bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multifunctional (-)-Meptazinol-Serotonin Hybrid Ameliorates Oxidative Stress-Associated Apoptotic Neuronal Death and Memory Deficits via Activating the Nrf2/Antioxidant Enzyme Pathway
Authors: Zhao Faxue , Zhao Lin , Zhou Yan , Tan Xiaofang , Yang Yang , Ni Wenwen , Zheng Wei , Chen Hongzhuan , Qiu Yu , Li Juan
Published: February 2023

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves multiple pathophysiological processes. Oxidative stress is a major cause of AD-associated neuronal injury. The current research was designed to examine whether a novel (-)-meptazinol-serotonin hybrid (Mep-S) with potent antioxidant activity and additional inhibitory properties for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity could attenuate oxidative neuronal damage and cognitive deficits. In human SH-SY5Y cells, Mep-S suppressed H2O2-induced apoptosis by restoring mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibiting caspase-3 activation. Meanwhile, it attenuated oxidative stress elicited by H2O2 through lessening generation of reactive oxygen species as well as enhancing production of glutathione (GSH) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Mechanistically, Mep-S promoted nuclear translocation of a transcription factor nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) in H2O2-challenged cells. This effect was accompanied by reduction in Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1) levels as well as augmentation of Akt phosphorylation and expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1). Molecular docking analysis revealed that Mep-S may disrupt the protein-protein interactions between Keap1 and Nrf2. In an in vivo mouse model, Mep-S attenuated scopolamine-caused cognitive deficits with inhibition of apoptotic neuronal death and brain AChE activity. Furthermore, the scopolamine-induced impairment of total antioxidant capacity and reduction in SOD1, SOD2, and γ-glutamate-cysteine ligase expression in the brain were counteracted by Mep-S, accompanied by decreased Keap1 levels, increased Akt catalytic subunit and Nrf2 phosphorylation, and decreased Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 expression. Collectively, our results suggest that Mep-S ameliorates apoptotic neuronal death and memory dysfunction associated with oxidative stress by regulating the Nrf2/antioxidant enzyme pathway through inactivating Keap1 and phosphorylating Nrf2 via Akt activation. Therefore, Mep-S may be a potential lead for multitarget neuroprotective agents to treat AD-like symptoms.
Evaluation and Analysis of Elderly Mental Health Based on Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Li Xiao
Published: February 2023

Objective. The purpose is to understand the depression status of the elderly in the community, explore its influencing factors, formulate a comprehensive psychological intervention plan according to the influencing factors, implement demonstration psychological intervention, and evaluate and feedback the effect, so as to provide a reference for improving the mental health of the elderly. Method. In order to make the output of different emotional data in LSTM more discriminative, a method to dynamically filter the output of LSTM is proposed. Combining the methods of Attention-LSTM, time-dimensional AI attention, and feature-dimensional AI attention, the best model in this paper is obtained. The multistage stratified cluster sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey on the elderly aged 60 and above in a certain area, including the general demographic characteristics questionnaire of the elderly, the self-rating scale of mental health symptoms, and the health self-management ability of adults. All data were entered into a database using Excel software, and SPSS 19.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis. Results/Discussion. The detection rate of depression (

GDS
≥
11

points) among the elderly in a community in a certain area was 39.38%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that family history of mental illness, more negative life events, decreased ability of daily living, living alone, and suffering from physical diseases in the past six months were the risk factors for depression in the elderly. Community health education can partially alleviate depression in the elderly. The detection rate and degree of depression of the elderly in the comprehensive psychological intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

).
Self‐Healing Supramolecular Hydrogels with Antibacterial Abilities for Wound Healing
Authors: Hong Zhiwu , Wu Lei , Zhang Zherui , Zhang Jinpeng , Ren Huajian , Wang Gefei , Wu Xiuwen , Gu Guosheng , Ren Jianan
Published: February 2023

Wound healing due to skin defects is a growing clinical concern. Especially when infection occurs, it not only leads to impair healing of the wound but even leads to the occurrence of death. In this study, a self‐healing supramolecular hydrogel with antibacterial abilities was developed for wound healing. The supramolecular hydrogels inherited excellent self‐healing and mechanical properties are produced by the polymerization of N‐acryloyl glycinamide monomers which carries a lot of amides. In addition, excellent antibacterial properties are obtained by integrating silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) into the hydrogels. The resultant hydrogel has a demonstrated ability in superior mechanical properties, including stretchability and self‐healing. Also, the good biocompatibility and antibacterial ability have been proven in hydrogels. Besides, the prepared hydrogels were employed as wound dressings to treat skin wounds of animals. It was found that the hydrogels could significantly promote wound repair, including relieving inflammation, promoting collagen deposition, and enhancing angiogenesis. Therefore, such self‐healing supramolecular hydrogels with composite functional nanomaterials are expected to be used as new wound dressings in the field of healthcare.
The Relationship between the Prevalence of the Urgent and Emergency Care Vanguard Participance and Delayed Transfers of Care in English Local Authorities
Authors: Malisauskaite Gintare , Jones Karen , Lau Yiu-Shing , Sutton Matthew , Checkland Katherine , Morciano Marcello
Published: February 2023

This paper examines the relationship between the prevalence of the urgent and emergency care vanguard (UEC) at the local authority level and their delayed transfers of care (DTOC) rates in England. We created a novel measure of exposure to UEC vanguards based on the residence of patients who used UEC partner hospitals, and we group it by the level of exposure (high, medium, low, none). We use this measure to estimate the effect of UEC vanguards on DTOC rates and then on DTOC rates by sector and a range of reasons associated with the delay. The analysis was run at the local authority level (LA) using quarterly data from NHS England for 150 English LAs from the years 2012–2017. We find a statistically significant UEC exposure effect of around 0.3% reduction in total DTOC to a 1% increase of UEC exposure (equivalent to 775 DTOC days per local authority per quarter in high UEC exposure areas), a result robust to various specification checks. Nonacute sector DTOC was found to be more responsive to UEC vanguards in comparison to acute sector DTOC (0.4% and 0.3% reductions, respectively, to every 1% of UEC exposure). DTOC due to social care was particularly responsive to UEC exposure (0.7% reduction to 1% exposure). DTOC reasons associated with the highest impact of UEC exposure were as follows: awaiting a care package at own home, waiting for further NHS nonacute care, and completion of assessment (reductions of 0.5%, 0.3%, and 0.3% to 1% exposure, respectively). All three reasons were originally associated with the largest number of DTOC days. These findings further advocate for UEC vanguards having been successful at alleviating the pressure on hospitals related to DTOC.
MYC/Glutamine Dependency Is a Therapeutic Vulnerability in Pancreatic Cancer with Deoxycytidine Kinase Inactivation-Induced Gemcitabine Resistance
Authors: Dash Suman , Ueda Takeshi , Komuro Akiyoshi , Amano Hisayuki , Honda Masahiko , Kawazu Masahito , Okada Hitoshi
Published: February 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most life-threatening malignancies. Although the deoxycytidine analog gemcitabine has been used as the first-line treatment for PDAC, the primary clinical challenge arises because of an eventual acquisition of resistance. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate the mechanisms underlying gemcitabine resistance to improve treatment efficacy. To investigate potential genes whose inactivation confers gemcitabine resistance, we performed CRISPR knockout (KO) library screening. We found that deoxycytidine kinase (DCK) deficiency is the primary mechanism of gemcitabine resistance, and the inactivation of CRYBA2, DMBX1, CROT, and CD36 slightly conferred gemcitabine resistance. In particular, gene expression analysis revealed that DCK KO cells displayed a significant enrichment of genes associated with MYC targets, folate/one-carbon metabolism and glutamine metabolism pathways. Evidently, chemically targeting each of these pathways significantly reduced the survival of DCK KO cells. Moreover, the pathways enriched in DCK KO cells represented a trend similar to those in PDAC cell lines and samples of patients with PDAC with low DCK expression. We further observed that short-term treatment of parental CFPAC-1 cells with gemcitabine induces the expression of several genes, which promote synthesis and transport of glutamine in a dose-dependent manner, which suggests glutamine availability as a potential mechanism of escaping drug toxicity in an initial response for survival. Thus, our findings provide insights into novel therapeutic approaches for gemcitabine-resistant PDAC and emphasize the involvement of glutamine metabolism in drug-tolerant persister cells.

Implications:

Our study revealed the key pathways involved in gemcitabine resistance in PDAC, thus providing potential therapeutic strategies.
Bone Marrow Avatars: Mimicking Hematopoiesis in a Dish
Authors: Derecka Marta , Crispino John D.
Published: February 2023

Faithful recapitulation of human bone marrow complexity has been a major challenge for the sci­entific community for many years. In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Khan and colleagues present an improved induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation protocol that generates bone marrow organoids re-creating key characteristics of human marrow.

See related article by Khan et al., p. 364 (8).
Whole-Exome Sequencing Indicated New Candidate Genes Associated with Unilateral Cryptorchidism in Pigs
Authors: da Silva Arthur Nery , Ibelli Adriana Mércia Guaratini , Savoldi Igor Ricardo , Cantão Maurício Egídio , Zanella Eraldo Lourenso , Marques Mariana Groke , da Silva Marcos Vinicius Gualberto Barbosa , de Peixoto Jane Oliveira , Ledur Mônica Corrêa , Lopes Jader Silva , Vargas José Eduardo , Zanella Ricardo
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Cryptorchidism is a hereditary anomaly characterized by the incomplete descent of one or both testicles to the scrotum. One of the challenges of this anomaly is that the retained testicle maintains its endocrine function. As a consequence, cryptorchid animals produce hormone-tainted meat in comparison to castrated animals and are likely to be more aggressive. Cryptorchidism can lead to reduced animal welfare outcomes and cause economic losses. Identifying genetic markers for cryptorchidism is an essential step toward mitigating these negative outcomes and may facilitate genome manipulation to reduce the occurrence of cryptorchidism. Attempts to identify such markers have used genome-wide association studies. Using whole-exome sequencing, we aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding regions of cryptorchid pigs and to characterize functional pathways concerning these SNPs. Methods: DNA was extracted and sequenced from 5 healthy and 5 cryptorchid animals from the Landrace breed, using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. Data were pre-processed using the SeqyClean tool and further mapped against the swine reference genome (Sus scrofa 11.1) using BWA software. GATK was used to identify polymorphisms (SNPs and InDels), which were annotated using the VEP tool. Network prediction and gene ontology enrichment analysis were conducted using the Cytoscape platform, and STRING software was used for visualization. Results: A total of 63 SNPs were identified across the genes PIGB, CCPG1, COMMD9, LDLRAD3, TRIM44, MYLPF, SEPTIN, ZNF48, TIA1, FAIM2, KRT18, FBP1, FBP2, CTSL, DAPK1, DHX8, GPR179, DEPDC1B, ENSSSCG00000049573, ENSSSCG00000016384, ENSSSCG00000022657, ENSSSCG00000038825, and ENSSSCG00000001229. Using pathway enrichment analyses and network prospection, we have identified the following significant adjusted p value threshold of 0.001 involved with the biological function pathways of estrogen signaling, cytoskeleton organization, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Conclusion: Our data suggest the involvement of new SNPs and genes in developing cryptorchidism in pigs. However, further studies are needed to validate our results in a larger cohort population. Variations in the GPR179 gene, with implications at the protein level, may be associated with the appearance of this anomaly in the swine. Finally, we are showing that the estrogen signaling pathway may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of this congenital anomaly as previously reported in GWAS.
Therapeutic Efficacy of Platelet Transfusion and Analysis of Influencing Factors in 364 patients
Authors: Sun Xiaoye , Cai Yifeng , Ni Hui , Cong Hui
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The aims of this study were to observe the therapeutic effect of platelet (PLT) transfusion and to analyze influencing factors for the sake of providing useful clues for improving the efficacy of PLT transfusion. Methods: Included in this study were patients who received PLT transfusion in the affiliated hospital of Nantong University. Patients’ sex, age, height, weight, PLT transfusion status, and 20–24-h PLT count before and after PLT transfusion were collected to calculate the PLT corrected count increment values before and after PLT transfusion. Solid-phase red cell adherence assay was used to determine PLT antibody. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS25.0 Software. Results: A total of 364 patients received 1,060 PLT transfusions, including 728 successful transfusions and 332 unsuccessful transfusions. When the patients were grouped according to different etiologies, significant differences in PLT transfusion effectiveness were observed between these groups (χ2 = 15.070, p < 0.05). Grouping of the 364 patients according to sex, blood type, and PLT transfusion frequency showed no significant difference in PLT transfusion refractoriness (PTR) between different age-groups and sexes (p > 0.05). With the number of PLT transfusions increasing, PTR increased gradually. PLT antibodies were detected of 364 patients, 67 of them were positive. Among them, 63 cases (94.02%) were positive for HLA class I antibody. Conclusion: To reduce PTR, multiple factors should be considered comprehensively when PLT transfusion therapy is to be implemented in clinical practice. PLT antibody is the main immune factor causing PTR.
Coupled Mutual Inhibition and Mutual Activation Motifs as Tools for Cell-Fate Control
Authors: Sabuwala Burhanuddin , Hari Kishore , Shanmuga Vengatasalam Abhishek , Jolly Mohit Kumar
Published: February 2023

Multistability is central to biological systems. It plays a crucial role in adaptation, evolvability, and differentiation. The presence of positive feedback loops can enable multistability. The simplest of such feedback loops are (a) a mutual inhibition (MI) loop, (b) a mutual activation (MA) loop, and (c) self-activation. While it is established that all three motifs can give rise to bistability, the characteristic differences in the bistability exhibited by each of these motifs is relatively less understood. Here, we use dynamical simulations across a large ensemble of parameter sets and initial conditions to study the bistability characteristics of these motifs. Furthermore, we investigate the utility of these motifs for achieving coordinated expression through cyclic and parallel coupling amongst them. Our analysis revealed that MI-based architectures offer discrete and robust control over gene expression, multistability, and coordinated expression among multiple genes, as compared to MA-based architectures. We then devised a combination of MI and MA architectures to improve coordination and multistability. Such designs help enhance our understanding of the control structures involved in robust cell-fate decisions and provide a way to achieve controlled decision-making in synthetic systems.
Lipoprotein(a) Is Associated with Thrombus Burden in Culprit Arteries of Younger Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Sankhesara Dipen M. , Lan Nick S.R. , Gilfillan Poppy , Zounis Elly , Rajgopal Saumya , Chan Dick C. , Pang Jing , Hillis Graham S. , Watts Gerald F. , Schultz Carl J.
Published: February 2023

Background: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The burden of thrombus in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has implications on treatment and outcomes. However, the association between Lp(a) and atherothrombosis in STEMI remains unclear. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the association between Lp(a) and culprit artery thrombus burden in younger patients with STEMI. Methods: This was a single-center study of 83 patients aged <65 years with STEMI between 2016–2018 who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and measurement of Lp(a); those receiving thrombolytic therapy were excluded. Thrombus burden in the culprit artery was determined angiographically using the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction score and classified as absent-to-small, moderate, or large. Elevated Lp(a) was defined as plasma mass concentration >30 mg/dL. Multivariate analysis was performed adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Results: The mean age was 48.0 ± 8.4 years, and 78.3% were male. Thirteen (16%), 9 (11%), and 61 (73%) patients had small, moderate, or large thrombus burden, respectively, and 34 (41%) had elevated Lp(a). Elevated Lp(a) was associated with greater thrombus burden compared to normal Lp(a) (large burden 85% vs. 65%; p = 0.024). Elevated Lp(a) was associated with moderate or large thrombus in univariate (OR 10.70 [95% CI 1.32–86.82]; p = 0.026) and multivariate analysis (OR 10.33 [95% CI 1.19–89.52]; p = 0.034). Lp(a) was not associated with culprit artery or stenosis location according to culprit artery. Conclusions: Elevated Lp(a) is associated with greater thrombus burden in younger patients with STEMI. The finding of this observational study accords with the thrombotic and anti-fibrinolytic properties of Lp(a). A causal relationship requires verification.
ВПЛИВ ІНОЗИТОЛУ НА ОРГАНІЗМ ТА РЕПРОДУКТИВНУ ФУНКЦІЮ ЖІНКИ
Authors: Хміль С. В. , Денефіль О. В. , Терлецька Н. Ю. , Хміль М. С. , Петришин Н. Я.
Published: February 2023

РЕЗЮМЕ. Мета роботи – визначити склад, біологічну функцію інозитолу, вплив міо-інозитолу на організм жінки, репродуктивну функцію та лікування гінекологічних захворювань, роль у регуляції вуглеводневого та ліпідного обмінів.

Матеріал і методи. У дослідженні використано загальнонаукові методи дослідження: аналіз і синтез, індукція та дедукція, аналогія, абстрагування і конкретизація, системний аналіз, формалізація.

Результати. Під час виконання дослідження було проаналізовано 53 джерела сучасної вітчизняної та зарубіжної літератури щодо інозитолу, міо-інозитолу та впливу його на організм та репродуктивну систему жінки.

Висновки. Аналіз літературних джерел показав, що міо-інозитол є важливим мікронутрієнтом для профілактики та лікування гінекологічних захворювань на фоні глікемії; жіночого безпліддя, як у природній концепції так і в циклах допоміжних репродуктивних технологій.
Знання та ставлення медичних працівників до інфекційного контролю: огляд світового досвіду
Authors: Зозуля Т. Д. , Галіяш Н. Б. , Галіяш Д. Р.
Published: February 2023

Резюме. Враховуючи потенційний негативний вплив інфекцій, що передаються через кров медичним працівникам, та значний тягар для систем охорони здоров’я й економіки, важливо виявити чинники, які сприяють зараженню, щоб запропонувати дієві пропозиції щодо попередження інфікування та покращення якості життя медичних працівників.
Мета дослідження – з’ясувати рівень знань та ставлення медичних працівників до інфекційного контролю, а також потенційні чинники, що сприяють інфекційному контролю, на основі світового досвіду шляхом аналізу доступних інформаційних та літературних джерел.
Матеріали і методи. Здійснено аналіз інформаційних ресурсів Інтернет-мережі на платформах Google Scholar, MEDLINE/PubMed та Index Medicus за останні десять років. Для пошуку було використано терміни англійською мовою: «infection control knowledge», «attitudes of healthcare workers toward infection control» та «potential factors contributing to infection control». Після відбору та прочитання повних текстів, враховуючи якість досліджень, 28 статей було обрано для аналізу.
Результати. Дослідження показали, що знання щодо профілактики інфекцій серед медичних працівників є недостатніми. Цю прогалину необхідно заповнити надійними емпіричними даними, які можна узагальнити. Вагомими чинниками поширення інфекцій у закладах охорони здоров’я є безтурботне і необізнане ставлення медичних працівників та відсутність належних заходів інфекційного контролю. Доцільно впроваджувати останні інноваційні технологічні рішення в медичних закладах, оскільки вони покращують безпеку пацієнтів і медичних працівників. Дотримання заходів інфекційного конт­ролю має бути пріоритетним у сфері охорони здоров’я. Медичні працівники повинні мати високий рівень обізнаності та належного дотримання запобіжних заходів під час роботи з гострими медичними предметами. Продемонстровано потребу в майбутніх дослідженнях із більш ефективними інтервенційними та неінтервенційними дизайнами для вивчення цього питання.
Висновки. Результати цього дослідження показали значний зв’язок між знаннями персоналу, його ставленням до запобіжних заходів та підвищеним ризиком і поширеністю інфекцій, що передаються через кров. Встановлено, що запобіжні заходи впливають на дотримання персоналом техніки безпеки при уколах голками. Аналіз наявних даних показав суттєві відмінності комплаєнсу медичних працівників залежно від наявного досвіду, знань та ставлення до запобіжних заходів із безпеки уколів голкою. Технічні зміни, усунення або заміна засобів контролю будуть достатньо ефективними для запобігання зараженню інфекціями.
Потенціювання негативного ефекту гербіциду гліфосату на цитокіновий профіль наночастинками оксиду цинку
Authors: Гапоненко Я. Ю. , Корда М. М.
Published: February 2023

Резюме. Наночастинки, внаслідок їх здатності проникати через біологічні бар’єри і полегшувати транспорт всередину клітин хімічних сполук, потенційно можуть посилювати токсичний ефект останніх.
Мета дослідження – оцінити вплив наночастинок оксиду цинку на здатність гліфосату змінювати цитокіновий профіль крові щурів.
Матеріали і методи. Досліди виконано на 40 щурах-самцях, яким вводили щоденно внутрішньошлунково суспензію наночастинок ZnO в дозі 100 мг/кг, розчин гліфосату в дозі 250 мг/кг або суспензію наночастинок ZnO у розчині гліфосату. На 15-й день експерименту в сироватці крові щурів визначали концентрацію цитокінів TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10 методом імуноферментного аналізу.
Результати. Встановлено, що під впливом наночастинок ZnO досліджувані показники не зазнавали достовірних змін. У сироватці крові щурів, яким вводили гліфосат, встановлено достовірне збільшення концентрації прозапальних цитокінів TNF-α, IL-1β,  IL-6. Найбільш суттєво цитокіновий профіль змінювався у сироватці крові тварин, які зазнавали поєднаного впливу наночастинок і гліфосату. В цьому випадку концентрація TNF-α, IL-1β та IL-6 була достовірно вищою як порівняно з групою тварин, яким вводили тільки наночастинки, так і з тваринами, яким вводили сам гліфосат. Крім того, сумісне застосування наночастинок і гліфосату призводило до достовірного зниження рівнів IL-4 та IL-10 порівняно з усіма досліджуваними групами.
Висновки. Наночастинки оксиду цинку посилюють здатність хімічного токсиканта гліфосату підвищувати продукцію прозапальних цитокінів.
Morphology, morpho-taxometric and molecular characterization of the invasive alien species Caribbean leatherleaf slug Sarasinula plebeia (Gastropoda: Veronicellidae): a first record in southern Philippines
Authors: Dalan Loel Bacolod , Diano Michelle Anne Bernabe , Sumaya Nanette Hope Nellas
Published: February 2023

Herein, we first report the comprehensive description of the terrestrial slug, Sarasinula plebeia (Gastropoda: Veronicellidae) by employing morphology, morpho-taxometrics and molecular analysis. A rapid survey on terrestrial slug invasive alien species (IAS) was conducted in La Dicha, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay, the Philippines. Obtained COI gene sequences shared 100% similarities to S. plebeia from Brazil (JX532107, KM489378), Dominica (KM489500) and Vietnam (KM489367) and further supported using Bayesian analysis thus designated as S. plebeia isolate LDZS. Notably, the first reported S. plebeia in 2013 from Batan island, Batanes, northern Philippines, characterized through COI gene markers (JQ582277, JQ582278, JQ582279) showed 100% sequence similarities to a closely related veronicellid slug, Laevecaulis alte isolates (LC636101, LC636102, LC636103, and LC636104) from Japan. Taken this into account, our S. plebeia LDZS isolated from an agricultural field is the first report in the Philippines with combined diagnostic tools for the taxon.
Inhibition of Fap Promotes Cardiac Repair by Stabilizing BNP
Authors: Sun Yuxi , Ma Mengqiu , Cao Dandan , Zheng Ancheng , Zhang Yiying , Su Yang , Wang Jianfang , Xu Yanhua , Zhou Mi , Tang Yansong , Liu Yifan , Ma Teng , Fan Aoyuan , Zhang Xiaoying , Zhu Qiaoling , Qin Jiachen , Mo Chunyang , Xu Yawei , Zhang Li , Xu Dachun , Yue Rui
Published: February 2023

Background:

Myocardial infarction (MI) elicits cardiac fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition to maintain the structural integrity of the heart. Recent studies demonstrate that Fap (fibroblast activation protein)—a prolyl-specific serine protease—is an important marker of activated cardiac fibroblasts after MI.

Methods:

Left ventricle and plasma samples from patients and healthy donors were used to analyze the expression level of FAP and its prognostic value. Echocardiography and histological analysis of heart sections were used to analyze cardiac functions, scar formation, ECM deposition and angiogenesis after MI. RNA-Sequencing, biochemical analysis, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and endothelial cells co-culture were used to reveal the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Fap regulates angiogenesis.

Results:

We found that Fap is upregulated in patient cardiac fibroblasts after cardiac injuries, while plasma Fap is downregulated and functions as a prognostic marker for cardiac repair. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of Fap in mice significantly improved cardiac function after MI. Histological and transcriptomic analyses showed that Fap inhibition leads to increased angiogenesis in the peri-infarct zone, which promotes ECM deposition and alignment by cardiac fibroblasts and prevents their overactivation, thereby limiting scar expansion. Mechanistically, we found that BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) is a novel substrate of Fap that mediates postischemic angiogenesis. Fap degrades BNP to inhibit vascular endothelial cell migration and tube formation. Pharmacological inhibition of Fap in
Nppb
(encoding pre-proBNP) or
Npr1
(encoding the BNP receptor)-deficient mice showed no cardioprotective effects, suggesting that BNP is a physiological substrate of Fap.

Conclusions:

This study identifies Fap as a negative regulator of cardiac repair and a potential drug target to treat MI. Inhibition of Fap stabilizes BNP to promote angiogenesis and cardiac repair.
Listening to the Anthropocene: A Queda do Céu
Authors: Rabello-Mestre André , Otondo Felipe
Published: February 2023

This article discusses the algorithmic design and implementation of A Queda do Céu, a sound installation and kinetic sculpture related to the Soundlapse project. In it we provide an overview of the project and go on to describe the main computational challenges related to the installation, which included a variety of real-time processing, interpolation, and mapping algorithms. We contextualize the work in relation to regional ecological and political debates, as well as the global climate crisis. In doing so, we echo other sound and field-recording artists in proposing that artworks have an important function as experimental arenas in which new technological applications can be probed and where new modes of listening can be investigated, reconfigured, and exercised. In closing, we lay out an overview of the current challenges being tackled by the Soundlapse project, specifically the development of a refined version of the sonic time-lapse method that incorporates machine learning routines and user-defined spatialization capabilities.
Research e-infrastructures for open science: The national example of CSTCloud in China
Authors: Zhang Lili , Li Jianhui , Uhlir Paul F. , Wen Liangming , Wu Kaichao , Luo Ze , Liu Yude
Published: February 2023

This paper focuses on research e-infrastructures in the open science era. We analyze some of the challenges and opportunities of cloud-based science and introduce an example of a national solution in the China Science and Technology Cloud (CSTCloud). We selected three CSTCloud use cases in deploying open science modules, including scalable engineering in astronomical data management, integrated Earth-science resources for SDG-13 decision making, and the coupling of citizen science and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in biodiversity. We conclude with a forecast on the future development of research e-infrastructures and introduce the idea of the Global Open Science Cloud (GOSC). We hope this analysis can provide some insights into the future development of research e-infrastructures in support of open science.
Mangrovomyia, a new genus of long-legged flies from Iranian mangroves (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Hydrophorinae)
Authors: GRICHANOV IGOR YA. , GILASIAN EBRAHIM
Published: February 2023

The genus Mangrovomyia Grichanov et Gilasian gen. nov. is described from Iran, including two new species, M. naserzadehae Grichanov et Gilasian sp. nov. and M. mofidii Grichanov et Gilasian sp. nov. The new genus is believed to be most closely related to the genera Hydrophorus Fallén, Epithalassius Mik and Paraliptus Bezzi in the subfamily Hydrophorinae, differing in peculiar characters of body setation, antenna, wing and male genitalia. The most distinct synapomorphies appear to be the very short and thick arista-like stylus; trapezoidal postpedicel with oblique transverse furrow; frons, face and clypeus covered with numerous setae, and anterior half of mesonotum covered with a field of numerous short setae and devoid of strong bristles. Mangrovomyia mofidii sp. nov. differs from M. naserzadehae sp. nov. in femora yellow (vs. black), fore tibia with thick and golden-brown (vs. thin and black) apical spine-like setae, katepisternum entirely covered with numerous setae (vs. without setae), and other features. Mangrove habitats of the new species are briefly discussed.
Characterization of Gate Leakage and Reliability of Normally-OFF GaN MOSFET with LPCVD-SiNx/PEALD-AlN Dual Gate Dielectric and In-Situ H2(15%)/N2(85%) Plasma Pretreatment
Authors: Huang Cheng-Yu , Wang Jin-Yan , Fu Zhen , Liu Fang , Wang Mao-Jun , Li Meng-Jun , Wang Chen , He Jia-Yin , Liu Zi-Heng , He Yan-Dong
Published: February 2023

This paper deeply investigated the gate leakage and dielectric breakdown mechanisms of the Normally-OFF GaN MOSFET with LPCVD-SiNx/PEALD-AlN dual Gate Dielectric and in-situ H2(15%)/N2(85%) plasma pretreatment. The in-situ plasma pretreatment
was performed in a PEALD system prior to the PEALD-AlN deposition. Experimental studies showed that the in-situ H2(15%)/N2(85%) plasma pretreatment is effective in improving the quality of the AlN/GaN interface, the LPCVD-SiNx/PEALD-AlN dual Gate Dielectric
exhibits not only high breakdown electric field but low leakage current. Experiments have proved dominant mechanism of the leakage current through LPCVD-SiNx/PEALD-AlN Gate Dielectric is identified to be Poole-Frenkel emission at low fields and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling at
high fields. Further, gate dielectric time-dependent dielectric breakdown of electric-field-accelerated and temperature-accelerated was investigated.
The Polarimetric Radar Scattering Properties of Oriented Aggregates
Authors: Schrom Robert S. , Munchak S. Joseph , Adams Ian S.
Published: February 2023

The scattering properties of aggregates are studied herein. Early aggregates (<7 monomers) of branched planar crystals and mature aggregates (up to 100 monomers) of columns are randomly generated with varying assumptions about the monomer attachment processes and the orientation behavior during collection. The resulting physical properties of the aggregates correspond well with prior in situ and retrieved sizes and shapes. Assumed azimuthally uniform orientations during collection and monomer pivoting upon attachment resulted in flatter and denser aggregates. The column aggregates had lower density and more spherical shapes than the branched planar crystal aggregates. The scattering properties were calculated using the discrete dipole approximation for a set of orientation angles and transformed to spectral coefficients representing modes of orientation angle variability. The zeroth- and second-order coefficients dominate this variability, with the zeroth-order coefficients representing the scattering properties for randomly oriented particles. The second-order coefficients for backscatter showed differences between horizontal and vertical polarization increasing with density, and these coefficients for specific differential phase increase with both mass and density. Similarly, coefficients for the copolar covariance decreased with density. Rapid changes in the contributions to the radar moments from the second-order coefficients from low to moderate density were observed, likely due to the increasing presence of horizontally aligned monomers in the aggregate structure. Differences in how differential reflectivity and correlation coefficient evolve with the orientation distribution parameters suggest that these measurements, along with specific differential phase and reflectivity, provide complementary information about aggregate sizes, shapes, and orientation distributions.
Management of Perforated Sigmoid Colon Cancer in an Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia Using a Combined Abdominal and Inguinal Approach
Authors: Chida Kohei , Katsura Morihiro , Kato Takashi , Sunagawa Kazuya , Ie Masafumi
Published: February 2023

The ideal management of perforated colorectal cancer in the hernia sac remains a challenge for general surgeons. We report such a case requiring a combined-incision surgical approach and two-stage operation. A male patient in his 80s presented with fatigue and a bulge in his left groin. Contrast-enhanced CT scan revealed a sigmoid colon perforation within the left inguinal hernia sac. A combination of midline abdominal and inguinal incisions was performed for the iliopubic tract repair and Hartmann procedure. Six months later, the recurrent inguinal hernia was repaired using the Kugel mesh. The treatment strategy for colonic perforation into the inguinal hernia remains nonstandardized, compared to those for nonperforated cases. Combined inguinal and midline abdominal incisions might be necessary for infected lesion removal and colon mesentery resection; using mesh to repair hernia is a rare option. Hernia repair using mesh can be performed in two stages when recurrence occurs.
Working Out a Sustainable Diet: The Contested Ethics of Food Consumption in the Netherlands, 1960–85
Authors: Verriet Jon , van Dam Peter
Published: February 2023

From the 1960s onwards, the sustainability of the modern diet became a topic of fierce discussion in industrialised societies. Vocal critics proposed radical alternatives to the prevailing modes of production, but their impact remained fairly modest. To understand how Western European countries nonetheless became ‘light green societies’ (Michael Bess), this article assesses the distinct interpretation of sustainable food consumption which was championed by consumer organisations since the 1960s. Tracing the steps of the Nutrition Education Bureau (Voorlichtingsbureau voor de Voeding) and the Consumers Union (Consumentenbond) in the Netherlands between 1960 and 1985, it analyses the reactions of these well-known intermediaries to the alternatives proposed by more radical environmentalists. The article demonstrates that after a period of reluctancy, the position of the two consumers organisations evolved, with both acknowledging that the health of consumers and the health of the planet were inextricably linked. Adopting long-standing consumer concerns, the two organisations popularised a definition of sustainable food consumption which took the individual's right to choose as a vantage point and prioritised concerns about health and affordability.
Dyadic Association Between New Parents' Mindfulness and Relationship Satisfaction: Mediating Role of Perceived Stress
Authors: Morin Laurence , Laurin Julie C. , Doucerain Marina , Grégoire Simon
Published: February 2023

The transition to parenthood is marked by increased potential stressors and relationship satisfaction declines among new parents. Recently, it has been suggested that people with greater mindfulness perceived their environment as less stressful during difficult times in life, which in turn, is associated with greater relationship satisfaction. Accordingly, this dyadic diary study evaluated if perceived stress explains the link between new parents' mindfulness and relationship satisfaction. A total of 78 new parent couples ( N = 156 participants; M = 6 months postpartum) provided ecologically valid perceived stress and relationship satisfaction data by responding to a questionnaire on their smartphones, between 7 p.m. and midnight, for 14 consecutive days. Data were analyzed using Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM). Results revealed that parents with higher mindfulness reported lower perceived stress, which in turn was associated with them reporting higher relationship satisfaction. In addition, one’s mindfulness was directly positively associated with their partner’s relationship satisfaction. Lastly, when all partner effects between mindfulness, perceived stress and relationship satisfaction were tested together without defining specific partner paths, one’s mindfulness was positively associated with their partners’ relationship satisfaction. Our findings extend current knowledge on the dyadic association between mindfulness and relationship satisfaction during the transition to parenthood by highlighting perceived stress as a key variable underlying this relationship.
The impact of e-government information quality (EGIQ) dimensions on the adoption of electronic government services
Authors: Mensah Isaac Kofi , Mwakapesa Deborah Simon
Published: February 2023

E-government's capacity to reform public service delivery is hinged on critical factors from the demand side of e-government. The demand side of e-government is the element that drives users’ behaviors to adopt e-government services and understanding these factors is fundamental to driving the realization of e-government targets. This study thus examined the extent to which e-government information quality dimensions can stimulate the acceptance and utilization of e-government services. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was used as the theoretical basis for this paper and the data congregated was evaluated with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) statistical software using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The results have revealed that both effort expectancy and facilitating conditions significantly drive the intention to use and recommend the adoption of e-government services. Also, e-government information quality dimensions such as availability, objectivity, utility, confidentiality, and integrity were all found to positively drive the intention to use e-government services. Additionally, people's intention to use e-government was significant in driving the recommendation behavior of e-government services to others. The practical and research repercussions of these discoveries on the development and deployment of e-government-empowered services are deliberated.
Technological affordances of video streaming platforms: Why people prefer video streaming platforms over television
Authors: Evens Tom , Henderickx Amandine , Conradie Peter
Published: February 2023

This article investigates to what extent technological affordances are associated with people's preference for video streaming platforms over traditional television services. Such affordances refer to properties of these platforms (including personalized recommendations and easy-to-navigate interfaces) that provoke certain uses of the technology and satisfy social and psychological needs. Based on a quantitative study of 25–50-year-olds in Belgium ( N = 596) and a hierarchical regression analysis, the study builds further on the conceptualization of technological affordances as presented in the MAIN model, which suggests that four affordances (Modality, Agency, Interactivity and Navigability) are central to digital media technology. As such, the study presents an affordance-based measure of video streaming platforms, and helps to understand how video streaming technology shapes new patterns of audiovisual consumption and enhances the viewing experience beyond that of traditional television. Whereas most research attention has focused on user-oriented gratifications of video streaming platforms, this study addresses a gap in the literature by dealing with platform-oriented gratifications of video streaming platforms.
Time course changes in insulin sensitivity during cardiac surgery: A retrospective study on intraoperative glycemic management using an artificial pancreas
Authors: Uzawa Masashi , Koda Kenichiro , Kimura Haruka , Kimura Rie , Ito Yuya , Saito Aya , Motomura Noboru , Kitamura Takayuki
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Glycemic control is essential for improving the prognosis of cardiac surgery, although precise recommendations have not yet been established. Under a constant blood glucose level, the insulin infusion rate correlates with insulin resistance during glycemic control using an artificial pancreas (AP). We conducted this retrospective study to elucidate changes in intraoperative insulin sensitivity as a first step to creating glycemic control guidelines.

Methods

Fifty-five cardiac surgery patients at our hospital who underwent intraoperative glycemic control using an AP were enrolled. Twenty-three patients undergoing surgical procedures requiring cardiac arrest under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with minimum rectal temperatures lower than 32°C, 13 patients undergoing surgical procedures requiring cardiac arrest under hypothermic CPB with minimum rectal temperatures of 32°C, eight patients undergoing on-pump beating coronary artery bypass grafting and 11 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass were assigned to groups A, B, C and D, respectively. We analyzed the time course of changes in the data derived from glycemic control using the AP.

Results

Significant time course changes were observed in groups A and B, but not in groups C and D. Insulin resistance was induced after the start of hypothermic CPB in groups A and B, and the induced change was not resolved by the rewarming procedure, remaining sustained until the end of surgery.

Conclusions

Hypothermia is the predominant factor of the induced insulin resistance during cardiac surgery. Thus, careful glycemic management during hypothermic CPB is important. Prospective clinical studies are required to confirm the findings of this study.
Selenium supplementation provides potent neuroprotection following cerebral ischemia in mice
Authors: Zhuo Zhan , Wang Huimei , Zhang Shuai , Bartlett Perry F , Walker Tara L , Hou Sheng-Tao
Published: February 2023

Despite progress in reperfusion therapy, functional recovery remains suboptimal in many stroke patients, with oxidative stress, inflammation, dysbiosis, and secondary neurodegeneration constituting the major hurdles to recovery. The essential trace element selenium is emerging as a promising therapeutic agent for stroke. However, although several rodent studies have shown that selenium can protect against cell loss following cerebral ischemia, no study has yet examined whether selenium can enhance long-term functional recovery. Moreover, published studies have typically reported a single mechanism of action underlying selenium-mediated stroke recovery. However, we propose that selenium is more likely to have multifaceted actions. Here, we show that selenomethionine confers a potent neuroprotective effect in a canonical filament-induced transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model. Post-tMCAO selenium treatment significantly reduces the cerebral infarct volume, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis and enhances post-tMCAO motor performance in the acute phase after stroke. Moreover, analysis of the gut microbiota reveals that acute selenium treatment reverses stroke-induced gut dysbiosis. Longer-term selenium supplementation activates intrinsic neuroprotective mechanisms, prevents secondary neurodegeneration, alleviates systemic inflammation, and diminishes gut microbe-derived circulating trimethylamine N-oxide. These findings demonstrate that selenium treatment even after cerebral ischemia has long-term and multifaceted neuroprotective effects, highlighting its clinical potential.
Knee anatomic geometry accurately predicts risk of anterior cruciate ligament rupture
Authors: Hasoon Jahfer , Al-Dadah Oday
Published: February 2023

Background

Certain anatomical characteristics of the knee have potential relationships with the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. There remains a need for stronger evidence using arthroscopy as well as radiological imaging to accurately clarify these relationships.

Purpose

To compare the anatomic geometry of the knee joint between patients with and without ACL ruptures.

Material and Methods

Case-controlled study of patients with arthroscopically confirmed ACL ruptures (ACL group) compared to patients with arthroscopically confirmed normal ACLs (control group). Magnetic resonance imaging scans were assessed for a total of 14 quantitative radiological variables including medial and lateral tibial slope angles (bone and cartilage measurements), meniscal height, femoral width, intercondylar notch width and tibial depth.

Results

A total of 105 patients were included in the study, 55 in the ACL group and 50 in the control group. There was a significant difference ( P < 0.05) of most of the radiological measurements between the two groups. There was also a significant difference ( P < 0.05) when comparing the variables between sexes. Multiple logistic regression analysis produced a mathematical model utilizing all the radiological measurements with 92.6% classification accuracy in predicating an ACL rupture with the medial tibial slope angle being the strongest predicator variable (odds ratio = 8.97, P = 0.011).

Conclusion

Greater postero-inferior directed slope measurements of bone and cartilage in both the lateral and medial compartments with a narrower intercondylar notch width increase the risk of ACL rupture. Mathematical modelling can accurately predict the risk of ACL rupture.