bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiencias deportivas a través del proyecto de extensión del baloncesto: Intercambios internacionales
Authors: Flach Mônica Cristina , Maciel Larissa Fernanda Porto , Folle Alexandra
Published: December 2022

En el contexto deportivo, los proyectos sociales están orientados al desarrollo psicosocial y la formación integral de sus participantes en diferentes épocas, a través de la oferta de acciones que buscan el desarrollo de aspectos físicos, técnicos, tácticos, personales, educativos, sociales y emocionales, que reflexionar directamente sobre la mejora de la calidad de vida. Objetivo: informar y registrar las experiencias de formación deportiva de los niños que participan en un proyecto de extensión del baloncesto en intercambios deportivos internacionales. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, del tipo relato de experiencia. En este estudio participaron niños de ambos sexos, de entre 10 y 12 años, participantes del Programa Baloncesto para Todos (PBT), proyecto social desarrollado en las instalaciones de la Universidad del Estado de Santa Catarina (Udesc) Florianópolis (SC/Brasil). La información fue reportada por los participantes (niños y maestros) que participaron en los viajes. Desarrollo: entre las actividades realizadas en el proyecto, destacan las experiencias internacionales vividas por los deportistas en los años 2015, 2017, 2018 y 2020, para ampliar las experiencias de entrenamiento en Estados Unidos, Italia y México. Consideraciones finales: las experiencias fueron de fundamental importancia para los participantes, ya que además de las experiencias deportivas, viajaron a otros países, conociendo otras culturas, las cuales ofrecieron elementos importantes para la formación deportiva y personal de los participantes en el proyecto social.
ALAM TAKAMBANG JADI GURU: MENELISIK FALSAFAH PENDIDIKAN BERBASIS KEARIFAN LOKAL DI MINANGKABAU
Authors: Satria Dadi , Sahayu Wening
Published: December 2022

This study aims to reveal the meaning and reality of the philosophy of "Alam Takambang jadi Guru" as a view of life of the Minangkabau people and the implications and efforts to maintain this philosophy through literature review. This research method is qualitative research using descriptive methods. This research is naturalistic because it is carried out in natural conditions through social observation and literature review based on the latest theories and research results. Based on the results of the analysis, it can be concluded that several things, namely (1) the philosophy of "Alam Takambang Jadi Guru" has an important meaning for the Minangkabau community that nature is not just a place to live and develop, but as a source of lifelong learning and nature as a gift from God Almighty, (2 ) the philosophy of "Alam Takambang jadi Guru" has implications for both formal and non-formal education in the life of the Minangkabau community, and (3) efforts to maintain the philosophy of "Alam Takambang jadi Guru" can be carried out through culture experience and culture knowledge.
MOTIVASI MEMBACA SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR MELALUI MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS SASTRA ANAK
Authors: Nurmanita Tiara Sevi , Darojah Rani , Anam Khaerul
Published: December 2022

This study aims to discuss the use of children's literature as a means of increasing student reading motivation at the elementary school level. This research method is qualitative research using descriptive methods to make a systematic and accurate description based on the facts and phenomena investigated. The results showed that motivation in reading is one of the movements of character education in children, which is a way to increase students' interest in reading. One of the media used in increasing motivation to read indirectly is to use children's literary media. Many kinds of children's literature can be melted down as a form of media material that is of interest to students. The variegated form of children's literature, can provoke students to read.
Effect of a targeted pain management protocol for the treatment of dermatitis interdigitalis contagiosa in Merino meat sheep in a tilt squeeze chute
Authors: Rachidi Fanny , Wagner Romy , Fieseler Helena , Kaiser Matthias , Müller Hendrik , Podpečan Ožbalt , Mielenz Norbert , Gottschalk Jutta , Einspanier Almuth , Möbius Gerd , Baumgartner Walter , Starke Alexander
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The effect of a targeted pain management protocol consisting of sedation and local anesthesia on the stress response to treatment of dermatitis interdigitalis contagiosa (DINCO) was assessed in sheep placed in dorsal recumbency.

Methods

Blood cortisol concentrations were measured once a day (Day -3 to 2) and additionally on day 0, six times during the claw treatment (stress model). Twelve healthy sheep (control group; HEALTHY) and 36 sheep with DINCO, randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups, underwent the stress model with or without pain control: the XYLA-IVRA sheep were sedated with 2% xylazine hydrochloride (XYLA) and received retrograde intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA); the IVRA sheep underwent IVRA and received a placebo instead of sedation; the PLACEBO sheep received placebos for sedation and IVRA. The HEALTHY sheep underwent sham claw treatment and received placebos.

Results and discussion

The cortisol concentrations were higher in sheep restrained in dorsal recumbency compared with the cortisol concentrations measured four hours later in standing sheep (HEALTHY 37.2 ± 3.3 ng/ml vs. 18.5 ± 3.3 ng/ml; DISEASED 34.0 ± 1.9 ng/ml vs. 17.6 ± 1.9 ng/ml; p < 0.001). The stress response of XYLA-IVRA (area under the curve; AUC = 34.9 ± 2.6 ng/ml) was reduced compared with the stress response of PLACEBO (AUC = 48.0 ± 2.6 ng/ml, p < 0.01) and HEALTHY sheep (AUC = 46.6 ± 2.5 ng/ml; p = 0.01). While cortisol concentration of XYLA-IVRA and HEALTHY sheep did not increase one day after the stress model (Day 1) compared with the day of the stress model (Day 0), both PLACEBO (47.4 ± 3.3 vs. 35.6 ± 3.1 ng/ml, p = 0.02) and IVRA sheep (39.1 ± 2.8 vs. 28.6 ± 3.1 ng/ml, p = 0.01) had higher cortisol concentrations. The results confirm that fixation in dorsal recumbency in a tilt squeeze chute was a major stressor in sheep. The differences in the cortisol concentration of the PLACEBO sheep versus the XYLA-IVRA sheep during and after the stress model illustrate the effect and necessity of pain management protocols in practice.
A green chemistry approach for oxidation of alcohols using novel bioactive cobalt composite immobilized on polysulfone fibrous network nanoparticles as a catalyst
Authors: Ramírez-Coronel Andrés Alexis , Mezan Salim Oudah , Patra Indrajit , Sivaraman Ramaswamy , Riadi Yassine , Khakberdiev Shukhrat , Lafta Holya A. , Abosaooda Munther , Turki Jalil Abduladheem , Fakri Mustafa Yasser
Published: December 2022

In this study, cobalt composite immobilized on polysulfone fibrous network nanoparticles (CCPSF NPs) were synthesized in a controllable and one-step way under microwave-assisted conditions. The structure of CCPSF NPs was characterized by SEM images (for morphology and size distribution), TGA (for thermal stability), BET technique (for the specific surface area), FT-IR spectroscopy (for relation group characterization), and XRD patterns (for crystal size). The oxidation of the primary and secondary alcohols to aldehyde and ketone was investigated using synthesized CCPSF NPs under solvent-free microwave-assisted conditions, and high oxidizing activity was observed. In addition to oxidation properties, the anticancer activity of the synthesized CCPSF NPs in breast cancer was evaluated by the MTT method , and significant results were obtained.
Circulating miR-29b decrease in response to sarcopenia in patients with cardiovascular risk factors in older Chinese
Authors: He Nana , Zhang Yuelin , Zhang Yue , Feng Beili , Zheng Zaixing , Ye Honghua
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Sarcopenia is a clinical syndrome characterized by a progressive and extensive decline in skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and function. Sarcopenia and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) can coexist, which further decreases the quality of life of patients, and increases the mortality rate. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are unique posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression whose function in aging-related sarcopenia and CVDs has recently begun to unravel. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in the Chinese elderly and describe the circulating miRNAs in sarcopenia patients with the intention of identifying novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Methods

The well-established CVRF of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were assessed. Multiple logistic regression analyses and linear regressions were used to evaluate the components of CVRF and the number of CVRF in elderly patients with sarcopenia. Moreover, we used real-time RT-PCR to measure the abundance of the CVRF-related miRNAs in the plasma of a cohort of 93 control and sarcopenia individuals, including miR-29b, miR-181a, and miR-494.

Results

We found that CVRF was associated with a high prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly Chinese populations After adjusting for potential confounders. Furthermore, hypertension and dyslipidemia, but not diabetes, were found to be significantly associated with sarcopenia. A linear increase in the prevalence of sarcopenia was found to be associated with the number of CVRF components in the elderly population. We found that plasma miR-29b levels were significantly down-regulated in response to sarcopenia in the elderly with CVRF. In particular, there was a remarkable correlation between miR-29b and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM)/height2. Collectively, knowledge of CVRF, particularly hypertension and dyslipidemia, may help predict the risk of sarcopenia in the elderly. Our data also show that circulating miR-29b can be considered as possible biomarkers for sarcopenia, which may also be used in the CVD assessment of these patients.

Discussion

We found that the prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly proportional to the number of CVRF components. In particular, hypertension and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia in the adjusted models. Moreover, our study has been proven that c-miRNAs may be considered as possible biomarkers for sarcopenia as a new diagnostic tool to monitor response to treatment. There is also a pressing need for further research on sarcopenia and CVRF to understand their relationship and mechanism. These can provide more evidence to develop potential interventions to improve clinical outcomes.
The role of excipients in promoting topical and transdermal delivery: Current limitations and future perspectives
Authors: Iliopoulos Fotis , Sil Bruno C. , Evans Conor L.
Published: December 2022

Topical and transdermal delivery has historically offered an attractive and non-invasive route for administration of medicines. However, human skin is known to be a remarkably good barrier to the permeation of substances. The majority of dermatological drug products have been reported to only deliver a portion of the total dose applied, often resulting in low drug bio-availability at the site of action inside the skin. This insufficient formulation performance, coupled with the fact that percutaneous delivery is heavily influenced by the innate physicochemical properties of the active, pose limitations on effective treatment and prevention of diseases by using solely topical formulations. Generally, it is known that the rate and the extent of drug delivery to and through the skin is highly dependent on the formulation components. This work highlights the importance of the vehicle for the design of efficacious skin products, discusses current limitations in dermal delivery and explores recent advances for overcoming these challenges. Novel materials with penetration enhancing properties and innovative formulation strategies are also explored, together with future perspectives and outlooks. The emphasis here is on studies focused on passive skin transport because of clinical limitations associated with disrupting the skin barrier by physical methods. This information is believed to aid in the design and optimization of dermatological drug products for topical and transdermal delivery of actives.
Prediction of the invasiveness of PTMC by a combination of ultrasound and the WNT10A gene
Authors: Yan Zhang , Gang Liu Wen , Yan Guo Shi , Zhou Ping
Published: December 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to predict the invasiveness of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) via ultrasonography in combination with the Wnt family member 10A (WNT10A) gene to provide a reference basis for evaluating the invasive capability of PTMC.

Methods

Cancer tissue were collected from 182 patients with unifocal PTMC, and the patients were divided into the invasive group and the non-invasive group based on whether the lesions invaded the thyroid capsules or whether lymph node metastasis occurred. The expression of WNT10A protein was examined. Age, sex, maximum nodule diameter, color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), nodule echo, microcalcification, aspect ratio, morphology (boundary), nodule location, internal structure, ultrasound-suspected lymph node metastasis (US-LNM), and WNT10A expression were compared between the invasive group and the non-invasive group. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed, and a p value of less than 0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant.

Results

(1) 36 patients in the non-invasive group showed high expression and 66 patients showed low or no expression, while 54 patients in the invasive group showed high expression and 26 patients showed low or no expression, suggesting that the expression level of WNT10A was higher in the invasive group than in the non-invasive group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). (2) Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences between the invasive PTMC group and the non-invasive group in age, sex, maximum nodule diameter, microcalcification, US-LNM and high WNT10A expression. (3) Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for invasiveness in patients with PTMC included age < 45 years, maximum nodule diameter > 7 mm, microcalcification, US-LNM and high WNT10A expression.

Conclusion

The risk factors for PTMC invasiveness included age < 45 years, maximum nodule diameter >7 mm, microcalcification, US-LNM and high WNT10A expression. A combination of ultrasonography and WNT10A gene analysis could provide a reference basis for evaluating the invasive capability of PTMC.
Autophagy and longevity: Evolutionary hints from hyper-longevous mammals
Authors: Locatelli Andrea G. , Cenci Simone
Published: December 2022

Autophagy is a fundamental multi-tasking adaptive cellular degradation and recycling strategy. Following its causal implication in age-related decline, autophagy is currently among the most broadly studied and challenged mechanisms within aging research. Thanks to these efforts, new cellular nodes interconnected with this phylogenetically ancestral pathway and unexpected roles of autophagy-associated genetic products are unveiled daily, yet the history of functional adaptations of autophagy along its evolutive trail is poorly understood and documented. Autophagy is traditionally studied in canonical and research-wise convenient model organisms such as yeast and mice. However, unconventional animal models endowed with extended longevity and exemption from age-related diseases offer a privileged perspective to inquire into the role of autophagy in the evolution of longevity. In this mini review we retrace the appearance and functions evolved by autophagy in eukaryotic cells and its protective contribution in the pathophysiology of aging.
Reverse chemical ecology indicates long-chain aldehydes as new potential semiochemicals for the African elephant Loxodonta africana
Authors: Zaremska Valeriia , Chidhambaram Manikkaraja , Archunan Govindaraju , Knoll Wolfgang , Pelosi Paolo
Published: December 2022

Chemical communication between sexes in the elephants has been well studied at the chemical and behavioural levels, but little is known about the proteins mediating the exchange of chemical signals. Two sex pheromones have been identified in Asian elephants: (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate and frontalin, and their effects on the elephants’ behaviour have been described in detail. The genomes of both the Asian (Elephas maximus) and the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) have been poorly annotated. In particular, the complete sequences of two odorant-binding proteins and a VEG protein are available for the African elephant, together with isoforms and other members of the same families, which however are incomplete or unreliable. In a previous study, we have expressed the OBP1 of both elephant species, and investigated their binding properties. We showed that OBP1 is tuned to the pheromone (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate and few structurally related linear esters, but also binds (E)-β-farnesene and farnesol with good affinity. In this work we have explored the characteristics of the second OBP of the African elephant (LafrOBP2). This protein, which was not found in the trunk wash, does not bind any of the above listed semiochemicals. Instead, it shows selected affinity to unsaturated linear aldehydes of 16 carbon atoms, specifically (Z)-9-hexadecenal, (Z)-11-hexadecenal and (10E,12Z)-hexadecadienal (bombykal). Fourteen and 18 carbon orthologues show only much reduced binding affinity. Some linear alcohols, fatty acids and esters also weakly bind this protein with dissociation constants about one order of magnitude higher.
Molecular interactions of adaptor protein PSTPIP2 control neutrophil-mediated responses leading to autoinflammation
Authors: Pavliuchenko Nataliia , Duric Iris , Kralova Jarmila , Fabisik Matej , Spoutil Frantisek , Prochazka Jan , Kasparek Petr , Pokorna Jana , Skopcova Tereza , Sedlacek Radislav , Brdicka Tomas
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Autoinflammatory diseases are characterized by dysregulation of innate immune system leading to spontaneous sterile inflammation. One of the well-established animal models of this group of disorders is the mouse strain Pstpip2cmo. In this strain, the loss of adaptor protein PSTPIP2 leads to the autoinflammatory disease chronic multifocal osteomyelitis. It is manifested by sterile inflammation of the bones and surrounding soft tissues of the hind limbs and tail. The disease development is propelled by elevated production of IL-1β and reactive oxygen species by neutrophil granulocytes. However, the molecular mechanisms linking PSTPIP2 and these pathways have not been established. Candidate proteins potentially involved in these mechanisms include PSTPIP2 binding partners, PEST family phosphatases (PEST-PTPs) and phosphoinositide phosphatase SHIP1.

Methods

To address the role of these proteins in PSTPIP2-mediated control of inflammation, we have generated mouse strains in which PEST-PTP or SHIP1 binding sites in PSTPIP2 have been disrupted. In these mouse strains, we followed disease symptoms and various inflammation markers.

Results

Our data show that mutation of the PEST-PTP binding site causes symptomatic disease, whereas mice lacking the SHIP1 interaction site remain asymptomatic. Importantly, both binding partners of PSTPIP2 contribute equally to the control of IL-1β production, while PEST-PTPs have a dominant role in the regulation of reactive oxygen species. In addition, the interaction of PEST-PTPs with PSTPIP2 regulates the production of the chemokine CXCL2 by neutrophils. Its secretion likely creates a positive feedback loop that drives neutrophil recruitment to the affected tissues.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that PSTPIP2-bound PEST-PTPs and SHIP1 together control the IL-1β pathway. In addition, PEST-PTPs have unique roles in the control of reactive oxygen species and chemokine production, which in the absence of PEST-PTP binding to PSTPIP2 shift the balance towards symptomatic disease.
Complement component 3 protects human bronchial epithelial cells from cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress and prevents incessant apoptosis
Authors: Pei Yuqiang , Zhang Jing , Qu Jingge , Rao Yafei , Li Danyang , Gai Xiaoyan , Chen Yahong , Liang Ying , Sun Yongchang
Published: December 2022

The complement component 3 (C3) is a pivotal element of the complement system and plays an important role in innate immunity. A previous study showed that intracellular C3 was upregulated in airway epithelial cells (AECs) from individuals with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Accumulating evidence has shown that cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in AECs. Therefore, we investigated whether C3 modulated cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in AECs and participated in the pathogenesis of COPD. We found increased C3 expression, together with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis, in a cigarette smoke-induced mouse model of COPD and in AECs from patients with COPD. Different concentrations of CSEinduced C3 expression in 16HBE cells in vitro. Interestingly, C3 knockdown (KD) exacerbated oxidative stress and apoptosis in 16HBE cells exposed to CSE. Furthermore, C3 exerted its pro-survival effects through JNK inhibition, while exogenous C3 partially rescued CSE-induced cell death and oxidative stress in C3 KD cells. These data indicate that locally produced C3 is an important pro-survival molecule in AECs under cigarette smoke exposure, revealing a potentially novel mechanism in the pathogenesis of COPD.
Targets for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy of acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Schorr Christopher , Perna Fabiana
Published: December 2022

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive myeloid malignancy associated with high mortality rates (less than 30% 5-year survival). Despite advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning leukemogenesis, standard-of-care therapeutic approaches have not changed over the last couple of decades. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting CD19 has shown remarkable clinical outcomes for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is now an FDA-approved therapy. Targeting of myeloid malignancies that are CD19-negative with this promising technology remains challenging largely due to lack of alternate target antigens, complex clonal heterogeneity, and the increased recognition of an immunosuppressive bone marrow. We carefully reviewed a comprehensive list of AML targets currently being used in both proof-of-concept pre-clinical and experimental clinical settings. We analyzed the expression profile of these molecules in leukemic as well normal tissues using reliable protein databases and data reported in the literature and we provide an updated overview of the current clinical trials with CAR T-cells in AML. Our study represents a state-of-art review of the field and serves as a potential guide for selecting known AML-associated targets for adoptive cellular therapies.
Assessing microbial manipulation and environmental pollutants in the pathogenesis of psoriasis
Authors: Gough Portia , Zeldin Jordan , Myles Ian A.
Published: December 2022

The cutaneous microbiome is increasingly recognized as a contributor to skin diseases like atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. Although traditionally AD and psoriasis have been viewed as having opposing immunologic findings, recent evidence suggests an overlap in ceramide-family lipid production in the protection against symptoms. We recently identified that specific environmental pollutants may drive dysbiosis through direct suppression of ceramide-family lipids produced by health-associated skin bacteria in atopic dermatitis (AD). We further demonstrated that one such bacteria, Roseomonas mucosa, generated significant clinical improvement in AD lasting beyond active treatment via lipid-mediated modulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling. To assess the potential preclinical benefit of R. mucosa in psoriasis we assessed for direct effects on surface TNF signaling in cell cultures and identified direct effects on the TNF axis. We also identified preclinical efficacy of R. mucosa treatment in the imiquimod mouse model of psoriasis. Finally, we expanded our previous environmental assessment for psoriasis to include more traditional markers of air quality and found a strong association between disease rates and ambient carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM). At the current stage this work is speculative but does support consideration of further preclinical models and/or clinical assessments to evaluate any potential for therapeutic benefit through microbial manipulation and/or environmental mitigation.
AHA: AI-guided tool for the quantification of venom-induced haemorrhage in mice
Authors: Jenkins Timothy P. , Laprade William Michael , Sánchez Andrés , Tulika Tulika , O’Brien Carol , Sørensen Christoffer V. , Stewart Trenton K. , Fryer Thomas , Laustsen Andreas H. , Gutiérrez José María
Published: December 2022

Venom-induced haemorrhage constitutes a severe pathology in snakebite envenomings, especially those inflicted by viperid species. To both explore venom activity accurately and evaluate the efficacy of viperid antivenoms for the neutralisation of haemorrhagic activity it is essential to have available a precise, quantitative tool for empirically determining venom-induced haemorrhage. Thus, we have built on our prior approach and developed a new AI-guided tool (AHA) for the quantification of venom-induced haemorrhage in mice. Using a smartphone, it takes less than a minute to take a photo, upload the image, and receive accurate information on the magnitude of a venom-induced haemorrhagic lesion in mice. This substantially decreases analysis time, reduces human error, and does not require expert haemorrhage analysis skills. Furthermore, its open access web-based graphical user interface makes it easy to use and implement in laboratories across the globe. Together, this will reduce the resources required to preclinically assess and control the quality of antivenoms, whilst also expediting the profiling of haemorrhagic activity in venoms for the wider toxinology community.
Characteristics and evaluation of coastal erosion vulnerability of typical coast on Hainan Island
Authors: Fu GuoWei , Cao Chao , Fu KaiZhe , Song YanWei , Yuan Kun , Wan XiaoMing , Zhu ZiAng , Wang ZhaoFan , Huang ZanHui
Published: December 2022

Coastal erosion vulnerability assessment is widely used to assess the loss degree of coastal zone caused by erosion, and plays an important role in coastal natural resources protection, planning, management and decision-making. Based on the natural and social characteristics of the east coast of Qiongdong and the coastal erosion vulnerability index (CVI) method, this study selected 8 assessment indicators, such as shoreline change rate (U1). The Delphi method and the entropy weight method were used to calculate the comprehensive index weight, combined with CVI method and geographic information system (GIS) technology, to quantitatively evaluate the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of typical coastal erosion vulnerability such as coral reefs in the east of Hainan Island. The study area was divided into 5 grades: very low (31%), low (10%), moderate (28%), high (24%) and high vulnerability (7%), and the overall performance was moderate erosion vulnerability. The research showed that the interannual downward rate erosion of beach (U3) and the rate of change of the isobath (U2) of the beach were the main controlling factors affecting the vulnerability of coastal erosion in the study area, and the coastal dynamic factor had a greater impact than the other two factors. As a natural barrier, the coral reefs in the study area had good wave absorption and energy reduction, and the coral reef coasts showed low coastal erosion vulnerability, due to the complex hydrodynamic characteristics, estuary coasts is the most vulnerable areas. The verification results of the ROC-AUC method showed that the accuracy of erosion vulnerability was 68.9%, which provided an important reference for the ecological restoration of tropical coral reef biological coasts and the development and management of the Hainan Qiongdong coastal zone.
Mechanisms of hydration heat inhibitors on the early heat release process of cement
Authors: Lv Jiaoyang , Tian Bo , Li Lihui , Quan Lei
Published: December 2022

We evaluated the effects of hydration heat inhibitors on the early hydration heat release process of cement and its main mineral components. We used a microcalorimetric method to determine the effects of various proportions and properties of hydration heat inhibitors on the hydration of portland cement, tricalcium silicate, and tricalcium aluminate: concentration (C) = 40% m/m hydroxydiphosphonic acid (HEDP) (1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid) and C = 40% m/m diethylene triamine pentonyphosphonic acid (DTPMPA) (diethylenetriaminepentamethylene phosphonic acid). We also analyzed and tested the heat release rate and cumulative heat release during the hydration of cement and its main mineral components. The hydration heat inhibitors decreased the heat release rate of cementitious materials by means of adsorption, chelation, precipitation, complex formation, and control of calcium hydroxide crystals. Among these materials, the hydration heat inhibitor had the most substantial effect on the composition of tricalcium silicate clinker, reducing the peak temperature at the initial stage of hydration and delaying its occurrence time. These results are pertinent to controlling and selecting the early hydrothermal release process of cement systems.
Performance analysis of the functionally graded flexoelectric-piezoelectric energy harvesting
Authors: Ke Zhengyu , Zhou Zhidong
Published: December 2022

In the present paper, the output performances of the functionally graded flexoelectric-piezoelectric (FGFP) energy harvesting subjected to an external harmonic excitation, considering the effect of piezoelectric polarization direction, are addressed. Based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam model and generalized Hamiltonian principle, the dynamic governing equations and the corresponding boundary conditions of the functionally graded flexoelectric-piezoelectric energy harvesting are obtained. The natural frequency equation and the closed-form analytical expressions of electromechanical responses are further deduced. The numerical results show that the output performance of the functionally graded flexoelectric-piezoelectric energy harvesting is dependent on the piezoelectric polarization direction, gradient index and structure size. At the nanoscale, the flexoelectric effect dominates the output performances; however, at the microscale, the gradient piezoelectric effect dominates the output performances. At transition scales, from nano to micro, the output performances are very small sometimes, where, in some case, the gradient piezoelectric effect and flexoelectric effect cancel each other. The present study reveals the importance of the piezoelectric polarization direction and gradient index on the output performance of the functionally graded flexoelectric-piezoelectric energy harvesting from nano to micro scales.
Association between first 24-h mean body temperature and mortality in patients with diastolic heart failure in intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Xu Hongyu , Xie Yonggang , Sun Xiaoling , Feng Nianhai
Published: December 2022

Background

Body temperature (BT) has been used to evaluate the outcomes of patients with various diseases. In this study, patients with diastolic heart failure (DHF) in the intensive care unit (ICU) were examined for a correlation between BT and mortality.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV dataset. A total of 4,153 patients with DHF were included. The primary outcomes were 28-day ICU and higher in-hospital mortality rates. BT was used in the analyses both as a continuous variable and as a categorical variable. According to the distribution of BT, the patients were categorized into three groups (hypothermia BT <36.5°C, normal 36.5°C ≤ BT <37.5°C, and hyperthermia BT ≥37.5°C). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the association between BT and patient outcomes.

Results

The proportions of the groups were 23.6, 69.2, and 7.2%, respectively. As a continuous variable, every 1°C increase in BT was associated with a 21% decrease in 28-day ICU mortality (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66–0.96, and p = 0.019) and a 23% decrease in in-hospital mortality (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66–0.91; and p = 0.002). When BT was used as a categorical variable, hypothermia was significantly associated with both 28-day ICU mortality (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.03–1.65; and p = 0.026) and in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.07–1.59; and p = 0.008). No statistical differences were observed between 28-day ICU mortality and in-hospital mortality with hyperthermia after adjustment.

Conclusion

The first 24-h mean BT after ICU admission was associated with 28-day ICU and in-hospital mortality in patients with DHF. Hypothermia significantly increased mortality, whereas hyperthermia did not.
Residual inflammation in psoriatic arthritis patients in stable minimal disease activity
Authors: Macchioni Pierluigi , Marchesoni Antonio , Ciancio Giovanni , Sandri Gilda , Zabotti Alen , Vukatana Gentiana , Montaguti Luca , Focherini Mariacristina , Govoni Marcello , Spinella Amelia , Malavolta Nazzarena , Zuliani Francesca , Bruschi Marco , Mascella Fabio , Salvarani Carlo
Published: December 2022

Background

In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), low disease activity as defined by the Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) index is considered a good treatment target. However, as MDA is based only on clinical findings, it might not capture pauci-symptomatic inflammation. Sensitive imaging such as ultrasound (US) might disclose residual inflammatory signs in PsA patients in MDA.

Methods

In this cross-sectional multicentre study, adult PsA patients on biologic treatment in MDA for at least 6 months were consecutively enrolled for a thorough clinical and US examination. Data collection included demographics, personal history, main patient's reported outcomes, clinical and US findings of joints, tendon sheaths, tendons, bursae, and entheses involvement. All centers performed the US investigation in B-mode and Power Doppler (PD)-mode using a similar US machine equipped with a 18–6 and 13–5 MHz multifrequency linear probe. Statistical analysis included comparisons between groups and correlation tests.

Results

The 72 PsA patients enrolled in the study had a median duration of MDA of 12 (6–65) months. Overall, US examination revealed a low number of acute lesions. However, 54% of patients had at least one PD signal in the examined tissues. A joint or enthesis positive PD signal was found in about 19 and 24% of patients, respectively. Synovial hypertrophy, at least one acute entheseal lesions, and bursitis were the most common changes, detected in 41.7, 41.7 and 26% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions

PsA patients in a stable state of MDA may still have residual inflammation in peripheral articular structures detectable by US examination.
Specific high-resolution scheme to improve understanding of the spatio-temporal dispersion of lymphogranuloma venereum epidemic
Authors: Martínez-García Laura , González-Alba José María , Puerta Teresa , Comunión Alicia , Rodríguez-Jiménez María Concepción , Orviz Eva , Sánchez-Conde Matilde , Rodríguez-Domínguez Mario , Cantón Rafael , Galán Juan Carlos
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is already endemic in vulnerable populations in several European countries; however, molecular epidemiology data with improved accuracy are necessary to better understand LGV epidemic in these countries. Current strategies to study the molecular epidemiology of LGV cases involve schemes based on a few genetic fragments of Chlamydia trachomatis, which have demonstrated limited discriminatory power for LGV. Therefore, this study aimed to propose a new combination of molecular markers based on the most variable genes of L-genotype genomes to improve the characterization of the current LGV epidemic in Madrid, Spain.

Methods

Four genes were selected according to their diversity index (CTLon_0054, CTLon_0087, CTLon_0243 and CTLon_0301) for use in combination with ompA. In silico and experimental studies were performed to compare the previously described multilocus sequence typing (MLST) schemes with our proposal. Moreover, the proposed scheme was applied (n = 68) to analyze the spatio-temporal spread of the LGV cases.

Results

Our proposal demonstrated higher diversity allowing the identification of three main groups compared to the previously published MLST based on hypervariable genes wherein only a single sequence type was identified. The temporal analysis showed that the major cluster was progressively diversifying, revealing a very active transmission chain. Furthermore, an L2b genome identical to that of the origin of the epidemic was detected, suggesting reintroductions or a low screening rate in vulnerable populations. The spatial distribution suggests that the selection and spread of new variants occurs from the central district to the peripheral regions.

Discussion

The scheme proposed in this study has proven to be useful for appropriate discrimination of LGV strains. This study, to our knowledge for the first time, demonstrates a spatio-temporal spread that increases our understanding and identifies areas with special susceptibility for maintenance of the endemic situation of LGV.
Denitrifying anaerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria in river networks of the Taihu Basin: Community dynamics and assembly process
Authors: Wang Ruyue , Xu Sai , Zhu Yuxiang , Zhang Tao , Ge Shijian
Published: December 2022

Denitrifying anaerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria (DAMO bacteria) plays an important role in reducing methane emissions from river ecosystems. However, the assembly process of their communities underlying different hydrologic seasons remains unclarified. In this study, the dynamics of DAMO bacterial communities in river networks of the Taihu Basin were investigated by amplicon sequencing across wet, normal, and dry seasons followed by multiple statistical analyses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Group B was the major subgroup of DAMO bacteria and significant dynamics for their communities were observed across different seasons (constrained principal coordinate analysis, p = 0.001). Furthermore, the neutral community model and normalized stochasticity ratio model were applied to reveal the underlying assembly process. Stochastic process and deterministic process dominated the assembly process in wet season and normal season, respectively and similar contributions of deterministic and stochastic processes were observed in dry season. Meanwhile, abundant (relative abundance >0.1%) and rare (relative abundance <0.01%) DAMO bacterial communities were found to be shaped via distinct assembly processes. Deterministic and stochastic processes played a considerable role in shaping abundant DAMO bacterial communities, while deterministic process mainly shaped rare DAMO bacterial communities. Results of this study revealed the dynamics of DAMO bacterial communities in river networks and provided a theoretical basis for further understanding of the assembly process.
Evaluating a potential model to analyze the function of the gut microbiota of the giant panda
Authors: Zhang Wenping , Xie Junjin , Xia Shan , Fan Xueyang , Schmitz-Esser Stephan , Zeng Benhua , Zheng Lijun , Huang He , Wang Hairui , Zhong Jincheng , Zhang Zhihe , Zhang Liang , Jiang Mingfeng , Hou Rong
Published: December 2022

To contribute to the conservation of endangered animals, the utilization of model systems is critical to analyze the function of their gut microbiota. In this study, the results of a fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) experiment with germ-free (GF) mice receiving giant panda or horse fecal microbiota showed a clear clustering by donor microbial communities in GF mice, which was consistent with the results of blood metabolites from these mice. At the genus level, FMT re-established approximately 9% of the giant panda donor microbiota in GF mice compared to about 32% for the horse donor microbiota. In line with this, the difference between the panda donor microbiota and panda-mice microbiota on whole-community level was significantly larger than that between the horse donor microbiota and the horse-mice microbiota. These results were consistent with source tracking analysis that found a significantly higher retention rate of the horse donor microbiota (30.9%) than the giant panda donor microbiota (4.0%) in GF mice where the microbiota remained stable after FMT. Further analyzes indicated that the possible reason for the low retention rate of the panda donor microbiota in GF mice was a low relative abundance ofClostridiaceaein the panda donor microbiota. Our results indicate that the donor microbiota has a large effect on GF mice microbiota after FMT.
A brain-inspired robot pain model based on a spiking neural network
Authors: Feng Hui , Zeng Yi
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Pain is a crucial function for organisms. Building a “Robot Pain” model inspired by organisms' pain could help the robot learn self-preservation and extend longevity. Most previous studies about robots and pain focus on robots interacting with people by recognizing their pain expressions or scenes, or avoiding obstacles by recognizing dangerous objects. Robots do not have human-like pain capacity and cannot adaptively respond to danger. Inspired by the evolutionary mechanisms of pain emergence and the Free Energy Principle (FEP) in the brain, we summarize the neural mechanisms of pain and construct a Brain-inspired Robot Pain Spiking Neural Network (BRP-SNN) with spike-time-dependent-plasticity (STDP) learning rule and population coding method.

Methods

The proposed model can quantify machine injury by detecting the coupling relationship between multi-modality sensory information and generating “robot pain” as an internal state.

Results

We provide a comparative analysis with the results of neuroscience experiments, showing that our model has biological interpretability. We also successfully tested our model on two tasks with real robots—the alerting actual injury task and the preventing potential injury task.

Discussion

Our work has two major contributions: (1) It has positive implications for the integration of pain concepts into robotics in the intelligent robotics field. (2) Our summary of pain's neural mechanisms and the implemented computational simulations provide a new perspective to explore the nature of pain, which has significant value for future pain research in the cognitive neuroscience field.
Activation of the VpdmVGLUT1-VPM pathway contributes to anxiety-like behaviors induced by malocclusion
Authors: Ji Yuan-Yuan , Liu Xin , Li Xin , Xiao Yi-Fan , Ma Teng , Wang Jian , Feng Yue , Shi Juan , Wang Mei-Qing , Li Jin-Lian , Lai Jiang-Hua
Published: December 2022

Occlusal disharmony has a negative impact on emotion. The mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Vme) neurons are the primary afferent nuclei that convey proprioceptive information from proprioceptors and low-threshold mechanoreceptors in the periodontal ligament and jaw muscles in the cranio-oro-facial regions. The dorsomedial part of the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus (Vpdm) and the ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPM) of thalamus have been proven to be crucial relay stations in ascending pathway of proprioception. The VPM sends numerous projections to primary somatosensory areas (SI), which modulate emotion processing. The present study aimed to demonstrate the ascending trigeminal-thalamic-cortex pathway which would mediate malocclusion-induced negative emotion. Unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) model created by disturbing the dental occlusion was applied. Tract-tracing techniques were used to identify the existence of Vme-Vpdm-VPM pathway and Vpdm-VPM-SI pathway. Chemogenetic and optogenetic methods were taken to modulate the activation of VpdmVGLUT1 neurons and the Vpdm-VPM pathway. Morphological evidence indicated the involvement of the Vme-Vpdm-VPM pathway, Vpdm-VPM-SI pathway and VpdmVGLUT1-VPM pathway in orofacial proprioception in wild-type mice and vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1): tdTomato mice, respectively. Furthermore, chemogenetic inhibition of VpdmVGLUT1 neurons and the Vpdm-VPM pathway alleviated anxiety-like behaviors in a unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) model, whereas chemogenetic activation induced anxiety-like behaviors in controls and did not aggravate these behaviors in UAC mice. Finally, optogenetic inhibition of the VpdmVGLUT1-VPM pathway in VGLUT1-IRES-Cre mice reversed UAC-induced anxiety comorbidity. In conclusion, these results suggest that the VpdmVGLUT1-VPM neural pathway participates in the modulation of malocclusion-induced anxiety comorbidity. These findings provide new insights into the links between occlusion and emotion and deepen our understanding of the impact of occlusal disharmony on brain dysfunction.
Effect of sleep loss on pain—New conceptual and mechanistic avenues
Authors: Kourbanova Kamila , Alexandre Chloe , Latremoliere Alban
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Sleep disturbances increase pain sensitivity in clinical and preclinical settings, but the precise mechanisms are unknown. This represents a major public health issue because of the growing sleep deficiency epidemic fueled by modern lifestyle. To understand the neural pathways at the intersection between sleep and pain processes, it is critical to determine the precise nature of the sleep disruptions that increase pain and the specific component of the pain response that is targeted.

Methods

We performed a review of the literature about sleep disturbances and pain sensitivity in humans and rodents by taking into consideration the targeted sleep stage (REMS, non–NREMS, or both), the amount of sleep lost, and the different types of sleep disruptions (partial or total sleep loss, duration, sleep fragmentation or interruptions), and how these differences might affect distinct components of the pain response.

Results

We find that the effects of sleep disturbances on pain are highly conserved among species. The major driver for pain hypersensitivity appears to be the total amount of sleep lost, while REMS loss by itself does not seem to have a direct effect on pain sensitivity. Sleep loss caused by extended wakefulness preferentially increases pain perception, whereas interrupted and limited sleep strongly dysregulates descending controls such as DNIC, especially in women.

Discussion

We discuss the possible mechanisms involved, including an increase in inflammatory processes, a loss of nociceptive inhibitory pathways, and a defect in the cognitive processing of noxious input.