bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between the Cognitive-Related Behavioral Assessment Severity Stage and Activities of Daily Living Required for Discharge to Home in Patients with Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Maki Yoshiaki , Morita Akiko , Makizako Hyuma
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to characterize cognitive function examined using Cognitive-related Behavioral Assessment (CBA) in activities of daily living (ADLs). According to CBA severity at discharge, 791 patients were assigned to five groups (most severe, severe, moderate, mild, and normal). The total scores for Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor items were compared for each group. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to clarify the association between CBA severity and independence in ADL items. Independence in each ADL according to CBA severity was 0–4.8%, 26.8–45.0%, 84.3–91.0%, and 97.2–100% for all ADLs in the most severe to severe, moderate, mild, and normal groups, respectively. Significant differences were found in the FIM motor score according to CBA severity between the groups (p < 0.01). A mild or normal CBA was associated with a higher odds ratio (OR) for dressing the upper body (OR = 21.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 13.50–35.70), bladder management (OR = 11.60; 95% CI, 7.21–18.60), transfers to the bed/chair/wheelchair (OR = 18.30; 95% CI, 11.40–29.40), transfers to the toilet (OR = 18.30; 95% CI, 11.40–29.30), and walking (OR = 6.60; 95% CI, 10.60–26.10). A CBA severity greater than mild (23 points) was associated with independence in ADLs that are important for discharge to home.
Better Gingival Status in Patients with Comorbidity of Type 1 Diabetes and Thyroiditis in Comparison with Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and No Thyroid Disease—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Duda-Sobczak Anna , Zozulinska-Ziolkiewicz Dorota , Wyganowska Marzena
Published: February 2023

Periodontal disease has been postulated as one of the chronic complications of diabetes. The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is higher. The aim of the study was to determine the association between the presence of thyroiditis and gingival status in adults with T1D. A total of 264 patients, 119 men aged 18–45, diagnosed with T1D were included. For further analysis, the study group was divided into two subgroups, with or without autoimmune thyroiditis. Gingival status was assessed with the use of gingival indices. Patients diagnosed with T1D and thyroiditis presented lower plaque accumulation (p = 0.01) and lower-grade gingivitis (p = 0.02). Approximal Plaque Index (API) in all study groups correlated positively with age (Rs = 0.24; p = 0.0001), body mass index (BMI) (Rs = 0.22; p = 0.0008), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (Rs = 0.18; p = 0.006), high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) (Rs = 0.17; p = 0.009), total cholesterol (T-Chol) (Rs = 0.17; p = 0.01) and negatively with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (Rs = −0.2; p = 0.02). Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis indicated TSH, BMI and gender as independent predictors of dental plaque accumulation in patients with T1D. Autoimmune thyroiditis was associated with a lower accumulation of dental plaque and better gingival status in patients with T1D.
A Comparison of the Self-Perceived Organisational and Social Work Environment among Swedish Occupational Therapists in Different Job Sectors: An Observational Study
Authors: Dahlbäck Elisabeth , Håkansson Carita
Published: February 2023

Sick leave due to mental health problems is increasing, and there is evidence that it is associated with the individual’s self-perceived organisational and social work environment. The aim of this study was to compare occupational therapists’ self-perceived organisational and social work environments in different job sectors. The goal is to identify the sectors with the most unfavourable work environment and thus where the need to improve the work environment, to prevent mental health problems, is greatest. A web survey was emailed to working members of the Swedish Association of Occupational Therapists in February 2018 (n = 7600). The response rate was 48% (n = 3658). Studied job sectors were somatic specialist health care; elderly care; habilitation; psychiatric health care; primary health care; and university (n = 2648). This sample is representative of Swedish occupational therapists with respect to age, gender, and job sector. The web survey included questions on their sociodemographic characteristics and self-perceived organisational and social work environment regarding workload, control, community in the workplace, reward, justice, and values. Questions on the self-perceived organisational and social work environment were assessed by the QPS mismatch questionnaire. Differences in work environmental conditions between the job sectors were tested with ANOVA and post hoc multiple-group analysis. The results showed that occupational therapists working in psychiatric health care perceived the highest proportion of unfavourable working conditions. Occupational therapists who worked at universities perceived a higher workload than occupational therapists in most of the other studied job sectors. These job sectors need to be specifically addressed with adjustments to prevent mental health problems.
Developing an Evaluation System Suitable for Coastal Rural Houses’ Characteristic Style and Its Inspiration for Rural Revitalization: Case Study of Rongcheng in Shandong Province
Authors: Zhao Qinglei , Jiang Guanghui , Zhou Tao , Ma Wenqiu , Yang Yuting
Published: February 2023

The characteristic style of rural houses is an important manifestation of the historical and cultural values of rural areas and is the key focus of the implementation of the strategy for the construction of beautiful China and the revitalization of rural areas. Taking 17 villages in the Rongcheng of Shandong as an example, this article integrated multidimensional data, including geospatial data, survey data and socio-economic data, and constructed a suitable index system to evaluate the characteristic style of coastal rural houses in 2018 and put forward the characteristic style regionalization of coastal rural houses. The results show that the characteristic style of coastal rural houses can be measured by the overall village environment, coastal architectural value and traditional folk culture, among which the coastal architectural value is the most critical. Two villages scored over 60 points in the comprehensive evaluation, namely the Dongchu Island village and Dazhuang Xujia Community. Different dominant characteristic styles of rural houses were identified according to single-factor evaluation. Based on the evaluation results and factors such as location, nature, social economy and the status quo of protection and development management, characteristic styles of rural houses in the research area can be divided into four continuous areas: historical and cultural characteristics, folk customs and industrial development characteristics, natural scenery characteristics and folk customs characteristics. Combined with regional positioning and development planning, the construction direction of different regional types was defined, and then the protection and improvement measures of rural residential features were put forward. This study not only provides a certain basis for the evaluation, construction and protection of the characteristic features of coastal rural dwellings in Rongcheng City but also provides guidance for the implementation of rural construction planning.
Perceptions of General Attitudes towards Older Adults in Society: Is There a Link between Perceived Life Satisfaction, Self-Compassion, and Health-Related Quality of Life?
Authors: Bratt Anna Sofia , Fagerström Cecilia
Published: February 2023

Negative attitudes towards aging are common in society. However, few studies have investigated how older adults perceive this phenomenon. This study investigated (a) how older adults in Sweden perceive general attitudes towards the older population and whether negative perceptions are associated with low life satisfaction, self-compassion, and health-related quality of life (HRQL), and (b) whether perceived attitudes predict life satisfaction when controlling for HRQL, self-compassion, and age. The sample comprised 698 randomly selected participants, aged 66–102 years, from the Blekinge part of the Swedish National Study on Ageing and Care. The results showed that 25.7% of the participants held negative attitudes towards older adults and reported lower life satisfaction and HRQL. Self-compassion was related to higher life satisfaction, perceived positive attitudes, and better mental HRQL. Overall, perceived attitudes, HRQL, self-compassion, and age predicted 44% of the participants’ life satisfaction. Understanding the factors that influence older adults’ life satisfaction is crucial, as health-related losses might reduce the opportunity for a successful life. Our study makes an important contribution to the field, showing that perceived attitudes explained 1.2% of the variance of life satisfaction, whereas mental and physical HRQL accounted for 18% of life satisfaction.
Longitudinal Changes in Suicide Bereavement Experiences: A Qualitative Study of Family Members over 18 Months after Loss
Authors: Chen Yan , Laitila Aarno
Published: February 2023

Family members bereaved by their loved ones’ suicidal death normally undergo a complicated and lengthy bereavement process. In this qualitative case study, we explored longitudinal changes in the suicide bereavement process by applying assimilation analysis, based on the Assimilation Model (AM) and the Assimilation of Problematic Experiences Scale (APES), to longitudinal interview data collected from two Chinese suicide-bereaved individuals within the first 18 months after their loss. The results showed that over time the participants both progressed in adapting to their traumatic losses. Assimilation analysis both effectively elaborated the difference in the inner world of the bereaved and clearly demonstrated development in their adaptation to the loss. This study contributes new knowledge on the longitudinal changes in suicide bereavement experiences and demonstrates the applicability of assimilation analysis to suicide bereavement research. Professional help and resources need to be tailored and adapted to meet the changing needs of suicide-bereaved family members.
Mental Adjustment, Functional Status, and Depression in Advanced Cancer Patients
Authors: Rodríguez-González Adán , Velasco-Durántez Verónica , Cruz-Castellanos Patricia , Hernández Raquel , Fernández-Montes Ana , Jiménez-Fonseca Paula , Castillo-Trujillo Oscar A. , García-Carrasco Miguel , Obispo Berta , Rogado Jacobo , Antoñanzas-Basa Mónica , Calderon Caterina
Published: February 2023

Depressive symptoms are common in individuals with advanced cancer. Objectives. This study sought to analyze the relationship between physical and functional status and depressive symptoms, and to assess the role of mental adjustment across these variables in people with advanced cancer. Methods. A prospective, cross-sectional design was adopted. Data were collected from 748 participants with advanced cancer at 15 tertiary hospitals in Spain. Participants completed self-report measures: Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC) scale, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaire. Results. Depression was present in 44.3% of the participants and was more common among women, patients <65 years old, non-partnered, and those with recurrent cancer. Results revealed a negative correlation with functional status, and functional status was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Mental adjustment affected functional status and depression. Patients having a positive attitude displayed fewer depressive symptoms, while the presence of negative attitudes increased depressive symptoms in this population. Conclusions. Functional status and mental adjustment are key factors in the presence of depressive symptoms among people with advanced cancer. Assessment of functional status and mental adjustment should be considered when planning treatment and rehabilitation in this population.
Analysis of Morphological Parameters and Body Composition in Adolescents with and without Intellectual Disability
Authors: Ungurean Bogdan Constantin , Cojocariu Adrian , Abalașei Beatrice Aurelia , Popescu Lucian
Published: February 2023

Compared to the tremendous volume of studies focusing on children and teenagers without disabilities, research regarding weight and body composition among young populations with an intellectual disability is relatively rare. Their number further decreases when we refer to specific age groups with intellectual deficits, such as children and adolescents younger than 18. In addition, studies are even scarcer when we wish to compare groups of subjects with different degrees of intellectual disability by gender. This study has a constative nature. The research sample comprises 212 subjects—girls and boys with an average age of 17.7 ± 0.2, divided into six groups by gender and type of intellectual disability. The parameters considered within the study include anthropometrical data and body composition determined using a professional device (Tanita MC 580 S). The findings of this study highlight the impact of intellectual disability on body composition in this age category. We hope it will help develop efficient strategies, recommendations, and intervention plans to ensure active participation in physical activities and categorisation within the optimal parameters of body composition indicators.
The Relationship between Attachment, Dyadic Adjustment, and Sexuality: A Comparison between Infertile Men and Women
Authors: Santona Alessandra , Vismara Laura , Gorla Laura , Tognasso Giacomo , Ambrosini Carolina , Luli Anisa , Rollè Luca
Published: February 2023

Infertility impacts several life dimensions. Among them, sexuality is particularly affected; yet studies have mainly focused on infertile women. We aimed to explore infertile men’s and women’s experiences in sexual satisfaction, internal control, and anxiety, and the relationship between attachment, dyadic adjustment, and sexuality. The sample consisted of 129 infertile people (47.3% females, 52.7% males, Mage = 39 years) who fulfilled an ad hoc questionnaire, the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ), the Experiences in Close Relationship-Revised (ECR-R), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). We found a significant effect of type of infertility and infertility factors on sexual anxiety only in infertile men. As regards infertile women, dyadic adjustment predicted sexual satisfaction, anxious attachment decreased sexual internal control, and avoidant attachment reduced sexual anxiety. As regards infertile men, high dyadic adjustment increased sexual satisfaction and a high avoidant attachment predicted high levels of sexual internal control. There was no relationship between attachment, dyadic adjustment, and sexual anxiety for infertile men. From the results, it emerges how important is to consider both dyadic adjustment and attachment in studying how infertility impacts women’s and men’s lives.
Systematic Review of Brain-Eating Amoeba: A Decade Update
Authors: Ahmad Zamzuri Mohd ‘Ammar Ihsan , Abd Majid Farah Nabila , Mihat Massitah , Ibrahim Siti Salwa , Ismail Muhammad , Abd Aziz Suriyati , Mohamed Zuraida , Rejali Lokman , Yahaya Hazlina , Abdullah Zulhizzam , Hassan Mohd Rohaizat , Dapari Rahmat , Mohd Isa Abd Majid
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare but lethal infection of the brain caused by a eukaryote called Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri). The aim of this review is to consolidate the recently published case reports of N. fowleri infection by describing its epidemiology and clinical features with the goal of ultimately disseminating this information to healthcare personnel. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and OVID databases until 31 December 2022 by two independent reviewers. All studies from the year 2013 were extracted, and quality assessments were carried out meticulously prior to their inclusion in the final analysis. Results: A total of 21 studies were selected for qualitative analyses out of the 461 studies extracted. The cases were distributed globally, and 72.7% of the cases succumbed to mortality. The youngest case was an 11-day-old boy, while the eldest was a 75-year-old. Significant exposure to freshwater either from recreational activities or from a habit of irrigating the nostrils preceded onset. The symptoms at early presentation included fever, headache, and vomiting, while late sequalae showed neurological manifestation. An accurate diagnosis remains a challenge, as the symptoms mimic bacterial meningitis. Confirmatory tests include the direct visualisation of the amoeba or the use of the polymerase chain reaction method. Conclusions: N. fowleri infection is rare but leads to PAM. Its occurrence is worldwide with a significant risk of fatality. The suggested probable case definition based on the findings is the acute onset of fever, headache, and vomiting with meningeal symptoms following exposure to freshwater within the previous 14 days. Continuous health promotion and health education activities for the public can help to improve knowledge and awareness prior to engagement in freshwater activities.
Indoor Environmental Comfort Assessment of Traditional Folk Houses: A Case Study in Southern Anhui, China
Authors: Pan Chao , Wu Yunfa , Chen Sarula , Yang Yang
Published: February 2023

Due to the unique geographical location and historical culture, the traditional houses in the southern region of Anhui Province, China (South Anhui) have different indoor environments. In summer and winter, this study adopted a field survey, questionnaire survey, and statistical analysis to carry out a comprehensive field survey on Xixinan Village in South Anhui, and selected a typical traditional residence in the village to evaluate its indoor environment status. The final results show that the overall indoor environment of the traditional houses in South Anhui was awful, including the indoor thermal environment, with high temperature and humidity in summer and cold and humidity in winter. Additionally, the indoor light environment with dim light still had much room for improvement, while the indoor air quality and sound environment were relatively excellent. In addition, this study determined that the neutral temperatures of residents are 15.5 °C and 28.7 °C in winter and summer, respectively, and the comfort range of indoor light intensity is 752.6–1252.5 lx, which determines the adjustment range of indoor environmental parameters for residents’ comfort needs. This paper’s research methods and results provide a reference for the study of residential indoor environments in other regions with similar climatic conditions as South Anhui, and a theoretical basis for architects and engineers to enhance the indoor environment of traditional houses in this region.
Pediatric Ventilation Skills by Non-Healthcare Students: Effectiveness, Self-Perception, and Preference
Authors: Martínez-Isasi Santiago , Jorge-Soto Cristina , Castro-Fernández Cecilia , Baltar-Lorenzo Clara , Sobrido-Prieto María , Manteiga-Urbón Jose , Barcala-Furelos Roberto
Published: February 2023

Since a great number of infant cardiopulmonary arrests occur outside of the hospital, it is crucial to train laypersons in cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques, especially those professionals that will work with infants and children. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efectiveness of ventilations performed by professional training students. The secondary objective was to analyze the preference between different ventilation and chest-compression methods. The sample consisted of 32 professional training students, 15 preschool students, and 17 physical education students. The activity was conducted separately for each group, and we provided a 10 min theoretical training about infant basic life support followed by a 45 min practical training using a Laerdal Little Anne QCPR CPR manikin. A practical test in pairs was organized to record the ventilation as performed by the participants, establishing the difference between the efficacious and the non-efficacious ones. Furthermore, we handed out a survey before and after training to evaluate their knowledge. More than 90% of the students completely agreed with the importance of learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques for their professional future. More than half of the sample considered that they perform the rescue breathings with the mouth-to-mouth method better. We observed that through mouth-to-mouth-nose ventilations, the number of effective ventilations was significantly higher than the effective ventilations provided by a self-inflating bag and mask (EffectiveMtoMN 6.42 ± 4.27 vs. EffectiveMask 4.75 ± 3.63 (p = 0.007)), which was the preferred method. In terms of the compression method, hands encircling the chest was preferred by more than 85% of students. Mouth-to-mouth nose ventilation is more efficient than bag-face-mask ventilation in CPR as performed by professional training and physical activity students. This fact must be considered to provide higher-quality training sessions to professional training students.
Management of Chronic Atrophic Candidiasis (Denture Stomatitis)—A Narrative Review
Authors: Abuhajar Eman , Ali Kamran , Zulfiqar Gulraiz , Al Ansari Khalifa , Raja Hina Zafar , Bishti Shaza , Anweigi Lamyia
Published: February 2023

One of the most common oral diseases affecting people wearing dentures is chronic atrophic candidiasis or denture stomatitis (DS). The aim of the paper is to provide an update on the pathogenesis, presentation, and management of DS in general dental practice settings. A comprehensive review of the literature published in the last ten years was undertaken using multiple databases, including PubMed via MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus. The eligible articles were analyzed to identify evidence-based strategies for the management of DS. Despite its multifactorial nature, the leading cause of DS is the development of oral Candida albicans biofilm, which is facilitated by poor oral and denture hygiene, long-term denture wear, ill-fitting dentures, and the porosity of the acrylic resin in the dentures. DS affects between 17 and 75% of the population wearing dentures, with a slight predominance in elderly females. The mucosal denture surfaces and posterior tongue are the common sites of DS, and the affected areas exhibit erythema, the swelling of the palatal mucosa and edema. Oral and denture hygiene protocols, adjusting or re-fabricating poorly adapting dentures, smoking cessation, avoiding nocturnal denture wear, and the administration of topical or systemic antifungals are the mainstay of management. Alternate treatments such as microwave disinfection, phytomedicine, photodynamic therapy, and incorporation of antifungals and nanoparticles into denture resins are being evaluated for the treatment of DS but require further evidence before routine use in clinical practice. In summary, DS is the most common oral inflammatory lesion experienced by denture wearers. Most patients with DS can be managed in general dental practice settings. Effective management by general dental practitioners may be supported by a thorough understanding of the pathogenesis, the recognition of the clinical presentation, and an awareness of contemporary treatment strategies.
Mini-Map Design Features as a Navigation Aid in the Virtual Geographical Space Based on Video Games
Authors: Zagata Krzysztof , Medyńska-Gulij Beata
Published: February 2023

The main objective of this study is to identify features of mini-map design as a navigational aid in the virtual geographical space in 100 popular video games for a computer platform. The following research methods were used: visual comparative analysis, classification and selection of cartographic material, comparison of specific parameters for selected features of design elements, and application of cartographic design rules and popularity of design solutions in video games. The study revealed eight features of mini-map design and their popular parameters and attributes in video games, with only one game meeting all conditions of popularity: projection: orthographic; centring: player-centred; base layers: artificial; shape: circle; orientation: camera view; position: bottom left; proportions: 2.1–3%; additional navigational element: north arrow. The key attributes of the mini-map’s features were captured, which, when considered separately, complementarily and potentially holistically, confirm the possibility of designing the mini-map according to traditional cartographic design principles. The identified parameters of the mini-map can be useful not only in the design of the game cartography interface, but also for other geomedia products.
Tyk2 Targeting in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Rusiñol Lluís , Puig Luis
Published: February 2023

The Janus kinase (Jak)/signal transducer and activating protein (STAT) pathways mediate the intracellular signaling of cytokines in a wide spectrum of cellular processes. They participate in physiologic and inflammatory cascades and have become a major focus of research, yielding novel therapies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). Genetic linkage has related dysfunction of Tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2)—the first member of the Jak family that was described—to protection from psoriasis. Furthermore, Tyk2 dysfunction has been related to IMID prevention, without increasing the risk of serious infections; thus, Tyk2 inhibition has been established as a promising therapeutic target, with multiple Tyk2 inhibitors under development. Most of them are orthosteric inhibitors, impeding adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding to the JH1 catalytic domain—which is highly conserved across tyrosine kinases—and are not completely selective. Deucravacitinib is an allosteric inhibitor that binds to the pseudokinase JH2 (regulatory) domain of Tyk2; this unique mechanism determines greater selectivity and a reduced risk of adverse events. In September 2022, deucravacitinib became the first Tyk2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. A bright future can be expected for Tyk2 inhibitors, with newer drugs and more indications to come.
Bovine Serum Albumin Interaction with Polyanionic and Polycationic Brushes: The Case Theoretical Study
Authors: Salamatova Tatiana O. , Zhulina Ekaterina B. , Borisov Oleg V.
Published: February 2023

We apply a coarse-grained self-consistent field Poisson-Boltzmann framework to study interaction between Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and a planar polyelectropyte brush. Both cases of negatively (polyanionic) and positively (polycationic) charged brushes are considered. Our theoretical model accounts for (1) re-ionization free energy of the amino acid residues upon protein insertion into the brush; (2) osmotic force repelling the protein globule from the brush; (3) hydrophobic interactions between non-polar areas on the globule surface and the brush-forming chains. We demonstrate that calculated position-dependent insertion free energy exhibits different patterns, corresponding to either thermodynamically favourable BSA absorption in the brush or thermodynamically or kinetically hindered absorption (expulsion) depending on the pH and ionic strength of the solution. The theory predicts that due to the re-ionization of BSA within the brush, a polyanionic brush can efficiently absorb BSA over a wider pH range on the “wrong side” of the isoelectric point (IEP) compared to a polycationic brush. The results of our theoretical analysis correlate with available experimental data and thus validate the developed model for prediction of the interaction patterns for various globular proteins with polyelectrolyte brushes.
Odorant-Binding and Chemosensory Proteins in Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Their Tissue Expression
Authors: Lechuga-Paredes Pablo , Segura-León Obdulia Lourdes , Cibrián-Tovar Juan , Torres-Huerta Brenda , Velázquez-González Julio César , Cruz-Jaramillo José Luis
Published: February 2023

The pepper weevil Anthonomus eugenii is one of the most damaging pests to the pepper crop. To offer alternative management strategies to insecticides, several studies have identified the semiochemicals that are involved in the pepper weevil’s aggregation and mating behavior; however, there is no information on its perireceptor molecular mechanism, to date. In this study, bioinformatics tools were used to functionally annotate and characterize the A. eugenii head transcriptome and their probable coding proteins. We identified twenty-two transcripts belonging to families related to chemosensory processes, seventeen corresponding to odorant-binding proteins (OBP), and six to chemosensory proteins (CSP). All results matched with closely related Coleoptera: Curculionidae homologous proteins. Likewise, twelve OBP and three CSP transcripts were experimentally characterized by RT-PCR in different female and male tissues. The results by sex and tissue display the different expression patterns of the AeugOBPs and AeugCSPs; some are present in both sexes and all tissues, while others show expressions with higher specificity, which suggests diverse physiological functions in addition to chemo-detection. This study provides information to support the understanding of odor perception in the pepper weevil.
Neddylation of EphB1 Regulates Its Activity and Associates with Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Li Rongxin , Zhang Dan , Han Yueqing , Chen Ke , Guo Weiran , Chen Yijun , Wang Shuzhen
Published: February 2023

Liver fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by the excessive synthesis and accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins (ECMs) contributed mainly by the activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Currently, no direct and effective anti-fibrotic agents have been approved for clinical use worldwide. Although the dysregulation of Eph receptor tyrosine kinase EphB2 has been reported to associate with the development of liver fibrosis, the involvement of other Eph family members in liver fibrosis remains underexplored. In this study, we found that the expression of EphB1 is significantly increased accompanying remarkable neddylation in activated HSCs. Mechanistically, this neddylation enhanced the kinase activity of EphB1 by the prevention of its degradation, thereby promoting the proliferation, migration, and activation of HSCs. Our findings revealed the involvement of EphB1 in the development of liver fibrosis through its neddylation, which provides new insights into the Eph receptor signaling and a potential target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Hyperoxidized Species of Heme Have a Potent Capacity to Induce Autoreactivity of Human IgG Antibodies
Authors: Wiatr Marie , Hadzhieva Maya , Lecerf Maxime , Noé Rémi , Justesen Sune , Lacroix-Desmazes Sébastien , Dragon-Durey Marie-Agnès , Dimitrov Jordan D.
Published: February 2023

The interaction of some human antibodies with heme results in posttranslational acquisition of binding to various self- and pathogen-derived antigens. The previous studies on this phenomenon were performed with oxidized heme (Fe3+). In the present study, we elucidated the effect of other pathologically relevant species of heme, i.e., species that were formed after contact of heme with oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, situations in which heme’s iron could acquire higher oxidation states. Our data reveal that hyperoxidized species of heme have a superior capacity to heme (Fe3+) in triggering the autoreactivity of human IgG. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that oxidation status of iron was of critical importance for the heme’s effect on antibodies. We also demonstrated that hyperoxidized heme species interacted at higher affinities with IgG and that this binding occurred through a different mechanism as compared to heme (Fe3+). Regardless of their profound functional impact on the antigen-binding properties of antibodies, hyperoxidized species of heme did not affect Fc-mediated functions of IgG, such as binding to the neonatal Fc receptor. The obtained data contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism of hemolytic diseases and of the origin of elevated antibody autoreactivity in patients with some hemolytic disorders.
Development of a CRISPRi Human Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Model for Functional Study of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Genes
Authors: Wang Jiang-Hui , Urrutia-Cabrera Daniel , Lees Jarmon G. , Mesa Mora Santiago , Nguyen Tu , Hung Sandy S. C. , Hewitt Alex W. , Lim Shiang Y. , Edwards Thomas L. , Wong Raymond C. B.
Published: February 2023

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a blinding disease characterised by dysfunction of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) which culminates in disruption or loss of the neurosensory retina. Genome-wide association studies have identified >60 genetic risk factors for AMD; however, the expression profile and functional role of many of these genes remain elusive in human RPE. To facilitate functional studies of AMD-associated genes, we developed a human RPE model with integrated CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) for gene repression by generating a stable ARPE19 cell line expressing dCas9-KRAB. We performed transcriptomic analysis of the human retina to prioritise AMD-associated genes and selected TMEM97 as a candidate gene for knockdown study. Using specific sgRNAs, we showed that knockdown of TMEM97 in ARPE19 reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and exerted a protective effect against oxidative stress-induced cell death. This work provides the first functional study of TMEM97 in RPE and supports a potential role of TMEM97 in AMD pathobiology. Our study highlights the potential for using CRISPRi to study AMD genetics, and the CRISPRi RPE platform generated here provided a useful in vitro tool for functional studies of AMD-associated genes.
Deletion of Annexin A1 in Mice Upregulates the Expression of Its Receptor, Fpr2/3, and Reactivity to the AnxA1 Mimetic Peptide in Platelets
Authors: Zharkova Olga , Salamah Maryam F. , Babak Maria V. , Rajan Elanchezhian , Lim Lina H. K. , Andrade Frans , Gil Cristiane D. , Oliani Sonia M. , Moraes Leonardo A. , Vaiyapuri Sakthivel
Published: February 2023

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is an endogenous protein, which plays a central function in the modulation of inflammation. While the functions of ANXA1 and its exogenous peptidomimetics, N-Acetyl 2-26 ANXA1-derived peptide (ANXA1Ac2-26), in the modulation of immunological responses of neutrophils and monocytes have been investigated in detail, their effects on the modulation of platelet reactivity, haemostasis, thrombosis, and platelet-mediated inflammation remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the deletion of Anxa1 in mice upregulates the expression of its receptor, formyl peptide receptor 2/3 (Fpr2/3, orthologue of human FPR2/ALX). As a result, the addition of ANXA1Ac2-26 to platelets exerts an activatory role in platelets, as characterised by its ability to increase the levels of fibrinogen binding and the exposure of P-selectin on the surface. Moreover, ANXA1Ac2-26 increased the development of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in whole blood. The experiments carried out using a pharmacological inhibitor (WRW4) for FPR2/ALX, and platelets isolated from Fpr2/3-deficient mice ascertained that the actions of ANXA1Ac2-26 are largely mediated through Fpr2/3 in platelets. Together, this study demonstrates that in addition to its ability to modulate inflammatory responses via leukocytes, ANXA1 modulates platelet function, which may influence thrombosis, haemostasis, and platelet-mediated inflammation under various pathophysiological settings.
Characterizing and Quenching Autofluorescence in Fixed Mouse Adrenal Cortex Tissue
Authors: Sakr Nawar , Glazova Olga , Shevkova Liudmila , Onyanov Nikita , Kaziakhmedova Samira , Shilova Alena , Vorontsova Maria V. , Volchkov Pavel
Published: February 2023

Tissue autofluorescence of fixed tissue sections is a major concern of fluorescence microscopy. The adrenal cortex emits intense intrinsic fluorescence that interferes with signals from fluorescent labels, resulting in poor-quality images and complicating data analysis. We used confocal scanning laser microscopy imaging and lambda scanning to characterize the mouse adrenal cortex autofluorescence. We evaluated the efficacy of tissue treatment methods in reducing the intensity of the observed autofluorescence, such as trypan blue, copper sulfate, ammonia/ethanol, Sudan Black B, TrueVIEWTM Autofluorescence Quenching Kit, MaxBlockTM Autofluorescence Reducing Reagent Kit, and TrueBlackTM Lipofuscin Autofluorescence Quencher. Quantitative analysis demonstrated autofluorescence reduction by 12–95%, depending on the tissue treatment method and excitation wavelength. TrueBlackTM Lipofuscin Autofluorescence Quencher and MaxBlockTM Autofluorescence Reducing Reagent Kit were the most effective treatments, reducing the autofluorescence intensity by 89–93% and 90–95%, respectively. The treatment with TrueBlackTM Lipofuscin Autofluorescence Quencher preserved the specific fluorescence signals and tissue integrity, allowing reliable detection of fluorescent labels in the adrenal cortex tissue. This study demonstrates a feasible, easy-to-perform, and cost-effective method to quench tissue autofluorescence and improve the signal-to-noise ratio in adrenal tissue sections for fluorescence microscopy.
Analysis of Electric Field Stimulation in Blue Light Stressed 661W Cells
Authors: Bola Sharanya , Subramanian Pallavi , Calzia Daniela , Dahl Andreas , Panfoli Isabella , Funk Richard H. W. , Roehlecke Cora
Published: February 2023

Though electrical stimulation is used as a therapeutic approach to treat retinal and spinal injuries, many protective mechanisms at cellular level have not been elucidated. We performed a detailed analysis of cellular events in blue light (Li) stressed 661W cells, which were subjected to direct current electric field (EF) stimulation. Our findings revealed that EF stimulation induced protective effects in 661W cells from Li-induced stress by multiple defense mechanisms, such as increase in mitochondrial activity, gain in mitochondrial potential, increase in superoxide levels, and the activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, all leading to an enhanced cell viability and decreased DNA damage. Here, our genetic screen results revealed the UPR pathway to be a promising target to ameliorate Li-induced stress by EF stimulation. Thus, our study is important for a knowledgeable transfer of EF stimulation into clinical application.
Sex-Inclined Piwi-Interacting RNAs in Serum Exosomes for Sex Determination in the Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili)
Authors: Deng Qiuxia , Zhao Na , Ru Xiaoying , Hao Ruijuan , Zhang Bo , Zhu Chunhua
Published: February 2023

The greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is a gonochoristic fish with no sexual dimorphism in appearance, making sex identification difficult. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) function in transposon silencing and gametogenesis and are involved in various physiological processes, including sex development and differentiation. Exosomal piRNAs can be indicators for the determination of sex and physiological status. In this study, four piRNAs were differentially expressed in both serum exosomes and gonads between male and female greater amberjack. Three piRNAs (piR-dre-32793, piR-dre-5797, and piR-dre-73318) were significantly up-regulated and piR-dre-332 was significantly down-regulated in serum exosomes and gonads of male fish, compared to female fish, consistent with the serum exosomal results. According to the relative expression of four marker piRNAs derived from the serum exosomes of greater amberjack, the highest relative expression of piR-dre-32793, piR-dre-5797, and piR-dre-73318 in seven female fish and that of piR-dre-332 in seven male fish can be used as the standard for sex determination. The method of sex identification can ascertain the sex of greater amberjack by blood collection from the living body, without sacrificing fish. The four piRNAs did not show sex-inclined expression in the hypothalamus, pituitary, heart, liver, intestine, and muscle tissue. A piRNA–target interaction network involving 32 piRNA-mRNA pairs was generated. Sex-related target genes were enriched in sex-related pathways, including oocyte meiosis, transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, and gonadotropin releasing hormone signaling pathway. These results provide a basis for sex determination in greater amberjack and improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying sex development and differentiation in the species.
Advances in Plant Epigenome Editing Research and Its Application in Plants
Authors: Qi Qiaoyun , Hu Bichun , Jiang Weiyu , Wang Yixiong , Yan Jinjiao , Ma Fengwang , Guan Qingmei , Xu Jidi
Published: February 2023

Plant epistatic regulation is the DNA methylation, non-coding RNA regulation, and histone modification of gene sequences without altering the genome sequence, thus regulating gene expression patterns and the growth process of plants to produce heritable changes. Epistatic regulation in plants can regulate plant responses to different environmental stresses, regulate fruit growth and development, etc. Genome editing can effectively improve plant genetic efficiency by targeting the design and efficient editing of genome-specific loci with specific nucleases, such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9). As research progresses, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been widely used in crop breeding, gene expression, and epistatic modification due to its high editing efficiency and rapid translation of results. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of CRISPR/Cas9 in epigenome editing and look forward to the future development direction of this system in plant epigenetic modification to provide a reference for the application of CRISPR/Cas9 in genome editing.
The Discovery of Ribosomal Protein bL31 from Escherichia coli: A Long Story Revisited
Authors: Wada Akira , Ueta Masami , Wada Chieko
Published: February 2023

Ribosomal protein bL31 in Escherichia coli was initially detected as a short form (62 amino acids) using Kaltschmidt and Wittmann’s two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE), but the intact form (70 amino acids) was subsequently identified by means of Wada’s improved radical-free and highly reducing (RFHR) 2D PAGE, which was consistent with the analysis of its encoding gene rpmE. Ribosomes routinely prepared from the K12 wild-type strain contained both forms of bL31. ΔompT cells, which lack protease 7, only contained intact bL31, suggesting that protease 7 cleaves intact bL31 and generates short bL31 during ribosome preparation from wild-type cells. Intact bL31 was required for subunit association, and its eight cleaved C-terminal amino acids contributed to this function. 70S ribosomes protected bL31 from cleavage by protease 7, but free 50S did not. In vitro translation was assayed using three systems. The translational activities of wild-type and ΔrpmE ribosomes were 20% and 40% lower than those of ΔompT ribosomes, which contained one copy of intact bL31. The deletion of bL31 reduces cell growth. A structural analysis predicted that bL31 spans the 30S and 50S subunits, consistent with its functions in 70S association and translation. It is important to re-analyze in vitro translation with ribosomes containing only intact bL31.
Lanthanides-Substituted Hydroxyapatite for Biomedical Applications
Authors: De Lama-Odría María del Carmen , Valle Luis J. del , Puiggalí Jordi
Published: February 2023

Lately, there has been an increasing demand for materials that could improve tissue regenerative therapies and provide antimicrobial effects. Similarly, there is a growing need to develop or modify biomaterials for the diagnosis and treatment of different pathologies. In this scenario, hydroxyapatite (HAp) appears as a bioceramic with extended functionalities. Nevertheless, there are certain disadvantages related to the mechanical properties and lack of antimicrobial capacity. To circumvent them, the doping of HAp with a variety of cationic ions is emerging as a good alterative due to the different biological roles of each ion. Among many elements, lanthanides are understudied despite their great potential in the biomedical field. For this reason, the present review focuses on the biological benefits of lanthanides and how their incorporation into HAp can alter its morphology and physical properties. A comprehensive section of the applications of lanthanides-substituted HAp nanoparticles (HAp NPs) is presented to unveil the potential biomedical uses of these systems. Finally, the need to study the tolerable and non-toxic percentages of substitution with these elements is highlighted.
A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study of ESR Hyperfine Coupling Constants for N,N,N’,N’-Tetrasubstituted p-Phenylenediamine Radical Cations
Authors: Gleeson Ronan , Andersen Cecilie L. , Rapta Peter , Machata Peter , Christensen Jørn B. , Hammerich Ole , Sauer Stephan P. A.
Published: February 2023

A test set of N,N,N’,N’-tetrasubstituted p-phenylenediamines are experimentally explored using ESR (electron spin resonance) spectroscopy and analysed from a computational standpoint thereafter. This computational study aims to further aid structural characterisation by comparing experimental ESR hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) with computed values calculated using ESR-optimised “J-style” basis sets (6-31G(d,p)-J, 6-31G(d,p)-J, 6-311++G(d,p)-J, pcJ-1, pcJ-2 and cc-pVTZ-J) and hybrid-DFT functionals (B3LYP, PBE0, TPSSh, ωB97XD) as well as MP2. PBE0/6-31g(d,p)-J with a polarised continuum solvation model (PCM) correlated best with the experiment, giving an R2 value of 0.8926. A total of 98% of couplings were deemed satisfactory, with five couplings observed as outlier results, thus degrading correlation values significantly. A higher-level electronic structure method, namely MP2, was sought to improve outlier couplings, but only a minority of couples showed improvement, whilst the remaining majority of couplings were negatively degraded.