bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Regency and City Pneumonia Clusters in West Java 2020
Authors: Yanti Yusma
Published: February 2023

Pneumonia is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The number of pneumonia cases in West Java is relatively high, therefore, it is necessary to identify some group of regencies/cities in which have a common characteristic, to make it easier to handle. The data used is data on the number of pneumonia cases in 27 regencies/cities in West Java in 2020. In this study, chi-squared test was applied to determine the characteristics of pneumonia spread in West Java. Then, a regression-based analysis by using the Irregular Graph Fused LASSO method was used to provide the cluster of regencies/cities, by considering the adjacent locations of regencies/cities as a penalty matrix. The results obtained that the cases spread unevenly. The number of cases for every 1000 people in each regency/city was relatively high in the eastern part of West Java. There were 6 clusters obtained from 27 regencies/cities, with Pangandaran regency as the location with the highest cases occurred. Depok City and Bekasi City were locations with the lowest number of cases even though they have relatively high population numbers.
Sentiment Analysis of Opinions on the Use of Devices in Students Using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) Method
Authors: Zuhri Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Sentiment Analysis is a field of science in analyzing a sentiment or opinion on a particular object or problem and the opinion can be divided into several purposes (classes) that lead to negative, neutral or positive opinions. Gadgets (gadgets) are human aids in many fields including work, entertainment, communication and information, the use of gadgets themselves encompasses all ages including school students who use gadgets excessively that affect the mental, physical and attitudes of users. Twitter social media is one of the social media that is used by the public in making opinions about the influence of gadgets, especially parents, these opinions are useful for other users in determining the granting of access rights and direction for children, especially students in using gadgets. Opinion classification is needed in making it easier for other users to see whether opinions from the influence of gadgets fall into the negative, neutral or positive classes. The method used in the classification of opinion is Support Vector Machine (SVM). The data used in this study amounted to 1354 taken in 2019 using web scraping techniques on the Twitter site which are then pre-processed so that it can be processed into the program and classified into 3 classes of sentiments, namely negative, neutral and positive sentiments. In finding the average value of accuracy in the distribution of training data and test data using k-fold cross validation of 10-fold produces an average value of 85.3%. Then testing is done to measure the performance of the SVM method using confusion matrix in the percentage of training data and different test data and produces the highest accuracy value of 83.3%.
Identification of Biometrics Using Fingerprint Minutiae Extraction Based on Crossing Number Method
Authors: Situmorang Boldson Herdianto
Published: February 2023

Biometrics based on fingerprint images is a self-recognition technique using fingerprint to represent a person's identity. Fingerprint is characteristic of someone's identity precisely and safely because there are no similarities and cannot be falsified. The purpose of this research is to develop a biometrics identification system based on fingerprint images by utilizing a cell phone camera for the acquisition of fingerprint images. This is based on its simplicity because almost everyone has a cell phone so that a person's identification system based on fingerprint can be used anytime and anywhere. The research was conducted using images generated from cell phone cameras with camera specifications of 2, 5 and 8 mega pixels. The method used in image processing consists of the minutiae crossing number method for the feature extraction process and the minutiae based matching method for the similarity measurement process. The results of the research concluded that cell phone cameras with specifications of 5 and 8 mega pixels can be used for the process of image acquisition in biometrics systems based on fingerprint. The feature extraction process of image results using the minutiae crossing number method and the match measurement process using the minutiae based matching method resulted in an accuracy value of 92.8% on a 5 mega pixel camera and 95.3% on an 8 mega pixel camera. The accuracy value depends on the results of the image acquisition stage, pre-processing, the threshold value in the identification process, and the number of images used in the training data in the database.
Re-inventing Paulo Freire
Authors: Muraca Mariateresa
Published: February 2023

The paper explores the importance of social movements as reinventors of Paulo Freire’s pedagogy and promoters of a radical popular education. It particularly focuses on the Movimento de Mulheres Camponesas (MMC) (Peasant Women’s Movement), which was founded in 2004 and is currently organised in eighteen Brazilian States. My reflections arise from a collaborative and multi-sited ethnography conducted with the Movement in the State of Santa Catarina, in the South of Brazil, between 2011 and 2015. In the light of this research, I will argue that the Freirean inspiration represents a path and a challenge for the MMC and is evident in its genealogy, struggles for education, political-educational methodologies and in the process of forming of militant subjectivities. On the other hand, I will argue that the Movement contributes to expanding Freire’s proposal to new themes, such as: feminist struggles and the environmental question.
Radical popular education today
Authors: Mayo Marjorie , Randford Fiona
Published: February 2023

Popular education is more needed than ever. The Covid 19 pandemic has been highlighting the challenges of widening inequalities, increasing exploitation and oppression, along with persistent xenophobia and violence against women and minority communities. Yet popular education faces threats of its own, and resources have been on the decline, precisely when they have become so urgently required in the contemporary context. Whilst acknowledging these threats, the article goes on to focus on some of the ways in which popular education initiatives have continued to be promoted despite these wider challenges. ‘The World Transformed’ (TWT) has provided evidence of just such initiatives in Britain.The conclusions of TWT’s research resonate with Paulo Freire’s own reflections in the final section of ‘The Pedagogy of Hope’. Despite the challenges he continued to look forward to the future with hope.
Maintaining deep roots
Authors: Grummell Bernie
Published: February 2023

This article explores on the formative influence of adult popular education in the evolution and continued ethos of adult literacy education in the Republic of Ireland. Freire’s work has been influential within Irish adult education and community development, informed by Freirean practices of learner-centredness, experiential learning and group learning. This stands in contrast to Further Education and Training system in which the adult literacy services are based, which has become increasingly professionalised in recent years, susceptible to the ideological values and practices of performativity. The article analyses the findings of research reports on adult literacy which used a mixed methods approach.  They reveal how the adult literacy sector holds important spaces for educators to counteract systemic pressures of performativity as they work with learners and their communities through the ethos and pedagogies of adult education, but this is constrained in its radical transformative possibilities.
Dialogic popular education in Spain and its impact on society, educational and social theory, and European research
Authors: Ruiz-Eugenio Laura , Tellado Itxaso , Valls-Carol Rosa , Gairal-Casadó Regina
Published: February 2023

Dialogic popular education developed by La Verneda-Sant Martí School for Adults in Spain, influenced by the work of Paulo Freire, has had a range of significant social and educational impacts. Starting with an emancipatory approach to eradicate oppression, this dialogic popular education resisted and has transformed aspects of the Spanish educational sphere despite ongoing hindrances and difficulties. This article presents a path of events, a history of interventions and findings from research on how dialogic popular education has affected and changed educational practices as well as how research is approached elsewhere in Europe. In addition, it presents ways in which a radical commitment to social change can be combined with scientific standards in the pursuit of achieving a better society for all.
Bibliometric and visualization analysis of stem cell therapy for meniscal regeneration from 2012 to 2022
Authors: Yang Zhen , Fan Zejun , Wang Du , Li Hui , He Zihao , Xing Dan , Lin Jianhao
Published: February 2023

Background: Meniscus injuries, a common joint disease caused by long-term wear, trauma and inflammation, usually cause chronic dysfunction and pain in the joint. Current clinical surgeries mainly aim to remove the diseased tissue to alleviate patient suffering instead of helping with meniscus regeneration. As an emerging treatment, stem cell therapy has been verified to facilitate meniscus regeneration effectively. The purpose of this study is to investigate the publication conditions of stem cell therapy for meniscal regeneration and to visualize the research trends and frontiers.

Methods: Relevant publications relevant to stem cells for meniscal regeneration was retrieved SCI-Expanded of the Web of Science database from 2012 to 2022. Research trends in the field were analysed and visualized by CiteSpace and VOSviewer.

Results: A total of 354 publications were collected and analysed. The United States contributed the largest number of publications (118, 34.104%). Tokyo Medical Dental University has contributed the largest number of publications (34) among all full-time institutions. Stem cell research therapy has published the largest number of researches on stem cells for meniscal regeneration (17). SEKIYA. I contributed the majority of publications in this field (31), while Horie, M was the most frequently cited authors (166). #1 tissue engineering, #2 articular cartilage, #3 anterior cruciate ligament, #4 regenerative medicine, #5 scaffold are the chief keywords. This indicates that the current research hotspot has been transformed from basic surgical research to tissue engineering.

Conclusion: Stem cell therapy is a promising therapeutic method for meniscus regeneration. This is the first visualized and bibliometric study to thoroughly construct the development trends and knowledge structure in the research field of stem cell therapy for meniscal regeneration in the past 10 years. The results thoroughly summarize and visualize the research frontiers, which will shed light on the research direction of stem cell therapy for meniscal regeneration.
Effects of antibiotics on the in vitro expression of tetracycline-off constructs and the performance of Drosophila suzukii female-killing strains
Authors: Yan Ying , Hosseini Bashir , Scheld Annemarie , Pasham Srilakshmi , Rehling Tanja , Schetelig Marc F.
Published: February 2023

Genetic control strategies such as the Release of Insects Carrying a Dominant Lethal (RIDL) gene and Transgenic Embryonic Sexing System (TESS) have been demonstrated in the laboratory and/or deployed in the field. These strategies are based on tetracycline-off (Tet-off) systems which are regulated by antibiotics such as Tet and doxycycline (Dox). Here, we generated several Tet-off constructs carrying a reporter gene cassette mediated by a 2A peptide. Different concentrations (0.1, 10, 100, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL) and types (Tet or Dox) of antibiotics were used to evaluate their effects on the expression of the Tet-off constructs in the Drosophila S2 cells. One or both of the two concentrations, 100 and 250 μg/mL, of Tet or Dox were used to check the influence on the performances of a Drosophila suzukii wild-type strain and female-killing (FK) strains employing TESS. Specifically, the Tet-off construct for these FK strains contains a Drosophila suzukii nullo promoter to regulate the tetracycline transactivator gene and a sex-specifically spliced pro-apoptotic gene hidAla4 to eliminate females. The results suggested that the in vitro expression of the Tet-off constructs was controlled by antibiotics in a dose-dependent manner. ELISA experiments were carried out identifying Tet at 34.8 ng/g in adult females that fed on food supplemented with Tet at 100 μg/mL. However, such method did not detect Tet in the eggs produced by antibiotic-treated flies. Additionally, feeding Tet to the parents showed negative impact on the fly development but not the survival in the next generation. Importantly, we demonstrated that under certain antibiotic treatments females could survive in the FK strains with different transgene activities. For the strain V229_M4f1 which showed moderate transgene activity, feeding Dox to fathers or mothers suppressed the female lethality in the next generation and feeding Tet or Dox to mothers generated long-lived female survivors. For the strain V229_M8f2 which showed weak transgene activity, feeding Tet to mothers delayed the female lethality for one generation. Therefore, for genetic control strategies employing the Tet-off system, the parental and transgenerational effects of antibiotics on the engineered lethality and insect fitness must be carefully evaluated for a safe and efficient control program.
A 3D cell culture system for bioengineering human neuromuscular junctions to model ALS
Authors: Massih Bita , Veh Alexander , Schenke Maren , Mungwa Simon , Seeger Bettina , Selvaraj Bhuvaneish T. , Chandran Siddharthan , Reinhardt Peter , Sterneckert Jared , Hermann Andreas , Sendtner Michael , Lüningschrör Patrick
Published: February 2023

The signals that coordinate and control movement in vertebrates are transmitted from motoneurons (MNs) to their target muscle cells at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Human NMJs display unique structural and physiological features, which make them vulnerable to pathological processes. NMJs are an early target in the pathology of motoneuron diseases (MND). Synaptic dysfunction and synapse elimination precede MN loss suggesting that the NMJ is the starting point of the pathophysiological cascade leading to MN death. Therefore, the study of human MNs in health and disease requires cell culture systems that enable the connection to their target muscle cells for NMJ formation. Here, we present a human neuromuscular co-culture system consisting of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived MNs and 3D skeletal muscle tissue derived from myoblasts. We used self-microfabricated silicone dishes combined with Velcro hooks to support the formation of 3D muscle tissue in a defined extracellular matrix, which enhances NMJ function and maturity. Using a combination of immunohistochemistry, calcium imaging, and pharmacological stimulations, we characterized and confirmed the function of the 3D muscle tissue and the 3D neuromuscular co-cultures. Finally, we applied this system as an in vitro model to study the pathophysiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and found a decrease in neuromuscular coupling and muscle contraction in co-cultures with MNs harboring ALS-linked SOD1 mutation. In summary, the human 3D neuromuscular cell culture system presented here recapitulates aspects of human physiology in a controlled in vitro setting and is suitable for modeling of MND.
Morphological and genomic characteristics of two novel actinomycetes, Ornithinimicrobium sufpigmenti sp. nov. and Ornithinimicrobium faecis sp. nov. isolated from bat faeces (Rousettus leschenaultia and Taphozous perforates)
Authors: Huang Yuyuan , Zhang Suping , Tao Yuanmeihui , Yang Jing , Lu Shan , Jin Dong , Pu Ji , Luo Wenbo , Zheng Han , Liu Liyun , Jiang Jia-fu , Xu Jianguo
Published: February 2023

Four Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-motile, circle-shaped bacteria were isolated from the faeces of bats (Rousettus leschenaultia and Taphozous perforates) collected from Guangxi autonomous region (E106°49′20″, N22°20′54″) and Yunnan province (E102°04′39″, N25°09′10″) of South China. Strains HY006T and HY008 shared highly 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to those of Ornithinimicrobium pratense W204T (99.3%) and O. flavum CPCC 203535T (97.3%), while the strains HY1745 and HY1793T were closest to the type strains O. ciconiae H23M54T (98.7%), O. cavernae CFH 30183T (98.3%), and O. murale 01-Gi-040T (98.1%). Furthermore, when compared to the other members of the genus Ornithinimicrobium, the digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values of the four novel strains were within the ranges of 19.6–33.7% and 70.6–87.4%, respectively, both of which were below the respective recommended cutoff values of 70.0% and 95–96%. Significantly, strain HY006T was resistant to chloramphenicol and linezolid whereas strain HY1793T was resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin (intermediately), and levofloxacin (intermediately). The main cellular fatty acids (>20.0%) of our isolates were iso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0. Strains HY006T and HY1793T contained ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid, also along with the alanine, glycine and glutamic acid in their cell wall. Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses, these four strains could be classified as two novel species of the genus Ornithinimicrobium, for which the names Ornithinimicrobium sufpigmenti sp. nov. and Ornithinimicrobium faecis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are HY006T (=CGMCC 1.16565T =JCM 33397T) and HY1793T (=CGMCC 1.19143T =JCM 34881T), respectively.
Case report: Percoronary device closure of tortuous coronary artery fistula into left atrium
Authors: Sun Shi-Bin , Kong Zhongzheng , Farhaj Zeeshan , Hongxin Li
Published: February 2023

Surgical ligation and transcatheter occlusion are the mainstream for the treatment of coronary artery fistulas (CAFs). However, these techniques applied to tortuous and aneurysmal CAF, especially those draining into left-heart, have their known drawbacks. We report, a successful percoronary device closure of such CAF, originating from left main coronary artery and draining into left atrium, through a left subaxillary minithoracotomy. Through a puncture on the distal straight course, we occluded CAF exclusively under transesophageal echocardiography guidance. Complete occlusion was achieved. It’s a simple, safe, and effective alternative for tortuous, large, and aneurysmal CAFs draining into the left heart.
Meta-analysis of the characteristic expression of circulating microRNA in type 2 diabetes mellitus with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Hu Feifei , Liu Lei , Liu Zhijian , Cao Mingfeng , Li Guanghong , Zhang Xinhuan
Published: February 2023

Objective

To comprehensively evaluate the characteristics of the circulating microRNA expression profile in type 2 diabetic patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease by systematic evaluation and meta-analysis.

Methods

The literatures up to March 2022 related to circulating microRNA and acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus were searched and screened from multiple databases. The NOS quality assessment scale was used to evaluate methodological quality. Heterogeneity tests and statistical analyses of all data were performed by Stata 16.0. The differences in microRNA levels between groups were illustrated by the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results

A total of 49 studies on 12 circulating miRNAs were included in this study, including 486 cases of type 2 diabetes complicated with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease and 855 controls. Compared with the control group (T2DM group), miR-200a, miR-144, and miR-503 were upregulated and positively correlated with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Their comprehensive SMD and 95% CI were 2.71 (1.64~3.77), 5.77 (4.28~7.26) and 0.73 (0.27~1.19), respectively. MiR-126 was downregulated and negatively correlated with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, its comprehensive SMD and 95% CI were -3.64 (-5.56~-1.72).

Conclusion

In type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease, the expression of serum miR-200a, miR-503, plasma and platelet miR-144 was upregulated and the expression of serum miR-126 was downregulated. It may have diagnostic value in the early identification of type 2 diabetes mellitus with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
A clinical observation study on the effect of needle-free insulin syringe on blood glucose control and well-being index in patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Jin Xiaolong , Sun Qiuying , Yue Chenying , Han Junming , Zhou Xinli , Guan Qingbo , Zhang Xu
Published: February 2023

Objective

To explore the effect of using needle-free insulin syringe on blood sugar control and well-being index in patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A total of 42 patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin aspart 30 injection in a stable condition in the Endocrinology Department of a tertiary hospital from January 2020 to July 2021 were randomly divided into two groups, one group received insulin pen injections followed by needle-free injections, and the other group received needle-free injections followed by insulin pen injections. Transient scanning glucose monitoring was performed during the last two weeks of each injection modality phase. Comparison of the two injection methods in terms of test indicators and differences in injection site pain scores, the number of red spots on the skin at the injection site and the number of bleeding spots on the skin at the injection site.

Results

The FBG of the needle-free injection group was lower than that of the Novo Pen group (p<0.05); the 2-hour postprandial blood glucose of the needle-free injection group was lower than that of the Novo Pen group, but there was no statistical significant difference. The amount of Insulin in the needle-free injector group was lower than that in the Novo pen group, but there was no statistical significant difference between the two groups. The WHO-5 score of the needle-free injector group was higher than that of the Novo Pen group(p<0.05); the pain score at the injection site was lower than that of the Novo Pen group (p<0.05). The number of skin red spots using the needle-free syringe was more than that of the Novo pen group(p<0.05); the number of skin bleeding at the site of injection was similar between the two injection methods.

Conclusion

Compared to traditional insulin pens, subcutaneous injection of premixed insulin using a needle-free syringe is effective in controlling fasting blood glucose in patients with early onset type 2 diabetes and is less painful at the injection site. In addition, blood glucose monitoring should be strengthened and insulin dosage should be adjusted in a timely manner.
A sliding mode frequency control scheme for wind turbines participating in frequency regulation support in power systems
Authors: Lu Dingwen , Ren Zhihong , Yang Jianwei
Published: February 2023

With high penetration of wind power, the apparent inertia of power systems is decreased, which seriously affects the safety and stability of the system frequency. Therefore, a novel sliding mode frequency control (SMFC) scheme is proposed for the wind turbines participating in frequency regulation support (FRS) in power systems, which can significantly improve the dynamic characteristics of the system frequency. At first, a power system frequency response model considering wind turbines participation in FRS is derived. In this model, the load disturbance, wind power disturbance and synchronous generator frequency regulation dynamics are combined as a lumped disturbance. Then, the design of the proposed SMFC scheme, which combines the super-twisting sliding-mode disturbance observer (STSMDO) with the super-twisting sliding-mode frequency controller (STSMFC), is introduced. The proposed STSMFC has ability to tune the system dynamics easily by choosing suitable sliding surface matrix via eigenvalue assignment method or optimal sliding manifold design. In such a frequency control scheme, the stability of the system frequency is guaranteed by the STSMFC, whereas the STSMDO is employed to estimate the lumped disturbance. Finally, numerical simulations verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed SMFC scheme.
The impact of sports industry agglomeration on the high-quality development of green energy
Authors: Luo Min , Chen Lingming
Published: February 2023

As China’s economy has transitioned, the energy industry has developed rapidly. The government is promoting a revolution in energy production and consumption and building a green, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system. The high-quality development of green energy has become an essential part of high-quality economic development. This paper constructs a high-quality green energy development indicator system from three aspects: green energy production, green energy output and pollution output. Then, the entropy weight method is used to measure the high-quality development level of inter-provincial green energy in China from 2010 to 2018. Moreover, the characteristics of regional differences and time evolution are deeply analyzed. Based on this, the impact of sports industry agglomeration on the high-quality development of green energy is verified. The results show that the aggregation of the sports industry can increase the level of high-quality development of green energy, and different regions have heterogeneous characteristics. Finally, based on the research conclusions, this paper puts forward some policy recommendations for promoting high-quality energy development in China.
Elevation, aspect, and habitat heterogeneity determine plant diversity and compositional patterns in the Kashmir Himalaya
Authors: Wani Zishan A. , Negi Vikram S. , Bhat Jahangeer A. , Satish K. V. , Kumar Ashish , Khan Sajid , Dhyani Rupesh , Siddiqui Sazada , Al-Qthanin Rahmah N. , Pant Shreekar
Published: February 2023

Elevational gradient, slope, and aspect offer a unique opportunity to explore the response of plant species under changing environmental conditions. The present study aimed to analyze the species diversity and distribution patterns with respect to altitude, aspect, and habitat types in the Kashmir Himalayas. Considering major aspects and habitats, a total of 123 representative sites were selected along the elevational gradients for the present study. The plant species composition of each selected site was studied by organized sampling following the standard ecological methods. During the present study, a total of 361 vascular plant species belonging to 71 families and 214 genera were identified in the study area. At the lower altitudes, the southern aspect and drier habitats showed the highest diversity. Moreover, a significant amount of compositional dissimilarity was observed between the studied aspects, habitats, and elevation belts and was mainly due to species turnover rather than the nestedness component. Further, among the studied variables, altitude was the most important contributing variable, explaining the greatest variation in the species composition. The paired effects of altitude and habitat explained the maximum variation in plant species composition. It may be concluded that floristic diversity should be studied not only with reference to elevational gradients but should also include aspects and habitats. The current study will act as a reference in this direction. A similar study must be replicated in other parts of the Himalayan region in the future to improve our understanding of the distribution and preferences of plant species in mountainous zones. This, in turn, will be immensely helpful in the conservation and sustainable utilization of resources in these ecologically fragile regions.
The immunoregulatory effect of the TREM2-agonist Sulfavant A in human allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction
Authors: Barra Giusi , Gallo Carmela , Carbone Dalila , Ziaco Marcello , Dell’Isola Mario , Affuso Mario , Manzo Emiliano , Nuzzo Genoveffa , Fioretto Laura , D’Ippolito Giuliana , De Palma Raffaele , Fontana Angelo
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Sulfavant A (SULF A) is a synthetic derivative of naturally occurring sulfolipids. The molecule triggers TREM2-related maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and has shown promising adjuvant activity in a cancer vaccine model.

Methods

the immunomodulatory activity of SULF A is tested in an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay based on monocyte-derived dendritic cells and naïve T lymphocytes from human donors. Flow cytometry multiparametric analyses and ELISA assays were performed to characterize the immune populations, T cell proliferation, and to quantify key cytokines.

Results

Supplementation of 10 µg/mL SULF A to the co-cultures induced DCs to expose the costimulatory molecules ICOSL and OX40L and to reduce release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-12. After 7 days of SULF A treatment, T lymphocytes proliferated more and showed increased IL-4 synthesis along with downregulation of Th1 signals such as IFNγ, T-bet and CXCR3. Consistent with these findings, naïve T cells polarized toward a regulatory phenotype with up-regulation of FOXP3 expression and IL-10 synthesis. Flow cytometry analysis also supported the priming of a CD127-/CD4+/CD25+ subpopulation positive for ICOS, the inhibitory molecule CTLA-4, and the activation marker CD69.

Discussion

These results prove that SULF A can modulate DC-T cell synapse and stimulate lymphocyte proliferation and activation. In the hyperresponsive and uncontrolled context of the allogeneic MLR, the effect is associated to differentiation of regulatory T cell subsets and dampening of inflammatory signals.
Integration of Candida albicans-induced single-cell gene expression data and secretory protein concentrations reveal genetic regulators of inflammation
Authors: Boahen Collins K. , Oelen Roy , Le Kieu , Netea Mihai G. , Franke Lude , Wijst Monique G.P. van der , Kumar Vinod
Published: February 2023

Both gene expression and protein concentrations are regulated by genetic variants. Exploring the regulation of both eQTLs and pQTLs simultaneously in a context- and cell-type dependent manner may help to unravel mechanistic basis for genetic regulation of pQTLs. Here, we performed meta-analysis of Candida albicans-induced pQTLs from two population-based cohorts and intersected the results with Candida-induced cell-type specific expression association data (eQTL). This revealed systematic differences between the pQTLs and eQTL, where only 35% of the pQTLs significantly correlated with mRNA expressions at single cell level, indicating the limitation of eQTLs use as a proxy for pQTLs. By taking advantage of the tightly co-regulated pattern of the proteins, we also identified SNPs affecting protein network upon Candida stimulations. Colocalization of pQTLs and eQTLs signals implicated several genomic loci including MMP-1 and AMZ1. Analysis of Candida-induced single cell gene expression data implicated specific cell types that exhibit significant expression QTLs upon stimulation. By highlighting the role of trans-regulatory networks in determining the abundance of secretory proteins, our study serve as a framework to gain insights into the mechanisms of genetic regulation of protein levels in a context-dependent manner.
New insights on the systematics of echinoids belonging to the family Spatangidae Gray, 1825 using a combined approach based on morphology, morphometry, and genetics
Authors: Stara Paolo , Melis Riccardo , Bellodi Andrea , Follesa Maria Cristina , Corradini Carlo , Carugati Laura , Mulas Antonello , Sibiriu Michela , Cannas Rita
Published: February 2023

Spatangoids are probably the least resolved group within echinoids, with known topological incongruencies between phylogenies derived from molecular (very scarce) and morphological data. The present work, based on the analysis of 270 specimens of Spatangidae (Echinoidea, Spatangoida) trawled in the Sardinian seas (Western Mediterranean), allowed us to verify the constancy of some characters that we consider to be diagnostic at the genus level —such as the path of the subanal fasciole and the relationship between labrum and adjacent ambulacral plates —and to distinguish two distinct forms within the studied material. Based on morphological characters, morphometrics, and molecular analyses (sequencing of two mitochondrial markers: cytochrome c oxidase subunit1 (COI) and 16S), most of the individuals were classified as morphotype A and attributed to the species Spatangus purpureus, the most common spatangoid in the Mediterranean Sea, while a few corresponded to a different morphotype (B), genetically close to the species Spatangus raschi. Preliminary morphological analyses seemed to indicate that morphotype B specimens from Sardinia are slightly different from S. raschi and from Spatangus subinermis individuals, the second species of the family known to occur in the Mediterranean Sea. On the basis of morpho-structural observations and molecular analyses, comparing Mediterranean living forms with species from other areas (Central Eastern Atlantic, North Sea and neighboring basins, South African Sea, Philippines and Indonesian Archipelago, New Zealand, and Hawaiian Islands), the clear distinction of S. purpureus from several other species classified as Spatangus was confirmed. Based on the morphological and genetic differences, we propose to maintain the genus Spatangus including in it only the type species S. purpureus among the living species and to establish the new genus Propespatagus nov. gen. to include several other species previously classified as Spatangus. The clear distinction among different genera was also detected in fossil forms of Spatangus, Propespatagus nov. gen., and Sardospatangus (†) from the European Oligo-Miocene sedimentary rocks of Germany; the Miocene of Ukraine, Italy, and North Africa; the Plio-Pleistocene of Italy; and the Mio-Pliocene of Florida (USA). The new data can help in addressing taxonomic ambiguities within echinoids, as well as in improving species identification, and hence biodiversity assessments in the Mediterranean region.
Association between number of hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions and neurocognitive outcomes of acute carbon monoxide poisoning
Authors: Lee Je Seop , Cha Yong Sung , Lim Jihye
Published: February 2023

Background

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) is recommended for symptomatic patients within 24 h of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Currently, there is no consensus on the number of HBO2 sessions within 24 h after arrival at the hospital. Therefore, we evaluated differences in the therapeutic effects according to the number of HBO2 sessions in acute CO poisoning.

Methods

This cohort study included data collected from our CO poisoning registry and prospective cohorts between January 2006 and August 2021 in a single academic medical center in South Korea. Based on the number of HBO2 sessions performed within 24 h, we classified patients into one- and multiple- (two or three) session groups. We also compared mild (non-invasive mechanical ventilation) and severe (invasive mechanical ventilation) groups. CO-related neurocognitive outcomes were measured using the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS; stages: 1–7) combined with neurological impairment at 1 month after poisoning. We classified GDS stages as favorable (1–3 stages) and poor (4–7 stages) neurocognitive outcomes. Patients belonging to a favorable group based on GDS assessment, but with observable neurological impairment, were assigned to the poor outcome group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to adjust for age, sex, and related variables to identify statistical differences between groups.

Results

We analyzed the data of 537 patients between ages 16 and 70 years treated with HBO2. After PSM, there was no significant difference in neurocognitive outcomes at 1 month among the two groups of patients (p = 0.869). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in neurocognitive outcomes between invasive mechanical ventilation and non-invasive mechanical ventilation patients in the three groups (p = 0.389 and p = 0.295).

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in the reduction of poor neurocognitive outcomes according to the number of HBO2 sessions implemented within 24 h of CO exposure.
Practical aspects of the diagnosis and management of pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Chen Bo , Li Wei , Qu Bin
Published: February 2023

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare autoinflammatory ulcerative neutrophilic skin disease. Its clinical presentation is a rapidly progressing painful skin ulcer with ill-defined borders and surrounding erythema. The pathogenesis of PG is complex and not fully understood. Clinically, patients with PG often have various systemic diseases, the most common being inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and arthritis. Due to the lack of specific biological markers, diagnosing PG remains difficult, which easily resulting in misdiagnosis. Some validated diagnostic criteria have been applied in clinical practice that facilitate its diagnosis. The treatment of PG currently consists mainly of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agents, especially biological agents, which have bright prospects for PG therapy. After the systemic inflammatory response is controlled, the problem of wounds becomes the main contradiction in PG treatment. Surgery is not controversial for PG, increasing evidence shows that with adequate systemic treatment, the benefits of reconstructive surgery for patients are increasing.
The relationship between shifts in the rhizosphere microbial community and root rot disease in a continuous cropping American ginseng system
Authors: Bi Yan-Meng , Zhang Xi-Mei , Jiao Xiao-Lin , Li Jun-Fei , Peng Na , Tian Gei-Lin , Wang Yi , Gao Wei-Wei
Published: February 2023

The root rot disease causes a great economic loss, and the disease severity usually increases as ginseng ages. However, it is still unclear whether the disease severity is related to changes in microorganisms during the entire growing stage of American ginseng. The present study examined the microbial community in the rhizosphere and the chemical properties of the soil in 1–4-year-old ginseng plants grown in different seasons at two different sites. Additionally, the study investigated ginseng plants' root rot disease index (DI). The results showed that the DI of ginseng increased 2.2 times in one sampling site and 4.7 times in another during the 4 years. With respect to the microbial community, the bacterial diversity increased with the seasons in the first, third, and fourth years but remained steady in the second year. The seasonal changing of relative abundances of bacteria and fungi showed the same trend in the first, third, and fourth years but not in the second year. Linear models revealed that the relative abundances of Blastococcus, Symbiobacterium, Goffeauzyma, Entoloma, Staphylotrichum, Gymnomyces, Hirsutella, Penicillium and Suillus spp. were negatively correlated with DI, while the relative abundance of Pandoraea, Rhizomicrobium, Hebeloma, Elaphomyces, Pseudeurotium, Fusarium, Geomyces, Polyscytalum, Remersonia, Rhizopus, Acremonium, Paraphaeosphaeria, Mortierella, and Metarhizium spp. were positively correlated with DI (P < 0.05). The Mantel test showed that soil chemical properties, including available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, organic matter, and pH, were significantly correlated to microbial composition. The contents of available potassium and nitrogen were positively correlated with DI, while pH and organic matter were negatively correlated with DI. In summary, we can deduce that the second year is the key period for the shift of the American ginseng rhizosphere microbial community. Disease aggravation after the third year is related to the deterioration of the rhizosphere microecosystem.
Early flora colonization affects intestinal immunoglobulin G uptake in piglets, which may be mediated by NF-κB-FcRn pathway
Authors: Peng Fang , Zhang Haihan , He Xi , Song Zehe
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The passive immunity of newborn piglets is mainly derived from immunoglobulin G (IgG) in breast milk, and the incomplete transfer of passive immune is considered to be an important cause of piglet death. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of early intestinal flora colonization on IgG uptake and its possible mechanism.

Methods

The newborn piglets and IPEC-J2 cells were used to investigate the possible factors and regulatory mechanisms affecting intestinal IgG uptake. In vivo, all 40 piglets were euthanized on postnatal d 0, 1, 3, and 7, with 10 piglets per time. The blood sample, gastric contents, jejunal contents and mucosa were collected for analysis. In vitro, IPEC-J2 cells transwell culture system was used to establish the IgG transporter model to explore the specific regulatory mechanism of IgG transport.

Results

Our results demonstrated that the intestinal IgG uptake was positively correlated with the expression of Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). With the increase of age, the intestinal flora of newborn piglets was gradually enriched. The function of intestinal genes also changes with the colonization of intestinal flora. We found that the expression trend of TLR2, TLR4 and NF-κB (P65) in intestine was consistent with that of FcRn. Furthermore, the in vitro results demonstrate that the NF-κB signaling pathway is involved in regulating FcRn-mediated IgG transmembrane transport.

Discussion

Early flora colonization affects intestinal IgG uptake in piglets, which may be mediated by NF-κB-FcRn pathway.
Analyzing risky behaviors among different minority and majority race in teenagers in the USA using latent classes
Authors: Aslam Zeeshan , Asim Muhammad , Javaid Iqra , Rasheed Faisal , Akhter Muhammad Naveed
Published: February 2023

Objective: This study is to ascertain any inconsistencies in the trend of co-occurrence by sex of teenage health risk behavior patterns such as smoking, behaviors contributing to deliberate and unintentional injuries, risky sexual behavior, and sedentary lifestyle.

Methods: The study’s purpose was accomplished using Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) 2013 data. A Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was conducted for the entire sample of teenagers as well as separately for each sex.

Results: In this subset of youths, marijuana use was acknowledged by more than half of them, and smoking cigarettes was far more likely. More than half of the individuals in this subset engaged in risky sexual practices, like not using a condom during their most recent encounter. Males were split into three categories based on their involvement in risky behavior, while females were split into four subgroups.

Conclusion: Regardless of gender, various risk behaviors among teenagers are connected. However, gender variations in the higher risk of particular trends, such as mood disorders and depression among females, underline the significance of creating treatments that take adolescent demographics into account.
Case report: Peripheral nerve stimulation relieves post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain and secondary hemifacial dystonia
Authors: Li Junchi , Li Yongjie , Shu Wei
Published: February 2023

Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain (PTNP) combined with secondary dystonia are rare sequelae of orofacial injury and often do not respond to conservative treatment. The consensus on treatment for both symptoms is yet to be standardized. This study reports the case of a 57-year-old male patient with left orbital trauma who developed PTNP immediately after the injury and secondary hemifacial dystonia 7 months thereafter. To treat his neuropathic pain, we performed peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) using a percutaneously implanted electrode to the ipsilateral supraorbital notch along the brow arch, which instantly resolved the patient's pain and dystonia. PTNP was relieved in a satisfactory manner until 18 months after the surgery, despite a gradual recurrence of the dystonia since 6 months after the surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of PNS used for the treatment of PTNP combined with dystonia. This case report highlights the potential benefits of PNS in relieving neuropathic pain and dystonia and discusses the underlying therapeutic mechanism. Moreover, this study suggests that secondary dystonia occurs due to the uncoordinated integration of afferent sensory and efferent motor information. The findings of the present study indicate that PNS should be considered for patients with PTNP following the failure of conservative treatment. Secondary hemifacial dystonia may benefit from PNS upon further research and long-term assessment.
Stroke risk prediction by color Doppler ultrasound of carotid artery-based deep learning using Inception V3 and VGG-16
Authors: Su Shan-Shan , Li Li-Ya , Wang Yi , Li Yuan-Zhe
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to automatically classify color Doppler images into two categories for stroke risk prediction based on the carotid plaque. The first category is high-risk carotid vulnerable plaque, and the second is stable carotid plaque.

Method

In this research study, we used a deep learning framework based on transfer learning to classify color Doppler images into two categories: one is high-risk carotid vulnerable plaque, and the other is stable carotid plaque. The data were collected from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, including stable and vulnerable cases. A total of 87 patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis in our hospital were selected. We used 230 color Doppler ultrasound images for each category and further divided those into the training set and test set in a ratio of 70 and 30%, respectively. We have implemented Inception V3 and VGG-16 pre-trained models for this classification task.

Results

Using the proposed framework, we implemented two transfer deep learning models: Inception V3 and VGG-16. We achieved the highest accuracy of 93.81% by using fine-tuned and adjusted hyperparameters according to our classification problem.

Conclusion

In this research, we classified color Doppler ultrasound images into high-risk carotid vulnerable and stable carotid plaques. We fine-tuned pre-trained deep learning models to classify color Doppler ultrasound images according to our dataset. Our suggested framework helps prevent incorrect diagnoses caused by low image quality and individual experience, among other factors.