bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trabalho e educação profissional e tecnológica: entrelaçamentos de saberes por meio da estratégia rodas de leitura
Authors: Santos Elza Ferreira , Santos Ieda Fraga , Fonseca Cristiane Mirtes da
Published: April 2023

Esta pesquisa resultou de estudos sobre Trabalho, Educação Profissional e Tecnológica e formação de leitores que culminou na realização de rodas de leitura das quais participaram alunos e professores do Instituto Federal de Sergipe (IFS), no Campus Aracaju. A pesquisa concretizou-se dentro de uma abordagem qualitativa: uma pesquisa participante na qual as rodas de leitura contaram com alunos, professores e pesquisadoras participando ativamente do ato de ler e de interpretar. Os objetivos foram construir uma prática de leitura que amalgamasse o valor do trabalho como formação humana; criar estratégias para contribuir com a formação de leitores críticos e possibilitar a integração dos saberes das disciplinas básicas e das técnicas que compõem os cursos do Ensino Médio Integrado do IFS. Entre as rodas de leitura, destacou-se, nesse artigo, a que tratou do livro A Guerra não tem rosto de mulher, de Svetlana Alexijevich. A pesquisa mostrou que é possível através da leitura e da interpretação de texto, realizadas coletivamente, aproximar os saberes das disciplinas básicas e das técnicas e, assim, constituir-se com uma prática integradora.
Envelhecimento, gênero e educação: desafios e reflexões em um programa de EJA
Authors: Menezes Kelly Maria Gomes , Furtado Eliane Dayse Pontes
Published: April 2023

O processo de envelhecimento da população é uma realidade brasileira e mundial, e que possui um contundente componente de gênero, haja vista o fenômeno de feminização da velhice. Embora a população velha, especialmente as mulheres, esteja vivendo mais, seu crescimento não é acompanhado de políticas públicas que garantam os seus direitos. Dentre esses, a educação emerge como um desafio no que tange ao seu direcionamento a mulheres na fase da velhice. Assim, o objetivo geral do estudo consistiu em analisar os significados que as mulheres velhas – participantes de um Programa de EJA em Fortaleza (CE) – atribuem à educação, para compreender se essa experiência influencia em suas vidas, na perspectiva de gênero. Para tanto, lançou-se mão da pesquisa qualitativa, com auxílio das pesquisas de tipo bibliográfica, documental e de campo, além das seguintes técnicas para obtenção das informações: observação direta e entrevista não estruturada baseada no método História Oral Temática. Como campo da pesquisa, selecionou-se um Programa de EJA em uma Escola Municipal de Fortaleza, com a participação de cinco mulheres velhas alunas da EJA, cujas narrativas foram interpretadas à luz da Hermenêutica-Dialética. As percepções, sobre o retorno ou acesso pela primeira vez aos estudos, foram reunidas em três categorias empíricas: lazer/sociabilidade, cidadania/pertença, liberdade/autonomia. Dessa forma, os significados foram muito diversos, mas todos concorreram para a necessidade de ampliação de espaços educacionais para as mulheres, especialmente na velhice, onde possam reconhecer suas demandas singulares no decorrer de todas as fases de suas vidas.
A criança e o desenvolvimento da linguagem: um olhar para as práticas educativas com a leitura literária
Authors: Nascimento Cláudia Roquini , Goulart Ilsa do Carmo Vieira
Published: April 2023

Ao considerar a linguagem como salto qualitativo determinante do psiquismo humano e um dos meios mais importantes para que a criança consiga internalizar os significados sociais da cultura, descrevemos o processo de compreensão da linguagem, a partir de episódios de atividades de leitura de livros de literatura infantil. Nessa perspectiva, apresentamos os resultados de uma pesquisa de iniciação científica, financiada pela FAPEMIG, que teve como objetivo compreender como a compreensão de leitura se mostrou presente nos enunciados das crianças, de modo a refletir sobre a linguagem como um processo intrapsíquico que vai do plano interpessoal para o intrapessoal, num movimento de interação verbal, a partir de situações dialógicas decorrentes das rodas de leitura com crianças da educação infantil. Para a realização do estudo, assumimos como proposta metodológica uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, de caráter exploratório, tomando como procedimento investigativo a observação e a descrição de situações de diálogos em relações assimétricas (adulto-criança) e simétricas (criança-criança) construídas entre crianças de 3 a 5 anos, realizada em três turmas da educação infantil, sendo duas escolas municipais e um núcleo de educação infantil, da rede federal, instituições localizadas no Campo das Vertentes, Minas Gerais. Os resultados indicam que a mediação do professor se torna fundamental para o desenvolvimento da linguagem e para o processo de compreensão da leitura.
Reflexões acerca dos multiletramentos e gêneros discursivos na educação do campo
Authors: Pradella Bruna Shirley Gobi , Santos Maria Elena Pires
Published: April 2023

A Educação do Campo surgiu, primeiramente em 1960, como estratégia do estado para conter o êxodo rural para a periferia das grandes cidades, mas, ao mesmo tempo, respondeu também às demandas do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais, que buscavam garantir que as singularidades regionais e culturais rurais fossem contempladas. Atendendo a essas proposições, foi criado em 1965 o Colégio Estadual do Campo, que atende a alunos do ensino fundamental e médio, localizado em um distrito de Medianeira, no oeste do Paraná, cenário desse estudo. Tomando como base a análise do Projeto Político Pedagógico, o objetivo foi abordar as orientações direcionadas à Educação do Campo – respeito à diversidade do campo em seus aspectos sociais, culturais, ambientais, políticos, econômicos, de gênero, geracional e de raça e etnia – argumentando em favor de atividades voltadas para os multiletramentos, numa perspectiva dos gêneros discursivos, como possibilidade de atender a essas orientações. Como resultado, percebemos que desenvolver atividades com base nos multiletramentos com alunos da Educação do Campo se torna primordial para que sejam ampliados os saberes universais, mas também os saberes locais, contribuindo para a democratização, o acesso, a permanência e a conclusão do processo educacional desses alunos. Concluímos que, por meio de atividades multiletradas, podemos contribuir para que nossos alunos façam reflexões críticas mais profundas, valendo-se de práticas situadas de linguagem, enquanto transitam entre as mais diversas esferas sociais, com a finalidade de que se tornem autônomos na construção do conhecimento.
DNA barcoding as a valuable tool for delimiting mollusk species of the genus Biomphalaria Preston, 1910 (Gastropoda: Planorbidae)
Authors: de Araújo Amanda Domingues , Carvalho Omar dos Santos , Gava Sandra Grossi , Caldeira Roberta Lima
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The genus Biomphalaria in Brazil includes 11 species and one subspecies, three of which are intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni. Due to the recent evolution of this group, some species are difficult to identify based on morphological characters, making the use of genetic markers necessary for species identification. This study aimed to evaluate the use of partial sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase I (coi) gene for the identification of Biomphalaria species using phylogenetic reconstruction and species delimitation algorithms. The study tested the use of DNA barcoding technique for species delimitation within the genus.

Methods

DNA barcoding was performed by sequencing a partial region of the coi gene from specimens, and the sequences were analyzed using phylogenetic reconstruction and algorithms to delimit Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs).

Results

The study found that the use of the coi gene in the reconstruction of the phylogeny of the genus might be an alternative for understanding the evolution and dispersion of species. However, this marker alone is not enough to solve complex taxonomic problems within the genus. A total of 223 sequences were analyzed, 102 of which could be separated using the barcode gap, enabling the correct identification of seven taxa.

Discussion

The study demonstrated that accurate mollusk identification is necessary for effective schistosomiasis control. The DNA barcoding methodology was found to be promising for accurate mollusk identification, which is crucial for concentrating schistosomiasis control efforts in places where it is needed.
Association of lifestyle with deep learning predicted electrocardiographic age
Authors: Zhang Cuili , Miao Xiao , Wang Biqi , Thomas Robert J. , Ribeiro Antônio H. , Brant Luisa C. C. , Ribeiro Antonio L. P. , Lin Honghuang
Published: April 2023

Background

People age at different rates. Biological age is a risk factor for many chronic diseases independent of chronological age. A good lifestyle is known to improve overall health, but its association with biological age is unclear.

Methods

This study included participants from the UK Biobank who had undergone 12-lead resting electrocardiography (ECG). Biological age was estimated by a deep learning model (defined as ECG-age), and the difference between ECG-age and chronological age was defined as Δage. Participants were further categorized into an ideal (score 4), intermediate (scores 2 and 3) or unfavorable lifestyle (score 0 or 1). Four lifestyle factors were investigated, including diet, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and smoking. Linear regression models were used to examine the association between lifestyle factors and Δage, and the models were adjusted for sex and chronological age.

Results

This study included 44,094 individuals (mean age 64 ± 8, 51.4% females). A significant correlation was observed between predicted biological age and chronological age (correlation coefficient = 0.54, P < 0.001) and the mean Δage (absolute error of biological age and chronological age) was 9.8 ± 7.4 years. Δage was significantly associated with all of the four lifestyle factors, with the effect size ranging from 0.41 ± 0.11 for the healthy diet to 2.37 ± 0.30 for non-smoking. Compared with an ideal lifestyle, an unfavorable lifestyle was associated with an average of 2.50 ± 0.29 years of older predicted ECG-age.

Conclusion

In this large contemporary population, a strong association was observed between all four studied healthy lifestyle factors and deaccelerated aging. Our study underscores the importance of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the burden of aging-related diseases.
Subtypes analysis and prognostic model construction based on lysosome-related genes in colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Yang , Lu Yunfei , Huang Changzhi , Wu Jingyu , Shao Yu , Wang Zhenling , Zhang Hongqiang , Fu Zan
Published: April 2023

Background: Lysosomes are essential for the development and recurrence of cancer. The relationship between a single lysosome-related gene and cancer has previously been studied, but the relationship between the lysosome-related genes (LRGs) and colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) remains unknown. This research examined the role of lysosome-related genes in colon adenocarcinoma.

Methods: 28 lysosome-related genes associated with prognosis (PLRGs) were found by fusing the gene set that is differently expressed between tumor and non-tumor in colon adenocarcinoma with the gene set that is related to lysosomes. Using consensus unsupervised clustering of PLRGs, the colon adenocarcinoma cohort was divided into two subtypes. Prognostic and tumor microenvironment (TME) comparisons between the two subtypes were then made. The PLRGs_score was constructed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) method to quantify each patient’s prognosis and provide advice for treatment. Lastly, Western Blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to identify MOGS expression at the protein level in colon adenocarcinoma tissues.

Results: PLRGs had more somatic mutations and changes in genetic level, and the outcomes of the two subtypes differed significantly in terms of prognosis, tumor microenvironment, and enrichment pathways. Then, PLRGs_score was established based on two clusters of differential genes in the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database, and external verification was performed using the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Then, we developed a highly accurate nomogram to enhance the clinical applicability of the PLRGs_score. Finally, a higher PLRGs_score was associated with a poorer overall survival (OS), a lower tumor mutation burden (TMB), a lower cancer stem cell (CSC) index, more microsatellite stability (MSS), and a higher clinical stage. MOGS was substantially elevated at the protein level in colon adenocarcinoma as additional confirmation.

Conclusion: Overall, based on PLRGs, we identified two subtypes that varied significantly in terms of prognosis and tumor microenvironment. Then, in order to forecast patient prognosis and make treatment suggestions, we developed a diagnostic model with major significance for prognosis, clinical relevance, and immunotherapy. Moreover, we were the first to demonstrate that MOGS is highly expressed in colon adenocarcinoma.
Features of CFTR mRNA and implications for therapeutics development
Authors: Jackson JaNise J. , Mao Yiyang , White Tyshawn R. , Foye Catherine , Oliver Kathryn E.
Published: April 2023

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease impacting ∼100,000 people worldwide. This lethal disorder is caused by mutation of the CFtransmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes an ATP-binding cassette-class C protein. More than 2,100 variants have been identified throughout the length of CFTR. These defects confer differing levels of severity in mRNA and/or protein synthesis, folding, gating, and turnover. Drug discovery efforts have resulted in recent development of modulator therapies that improve clinical outcomes for people living with CF. However, a significant portion of the CF population has demonstrated either no response and/or adverse reactions to small molecules. Additional therapeutic options are needed to restore underlying genetic defects for all patients, particularly individuals carrying rare or refractory CFTR variants. Concerted focus has been placed on rescuing variants that encode truncated CFTR protein, which also harbor abnormalities in mRNA synthesis and stability. The current mini-review provides an overview of CFTR mRNA features known to elicit functional consequences on final protein conformation and function, including considerations for RNA-directed therapies under investigation. Alternative exon usage in the 5′-untranslated region, polypyrimidine tracts, and other sequence elements that influence splicing are discussed. Additionally, we describe mechanisms of CFTR mRNA decay and post-transcriptional regulation mediated through interactions with the 3′-untranslated region (e.g. poly-uracil sequences, microRNAs). Contributions of synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms to CFTR transcript utilization are also examined. Comprehensive understanding of CFTR RNA biology will be imperative for optimizing future therapeutic endeavors intended to address presently untreatable forms of CF.
Revealing the roles of glycosphingolipid metabolism pathway in the development of keloid: a conjoint analysis of single-cell and machine learning
Authors: Song Binyu , Zheng Yu , Chi Hao , Zhu Yuhan , Cui Zhiwei , Chen Lin , Chen Guo , Gao Botao , Du Yichen , Yu Zhou , Song Baoqiang
Published: April 2023

Keloid is a pathological scar formed by abnormal wound healing, characterized by the persistence of local inflammation and excessive collagen deposition, where the intensity of inflammation is positively correlated with the size of the scar formation. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying keloid formation are unclear, and keloid remains a therapeutic challenge in clinical practice. This study is the first to investigate the role of glycosphingolipid (GSL) metabolism pathway in the development of keloid. Single cell sequencing and microarray data were applied to systematically analyze and screen the glycosphingolipid metabolism related genes using differential gene analysis and machine learning algorithms (random forest and support vector machine), and a set of genes, including ARSA,GBA2,SUMF2,GLTP,GALC and HEXB, were finally identified, for which keloid diagnostic model was constructed and immune infiltration profiles were analyzed, demonstrating that this set of genes could serve as a new therapeutic target for keloid. Further unsupervised clustering was performed by using expression profiles of glycosphingolipid metabolism genes to discover keloid subgroups, immune cells, inflammatory factor differences and the main pathways of enrichment between different subgroups were calculated. The single-cell resolution transcriptome landscape concentrated on fibroblasts. By calculating the activity of the GSL metabolism pathway for each fibroblast, we investigated the activity changes of GSL metabolism pathway in fibroblasts using pseudotime trajectory analysis and found that the increased activity of the GSL metabolism pathway was associated with fibroblast differentiation. Subsequent analysis of the cellular communication network revealed the existence of a fibroblast-centered communication regulatory network in keloids and that the activity of the GSL metabolism pathway in fibroblasts has an impact on cellular communication. This contributes to the further understanding of the pathogenesis of keloids. Overall, we provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of keloids, and our results may provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of keloids.
Resveratrol alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury by inducing SIRT1/P62-mediated mitophagy in gibel carp (Carassius gibelio)
Authors: Wu Liyun , Chen Qiaozhen , Dong Bo , Geng Hancheng , Wang Yu , Han Dong , Zhu Xiaoming , Liu Haokun , Zhang Zhimin , Yang Yunxia , Xie Shouqi , Jin Junyan
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol organic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to determine whether and how RES can alleviate liver injury in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced gibel carp.

Methods

Gibel carp were fed a diet with or without RES and were cultured for 8 weeks, followed by LPS injection.

Results and discussion

The results suggested that RES attenuated the resulting oxidative stress and inflammation by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, as confirmed by changes in oxidative stress, inflammation-related gene expression, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Furthermore, RES cleared damaged mitochondria and enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis to mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation by upregulating the SIRT1/PGC-1α and PINK1/Parkin pathways and reducing p62 expression. Overall, RES alleviated LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in gibel carp through mitochondria-related mechanisms.
Simulation and optimization of the thermal sterilization process of puree cans using the production of chestnut puree as an example
Authors: Wang Wencheng , Wu Jinqing , Zheng Jiali , Wu Zhiliang , Huang Jinfeng , Lu Yibin , Peng Xiaoyan , Huang Liqing
Published: April 2023

In the production process of puree cans such as chestnuts cans, it is easy to browning due to excessive heating, which causes a lot of waste every year. The heat and mass transfer model of Chinese Chestnut Puree was established through the finite element method. The model simulated the change process of the temperature field, heat flow velocity field and F value during the production of Chinese Chestnut Puree. After comparing and confirming the effectiveness of the model through the thermal penetration test, the model was used to adjust and optimize the production process. For #9121 cans, the two-stage sterilization method was adopted. Through the sterilization method at 10–65–48-14/118–110°C, a sterilization effect equivalent to that of the original process at 10–86-24/121°C was achieved, the browning problem of the product was alleviated, and the product quality was improved. This practice can also provide a reference for canning enterprises to adjust their production processes in the future.
Evaluation of second-line apatinib plus irinotecan as a treatment for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma or gastroesophageal conjunction adenocarcinoma: a prospective, multicenter phase II trial
Authors: Qu Jinglei , He Xin , Luo Ying , Yu Ping , Chen Ying , Liu Jing , Wang Xin , Wang Chang , Liang Tingting , Bai Yuxian , Han Yu , Man Li , Leng Chuanchun , Zhou Caiyun , He Lijie , Wang Xin , Liu Yunpeng , Qu Xiujuan
Published: April 2023

Objective

Apatinib and irinotecan are used as systematic therapies for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJA), while the evidence for their combination as second-line therapy in these patients is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of second-line apatinib plus irinotecan for the treatment of GAC and GEJA.

Methods

In this prospective, multicenter phase II clinical study, 28 patients with advanced GAC or GEJA who received second-line apatinib plus irinotecan were recruited.

Results

In total, 1 (3.6%) patient achieved complete response, 7 (25.0%) patients achieved partial response, 13 (46.4%) patients had stable disease, and 4 (14.3%) patients showed progressive disease, while clinical response was not evaluable or not assessed in 3 (10.7%) patients. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 28.6% and 75.0%, respectively. Meanwhile, the median (95% confidence interval (CI)) progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.5 (3.9-5.1) months, and the median (95% CI) overall survival (OS) was 11.3 (7.4-15.1) months. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, male sex, liver metastasis, and peritoneal metastasis were independently associated with worse PFS or OS, while treatment duration ≥5 months was independently associated with better OS. In terms of the safety profile, 89.3% of patients experienced treatment-emergent adverse events of any grade, among which 82.1% of patients had grade 1-2 adverse events and 64.3% of patients had grade 3-4 adverse events.

Conclusion

Apatinib plus irinotecan as second-line therapy achieves a good treatment response and satisfactory survival with tolerable safety in patients with advanced GAC or GEJA.
Causes of death among early-onset colorectal cancer population in the United States: a large population-based study
Authors: Chen Yuerong , He Lanping , Lu Xiu , Tang Yuqun , Luo Guanshui , Chen Yuji , Wu Chaosheng , Liang Qihua , Xu Xiuhong
Published: April 2023

Background

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) has an alarmingly increasing trend and arouses increasing attention. Causes of death in EOCRC population remain unclear.

Methods

Data of EOCRC patients (1975–2018) were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Distribution of death was calculated, and death risk of each cause was compared with the general population by calculating standard mortality ratios (SMRs) at different follow-up time. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were utilized to identify independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS).

Results

The study included 36,013 patients, among whom 9,998 (27.7%) patients died of colorectal cancer (CRC) and 6,305 (17.5%) patients died of non-CRC causes. CRC death accounted for a high proportion of 74.8%–90.7% death cases within 10 years, while non-CRC death (especially cardiocerebrovascular disease death) was the major cause of death after 10 years. Non-cancer death had the highest SMR in EOCRC population within the first year after cancer diagnosis. Kidney disease [SMR = 2.10; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.65–2.64] and infection (SMR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.48–2.46) were two high-risk causes of death. Age at diagnosis, race, sex, year of diagnosis, grade, SEER stage, and surgery were independent prognostic factors for OS.

Conclusion

Most of EOCRC patients died of CRC within 10-year follow-up, while most of patients died of non-CRC causes after 10 years. Within the first year after cancer diagnosis, patients had high non-CRC death risk compared to the general population. Our findings help to guide risk monitoring and management for US EOCRC patients.
Refinement of the assignment to the ACMG/AMP BS3 and PS3 criteria of eight BRCA1 variants of uncertain significance by integrating available functional data with protein interaction assays
Authors: Caleca Laura , Radice Paolo
Published: April 2023

The clinical screening of cancer predisposition genes has led to the identification of a large number of variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Multifactorial likelihood models that predict the odds ratio for VUS in favor or against cancer causality, have been developed, but their use is limited by the amount of necessary data, which are difficult to obtain for rare variants. The guidelines for variant interpretation of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics along with the Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) state that “well-established” functional studies provide strong support of a pathogenic or benign impact (criteria PS3 and BS3, respectively) and can be used as evidence type to reach a final classification. Moreover, the Clinical Genome Resource Sequence Variant Interpretation Working Group developed rule specifications to refine the PS3/BS3 criteria. Recently, Lira PC et al. developed the “Hi Set” approach that generated PS3/BS3 codes for over two-thousands BRCA1 VUS. While highly successful, this approach did not discriminate a group of variants with conflicting evidences. Here, we aimed to implement the outcomes of the “Hi-set” approach applying Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)-reassembly assays, assessing the effect of variants in the RING and BRCT domains of BRCA1 on the binding of these domains with the UbcH5a or ABRAXAS proteins, respectively. The analyses of 26 clinically classified variants, including 13 tested in our previous study, showed 100% sensitivity and specificity in identifying pathogenic and benign variants for both the RING/UbcH5a and the BRCTs/ABRAXAS interactions. We derived the strength of evidences generated by the GFP-reassembly assays corresponding to moderate for both PS3 and BS3 criteria assessment. The GFP-reassembly assays were applied to the functional characterization of 8 discordant variants from the study by Lyra et al. The outcomes of these analyses, combined with those reported in the “Hi Set” study, allowed the assignment of ACMG/AMP criteria in favor or against pathogenicity for all 8 examined variants. The above findings were validated with a semi-quantitative Mammalian Two-Hybrid approach, and totally concordant results were observed. Our data contributes in shedding light on the functional significance of BRCA1 VUS and on their clinical interpretation within the ACMG/AMP framework.
Analysis of the operational status of the three-level referral system for urologic ultrasound screening and risk factors for renal pelvic dilatation in high-risk children
Authors: Ji Baowei , Gong Yinv , Zhang Ying , Li Yun , Zhai Yihui , Sun Yinghua , Wang Xiang , Jia Lishan , Xu Hong , Shen Qian
Published: April 2023

Background

Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT) are the primary cause of end-stage renal disease in children, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the kidney function. Among CAKUT, renal pelvis dilatation (RPD) due to various causes has the highest detection rate, which can be detected early by postnatal ultrasound screening. Since 2010, the Children's Hospital of Fudan University (CHFU), together with the Minhang District Maternal and Child Health Hospital (MCH) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) of Minhang District has created a three-level referral system for urological ultrasound screening. This study aims to describe the operation of a three-level referral system for ultrasound screening of CAKUT and to select risk factors of RPD in high-risk children.

Methods

The operation of the three-level referral system was assessed by analyzing the screening volume, screening rate, referral rate, and follow-up rate; risk factors of RPD in high-risk children were selected by chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

A total of 16,468 high-risk children were screened in ten years, and the screening volume was maintained at about 1,500 cases per year; the screening rate showed a linear increase, from 36.8% in 2010 to 98.2% in 2019; the referral rate from the CHCs to the MCH was 89.9% significantly higher after 2015 than that of 84.7% from 2010 to 2015; the follow-up rate after 2015 was 71.0% significantly higher than that of 46.3% from 2010 to 2015. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of RPD was 1.966 times higher in males than in females, and the risk of moderate to severe RPD was 2.570 times higher in males than in females; the risk of RPD in preterm children was 1.228 times higher than that of full-term children; and the risk of RPD was 1.218 times higher in twins than in singles.

Conclusions

The screening volume of the three-level referral system has remained stable over a decade, with significantly higher screening, referral, and follow-up rates. Males, preterm, and twins are risk factors of RPD in high-risk children; males are also risk factors for moderate to severe RPD in high-risk children.
Dietary N-carbamylglutamate supplementation improves ammonia tolerance of juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco
Authors: Feng Dexiang , Yang Zhiguo , Li Ming
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Ammonia has been of concern for its high toxicity to animals. N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) can reduce blood ammonia levels in mammals, but studies on ammonia tolerance in fish are insufficient.

Methods: Juvenile yellow catfish were fed two levels of NCG (0.00% and 0.05%) for 84 days under three ammonia levels (0.00, 0.08, and 0.16 mg/L NH3).

Results and Discussion: The results showed that survival rate (SUR), final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), and serum total protein (TP), triglycerides (TG), glucose (Glu), ornithine (Orn), citrulline (Cit) contents, and liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), arginase (ARG), ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) activities decreased with the increase of ammonia levels, on the contrary, feed conversion ratio (FCR), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and serum ammonia, urea, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamine (Gln), arginine (Arg) contents, and liver malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL) 1, IL 8 contents, and mRNA expressions of cu/zn sod, cat, gpx, gr, tnf ɑ, il 1, and il 8 were significantly increased. Dietary 0.05% NCG supplementation had higher SUR, FBW, WG, feed intake (FI), whole-body protein, and serum TP, total cholesterol (TC), Glu, citrulline (Cit) contents, and liver SOD, GPx, argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), argininosuccinate lyase (ASL), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities compared to 0.00% NCG group, but had lower serum ammonia, urea, ALT, AST, Gln, Arg contents, and liver MDA, TNF, IL 1, IL 8 contents, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity. At the end of bacterial challenge, cumulative mortality (CM) increased with ammonia levels increased, but serum antibody titer (AT), lysozyme (LYZ) activity, 50% hemolytic complement, immunoglobulin (Ig) contents, respiratory burst (RB), phagocytic indices decreased with ammonia levels increased. CM in 0.05% NCG group was lower than that in 0.00% NCG group, but serum AT, LYZ activity, Ig content, RB in 0.05% NCG group were significantly higher. The correlation analysis found that iNOS was positively correlated with ASS activity. This study indicates that dietary NCG supplementation can improve the ammonia tolerance of yellow catfish, and ASS may also be the target of NCG to activate the urea cycle.
Preschool teachers display a flexible pattern of pedagogical actions in promoting healthy habits in children
Authors: Violant-Holz Verónica , Rodríguez-Silva Carlota , Rodríguez Manuel J.
Published: April 2023

The school represents the optimal setting for promoting the physical, emotional, and social health of children, especially during the first years of life. Understanding the pedagogical actions of teachers to address health education is an important first step in promoting healthy behaviors in children. We inhere analyzed the pedagogical action patterns in the preschool teaching of healthy habits from a holistic health perspective. We used photography as a strategy for data collection and applied a Chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) classification tree, a data mining procedure, to generate a pattern model. We found that the school space and the learning playfulness strategies for the development of executive functions, classified according to the exercise, symbolic, assembly, rules (ESAR) model, were the main factors that influence the pedagogical actions fostering healthy habits. By contrast, the school and the pedagogical resources of the classroom are factors with a much smaller impact on working with healthy habits. This pedagogical action pattern is flexible, since teachers conduct a multiplicity of pedagogical actions through different strategies, in different school spaces, at any time. In conclusion, our results unmask the interdependent relationships between the different factors that determine the teacher’s actions at the preschool. It also contributes to the understanding of the teacher’s practices in fostering healthy habits in a healthy learning environment.
Stigma and posttraumatic growth among COVID-19 survivors during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Azman Nazirah , Nik Jaafar Nik Ruzyanei , Leong Bin Abdullah Mohammad Farris Iman , Abdul Taib Nur Iwana , Mohamad Kamal Nurul Ain , Abdullah Muhammad Najib , Dollah Siti Nordiana , Mohamed Said Mohd Shahrir
Published: April 2023

Background

Contracting COVID-19 can cause negative and distressing psychological sequelae, but traumatic stressors may also facilitate the development of positive psychological change beyond an individual’s previous level of adaptation, known as posttraumatic growth (PTG). As a result, studies have investigated the negative effects of COVID-19 on mental health, but data on PTG among patients who have recovered from COVID-19 remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the level of PTG and its associations with stigma, psychological complications, and sociodemographic factors among COVID-19 patients 6 months post-hospitalization.

Method

A cross-sectional online survey of 152 COVID-19 patients was conducted after 6 months of being discharged from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, MAEPS Quarantine Center, or Hospital Sungai Buloh, Malaysia. Patients completed a set of questionnaires on sociodemographic and clinical data. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-SF) was used to assess the level of PTG, the Kessler Psychological Distress (K6) was used to measure the degree of psychological distress, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) was used to evaluate the severity of anxiety symptoms, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess the severity of depression symptoms, and the Explanatory Model Interview Catalog Stigma Scale (EMIC-SS) was used to record the degree of perceived stigma toward COVID-19.

Results

The median PTGI SF score of the respondents was 40.0 (Interquartile range 16.0). Multivariable general linear model with bootstrapping (2,000 replications) revealed factors that significantly predicted PTG, which were at the higher level of the perceived stigma score, at 37 (B = 0.367, 95% CI = 0.041 to 0.691, p = 0.026), among the Malay ethnicity (B = 12.767, 95% CI 38 = 7.541 to 17.993, p < 0.001), retirees (B = −12.060, 95% CI = −21.310 to −2.811, p = 0.011), and those with a history of medical illness (B = 4.971, 95% CI = 0.096 to 9.845, p = 0.046).

Conclusion

Experiencing stigma contributed to patients’ PTG in addition to psychosocial factors such as ethnicity, history of medical illness, and retirement.
The role of sociodemographic and clinical factors in the initiation and discontinuation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication among young adults in Sweden
Authors: Gémes Katalin , Taipale Heidi , Björkenstam Emma , Rahman Syed , Gustafsson Klas , Tanskanen Antti , Ekselius Lisa , Mittendorfer-Rutz Ellenor , Helgesson Magnus
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Long-term medication use is a recommended treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however, discontinuation is common. Non-medical factors which might influence initiation and discontinuation are understudied. Therefore, we investigated how different sociodemographic factors and comorbidities were associated with the initiation and discontinuation of ADHD medication use among young adults.

Methods and results

We conducted a population-based prospective cohort study using individually linked administrative register data, in which we included all individuals residing in Sweden, between the age of 19 and 29 who were first diagnosed with ADHD between January 2006 and December 2016 (n = 59224). ADHD medication initiation was defined as the first prescription of ADHD medication in the period from 3 months before to 6 months after the cohort entry date. Those who initiated ADHD medication were followed up for medication use until discontinuation, death/emigration, or until 2019. Logistic and Cox regression models were used to investigate the associations between sociodemographics, health-related predictors and initiation, as well as discontinuation. Overall, 48.7% of the 41399 individuals initiated ADHD medication, most often methylphenidate (87%). Among the initiators, 15462 (77%) discontinued medication use during the follow-up (median time: 150 days). After mutually adjusting all other predictors, initiation was positively associated with older age, male sex, higher level of education, and negatively associated with living at home with parents, immigrant status, being unemployed during the year before inclusion, being on disability pension, having autism, substance use, schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, other mental disability/developmental disorders, cardiovascular diseases or previous accidents. Discontinuation was positively associated with being born abroad, living in big cities, being unemployed during the year before inclusion, having cancer, and negatively associated with a higher educational level, having depression, anxiety or stress-related disorder, autism spectrum disorder or diabetes.

Conclusion

Besides medical factors, sociodemographics, such as educational attainment and immigrant status might also play a role in the initiation and discontinuation of ADHD medication use among young adults newly diagnosed with ADHD.
mRNA Vaccines: Using Tiny Particles to Fight Viruses
Authors: Hazan-Halevy Inbal , Kon Edo , Stotsky-Oterin Lior , Peer Dan
Published: April 2023

Nanoparticles are tiny containers that scientists create to carry molecules. How tiny? Let us say that a nanoparticle is about 100,000 times smaller than a single M&M candy. Scientists use special nanoparticles to treat specific diseases. For example, the mRNA vaccines that protect people from COVID-19 contain nanoparticles that are packed with mRNA molecules from the virus. In this article, we will answer some interesting questions: What are nanoparticles made of and how do they work? What are the mRNA molecules that are packed inside the nanoparticles of the COVID-19 vaccine? How do scientists create mRNA vaccines, and how do they protect us from COVID-19?
Influence of the Martian crustal magnetic fields on the Mars-solar wind interaction and plasma transport
Authors: Li Guokan , Lu Haoyu , Li Yun , Song Yihui , Cao Jinbin , Li Shibang
Published: April 2023

The plasma transport process is important for the ionosphere of Mars, which controls the structure of the ionosphere above an altitude of 200 km. Plasma transport from the dayside ionosphere is crucial for producing the nightside ionosphere on Mars. The alteration in dayside plasma transport in the presence of crustal fields may influence the distribution of Martian ionospheric plasma and plasma escape in the magnetotail. This study employed a three-dimensional multispecies magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model to simulate Mars-solar wind interactions. We show the magnetic field distribution and plasma velocity variation on the Martian day-side. The results indicate that the ion transport from low- to high-solar-zenith-angle areas in the south is inhibited by crustal fields, leading to a reduction in the ion number density and a thinner ionosphere near the southern terminator. Many heavy ions remain in the southern dayside ionosphere rather than moving to the nightside. In addition, the maximum reduction in the tailward flux of the planetary ions calculated by the MHD simulation is more than 50% at the southern terminator, indicating an inhibitory effect of the crustal fields on day-to-night transport. These effects may lead to a reduction in ion number density in the southern nightside ionosphere. Finally, we demonstrate a decrease in the global heavy-ion loss rate.
Design and Testing of a Self-Propelled Dandelion Seed Harvester
Authors: Qu Zhe , Lu Qi , Shao Haihao , Liu Long , Wang Xiuping , Lv Zhijun
Published: April 2023

At present, there are few harvesters for dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum) seeds, which limits the large-area planting of dandelion. Furthermore, manual harvesting is characterized by huge labor intensity, low efficiency, and high costs. Combining the material characteristics of dandelion plants and seeds with agronomic requirements for harvesting dandelion seeds, a self-propelled dandelion seed harvester was designed. The harvester is mainly composed of collection devices, separation devices, transmission devices, and a rack. It can facilitate seed collection from plants, seed transportation, and seed–pappus separation in one operation. The collection and separation processes of dandelion seeds were studied to ascertain the main factors that affect the collection rate. Then, the collection and separation devices were designed, and their parameters were analyzed. Taking the forward speed, wind velocity of blowers, and rate of rotation of the drum as test factors and the collection rate as the evaluation index, quadratic regression orthogonal rotating field tests were performed. In this way, the optimal combination of operation parameters was determined: the collection rate is optimal when the forward speed is 0.8 m·s−1, the air velocity from the blowers is 1.63 m·s−1, and the rate of rotation of the drum is 419 rpm. Field test results showed that a favorable harvesting effect was achieved after operation of the harvester, and only small amounts of dandelion seeds remained unharvested. Under the optimal parameter combination, the collection rate reached 89.1%, which could meet requirements for practical field harvesting of dandelion seeds. The test results satisfy the design requirement.
Influence of Living Mulch and Nitrogen Dose on Yield and Fruit Quality Parameters of Malus domestica Borkh. cv. ‘Sampion’
Authors: Baluszynska Urszula Barbara , Licznar-Malanczuk Maria , Medic Aljaz , Veberic Robert , Grohar Mariana Cecilia
Published: April 2023

This study was conducted to estimate the yield, and to identify and quantify primary and secondary metabolites in fruit of Malus domestica Borkh. cv. ‘Sampion’ under two agrotechnical factors: the floor management (herbicide fallow and living mulch) and the dose of nitrogen (50, 80, 110, and 140 kg ha−1). Compared to herbicide fallow, living mulch did not decrease yield. Research showed a rich composition of phenolic and volatile organic compounds in apples, which varied with the evaluated factors, as well as with the weather conditions during the vegetation season. The precipitation deficit and high summer temperatures did not contribute to proper fruit growth and development and led to a higher content of phenolic compounds in the fruit flesh from trees in herbicide fallow compared to living mulch. Living mulch, which could be a factor regulating the availability of nitrogen to trees, stimulated the synthesis of anthocyanins, which was also potentiated by low average temperatures at harvest time, resulting in a large area of fruit skin red blush.
Effects of Variety and Pulsed Electric Field on the Quality of Fresh-Cut Apples
Authors: Li Zhihua , Yang Hanli , Fang Wenbing , Huang Xiaowei , Shi Jiyong , Zou Xiaobo
Published: April 2023

The suitability of five apple varieties (Ralls, Qinguan, Fuji, Delicious, and Cattle) for fresh-cut processing was compared based on the evaluation of weight loss, firmness, color, titratable acid (TA), polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity and peroxidase (POD) activity, and the impact of pulsed electronic field (PEF) on fresh-cut apples’ quality was explored. The results showed that the changes to Delicious apples in terms of the color parameter, firmness, and weight loss were comparable to or lower than the other samples, while the TA content was higher than the other samples during storage. Therefore, Delicious was selected for the study of the effects of PEF on fresh-cut apples. By measuring the physicochemical properties and microbiological characteristics within 10 days of storage, it was found that the PPO and POD activity of apples treated with PEF at 3 kV/cm on the 10th day decreased the most, with 44.61% and 36.48% decreases, respectively. In addition, apples treated with 5 kV/cm showed the greatest decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the number of microorganisms, 63.98%, and 9.17%, respectively. In general, the PEF-treated apples retained a high level of quality. These results suggested that PEF treatment is a promising technology for extending the storage period of fresh-cut apples.
Effects of Agricultural Machinery Operations on PM2.5, PM10 and TSP in Farmland under Different Tillage Patterns
Authors: Jia Lin , Zhou Xiaoyi , Wang Qingjie
Published: April 2023

Agricultural machinery can improve agricultural productivity and promote agricultural scale operation. However, machinery operations lead to increased dust in farmland and affect the atmospheric environment; thus, they have been increasingly emphasized. In this study, the effects of agricultural machinery operations in wheat cultivation were investigated regarding the emissions of three kinds of particulate matters, namely fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10) and total suspended particulate (TSP), from farmland in Beijing. The results showed that the total dust emission from the traditional tillage mode, including straw crushing, rotary tilling and sowing, was 3.990 g per hectare, which was larger than that of the conservation tillage mode including only no-tillage sowing (0.407 g per hectare). The total dust emission for one hectare of farmland under the two modes was 3.415 g, 0.497 g, 0.407 g and 0.078 g for straw shredding, rotary tillage, no-tillage sowing and conventional sowing, respectively. The values of PM2.5/PM10 and PM2.5/TSP decreased in each tillage section after each agricultural machinery operation, while the values of PM10/TSP were basically unchanged, indicating that particulate matter emissions from farmland due to agricultural machinery operations are mainly PM10 and TSP. The dust concentration generated by agricultural machinery increased with an increase in the speed of the machinery operation, provided that the quality of the operation was guaranteed. This study provides guidance for reducing dust emissions from mechanized operations, improving air quality and decreasing health hazards to operators of agricultural machinery.