bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student’s digital competences in Belgium and Romania: A comparative analysis
Authors: Vodă Ana Iolanda , Gradinaru Camelia , Cautisanu Cristina , Poleac Gabriela
Published: November 2022

This research explores students’ digital competences level in three major universities from Belgium and Romania, based on a combination of seven core skills: communication and collaboration skills, creativity skills, critical thinking skills, information skills, problem-solving skills and technological skills. We applied a quantitative design based on an online survey, applied during March 2021–May 2022 using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The study focuses on examining the qualifications and implementation of students’ digital abilities in Romania and Belgium, looking for similarities and differences. The results indicate that students from Belgium have higher average scores for communication and collaboration, information, and problem-solving digital skills than the other skills, while, in the case of students from Romania, creativity and technological skills have the highest average scores compared to the other digital skills. In addition, significant differences between countries regarding the average scores of critical thinking digital skills were not found. Although having a basic understanding of digital competences is advised, improved policies are required to promote the development of these skills as the skill sets needed for information and communication technology employees are more demanding.
The teacher’s self-constructed approaches to collaborate with newcomer parents in the Norwegian elementary reception class
Authors: Norozi Sultana Ali , Moen Torill
Published: November 2022

In Norway, newly arrived immigrant children often start their schooling in special groups called reception classes. This study aims to examine one Norwegian reception teacher’s perceptions and practices of collaborating with the children’s parents. The empirical analyses are based on a qualitative approach with interviews and video observations of the teacher. Affirming earlier research about parent–teacher collaboration in Norway, the study shows that the teacher has developed her own practices of parent–teacher collaboration. Contradicting earlier research, the findings highlight that despite challenges, the teacher experiences collaboration with newcomer parents positively. This article presents activities the teacher engages in within and outside the classroom to foster mutual learning and parental involvement. In the discussion, the teacher’s approaches are not judged as right or wrong, perfect or imperfect, but rather appreciated as self-constructed and self-initiated approaches to collaborating with newcomer parents. The main result is that despite challenges, if the teacher appears to be motivated and has positive/pluralistic perceptions of immigrant pupils and their parents, then s/he finds ways to collaborate with newcomer parents. This article concludes with teachers’ practice recommendations for schools and some directions for future research.
Does the scarcity of urban space resources make the quality of underground space planning more sustainable? A case study of 40 urban underground space master plans in China
Authors: Zhang Mingdi , Xie Ziang , He Lei
Published: November 2022

The international community has reached a consensus on promoting the sustainable development of global cities. As an important and irreversible space resource in a city, the development and utilization of urban underground space should follow the principle of sustainability and emphasize scientific and forward-looking planning. At present, most cities have formulated urban underground space master plans. However, due to the lack of an effective evaluation method, the plan quality is uneven, which directly affects the sustainability of underground space development and utilization. This paper proposes a set of sustainability evaluation framework of underground space planning based on relevant planning standards and plan quality evaluation protocol, and makes a comparative analysis of the 40 urban underground space master plans formulated in China from 2004 to 2020. The research found that the planning documents generally reflected the problem of emphasizing design strategies and engineering technology while neglecting implementation and humanistic care; administrative region, population density, land price and other variables closely related to the scarcity of urban space resources are the main factors affecting the quality of urban underground space planning. The conclusions of this paper can aid planners and researchers to identify the problems and influencing factors of underground space planning related to sustainability, and summarize the methods to improve the quality of underground space planning.
Construction of a ceRNA network in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) driven by exosomal lncRNA
Authors: Bai Lilian , Gong Junxing , Guo Yanyan , Li Yuchen , Huang Hefeng , Liu Xinmei
Published: November 2022

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common and frustrating syndrome in women of reproductive age, is characterized by symptoms including hyperandrogenemia, ovulation dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries. The role of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks is receiving increasing attention and has been reported in multiple complicated diseases, such as various carcinomas, endometriosis, and tubal factor infertility. However, the association of ceRNA networks with the pathogenesis of PCOS remains unclear. This study aimed to construct a ceRNA network orchestrated by exosomal lnRNA and circRNA in PCOS. We screened RNA data of 34 samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs), miRNAs (DEMs), mRNAs (DEGs), and circRNA associated with the progression of PCOS (PCOS, n = 17 vs. normal, n = 17). A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were conducted. Importantly, the function of the ceRNA network was explored using GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. We identified 46 DELs (25 upregulated and 21 downregulated), 31 DEMs (20 upregulated and 11 downregulated), 165 DEGs (52 upregulated and 113 downregulated), and 1 differentially expressed circRNA. The PPI network had 79 nodes and 112 edges. The GSEA results showed that these genes were mainly related to oxidative phosphorylation; TNF signaling pathways; and valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in lipid metabolism, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways, and fatty acid metabolism. Additionally, we constructed a novel PCOS-associated lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA ceRNA triple network and a circRNA-related network. Thereafter, we described the potential roles played by follicular fluid exosomes in PCOS. Our present study describes the molecular pathogenesis of PCOS in human ovarian granulosa cells at the post-transcriptional level, which provides new insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PCOS and further scientific research.
Seasonal dissolved copper speciation in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Waugh Lori-jon C. , Flores Ruiz Iselle , Kuang Cheng , Guo Jian , Cullen Jay T. , Maldonado Maria T.
Published: November 2022

The Strait of Georgia (SoG) is a semi-enclosed, urban basin with seasonally dependent estuarine water circulation, dominantly influenced by Northeast Pacific waters and the Fraser River. To establish a baseline and understand the fate and potential toxicity of Cu in the SoG, we determined seasonal and spatial depth profiles of dissolved Cu (dCu) speciation, leading to estimates of the free hydrated copper (Cu2+) concentrations, as a proxy for Cu toxicity. The concentration of dCu was largely controlled by conservative mixing of the ocean and freshwater endmembers in the SoG. In all samples, ligand concentrations exceeded dCu, by a ratio greater than 1.5, resulting in the complexation of 99.98% of the dCu by strong binding organic ligands. The concentrations of Cu2+ were less than 10-13.2 M, significantly lower than the well-established Cu toxicity threshold (10-12 M Cu2+) for microorganisms. Our results indicate that ambient Cu-binding ligands effectively buffer Cu2+ concentrations within the Strait of Georgia, posing no threat to marine life. In almost 90% of the samples, the ligands were best classified as a single ligand class, with a logKCuL,Cu2+cond between 12.5 and 14.1. The concentrations of these single class ligands were greatest in warm, low salinity, nutrient depleted waters, suggesting that either terrestrially sourced ligands dominate dCu speciation in the SoG, or freshwater sources in the SoG establish the conditions that promote the production of Cu binding ligands in its surface waters. The remaining 10% of the samples were from the euphotic zone, where we detected a stronger ligand class, L1, of logKCuL1,Cu2+cond between 13.5 and 14.3, and a weaker ligand class, L2, of logKCuL2,Cu2+cond between 11.5 and 12.3. In these surface samples, logKCuL1,Cu2+cond and logKCuL2,Cu2+cond were positively correlated with temperature, while L2 concentrations were positively correlated with chromophoric dissolved organic matter of terrestrial origin. This study is the first to perform hierarchal clustering of a trace metal speciation dataset and enabled the distinction of 6 clusters across season, depth, and region of the SoG, highlighting the influence of freshwater and open ocean ligand sources, conservative mixing dynamics, and particulate Cu concentrations on dCu speciation within estuarine basins.
A case series report on successful management of patients with COVID-19-associated lymphopenia and potential application of PG2
Authors: Wang Wei-Yao , Lee Yuan-Ti , Wang Yao-Tung , Chen Ji-Zhen , Lee Su-Yin , Tsao Shih-Ming
Published: November 2022

Background

Lymphopenia and the resultant high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are hallmark signs of severe COVID-19, and effective treatment remains unavailable. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of COVID-19 in a cohort of 26 patients admitted to Chung Shan Medical University Hospital (Taichung City, Taiwan). Twenty-five of the 26 patients recovered, including 9 patients with mild/moderate illness and 16 patients with severe/critical illness recovered. One patient died after refusing treatment.

Case presentation

We report the cases of four patients with high NLRs and marked lymphopenia, despite receiving standard care. A novel injectable botanical drug, PG2, containing Astragalus polysaccharides, was administered to them as an immune modulator. The decrease in the NLR in these four patients was faster than that of other patients in the cohort (0.80 vs. 0.34 per day).

Conclusion

All patients recovered from severe COVID-19 showed decreased NLR and normalized lymphocyte counts before discharge. Administration of PG2 may be of benefit to patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and lymphopenia.
Case report: Early onset Marin-Amat syndrome after receiving ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination
Authors: Tsai Ping-Feng , Chen Ying-Jen
Published: November 2022

While vaccination against COVID-19 is still ongoing, some rare adverse events temporally related to vaccinations have been reported, particularly with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. Here, a 77-year-old male presented to our outpatient department with persistent ptosis of his left eye for 1 month. He initially received vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and developed symptoms of Bell's palsy 3 days later. He received a 14-day course of prednisolone, but the ptosis persisted. Marin-Amat syndrome was compatible with his symptoms of ptosis exacerbation during orbicularis oris exertion. A temporal correlation between ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination and Bell's palsy without infectious or autoimmune diseases was delineated. Further studies are needed to clarify the possible relationship between these two events.
Effect of the application of vermicompost and millicompost humic acids about the soybean microbiome under water restriction conditions
Authors: da Silva Maura Santos Reis de Andrade , de Carvalho Lucas Amoroso Lopes , Braos Lucas Boscov , de Sousa Antunes Luiz Fernando , da Silva Camilla Santos Reis de Andrade , da Silva Cleudison Gabriel Nascimento , Pinheiro Daniel Guariz , Correia Maria Elizabeth Fernandes , Araújo Ednaldo da Silva , Colnago Luiz Alberto , Desoignies Nicolas , Zonta Everaldo , Rigobelo Everlon Cid
Published: November 2022

Humic substances (HSs) are constituent fractions of organic matter and are highly complex and biologically active. These substances include humic acids (HA), fulvic acids (FA), and humin. HS are known to stimulate the root system and plant growth and to mitigate stress damage, including hydric stress. Humic acids have already been reported to increase microbial growth, affecting their beneficial effect on plants. However, there is scarce information on whether HA from vermicompost and millicompost, along with Bradyrhizobium, improves the tolerance of soybean to water restriction. This study aimed to evaluate the responses of soybean plants to the application of vermicompost HA (HA-V) and millicompost (HA-M) along with Bradyrhizobium sp. under water restriction. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, and the treatments received Bradyrhizobium sp. inoculation with or without the application of HA from vermicompost and millicompost with or without water restriction. The results showed that HA provided greater soybean growth and nodulation than the control. The application of HA-M stimulated an increase in the richness of bacterial species in roots compared to the other treatments. After the application of water stress, the difference between the treatments disappeared. Microbial taxa were differentially abundant in plants, with the fungal fraction most affected by HA application in stressed roots. HA-V appears to be more prominent in inducing taxa under stress conditions. Although the results showed slight differences between HA from vermicompost and millicompost regarding plant growth, both humic acids promoted an increase in plant development compared to the control.
Conjugation across Bacillus cereus and kin: A review
Authors: Hinnekens Pauline , Fayad Nancy , Gillis Annika , Mahillon Jacques
Published: November 2022

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major driving force in shaping bacterial communities. Key elements responsible for HGT are conjugation-like events and transmissible plasmids. Conjugative plasmids can promote their own transfer as well as that of co-resident plasmids. Bacillus cereus and relatives harbor a plethora of plasmids, including conjugative plasmids, which are at the heart of the group species differentiation and specification. Since the first report of a conjugation-like event between strains of B. cereus sensu lato (s.l.) 40 years ago, many have studied the potential of plasmid transfer across the group, especially for plasmids encoding major toxins. Over the years, more than 20 plasmids from B. cereus isolates have been reported as conjugative. However, with the increasing number of genomic data available, in silico analyses indicate that more plasmids from B. cereus s.l. genomes present self-transfer potential. B. cereus s.l. bacteria occupy diverse environmental niches, which were mimicked in laboratory conditions to study conjugation-related mechanisms. Laboratory mating conditions remain nonetheless simplistic compared to the complex interactions occurring in natural environments. Given the health, economic and ecological importance of strains of B. cereus s.l., it is of prime importance to consider the impact of conjugation within this bacterial group.
Efficacy and safety of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in the treatment of post-stroke depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhen Kun , Shi Hongshuo , Zhang Xuecheng , Liu Xiangyi , Li Wenwen , Si Guomin , Jia Hongling , Guo Dong
Published: November 2022

Background

Post-stroke depression is the most common neuropsychiatric disorder after stroke, which seriously affects patients' post-stroke recovery and quality of life, and is prone to recurrence of stroke and death. Buyang Huanwu Decoction is effective in treating post-stroke depression, but there is a lack of scientific systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in treating post-stroke depression.

Methods

A total of eight databases were searched by two investigators from Embase, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang, CNKI, VIP, and CBM to collect randomized controlled trials that applied BHD to PSD from the time of database construction to May 2022. Data analysis was performed using Review mange5.4.

Results

A total of 15 studies with 1,242 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that compared with the antidepressant drug control group, the change value of the HAMD scale in the Buyang Huanwu Decoction group was significantly lower [p < 0.00001, SMD = −0.85, 95% CI (−1.10, −0.61)]; after subgroup analysis, the effect of BHD for 4 weeks was the most significant; the total clinical effective rate was significantly increased [p = 0.001, RR = 1.33, 95% CI (1.12, 1.57)]; neurological deficit score [p = 0.002, SMD = −1.03, 95% CI (−1.67, −0.39)], the incidence of adverse reactions [p = 0.02, RR = 0.42, 95% CI (0.20, 0.89)], and adverse reaction scale scores [p < 0.00001, MD = −3.58, 95%CI (−4.09, −3.08)] were significantly lower.

Conclusion

Compared with antidepressants, the Buyang Huanwu Decoction is more effective and safer in the treatment of post-stroke depression patients. However, more high-quality studies are needed to further support the above conclusion.
Food insecurity associated with self-reported mental health outcomes in Peruvian households during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Anampa-Canales Maria M. , Huancahuire-Vega Salomón , Newball-Noriega Edda E. , Morales-García Wilter C. , Galvez Cesar Augusto
Published: November 2022

Background

The global pandemic of COVID-19 and the social distancing efforts implemented worldwide to limit its spread have disrupted the economy, increased food insecurity, and mental health problems.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the association between food insecurity and mental health outcomes (stress, depression, and anxiety) in Peruvian households during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional investigation was conducted with 525 participants of both sexes (68% women), over 18 years of age and from the three geographic regions of Peru: Coast (54.9%), Highlands (28.4%), and Jungle (16.8%). The data were collected during the year 2021, between July 6 and September 22 through a self-administered online survey designed to assess socio-demographic, socioeconomic, food insecurity, and mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and stress).

Results

The majority of households (71.4%) experienced some degree of food insecurity. Mild food insecurity was the most frequent, affecting 49.1%, followed by moderate 15.4%, and severe 6.9%. Regarding mental health outcomes, 24.8% manifested depression, 26.7% anxiety, and 15.3% stress. With respect to the association between the level of food insecurity and anxiety, this was highly significant (p < 0.01). Households with mild, moderate and severe food insecurity are 2.04, 4.5, and 10.44 times, respectively, more likely to have moderate-severe anxiety. On the other hand, the mild food insecurity was not associated with moderate-severe depression. In contrast, households with moderate and severe food insecurity are 2.8 and 5.7 times, respectively, more likely to have moderate-severe depression. Finally, households with moderate food insecurity are 5.9 times more likely to have moderate-severe stress, and households with severe food insecurity are 8.5 times more likely to have moderate-severe stress, both having a highly significant association (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

In conclusion, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru, household food insecurity was independently associated with worse mental health outcomes. Monitoring of both food insecurity and mental health will be important as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Escalate protein plates from legumes for sustainable human nutrition
Authors: Singh Nisha , Jain Priyanka , Ujinwal Megha , Langyan Sapna
Published: November 2022

Protein is one of the most important, foremost, and versatile nutrients in food. The quantity and quality of protein are determinants of its nutritional values. Therefore, adequate consumption of high-quality protein is essential for optimal growth, development, and health of humans. Based on short-term nitrogen balance studies, the Recommended Dietary Allowance of protein for the healthy adult with minimal physical activity is 0.8 g protein/kg body weight (BW) per day. Proteins are present in good quantities in not only animals but also in plants, especially in legumes. With the growing demand for protein, interest in plant proteins is also rising due to their comparative low cost as well as the increase in consumers’ demand originating from health and environmental concerns. Legumes are nutrient-dense foods, comprising components identified as “antinutritional factors” that can reduce the bioavailability of macro and micronutrients. Other than nutritive value, the physiochemical and behavioral properties of proteins during processing plays a significant role in determining the end quality of food. The term “complete protein” refers to when all nine essential amino acids are present in the correct proportion in our bodies. To have a balanced diet, the right percentage of protein is required for our body. The consumption of these high protein-containing foods will lead to protein sustainability and eradicate malnutrition. Here, we shed light on major opportunities to strengthen the contribution of diversity in legume crops products to sustainable diets. This review will boost awareness and knowledge on underutilized proteinous foods into national nutritional security programs.
CCT: Lightweight compact convolutional transformer for lung disease CT image classification
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Pang Yu , Zhang Guo
Published: November 2022

Computed tomography (CT) imaging results are an important criterion for the diagnosis of lung disease. CT images can clearly show the characteristics of lung lesions. Early and accurate detection of lung diseases helps clinicians to improve patient care effectively. Therefore, in this study, we used a lightweight compact convolutional transformer (CCT) to build a prediction model for lung disease classification using chest CT images. We added a position offset term and changed the attention mechanism of the transformer encoder to an axial attention mechanism module. As a result, the classification performance of the model was improved in terms of height and width. We show that the model effectively classifies COVID-19, community pneumonia, and normal conditions on the CC-CCII dataset. The proposed model outperforms other comparable models in the test set, achieving an accuracy of 98.5% and a sensitivity of 98.6%. The results show that our method achieves a larger field of perception on CT images, which positively affects the classification of CT images. Thus, the method can provide adequate assistance to clinicians.
Influence of cognitive abilities on literacy skills in a Korean–Japanese bilingual child with developmental dyslexia
Authors: Sambai Ami , Ju Yeongsil , Uno Akira
Published: November 2022

Some individuals with developmental dyslexia show dissociation in reading skills between languages. The occurrence of dissociation depends on differences in the orthographic characteristics and cognitive demands of languages. This article reports on a Korean–Japanese bilingual and biliterate boy, SJ, with developmental dyslexia (aged 11 years), who displayed dissociation between Korean and Japanese in reading and writing accuracy. This study aimed to discuss possible accounts for the profile of his literacy skills from orthographic and cognitive perspectives. To accomplish this aim, we measured SJ’s literacy skills, receptive vocabulary, and cognitive abilities (i.e., phonological skills, naming speed, and visual skills) in both Korean and Japanese. Then, we compared his skills to those of monolingual and bilingual children. In terms of accuracy, his reading skills in Korean did not differ significantly from those of bilinguals, although they were lower than Korean monolinguals. His spelling skills were within the average range for Korean monolinguals and bilinguals. In contrast, his reading and writing accuracy levels in Japanese were low compared to both Japanese monolinguals and bilinguals. Moreover, his reading and writing deficits were more remarkable in Japanese kanji. However, his cognitive profile was similar between languages. Specifically, he showed deficits in phonological skills and naming speed in both languages, as well as deficits in visual skills. These results were explained by the facts that visual skills are one of the significant predictors of reading and writing accuracy in Japanese but not in Korean, and that visual skills are a key in learning kanji. Thus, our case, SJ, supports the cognitive account, namely, the idea that different cognitive demands on the development of literacy skills can cause dissociation in literacy skills (especially in terms of accuracy) in bilingual children.
The impact of social support on students' mental health: A new perspective based on fine art majors
Authors: Wei Pengju
Published: November 2022

College students face a variety of challenges today, and the degree of their psychological health directly impacts their ability to overcome these challenges. A good psychological state helps college students to invest better in their career development and improve the degree of social integration. This paper uses the SCL-90 Symptom Self-Assessment Scale and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) to investigate the mental health, psychological support, and social support of students from low income backgrounds in two universities in Hainan City. The research results showed that there was no significant difference between the objective support scores of students from low income backgrounds in higher vocational colleges and non-poor students, while the subjective support and utilization of support scores were significantly lower than those of non-poor students. In essence, successful social support should not only be one-dimensional support from the subject to the object, but should be a process of two-sided interaction, or a process of “mutual construction” between supporters and those supported. According to the research conclusions, this paper suggests how to improve the degree of mental health of college students by way of forming a comprehensive educational environment including campus culture construction, ideological and moral education, and economic assistance system.
Completion and determinants of a continuum of care in maternal health services in Benishangul Gumuz region: A prospective follow-up study
Authors: Zelka Muluwas Amentie , Yalew Alemayehu Worku , Debelew Gurmesa Tura
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The provision of a continuum of care to women throughout pregnancy, labor, and after delivery has become a fundamental strategy for improving maternal and neonatal health. A better understanding of where the gaps are in seeking care along the pathway and what factors contribute to the gaps is required for successful program implementation. Hence, this study was targeted to determine the status and determinant factors of the completion rate of a continuum of care in maternal health services.

Methods

A prospective follow-up study was conducted among 2,198 sampled pregnant women and followed for 11 months in Benishangul-Gumuz region. A multistage clustered sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire, and logbook registry. Collected data were edited, cleaned, and analyzed using STATA software. The multilevel regression model was used to examine the effects of individual- and community-level factors and expressed as AOR with 95% CI.

Results

The completion rate of a continuum of care via visit-based, content-based, and space dimensions was 33.1, 20, and 37.2%, respectively. The enabling factors were having information on maternal health services (AOR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.11–4.55), iron and folic acid supplementation (AOR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.37–4.86), tetanus toxoid vaccination during pregnancy (AOR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.39–3.52), having pregnant-related problems (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.15–3.71), dry and stimulate newborn (AOR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.42–4.77), appropriate cord care (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.07–3.79), and immunizing newborn (AOR = 6.9; 95% CI: 3.79–12.59), whereas risk factors were ever having a stillbirth (AOR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.32–0.85) and delay of 1st ANC initiation at 4–6 months of pregnancy (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.3–0.68).

Conclusion

The completion rates via visit-based, content-based, and space dimensions were low. Different determinant factors which have a programmatically important implication were identified. Thus, interventions should focus on increasing women's awareness and improving the availability and accessibility of the whole packages of maternal health services to facilitate the completion rate.
Vaccine safety in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned on the frontline
Authors: Laemmle-Ruff Ingrid , Lewis Georgina , Clothier Hazel J. , Dimaguila Gerardo Luis , Wolthuizen Michelle , Buttery Jim , Crawford Nigel W.
Published: November 2022

Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination in the Community (SAEFVIC), Victoria's vaccine safety service for reporting adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), has provided integrated spontaneous surveillance and clinical services for individuals affected by AEFI since 2007. We describe SAEFVIC's response to the COVID-19 vaccine program, and reflect on lessons learned for vaccine safety. The massive scale of the Australian COVID-19 vaccine program required rapid adaptations across all aspects of SAEFVIC's vaccine safety services. Collection of AEFI reports was streamlined and expanded, incorporating both spontaneous and active surveillance data. Dramatically increased report volumes were managed with additional staffing, and innovations to automate, filter, and triage reports for priority follow up. There were two major adverse events of special interest (AESI): thrombosis with thrombocytopaenia syndrome and myocarditis, with multiple other AESI also investigated. Rapid escalation mechanisms to respond to AESI were established, along with AESI-specific databases for enhanced monitoring. Vaccine education and training resources were developed and public-facing vaccine safety reports updated weekly. Frequent communication with local and national government and regulatory bodies, and consultation with specialist groups was essential. The COVID-19 vaccine program has highlighted the importance of vaccine safety in supporting public confidence in vaccines and informing evidence-based immunisation policy. Supporting the COVID-19 vaccine program has required flexibility in adapting to policy changes and evolving vaccine safety signals, careful triage and prioritisation, informatics innovation, and enhanced engagement with the public regarding vaccine safety. Long-term investment to continue strengthening vaccine safety systems, building on lessons learned, will be essential for the ongoing success of Australian vaccination programs.
Uses and benefits of algae as a nutritional supplement for honey bees
Authors: Nichols Benjamin J. , Ricigliano Vincent A.
Published: November 2022

Honey bees are essential agricultural pollinators that are threatened by various interacting stressors, posing risks to beekeeping industries and human food security. Malnutrition is a major factor underlying managed bee colony losses that can be countered by feeding artificial diets, which aim to deliver essential macro- and micronutrients. Current bee nutritional supplements show room for improvement and require resources that compete with human food production. Algae and microalgae in particular have been gaining traction in the literature as alternative feed sources and nutritional supplements for livestock, including honey bees. Herein, we review the current literature and categorize the effects of algae supplementation on honey bee colony productivity as well as effects on individual bee physiology and health. In general, we conclude that algae biomass appears to be suitable for use as a bee feed additive and as a source of health-stimulating natural products. Additionally, we suggest research areas that could improve the development of sustainable algae-based nutrition supplements for honey bees.
Study on anthocyanins from Lycium ruthenicum Murr via ultrasonic microwave synergistic extraction and its antioxidant properties
Authors: Dong Yuhe , Zhong Wenting , Yang Chunmiao , Zhang Yongze , Yang Dongsheng
Published: November 2022

The objectives of this study are to optimize the ultrasonic microwave synergistic extraction (UMSE) of anthocyanins from Lycium ruthenicum Murr (ALRM) by response surface methodology and also to investigate its antioxidant activity in vitro. Based on the single-factor experiments, we optimized the ALRM extraction process by response surface methodology assuming anthocyanin extraction rate as the response point and microwave power, ultrasonic power, extraction time, and liquid-to-material ratio as the investigating parameters as well as performed correlation analysis between DPPH·, ·OH, ABTS·, O2-· radical scavenging potential, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. The results showed that the influence on anthocyanin yield was in the order of liquid to material ratio > microwave power > ultrasonic power > extraction time; the elicited extraction conditions were: ultrasonic power 216.253 W, microwave power 89.311 W, time 26.141 min, liquid to material ratio 17.294 mL/g, the forecast content was 10.157 mg/g, while the actual value was consistent with the preview value. Meanwhile, ALRM obtainable by UMSE was identified as yielding favorable antioxidant properties firstly, when the concentration of purified ALRM (ALRM-1) was increased, the antioxidant capacity was strengthened. Theoretically, we provide a basis for the extraction procedure of ALRM and its antioxidant activity, which serves as a promising antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
Novel peripheral blood parameters as predictors of neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in breast cancer
Authors: Yang Gaohua , Liu Pengju , Zheng Longtian , Zeng Jianfeng
Published: November 2022

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune severity index (SII), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are associated with the prognosis of gastric, lung, and breast cancers. However, the predictive value of pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) remains unclear. This retrospective study explored the correlation between each index and the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer and assessed the relationship between changes before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We enrolled 95 patients with locally advanced breast cancer who received neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from April 2020 to April 2022. Based on postoperative pathology, patients were divided into pCR and non-pCR groups. Between-group differences and efficacy prediction ability of NLR, PLR, SII, and PNI were analyzed. Patient characteristics and changes in NLR, PLR, SII, and PNI before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) were compared between groups. Patients were divided into two groups according to the optimal diagnostic thresholds of the SII before treatment. Between-group differences in terms of neoadjuvant therapy efficacy and patient characteristics were evaluated. The pCR exhibited significantly lower ER (χ2 = 10.227, P = 0.001), PR (χ2 = 3.568, P = 0.049), pretreatment NLR (χ2 = 24.930, P < 0.001), pretreatment PLR (χ2 = 22.208, P < 0.001), pretreatment SII (χ2 = 26.329, P < 0.001), and post-treatment PNI (P = 0.032), but higher HER-2 (χ2 = 7.282, P = 0.007) and ΔNLR (P = 0.015) than the non-pCR group. ROC curve analysis revealed that the areas under the curve (AUC) of pretreatment SII, NLR, and PLR for predicting pCR of NAC for breast cancer were 0.827, 0.827, and 0.810, respectively, indicating a higher predictive value for response to NAC in patients with breast cancer. According to the Youden index, the optimal cut-off value of SII pretreatment was 403.20. Significant differences in age (χ2 = 6.539, P = 0.01), ER (χ2 = 4.783, P = 0.029), and HER-2 (χ2 = 4.712, P = 0.030) were observed between high and low-SII groups. In conclusion, pretreatment NLR, PLR, and SII can be used as predictors of pCR in patients with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The predictive value of pretreatment SII is higher, and patients with low SII are more likely to achieve pCR.
Exendin-4 Increases Scavenger Receptor Class BI Expression via Activation of AMPK/FoxO1 in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Lyu Jingya , Imachi Hitomi , Fukunaga Kensaku , Sato Seisuke , Kobayashi Toshihiro , Saheki Takanobu , Japar Salimah , Iwama Hisakazu , Matsumura Yuta , Ozaki Miyo , Yoshimura Takafumi , Murao Koji
Published: November 2022

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) has been clinically proven to protect endothelial function. Previously, we demonstrated that endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) was activated by high-density lipoprotein (HDL) via its scavenger receptor of the B class/human homologue of SR-BI, CD36 and LIMPII analogous-1(hSR-BI/CLA-1). Here, we investigated the effect of GLP-1RA and exendin-4 on the expression of hSR-BI/CLA-1 in HUVECs. Our results confirmed that GLP-1R was expressed in HUVECs by PCR and exendin-4 significantly enhanced HDL-induced eNOS activation. Next, exendin-4 increased the expression of hSR-BI/CLA-1 and a blockade of GLP-1R cancelled this effect. Further, the hSR-BI/CLA-1 transcriptional activity was enhanced by exendin-4, which was diminished by the inhibition of AMPK or dominant-negative AMPK-α-subunit. Moreover, AMPK was phosphorylated by the activation of GLP-1R. Next, ChIP assay demonstrated that exendin-4 increased the FoxO1-binding in the hSR-BI/CLA-1 promoter by upregulation of FoxO1. Mutation of FoxO1-binding or silencing of FoxO1 cancelled the effect of exendin-4 on hSR-BI/CLA-1 expression. Exendin-4 reduced FoxO1 phosphorylation and induced its nuclear accumulation, while this effect was altered by the blocking of GLP-1R or inhibition of AMPK pathway. In summary, our results proved that exendin-4 increased hSR-BI/CLA-1 expression via the AMPK/FoxO1 pathway to activate eNOS, providing a basic mechanism underlining the protective effect of GLP-1RA on endothelial function.
PSO-Based Model Predictive Control for Load Frequency Regulation with Wind Turbines
Authors: Fan Wei , Hu Zhijian , Veerasamy Veerapandiyan
Published: November 2022

With the high penetration of wind turbines, many issues need to be addressed in relation to load frequency control (LFC) to ensure the stable operation of power grids. The particle swarm optimization-based model predictive control (PSO-MPC) approach is presented to address this issue in the context of LFC with the participation of wind turbines. The classical MPC model was modified to incorporate the particle swarm optimization algorithm for the power generation model to regulate the system frequency. In addition to addressing the unpredictability of wind turbine generation, the presented PSO-MPC strategy not only addresses the randomness of wind turbine generation, but also reduces the computation burden of traditional MPC. The simulation results validate the effectiveness and feasibility of the PSO-MPC approach as compared with other state-of-the-art strategies.
Evaluation of Biodegradable Gelatin and Gelatin–Rice Starch Coatings to Fresh Cut Zucchini Slices
Authors: Bari Anastasia , Giannouli Persephoni
Published: November 2022

Biodegradable packaging minimizes negative environmental impacts of synthetic materials and maintains product quality. Fresh cut vegetables and fruits such as zucchini were sensitive to degradation, which could be delayed by edible coatings. Mixtures of gelatin and other biopolymers were commonly used in novel food packaging preserving quality characteristics of foods. In this study, for first time, gelatin and a gelatin mixture with rice starch were applied to zucchini slices during 7 days of storage at 5 °C in order to evaluate weight loss, firmness, breaking force and color. Gelatin coating as a treatment type demonstrated superior ability to preserve the quality of sliced zucchini fruit and contributed to the maintenance of their texture characteristics similar to values of the control group. The addition of rice starch to the gelatin coating also maintained firmness and breaking force, but accelerated the increase of weight loss and decreased lightness compared to control samples. In conclusion, this study on coatings of gelatin and a gelatin–rice starch mixture enriches the knowledge within the food industry on biodegradable coatings, and gives useful information for zucchini slice storage at a low temperature.
Effects of Internet Adoption on Health and Subjective Well-Being of the Internal Migrants in China
Authors: Guo Yihan , Xu Junling , Zhou Yuan
Published: November 2022

During the past decades, the number of rural–urban migrants has dramatically increased in China. Their well-being is important for social development and has attracted the attention of researchers. This paper adopts five waves of repeated cross-sectional datasets within a nine-year span, included in the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS 2010–2018), to evaluate the impacts and mechanisms of internet adoption on the health status and subjective well-being of rural–urban migrants. Empirical results suggest that there are significant positive correlations between internet adoption and health status as well as subjective well-being. The results of structural equation modeling suggest that the impact of the internet on well-being occurs through increasing, bridging, and bonding social capital for rural–urban migrants. The mediating impact of bonding social capital on subjective well-being is more prominent, while the mediating impact of bridging social capital on health is stronger. Furthermore, we have explored the heterogeneous effects across gender and education. This is an early study which investigates such an important topic in the context of the digital era.
Whole Body Vibration: A Valid Alternative Strategy to Exercise?
Authors: Bonanni Roberto , Cariati Ida , Romagnoli Cristian , D’Arcangelo Giovanna , Annino Giuseppe , Tancredi Virginia
Published: November 2022

Several studies agree that mechanical vibration can induce physiological changes at different levels, improving neuromuscular function through postural control strategies, muscle tuning mechanisms and tonic vibration reflexes. Whole-body vibration has also been reported to increase bone mineral density and muscle mass and strength, as well as to relieve pain and modulate proprioceptive function in patients with osteoarthritis or lower back pain. Furthermore, vibratory training was found to be an effective strategy for improving the physical performance of healthy athletes in terms of muscle strength, agility, flexibility, and vertical jump height. Notably, several benefits have also been observed at the brain level, proving to be an important factor in protecting and/or preventing the development of age-related cognitive disorders. Although research in this field is still debated, certain molecular mechanisms responsible for the response to whole-body vibration also appear to be involved in physiological adaptations to exercise, suggesting the possibility of using it as an alternative or reinforcing strategy to canonical training. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for the development of whole body vibration protocols appropriately designed based on individual needs to optimize these effects. Therefore, we performed a narrative review of the literature, consulting the bibliographic databases MEDLINE and Google Scholar, to i) summarize the most recent scientific evidence on the effects of whole-body vibration and the molecular mechanisms proposed so far to provide a useful state of the art and ii) assess the potential of whole-body vibration as a form of passive training in place of or in association with exercise.
Large-Scale Tungsten Fibre-Reinforced Tungsten and Its Mechanical Properties
Authors: Schwalenberg Daniel , Coenen Jan Willem , Riesch Johann , Hoeschen Till , Mao Yiran , Lau Alexander , Gietl Hanns , Raumann Leonard , Huber Philipp , Linsmeier Christian , Neu Rudolf
Published: November 2022

Tungsten-fibre-reinforced tungsten composites (Wf/W) have been in development to overcome the inherent brittleness of tungsten as one of the most promising candidates for the first wall and divertor armour material in a future fusion power plant. As the development of Wf/W continues, the fracture toughness of the composite is one of the main design drivers. In this contribution, the efforts on size upscaling of Wf/W based on Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) are shown together with fracture mechanical tests of two different size samples of Wf/W produced by CVD. Three-point bending tests according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Norm E399 for brittle materials were used to obtain a first estimation of the toughness. A provisional fracture toughness value of up to 346MPam1/2 was calculated for the as-fabricated material. As the material does not show a brittle fracture in the as-fabricated state, the J-Integral approach based on the ASTM E1820 was additionally applied. A maximum value of the J-integral of 41kJ/m2 (134.8MPam1/2) was determined for the largest samples. Post mortem investigations were employed to detail the active mechanisms and crack propagation.
Association of Polymorphism of the Methyl Tetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Gene with Anti-Seizure Medication Response in Pediatric Patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alyoubi Reem , Althomali Abdullah , Magadmi Rania , Abdel kawy Hala S. , Al Mahdi Hadiah Bassam , Kamel Fatemah O. , Bakhshwin Duaa M. , Jamal Maha , Alsieni Mohammed
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives: Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease, with inherent and noninherent factors. Although over 20 anti-seizure medications (ASMs) are commercially available, nearly one-third of patients develop drug-resistant epilepsy. We evaluated the association between the clinical features and the methyl tetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) rs1801133 polymorphism and ASMs response among pediatric patients with epilepsy. Materials and Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective, case–control study of 101 children with epilepsy and 59 healthy children in Jeddah. The MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphism was genotyped using the real-time polymerase chain reaction TaqMan Genotyping Assay. Results: Among the patients with epilepsy, 56 and 45 showed good and poor responses to ASMs, respectively. No significant genetic association was noted between the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1801133 within the MTHFR gene and the response to ASMs. However, a significant association was noted between reports of drug-induced toxicity and an increase in allele A frequencies. The MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was significantly associated with the development of electrolyte disturbance among good and poor responders to ASMs. Conclusions: This is the first pharmacogenetic study of MTHFR in patients with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia that found no significant association between the MTHFR SNP rs1801133 and gene susceptibility and drug responsiveness. A larger sample size is needed for testing gene polymorphisms in the future.