio Garin chamou de homem renascentista, a partir dos conceitos de campo e de habitus propostos por Bourdieu, com o objetivo de compreender a relação entre o indivíduo, seu meio social e as condições históricas na qual ele atuou.
Construction of an efficient Claviceps paspali cell factory for lysergic acid production
Authors: Hu Mingzhe , Zhou Yu , Du Siyu , Zhang Xuan , Tang Shen , Yang Yong , Zhang Wei , Chen Shaoxin , Huang Xuenian , Lu Xuefeng
Published: January 2023

Lysergic acid (LA) is the key precursor of ergot alkaloids, and its derivatives have been used extensively for the treatment of neurological disorders. However, the poor fermentation efficiency limited its industrial application. At the same time, the hardship of genetic manipulation has hindered the metabolic engineering of Claviceps strains to improve the LA titer further. In this study, an efficient genetic manipulation system based on the protoplast-mediated transformation was established in the industrial strain Claviceps paspali. On this basis, the gene lpsB located in the ergot alkaloids biosynthetic gene cluster was deleted to construct the LA-producing cell factory. Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken designs were used in shaking flasks, achieving an optimal fermentation medium composition. The final titer of LA and iso-lysergic acid (ILA) reached 3.7 g·L−1, which was 4.6 times higher than that in the initial medium. Our work provides an efficient strategy for the biosynthesis of LA and ILA and lays the groundwork for its industrial production.
A novel method for in vivo measurement of dynamic ischiofemoral space based on MRI and motion capture
Authors: Wang Yining , Ma Dong , Feng Zhengkuan , Yu Wanqi , Chen Yanjun , Zhong Shizhen , Ouyang Jun , Qian Lei
Published: January 2023

Purpose: To use a novel in vivo method to simulate a moving hip model. Then, measure the dynamic bone-to-bone distance, and analyze the ischiofemoral space (IFS) of patients diagnosed with ischiofemoral impingement syndrome (IFI) during dynamic activities.

Methods: Nine healthy subjects and 9 patients with IFI were recruited to collect MRI images and motion capture data. The motion trail of the hip during motion capture was matched to a personalized 3D hip model reconstructed from MRI images to get a dynamic bone model. This personalized dynamic in vivo method was then used to simulate the bone motion in dynamic activities. Validation was conducted on a 3D-printed sphere by comparing the calculated data using this novel method with the actual measured moving data using motion capture. Moreover, the novel method was used to analyze the in vivo dynamic IFS between healthy subjects and IFI patients during normal and long stride walking.

Results: The validation results show that the root mean square error (RMSE) of slide and rotation was 1.42 mm/1.84° and 1.58 mm/2.19°, respectively. During normal walking, the in vivo dynamic IFS was significantly larger in healthy hips (ranged between 15.09 and 50.24 mm) compared with affected hips (between 10.16 and 39.74 mm) in 40.27%–83.81% of the gait cycle (p = 0.027). During long stride walking, the in vivo dynamic IFS was also significantly larger in healthy hips (ranged between 13.02 and 51.99 mm) than affected hips (between 9.63 and 44.22 mm) in 0%–5.85% of the gait cycle (p = 0.049). Additionally, the IFS of normal walking was significantly smaller than long stride walking during 0%–14.05% and 85.07%–100% of the gait cycle (p = 0.033, 0.033) in healthy hips. However, there was no difference between the two methods of walking among the patients.

Conclusions: This study established a novel in vivo method to measure the dynamic bone-to-bone distance and was well validated. This method was used to measure the IFS of patients diagnosed with IFI, and the results showed that the IFS of patients is smaller compared with healthy subjects, whether in normal or long stride walking. Meanwhile, IFI eliminated the difference between normal and long stride walking.
Light and focused ion beam microscopy workflow for resin-embedded tissues
Authors: Merchant-Larios Horacio , Giraldo-Gomez David M. , Castro-Dominguez Adriana , Marmolejo-Valencia Alejandro
Published: January 2023

Although the automated image acquisition with the focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) provides volume reconstructions, volume analysis of large samples remains challenging. Here, we present a workflow that combines a modified sample protocol of the classical transmission electron microscope with FIB-SEM volume imaging. The proposed workflow enables efficient 3D structural surveys of rabbit ovaries collected at consecutive developmental stages. The precise trimming of the region of interest adds the time dimension to the volume, constructing a virtual 4D electron microscopy. We found filopodia-like processes emitted by oocyte cysts allowing contact between oocytes not previously observed.
The ENSO-induced South Pacific Meridional Mode
Authors: Dewitte Boris , Concha Emilio , Saavedra Diego , Pizarro Oscar , Martinez-Villalobos Cristian , Gushchina Daria , Ramos Marcel , Montecinos Aldo
Published: January 2023

Previous studies have investigated the role of the Pacific meridional mode (PMM), a climate mode of the mid-latitudes in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere, in favoring the development of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However little is known on how ENSO can influence the development of the PMM. Here we investigate the relationship between ENSO and the South Pacific Meridional Mode (SPMM) focusing on strong SPMM events that follows strong El Niño events. This type of events represents more than 60% of such events in the observational record and the historical simulations of the CESM Large ensemble (CESM-LE). It is first shown that such a relationship is rather stationary in both observations and the CESM-LE. Our analyses further reveal that strong SPMM events are associated with a coastal warming off northern central Chile peaking in Austral winter resulting from the propagation of waves forced at the equator during the development of El Niño events. The time delay between the ENSO peak (Boreal winter) and this coastal warming (Austral winter) can be understood in terms of the differential contribution of the equatorially-forced propagating baroclinic waves to the warming along the coast. In particular, the difference in phase speeds of the waves (the high-order mode the wave the slower) implies that they do not overlap along their propagation south of 20°S. This contributes to the persistence of warm coastal SST anomalies off Central Chile until the Austral summer following the concurrent El Niño event. This coastal warming is favorable to the development of strong SPMM events as the South Pacific Oscillation become active during that season. The analysis of the simulations of the Coupled Intercomparison Project phases 5 and 6 (CMIP5/6) indicates that very few models realistically simulate this ENSO/SPMM relationship and associated oceanic teleconnection.
Resting coronary flow drives the daily pattern in coronary flow reserve in patients with chest pain without obstructive epicardial stenosis
Authors: Thosar Saurabh S. , Taqui Sahar , Davidson Brian , Belcik Todd , Hodovan James , Rice Sean P. M. , Lindner Jonathan R.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is a risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events and is characterized by abnormal coronary microvascular tone. In patients with INOCA, adverse cardiovascular events most commonly occur in the morning compared to other times of the day and night.

Materials and methods

We tested whether coronary microvascular function varies diurnally with attenuation in the morning in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease without significant (>50%) epicardial stenosis. We evaluated data from 17 patients studied in the AM (700–1159 h) and 11 patients in the PM (1200–1800 h). Coronary microvascular function was measured using perfusion contrast imaging at rest and after infusion of intravenous regadenoson. We calculated microvascular flow reserve as the ratio of hyperemic to resting flow. Along with independent sample t-tests, we performed bootstrapping procedures to test mean differences between AM and PM groups, using the bias-corrected and accelerated method with 5,000 bootstrapped samples.

Results and conclusion

The AM and PM groups were matched for demographic and existing risk factors. Coronary microvascular flow reserve was ∼33% higher in the AM compared to the PM (P = 0.025, BCa 95% CI [0.25, 1.64]; Hedge’s g = 0.89, 95% CI [0.11, 1.66]) as a result of significantly lower resting flow (∼50%) in the AM compared to the PM (P = 0.03, MDiff = −56.65, BCa 95% CI [−118.59, −2.12]; Hedge’s g = −0.86, 95% CI [−1.60, −0.06]). Our observations are of clinical value and can influence diagnosis and treatment in the clinic based on the time of day of measurements.
Liuzijue training improves hypertension and modulates gut microbiota profile
Authors: Wu Sha , Zheng Caiping , Liu Nannan , Deng Tingting , Wang Jie , Qi Luming , Xia Lina
Published: January 2023

Background

Liuzijue training (LZJ) is a traditional exercise integrating breathing meditation and physical exercise, which could prevent and improve hypertension symptoms.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of LZJ on hypertensive patients from the perspectives of blood pressure (BP), vascular endothelial function, immune homeostasis, and gut microbiota.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, controlled, single-blind experiment to assess the effect of 12 weeks LZJ in hypertensive patients. We measured the blood pressure level, vascular endothelial function, serum inflammatory factor concentration, and fecal microbial composition of hypertension patients.

Results

Compared with aerobic training, LZJ has a more significant effect on serum inflammatory factors (IL-6 and IL-10) and gut microbiota. PCoA analysis showed that LZJ tended to transform the gut microbiota structure of hypertensive subjects into that of healthy people. This process involves significant changes in Bacteroides, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Escherichia-Shigella, Haemophilus, Megamonas, and Parabacteroides. In particular, Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella, these bacteria were closely related to the improvement of BP in hypertensive patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results confirm that LZJ could be used as an adjuvant treatment for hypertensive patients, which could effectively reduce BP, improve the immune homeostasis and gut microbiota structure in patients, and provide a theoretical reference for the use of LZJ in the clinic.

Clinical trial registration

http://www.chictr.org.cn/listbycreater.aspx, identifier: ChiCTR2200066269.
Disrupting arrhythmia in a professional male wrestler athlete after rapid weight loss and high-intensity training—Case report
Authors: Milovančev Aleksandra , Miljković Tatjana , Ilić Aleksandra , Stojšić Milosavljević Anastazija , Petrović Milovan , Roklicer Roberto , Lakičević Nemanja , Trivić Tatjana , Drid Patrik
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Physiological heart adaptations may lead to increased susceptibility to arrhythmia in athletes. Furthermore, vigorous training and method like rapid weight loss (RWL) in combat sports could pose additional risks. This case represents how routine cardiovascular screening during high-risk methods like RWL and high-intensity training (HIT) reveal abrupt ventricular arrhythmias in a young athlete.

Case report

We report a case of a 20-year-old male wrestler athlete who developed disrupting arrhythmia during RWL and HIT. The study included: a medical exam, 12 lead electrocardiograms (ECG), transthoracic echocardiogram (ECHO), and 24 h of continuous ECG monitoring in baseline, phase one (P1), (in which the athlete had to simulate RWL through vigorous training and dietary intervention and HIT) and phase two (P2), (with the same HIT protocol performed without the RWL procedure). Baseline laboratory analyses were without abnormalities, ECG showed sinus rhythm with one premature atrial contraction (PAC) and ECHO showed signs of concentric remodeling with preserved systolic, diastolic function, and global longitudinal strain. After P1 RWL simulation, he lost 5.15% of body weight in 3 days, which resulted in lower blood glucose levels, higher urea, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB levels, and slightly increased levels of NT pro-BNP, ECG revealed sinus rhythm with one ventricular premature beat (VPB), 24-h continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed frequent ventricular premature beats (PVB) 2,150/ 24 h, with two couplets, and 8 PAC. After an advised 4-week period of de-training continuous 24 h, ECG monitoring was improved with only occasional PVB. The 24 h continuous ECG monitoring was repeated after HIT and revealed even more frequent PVB, 5% of all beats for 24 h, 4,205 in total, and almost all VPB were in bigeminy and trigeminy. The athlete was advised against RWL and extremely vigorous exercise and for regular, frequent checkups with occasional ECG monitoring during and after exercise.

Conclusion

The short and long-term implication of abrupt ventricular arrhythmias provoked by intensive training and methods like RWL is unknown. We postulate that cardiovascular screening is necessitated, especially during high-risk methods like RWL and HIT, in helping us prevent adverse outcomes and come to individual-based clinical making decisions for each athlete.
Experimental study on shear wave velocity of sand-gravel mixtures considering the effect of gravel content
Authors: Cheng Ke , Wu Hao , Fang Yi , Wu Qi
Published: January 2023

Sand-gravel mixtures are special engineering geological materials between soils and fractured rocks. This study performs a series of bending element tests to systematically investigate the shear wave velocity (Vs) of the sand-gravel mixtures, establish an effective evaluation method, and assess the influence of relative density and effective confining pressure on mixtures with a wide range of gravel contents. The results showed that the shear wave velocity increases and then decreases with the increase in gravel content and increases with the rise in relative density and effective confining pressure. Furthermore, a shear wave velocity prediction model is proposed in this study based on the intergranular contact state theory, including the stress parameter (n) and skeleton void ratio. The stress parameter can be described by a power function considering the uniformity coefficient. The model serves as a reference guide for estimating the shear wave velocity of sand-gravel mixtures with a wide range of gravel contents.
Co-occurrence of mutations in NF1 and other susceptibility genes in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma
Authors: Mellid Sara , Gil Eduardo , Letón Rocío , Caleiras Eduardo , Honrado Emiliano , Richter Susan , Palacios Nuria , Lahera Marcos , Galofré Juan C. , López-Fernández Adriá , Calatayud Maria , Herrera-Martínez Aura D. , Galvez María A. , Matias-Guiu Xavier , Balbín Milagros , Korpershoek Esther , Lim Eugénie S. , Maletta Francesca , Lider Sofia , Fliedner Stephanie M. J. , Bechmann Nicole , Eisenhofer Graeme , Canu Letizia , Rapizzi Elena , Bancos Irina , Robledo Mercedes , Cascón Alberto
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The percentage of patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (altogether PPGL) carrying known germline mutations in one of the over fifteen susceptibility genes identified to date has dramatically increased during the last two decades, accounting for up to 35-40% of PPGL patients. Moreover, the application of NGS to the diagnosis of PPGL detects unexpected co-occurrences of pathogenic allelic variants in different susceptibility genes.

Methods

Herein we uncover several cases with dual mutations in NF1 and other PPGL genes by targeted sequencing. We studied the molecular characteristics of the tumours with co-occurrent mutations, using omic tools to gain insight into the role of these events in tumour development.

Results

Amongst 23 patients carrying germline NF1 mutations, targeted sequencing revealed additional pathogenic germline variants in DLST (n=1) and MDH2 (n=2), and two somatic mutations in H3-3A and PRKAR1A. Three additional patients, with somatic mutations in NF1 were found carrying germline pathogenic mutations in SDHB or DLST, and a somatic truncating mutation in ATRX. Two of the cases with dual germline mutations showed multiple pheochromocytomas or extra-adrenal paragangliomas - an extremely rare clinical finding in NF1 patients. Transcriptional and methylation profiling and metabolite assessment showed an “intermediate signature” to suggest that both variants had a pathological role in tumour development.

Discussion

In conclusion, mutations affecting genes involved in different pathways (pseudohypoxic and receptor tyrosine kinase signalling) co-occurring in the same patient could provide a selective advantage for the development of PPGL, and explain the variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance observed in some patients.
Ecological risk of microplastic toxicity to earthworms in soil: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Guo Sen , Wang Qiong , Li Zishuang , Chen Yanhua , Li Hongjie , Zhang Jiajia , Wang Xuexia , Liu Jiawei , Cao Bing , Zou Guoyuan , Zhang Baogui , Zhao Meng
Published: January 2023

Accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soil is a serious environmental concern. Addition of exogenous MPs can alter structure and physicochemical properties of and material transport in soil. MPs are particularly toxic to earthworms, which are soil ecosystem engineers, and exacerbate ecological risks; however, there is a lack of comprehensive and in-depth analyses of how MPs exhibit toxicity to/towards earthworms. In this study, we report a bibliometric analysis of 77 peer-reviewed papers published before December 2021 to systematically analyze how the addition of exogenous MPs contributes to earthworm toxicity and clarify the historical development and research hotspots in this field. We found that first, polyethylene and polystyrene are the most common materials used to study the toxic effects of MPs on earthworms. Second, the toxic mechanisms of MPs on earthworms mainly involve histopathological damage and oxidative stress, as well as serving as carriers of complex pollutants (e.g., heavy metals and organic pollutants) through combined adsorption–desorption. Third, oxidative stress is the typical reaction process of MPs toxicity in earthworms. When the content of MPs in soil exceeds 0.1%, earthworm growth is affected, and oxidative stress is induced, resulting in neural and DNA damage. Based on published studies, the prospects for future research on the ecological risks posed by MPs to earthworms have also been discussed. Overall, our findings help clarify the ecological risk of soil MPs toxicity to earthworms, reveal the mechanism of their toxic effects, and provide a theoretical basis for future studies focusing on establishing a healthy and ecologically sustainable soil environment.
Safety of intraocular anti-VEGF antibody treatment under in vitro HTLV-1 infection
Authors: Zong Yuan , Kamoi Koju , Kurozumi-Karube Hisako , Zhang Jing , Yang Mingming , Ohno-Matsui Kyoko
Published: January 2023

Introduction

HTLV-1 (human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1) is a retrovirus that infects approximately 20 million people worldwide. Many diseases are caused by this virus, including HTLV-1–associated myelopathy, adult T-cell leukemia, and HTLV-1 uveitis. Intraocular anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody injection has been widely used in ophthalmology, and it is reportedly effective against age-related macular degeneration, complications of diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusions. HTLV-1 mimics VEGF165, the predominant isoform of VEGF, to recruit neuropilin-1 and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. VEGF165 is also a selective competitor of HTLV-1 entry. Here, we investigated the effects of an anti-VEGF antibody on ocular status under conditions of HTLV-1 infection in vitro.

Methods

We used MT2 and TL-Om1 cells as HTLV-1–infected cells and Jurkat cells as controls. Primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells (HRPEpiCs) and ARPE19 HRPEpiCs were used as ocular cells; MT2/TL-Om1/Jurkat cells and HRPEpiCs/ARPE19 cells were co-cultured to simulate the intraocular environment of HTLV-1–infected patients. Aflibercept was administered as an anti-VEGF antibody. To avoid possible T-cell adhesion, we lethally irradiated MT2/TL-Om1/Jurkat cells prior to the experiments.

Results

Anti-VEGF antibody treatment had no effect on activated NF-κB production, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, HTLV-1 proviral load (PVL), or cell counts in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) under MT2 co-culture conditions. Under TL-Om1 co-culture conditions, anti-VEGF antibody treatment did not affect the production of activated NF-κB, chemokines, PVL, or cell counts, but production of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was increased. In addition, anti-VEGF treatment did not affect PVL in HTLV-1–infected T cells.

Conclusion

This preliminary in vitro assessment indicates that intraocular anti-VEGF antibody treatment for HTLV-1 infection does not exacerbate HTLV-1–related inflammation and thus may be safe for use.
The regulation and function of acetylated high-mobility group box 1 during implantation and decidualization
Authors: Li Yue , Chen Si-Ting , He Yu-Ying , Li Bo , Yang Chen , Yang Zhen-Shan , Yang Zeng-Ming
Published: January 2023

Introduction

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone nuclear protein and can be extracellularly secreted to induce sterile inflammation. Although uterine deletion of HMGB1 causes implantation and decidualization defects, how secreted HMGB1 is involved in mouse early pregnancy is still unknown.

Methods

Mouse models, mouse primary endometrial cells and human endometrial cell lines were used in this study. Both immunofluorescence and Western blot were performed to show the localization and relative level of HMGB1 and acetylated HMGB1, respectively. Relative mRNA levels were analyzed by real time RT-PCR.

Results

The secreted HMGB1 was detected in uterine lumen fluid in mouse periimplantation uterus. There is an obvious difference for secreted HMGB1 levels in uterine fluid between day 4 of pregnancy and day 4 of pseudopregnancy, suggesting the involvement of blastocysts during HMGB1 secretion. Trypsin is clearly detected in mouse blastocyst cavity and in the supernatant of cultured blastocysts. Trypsin significantly stimulates HB-EGF production through activating PAR2 and ADAM17. Uterine injection of PAR2 inhibitor into day 4 pregnant mice significantly reduces the number of implantation sites. HB-EGF released from luminal epithelium can induce mouse in vitro decidualization. The conditioned medium collected from trypsin-treated luminal epithelium is able to induce in vitro decidualization, which is suppressed by EGFR inhibitor. Intrauterine injection of glycyrrhizin (HMGB1 inhibitor) can significantly inhibit mouse embryo implantation. We also showed that exogenous HMGB1 released from human epithelial cells are able to induce human in vitro decidualization.

Conclusion

Trypsin can induce decidualization of stromal cells via PAR2-HMGB1-ADAM17-HB-EGF from luminal epithelium.
Altered early immune response after fracture and traumatic brain injury
Authors: Haffner-Luntzer Melanie , Weber Birte , Morioka Kazuhito , Lackner Ina , Fischer Verena , Bahney Chelsea , Ignatius Anita , Kalbitz Miriam , Marcucio Ralph , Miclau Theodore
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Clinical and preclinical data suggest accelerated bone fracture healing in subjects with an additional traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mechanistically, altered metabolism and neuro-endocrine regulations have been shown to influence bone formation after combined fracture and TBI, thereby increasing the bone content in the fracture callus. However, the early inflammatory response towards fracture and TBI has not been investigated in detail so far. This is of great importance, since the early inflammatory phase of fracture healing is known to be essential for the initiation of downstream regenerative processes for adequate fracture repair.

Methods

Therefore, we analyzed systemic and local inflammatory mediators and immune cells in mice which were exposed to fracture only or fracture + TBI 6h and 24h after injury.

Results

We found a dysregulated systemic immune response and significantly fewer neutrophils and mast cells locally in the fracture hematoma. Further, local CXCL10 expression was significantly decreased in the animals with combined trauma, which correlated significantly with the reduced mast cell numbers.

Discussion

Since mast cells and mast cell-derived CXCL10 have been shown to increase osteoclastogenesis, the reduced mast cell numbers might contribute to higher bone content in the fracture callus of fracture + TBI mice due to decreased callus remodeling.
Safety of SARS-CoV2 vaccination and COVID-19 short-term outcome in pediatric acquired demyelinating disorders of central nervous system: A single center experience
Authors: Monte Gabriele , Papetti Laura , Ferilli Michela Ada Noris , Ursitti Fabiana , Moavero Romina , Sforza Giorgia , Panella Elena , Tarantino Samuela , Checchi Martina Proietti , Vigevano Federico , Palma Paolo , Valeriani Massimiliano
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Concern of a correlation between disease relapse in patients with acquired demyelinating disorders of central nervous system (CNS) and SARS-CoV2 vaccines has been raised. In this single center study, we retrospectively evaluated safety of SARS-CoV2 vaccination and COVID-19 short-term outcome in pediatric acquired demyelinating disorders of CNS.

Materials and methods

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) with disease onset before 18 years of age were included. Demographic and clinical data, and information regarding previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination were collected.

Results

We included nine patients with MOGAD. Six patients received SARS-CoV2 vaccination and complained pain at injection site while only one had fever and fatigue. Median follow-up was 28 weeks (range 20-48). Seven patients had COVID-19 occurring with mild flu-like symptoms and median follow-up was 28 weeks (range 24-34). Nobody had disease relapse. Five patients with NMOSD were included. All patients received SARS-CoV2 vaccination (BNT162b2-Pfizer-BioNTech). The median follow-up was 20 weeks (range 14-24) and only two patients complained pain at injection site, fever and fatigue. Three patients had also COVID-19 with mild flu-like symptoms, despite two of them being under immunosuppressive treatment. Lastly, forty-three patients with MS were included. 35 out of 43 received SARS-CoV2 vaccination with a median follow-up of 24 weeks (range 8-36). Fourteen patients had no side effects, while 21 complained mild side effects (mainly pain at injection site) and one experienced a disease relapse with complete recovery after steroid therapy. At vaccination, all but one were under treatment. Sixteen patients had COVID-19 occurring with mild symptoms.

Discussion

COVID-19 outcome was good although many patients were under immunosuppressive treatment. Vaccine-related side effects were frequent but were mild and self-limited. Only one MS patient had a post-vaccination relapse with complete recovery after steroid therapy. In conclusion, our data support the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in pediatric MS, MOGAD and NMOSD.
Decoupling peptide binding from T cell receptor recognition with engineered chimeric MHC-I molecules
Authors: Papadaki Georgia F. , Ani Omar , Florio Tyler J. , Young Michael C. , Danon Julia N. , Sun Yi , Dersh Devin , Sgourakis Nikolaos G.
Published: January 2023

Major Histocompatibility Complex class I (MHC-I) molecules display self, viral or aberrant epitopic peptides to T cell receptors (TCRs), which employ interactions between complementarity-determining regions with both peptide and MHC-I heavy chain ‘framework’ residues to recognize specific Human Leucocyte Antigens (HLAs). The highly polymorphic nature of the HLA peptide-binding groove suggests a malleability of interactions within a common structural scaffold. Here, using structural data from peptide:MHC-I and pMHC:TCR structures, we first identify residues important for peptide and/or TCR binding. We then outline a fixed-backbone computational design approach for engineering synthetic molecules that combine peptide binding and TCR recognition surfaces from existing HLA allotypes. X-ray crystallography demonstrates that chimeric molecules bridging divergent HLA alleles can bind selected peptide antigens in a specified backbone conformation. Finally, in vitro tetramer staining and biophysical binding experiments using chimeric pMHC-I molecules presenting established antigens further demonstrate the requirement of TCR recognition on interactions with HLA framework residues, as opposed to interactions with peptide-centric Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). Our results underscore a novel, structure-guided platform for developing synthetic HLA molecules with desired properties as screening probes for peptide-centric interactions with TCRs and other therapeutic modalities.
Arboviral disease outbreaks, Aedes mosquitoes, and vector control efforts in the Pacific
Authors: Seok Sangwoo , Raz Camellia D. , Miller Julianna H. , Malcolm Ashley N. , Eason Maya D. , Romero-Weaver Ana L. , Giordano Bryan V. , Jacobsen Christopher M. , Wang Xiaodi , Akbari Omar S. , Raban Robyn , Mathias Derrick K. , Caragata Eric P. , Vorsino Adam E. , Chiu Joanna C. , Lee Yoosook
Published: January 2023

Recurring outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, like dengue, in the Pacific region represent a major biosecurity risk to neighboring continents through potential introductions of disease-causing pathogens. Aedes mosquitoes, highly prevalent in this region, are extremely invasive and the predominant vectors of multiple viruses including causing dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Due to the absence of vaccines for most of these diseases, Aedes control remains a high priority for public health. Currently, international organizations put their efforts into improving mosquito surveillance programs in the Pacific region. Also, a novel biocontrol method using Wolbachia has been tried in the Pacific region to control Aedes mosquito populations. A comprehensive understanding of mosquito biology is needed to assess the risk that mosquitoes might be introduced to neighboring islands in the region and how this might impact arboviral virus transmission. As such, we present a comprehensive review of arboviral disease outbreak records as well as Aedes mosquito biology research findings relevant to the Pacific region collected from both non-scientific and scientific sources.
Latitudinal-dependent emergence of phytoplankton seasonal blooms in the Kuroshio Extension
Authors: Sun Xiying , Chen Zhaohui , Zhang Chao , Meng Siyu
Published: January 2023

The bimodal and unimodal seasonal cycles of surface Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration (SCC) are ubiquitous in the mid-latitude oceans. The nutrient and light are regarded as two key factors affecting such seasonal differences. However, our quantitative knowledge of distinguishing these two factors is still inadequate in mid-latitude regions where they limit primary productivity simultaneously. It hinders the full understanding of the underlying mechanisms of seasonal blooms. In this study, the bimodal and unimodal variations of SCC in the Kuroshio Extension (KE) region have been investigated, with a special focus on the emergence latitudes of the secondary peak, i.e., the phytoplankton fall bloom. Based on satellite observations, we have found that the SCC bloom emerges in spring and fall in the northern region, and that spring (fall) bloom starts later (earlier) as the latitude gets higher. In the southern part of KE, by contrast, the SCC tends to peak in late winter or early spring with its bloom time delaying gradually with increasing latitude. A regression model regarding the role of the nutrient and light has been proposed to reconstruct the seasonal variations of the observed SCC, and the relative contributions of the two factors have been assessed quantitatively. It is shown that the regression model has reasonably captured the seasonal variations of SCC in terms of the bimodal/unimodal feature as well as the time of occurrence. Specifically, we have found the boundary between bimodality and unimodality areas moves northward as KE flows eastward, which corresponds to the equivalent contribution of the nutrient and light to the SCC variation and the eastward-decreasing nutrient at the same latitude. Moreover, we have used the model to explore the lag effect of light on regulating the seasonal cycle of SCC, which is associated with the light-heating process, the resultant ocean vertical stratification and the nutrient deficiency, the time interval between the growth rate and SCC, as well as light attenuation within the mixed layer. In the context of global warming, our study has provided insights into the switch pattern between bimodality and unimodality of SCC in mid-latitude oceans.
Unique bacterial communities and lifestyles in deep ocean blue holes: Insights from the Yongle Blue Hole (South China Sea)
Authors: Zhou Shun , Liu Jiwen , Yao Peng , Fu Liang , Yang Zuosheng , Zhang Yulin , Du Rui , Jia Chao , Chen Lin , Liang Jinchang , Wang Xiaolei , Shi Xiaochong , Zhang Xiao-Hua , Yu Min
Published: January 2023

Deep ocean blue holes possess steep physicochemical gradients, especially low dissolved oxygen concentration, which shape the extraordinary microbial communities. However, the environmental responses of microorganisms with different lifestyles and knowledge of culturable microorganisms in the blue holes are still unknown. Here, we investigated the bacterial community structure with different lifestyles of the world’s deepest blue hole - the Yongle Blue Hole (YBH) in the South China Sea using both culture-dependent and -independent methods. YBH can be divided by oxygen content into an oxic zone, a suboxic zone and two anoxic zones. The abundance of bacteria, archaea, genesdsrBandsoxBwere all higher in the free-living (FL) lifestyle than in the particle-associated (PA) lifestyle, yet the diversity and richness of PA bacteria were higher than that of FL bacteria. MoreGammaproteobacteriaand lessAlphaproteobacteria,ChloroflexiandNitrospinaewere observed within the FL fraction than within the PA fraction. The relative abundance of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) was dominant between 100-140 m (anoxic zone I) in YBH, with a maximum of 90.0% (140 m FL fraction). The SOB in YBH were mainly colorless sulfur bacteria and purple non-sulfur bacteria, of whichThiomicrorhabdusandSulfurimonaswere the main representatives. In addition, a total of 294 bacterial strains were isolated on a variety of media and culture conditions, and 22.2% (18/81) of anaerobic strains were identified as potential novel species. Our study reveals a distinction between FL and PA bacteria in YBH. It contributes to further understanding of the bacterial community in deep ocean blue holes, and provides bacterial resources for subsequent studies on their adaptation to extreme marine environments.
A scoping review of the additive manufacturing of mandibular implants
Authors: Winarso Rochmad , Ismail Rifky , Anggoro Paulus Wisnu , Jamari Jamari , Bayuseno Athanasius Priharyoto
Published: January 2023

Bone disease and fractures are among the health issues that are becoming more prevalent year after year. A mandibular disorder is caused by an accident or disease to the largest and strongest bone in the human face. Because the natural healing process of mandibular bones takes a long time, a bone grafting procedure is used to speed up the patient’s recovery. Due to the limitations of bone grafting processes such as autographs, allographs, and xenografts, bone replacement is being developed using biomaterials via 3D printing. The purpose of the review was to evaluate research on the use of 3D printing in the replacement of mandible bones. The search algorithm found as many as 2,941 articles at the start of the search and 123 articles after initial selection. Up to February 2022, the Scopus electronic database was used to conduct the literature search. This research includes publications that employ 3D printers, additive manufacturing, or finite element analysis to build or analyze mandibular implants. Paper topics in engineering, materials science, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, medicine, dentistry, chemical engineering, and computer science are included in this study. Papers in physics, astronomy, and energy, book chapter document types, papers reviews, and documents in languages other than English were excluded from this study. After an initial screening that included the year, publication stage, source type, and language, as many as 70 articles were obtained, and after filtering titles and abstracts obtained 55 articles. After the full-text selection was obtained, 32 articles were included in this review. Some articles were unacceptable because the topics discussed were unrelated to mandibular bone scaffolds. As a result, the field of additive manufacturing for the repair and reconstruction of mandibular defects necessitates the development of novel tools and methodologies. A customized biological scaffold can be created using an appropriate 3D printing process based on the characteristics of various mandibular defects, allowing it to be perfectly matched to the defect region and reducing stress, thereby improving the scaffold’s healing function.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A typical biofilm forming pathogen and an emerging but underestimated pathogen in food processing
Authors: Li Xuejie , Gu Nixuan , Huang Teng Yi , Zhong Feifeng , Peng Gongyong
Published: January 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a notorious gram-negative pathogenic microorganism, because of several virulence factors, biofilm forming capability, as well as antimicrobial resistance. In addition, the appearance of antibiotic-resistant strains resulting from the misuse and overuse of antibiotics increases morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. However, it has been underestimated as a foodborne pathogen in various food groups for instance water, milk, meat, fruits, and vegetables. Chemical preservatives that are commonly used to suppress the growth of food source microorganisms can cause problems with food safety. For these reasons, finding effective, healthy safer, and natural alternative antimicrobial agents used in food processing is extremely important. In this review, our ultimate goal is to cover recent advances in food safety related to P. aeruginosa including antimicrobial resistance, major virulence factors, and prevention measures. It is worth noting that food spoilage caused by P. aeruginosa should arouse wide concerns of consumers and food supervision department.
Asymmetric cortical activation in healthy and hemiplegic individuals during walking: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy neuroimaging study
Authors: He Xiaokuo , Lei Lei , Yu Guo , Lin Xin , Sun Qianqian , Chen Shanjia
Published: January 2023

Background

This study investigated the cortical activation mechanism underlying locomotor control during healthy and hemiplegic walking.

Methods

A total of eight healthy individuals with right leg dominance (male patients, 75%; mean age, 40.06 ± 4.53 years) and six post-stroke patients with right hemiplegia (male patients, 86%; mean age, 44.41 ± 7.23 years; disease course, 5.21 ± 2.63 months) completed a walking task at a treadmill speed of 2 km/h and a functional electrical stimulation (FES)-assisted walking task, respectively. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to detect hemodynamic changes in neuronal activity in the bilateral sensorimotor cortex (SMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), and premotor cortex (PMC).

Results

fNIRS cortical mapping showed more SMC-PMC-SMA locomotor network activation during hemiplegic walking than during healthy gait. Furthermore, more SMA and PMC activation in the affected hemisphere was observed during the FES-assisted hemiplegic walking task than during the non-FES-assisted task. The laterality index indicated asymmetric cortical activation during hemiplegic gait, with relatively greater activation in the unaffected (right) hemisphere during hemiplegic gait than during healthy walking. During hemiplegic walking, the SMC and SMA were predominantly activated in the unaffected hemisphere, whereas the PMC was predominantly activated in the affected hemisphere. No significant differences in the laterality index were noted between the other groups and regions (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

An important feature of asymmetric cortical activation was found in patients with post-stroke during the walking process, which was the recruitment of more SMC-SMA-PMC activation than in healthy individuals. Interestingly, there was no significant lateralized activation during hemiplegic walking with FES assistance, which would seem to indicate that FES may help hemiplegic walking recover the balance in cortical activation. These results, which are worth verifying through additional research, suggest that FES used as a potential therapeutic strategy may play an important role in motor recovery after stroke.
Fireworks explosion boosted Harris Hawks optimization for numerical optimization: Case of classifying the severity of COVID-19
Authors: Wang Mingjing , Chen Long , Heidari Ali Asghar , Chen Huiling
Published: January 2023

Harris Hawks optimization (HHO) is a swarm optimization approach capable of handling a broad range of optimization problems. HHO, on the other hand, is commonly plagued by inadequate exploitation and a sluggish rate of convergence for certain numerical optimization. This study combines the fireworks algorithm's explosion search mechanism into HHO and proposes a framework for fireworks explosion-based HHo to address this issue (FWHHO). More specifically, the proposed FWHHO structure is comprised of two search phases: harris hawk search and fireworks explosion search. A search for fireworks explosion is done to identify locations where superior hawk solutions may be developed. On the CEC2014 benchmark functions, the FWHHO approach outperforms the most advanced algorithms currently available. Moreover, the new FWHHO framework is compared to four existing HHO and fireworks algorithms, and the experimental results suggest that FWHHO significantly outperforms existing HHO and fireworks algorithms. Finally, the proposed FWHHO is employed to evolve a kernel extreme learning machine for diagnosing COVID-19 utilizing biochemical indices. The statistical results suggest that the proposed FWHHO can discriminate and classify the severity of COVID-19, implying that it may be a computer-aided approach capable of providing adequate early warning for COVID-19 therapy and diagnosis.
Research progress of bone metastases: From disease recognition to clinical practice
Authors: Yang Wenbo , Pan Qing , Huang Fuhua , Hu Hongzhi , Shao Zengwu
Published: January 2023

Bone metastases, as one of the common types of metastatic tumors, have a great impact on the survival period and quality of life of patients. Bone metastases are usually characterized by bone destruction. Skeletal related events caused by bone destruction often lead to pain, pathological fractures and even paralysis. In this review, we provide a detailed explanation of bone metastases from the epidemiology, clinical features, pathogenesis, and recently developed clinical treatment viewpoints. We concluded that the incidence of bone metastases is increasing gradually, with serious clinical symptoms, complex pathogenesis and diverse clinical treatment. Tumor cells, immune cells, osteoblasts/osteoclasts and other cells as well as cytokines and enzymes all play a key role in the pathogenesis of bone metastases. We believe that the future treatment of bone metastases will be diversified and comprehensive. Some advanced technologies, such as nanomedicine, could be used for treatment, but this depends on understanding how disease occurs. With the development of treatment, the survival time and quality of life of patients will be improved.
Cancer risk in Vietnam war veterans from the Korean Vietnam war veterans’ health study cohort
Authors: Lee Wanhyung , Park Soyoung , Kang Seong-Kyu , Ham Seunghon , Yoon Jin-Ha , Choi Won-Jun
Published: January 2023

Introduction

During the Vietnam War, several unknown chemicals, such as Agent Orange, were used in Vietnam by the military. Therefore, there have been continuous health concerns among the Vietnamese population and veterans exposed to these hazardous chemicals. This study aimed to investigate the risk of all cancers and also organ-specific cancers among Korean veterans of the Vietnam War.

Methods

This study used a national representative cohort that included all Korean Vietnam War veterans as the interest group, with 1:4 age-sex-region-matched general Korean citizens as the reference group, from 2002 to 2018. Age-standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for all cancers and for 31 organ-specific cancer categories based on the medical facility visit data.

Results

An increased SIR of 1.07 (95% CI, 1.06–1.08) was observed for all cancers among the veterans. There was a significantly increased risk of cancer among 22/31 organspecific cancers, with 18 cancer categories showing a significantly higher risk than all cancers. The highest risk was observed for “malignant neoplasms of other parts of the central nervous system” (SIR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.51–1.92).

Discussion

This study evaluated the risk of cancer among Korean Vietnam War veterans. Further studies are warranted to investigate various health determinants in the veterans as well as the Vietnamese population.