bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alteration of intestinal mucosal microbiota in mice with Chinese dampness-heat syndrom diarrhea by improper diet combined with high temperature and humidity environments
Authors: Qiao Bo , Li Xiaoya , Peng Maijiao , Hui Huaying , Tan Zhoujin
Published: January 2023

Background

Environment, diet, and emotion may trigger diarrhea, but the mechanism is unclear. Dietary habits or environmental factors affect the composition of gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate the effects of improper diet combined with high humidity and temperature (HTH) environment on the intestinal mucosal microbiota.

Materials and methods

Kunming mice were randomly assigned to two equal groups of five mice, namely the control (ccm) group and the model (cmm) group. Diarrhea mice with dampness-heat (DSH) were established by improper diet combined with HTH environments. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to analyze the characteristics of intestinal mucosal microbiota and the interaction relationship of function.

Results

Our study shows that the intestinal mucosal microbiota of mice changed significantly after an improper diet combined with the HTH environments. The abundance of Fusobacteria and Haemophilus increased dramatically in the cmm group compared to the ccm group (P<0.05). And the abundance of Firmicutes, Lactobacillus, and Lonsdalea was significantly decreased in the cmm group (P<0.05). According to the functional predictive analysis, we found that Lactobacillus showed a significant negative correlation with Protein export, Homologous recombination, Phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan biosynthesis, Citrate cycle, and Lipoic acid metabolism.

Conclusion

Diarrhea with DSH constructed under improper diet and HTH environment may be related to Lactobacillus and Haemophilus. And long-term consumption of improper diet and the HTH environment may affect metabolism.
Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis and the CNS barriers
Authors: Gil Eliza , Wall Emma , Noursadeghi Mahdad , Brown Jeremy S.
Published: January 2023

Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPN) is a globally significant cause of meningitis, the pathophysiology of which involves damage to the brain by both bacterial virulence factors and the host inflammatory response. In most cases of SPN meningitis bacteria translocate from the blood into the central nervous system (CNS). The principal site of SPN translocation into the CNS is not known, with possible portals of entry proposed to be the cerebral or meningeal blood vessels or the choroid plexus. All require SPN to bind to and translocate across the vascular endothelial barrier, and subsequently the basement membrane and perivascular structures, including an additional epithelial barrier in the case of the blood-CSF barrier. The presence of SPN in the CNS is highly inflammatory resulting in marked neutrophilic infiltration. The secretion of toxic inflammatory mediators by activated neutrophils within the CNS damages pathogen and host alike, including the non-replicative neurons which drives morbidity and mortality. As with the translocation of SPN, the recruitment of neutrophils into the CNS in SPN meningitis necessitates the translocation of neutrophils from the circulation across the vascular barrier, a process that is tightly regulated under basal conditions – a feature of the ‘immune specialization’ of the CNS. The brain barriers are therefore central to SPN meningitis, both through a failure to exclude bacteria and maintain CNS sterility, and subsequently through the active recruitment and/or failure to exclude circulating leukocytes. The interactions of SPN with these barriers, barrier inflammatory responses, along with their therapeutic implications, are explored in this review.
Nanomaterials to address the genesis of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli
Authors: Kaushik Mahima , Sarkar Niloy , Singh Amit , Kumar Pankaj
Published: January 2023

Escherichia is a genus of prokaryotic gram-negative bacteria which forms a vital component of the gut microbiota of homeotherms including humans. Many members of this genus are commensals and pathogenic strains, which are responsible for some of the most common bacterial infections and can be fatal, particularly in the case of newborns and children. The fecal matter in wastewater treatment plants serves as major environmental sinks for the accumulation of Escherichia. The rise in antibiotic pollution and the lateral gene exchange of antibiotic-resistant genes have created antibiotic-resistant Escherichia strains that are often called superbugs. Antibiotic resistance has reached a crisis level that nowadays existing antibiotics are no longer effective. One way of tackling this emerging concern is by using nanomaterials. Punitively, nanomaterials can be used by conjugating with antibodies, biomolecules, and peptides to reduce antibiotic usage, whereas, preventatively, they can be used as either nano-antimicrobial additives or nano-photocatalytic sheets to reduce the microbial population and target the superbugs of environmental Escherichia. In this review, we have explored the threat posed by pathogenic Escherichia strains in the environment, especially in the context of antibiotic-resistant strains. Along with this, we have discussed some nanomaterial-mediated strategies in which the problem can be addressed by using nanomaterials as nanophotocatalytics, antimicrobial additives, drugs, and drug conjugates. This review also presents a brief overview of the ecological threats posed by the overuse of nanomaterials which warrants a balanced and judicious approach to the problem.
Deep learning for skillful long-lead ENSO forecasts
Authors: Patil Kalpesh Ravindra , Doi Takeshi , Jayanthi Venkata Ratnam , Behera Swadhin
Published: January 2023

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is one of the fundamental drivers of the Earth's climate variability. Thus, its skillful prediction at least a few months to years ahead is of utmost importance to society. Using both dynamical and statistical methods, several studies reported skillful ENSO predictions at various lead times. Predictions with long lead times, on the other hand, remain difficult. In this study, we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based statistical ENSO prediction system with heterogeneous CNN parameters for each season with a modified loss function to predict ENSO at least 18–24 months ahead. The developed prediction system indicates that the CNN model is highly skillful in predicting ENSO at long lead times of 18–24 months with high skills in predicting extreme ENSO events compared with the Scale Interaction Experiment-Frontier ver. 2 (SINTEX-F2) dynamical system and several other statistical prediction systems. The analysis indicates that the CNN model can overcome the spring barrier, a major hindrance to dynamical prediction systems, in predicting ENSO at long lead times. The improvement in the prediction skill can partly be attributed to the heterogeneous parameters of seasonal CNN models used in this study and also to the use of a modified loss function in the CNN model. In this study, we also attempted to identify various precursors to ENSO events using CNN heatmap analysis.
The impact of COVID-19-related information scanning via social media on Chinese intentions regarding coronavirus vaccinations
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Espanha Rita
Published: January 2023

Background

During the COVID-19 health crisis, there is a recognized need for addressing vaccine hesitancy to increase vaccination rates globally. In this context, exploring the underlying public behavioral mechanism related to COVID-19 vaccine decisions has been the focus of much investigation.

Objective

This thesis seeks to investigate and explain the impact of COVID-19-related information scanning via social media on health perceptions and behavioral intentions to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses in China.

Methods

By distributing a questionnaire online, 483 respondents were recruited. Then, the present study applied partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) by using Smart PLS 3.3. Finally, the variance of path relationships among different socio-demographic groups was tested by performing multigroup analysis.

Results

COVID-19 information scanning via social media has positive influence on four constructs, including perceived severity (β = 0.355, p < 0.01), perceived vulnerability (β = 0.140, p < 0.05), self-efficacy (β = 0.360, p < 0.01) and response efficacy (β = 0.355, p < 0.01). No significant correlation was found between threat appraisal and behavioral intentions to get vaccinated, including perceived severity and perceived vulnerability. And scanned information exerts influence through other significant factors, including self-efficacy (β = 0.379, p < 0.01), response efficacy (β = 0.275, p < 0.01) and response cost (β = −0.131, p < 0.05). Additionally, response efficacy exerts stronger influences on men's behavioral intentions, whereas response cost and perceived vulnerability are stronger mediators among women. Surprisingly, scanned information is positively associated with response cost among older adults, and perceived vulnerability was negatively associated with behavioral intentions to receive the coronavirus vaccines among younger adults. And there were significant differences in the association of perceived vulnerability and behavioral intentions between lower and higher educated groups.

Conclusion

The present results highlight the key roles of COVID-19-related scanned information on public health perceptions and behavioral intentions. Tailored health communication must deliver factual information, address the public uncertainty regarding adverse effect of COVID-19 vaccine, and clarify vaccine schedules.
Supporting the “forgotten” ventricle: The evolution of percutaneous RVADs
Authors: James Les , Smith Deane E.
Published: January 2023

Right heart failure (RHF) can occur as the result of an acute or chronic disease process and is a challenging clinical condition for surgeons and interventionalists to treat. RHF occurs in approximately 0.1% of patients after cardiac surgery, in 2–3% of patients following heart transplantation, and in up to 42% of patients after LVAD implantation. Regardless of the cause, RHF portends high morbidity and mortality and is associated with longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs. The mainstays of traditional therapy for severe RHF have included pharmacological support, such as inotropes and vasopressors, and surgical right ventricular (RV) assist devices. However, in recent years catheter-based mechanical circulatory support (MCS) strategies have offered novel solutions for addressing RHF without the morbidity of open surgery. This manuscript will review the pathophysiology of RHF, including the molecular underpinnings, gross structural mechanisms, and hemodynamic consequences. The evolution of techniques for supporting the right ventricle will be explored, with a focus on various institutional experiences with percutaneous ventricular assist devices.
Management of hemodynamically stable wide QRS complex tachycardia in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators
Authors: Regoli François D. , Cattaneo Mattia , Kola Florenc , Thartori Albana , Bytyci Hekuran , Saccarello Luca , Amoruso Marco , Di Valentino Marcello , Menafoglio Andrea
Published: January 2023

Management of hemodynamically stable, incessant wide QRS complex tachycardia (WCT) in patients who already have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is challenging. First-line treatment is performed by medical staff who have no knowledge on programmed ICD therapy settings and there is always some concern for unexpected ICD shock. In these patients, a structured approach is necessary from presentation to therapy. The present review provides a systematic approach in four distinct phases to guide any physician involved in the management of these patients: PHASE I: assessment of hemodynamic status and use of the magnet to temporarily suspend ICD therapies, especially shocks; identification of possible arrhythmia triggers; risk stratification in case of electrical storm (ES). PHASE II: The preparation phase includes reversal of potential arrhythmia “triggers”, mild patient sedation, and patient monitoring for therapy delivery. Based on resource availability and competences, the most adequate therapeutic approach is chosen. This choice depends on whether a device specialist is readily available or not. In the case of ES in a “high-risk” patient an accelerated patient management protocol is advocated, which considers urgent ventricular tachycardia transcatheter ablation with or without mechanical cardiocirculatory support. PHASE III: Therapeutic phase is based on the use of intravenous anti-arrhythmic drugs mostly indicated in this clinical context are presented. Device interrogation is very important in this phase when sustained monomorphic VT diagnosis is confirmed, then ICD ATP algorithms, based on underlying VT cycle length, are proposed. In high-risk patients with intractable ES, intensive patient management considers MCS and transcatheter ablation. PHASE IV: The patient is hospitalized for further diagnostics and management aimed at preventing arrhythmia recurrences.
SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein activates TMEM16F-mediated platelet procoagulant activity
Authors: Cappelletto Ambra , Allan Harriet E. , Crescente Marilena , Schneider Edoardo , Bussani Rossana , Ali Hashim , Secco Ilaria , Vodret Simone , Simeone Roberto , Mascaretti Luca , Zacchigna Serena , Warner Timothy D. , Giacca Mauro
Published: January 2023

Thrombosis of the lung microvasculature is a characteristic of COVID-19 disease, which is observed in large excess compared to other forms of acute respiratory distress syndrome and thus suggests a trigger for thrombosis that is endogenous to the lung. Our recent work has shown that the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein activates the cellular TMEM16F chloride channel and scramblase. Through a screening on >3,000 FDA/EMA approved drugs, we identified Niclosamide and Clofazimine as the most effective molecules at inhibiting Spike-induced TMEM16 activation. As TMEM16F plays an important role in stimulating the procoagulant activity of platelets, we investigated whether Spike directly affects platelet activation and pro-thrombotic function and tested the effect of Niclosamide and Clofazimine on these processes. Here we show that Spike, present either on the virion envelope or on the cell plasma membrane, promotes platelet activation, adhesion and spreading. Spike was active as a sole agonist or, even more effectively, by enhancing the function of known platelet activators. In particular, Spike-induced a marked procoagulant phenotype in platelets, by enhancing Ca2+ flux, phosphatidylserine externalization on the platelet outer cell membrane, and thrombin generation. Eventually, this increased thrombin-induced clot formation and retraction. Both Niclosamide and Clofazimine blocked this Spike-induced procoagulant response. These findings provide a pathogenic mechanism to explain lung thrombosis-associated with severe COVID-19 infection. We propose that Spike, present in SARS-CoV-2 virions or exposed on the surface of infected cells in the lungs, enhances the effects of inflammation and leads to local platelet stimulation and subsequent activation of the coagulation cascade. As platelet TMEM16F is central in this process, these findings reinforce the rationale of repurposing Niclosamide for COVID-19 therapy.
Latest advances in biomimetic nanomaterials for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Gong Yuxuan , Liu Huaying , Ke Shen , Zhuo Li , Wang Haibin
Published: January 2023

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in China, with increasingly serious negative effects on people and society. Despite significant advances in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, such as atrial fibrillation/flutter and heart failure over the last few years, much more remains to be done. Therefore, developing innovative methods for identifying and managing cardiovascular disorders is critical. Nanomaterials provide multiple benefits in biomedicine, primarily better catalytic activity, drug loading, targeting, and imaging. Biomimetic materials and nanoparticles are specially combined to synthesize biomimetic nanoparticles that successfully reduce the nanoparticles’ toxicity and immunogenicity while enhancing histocompatibility. Additionally, the biological targeting capability of nanoparticles facilitates the diagnosis and therapy of cardiovascular disease. Nowadays, nanomedicine still faces numerous challenges, which necessitates creating nanoparticles that are highly selective, toxic-free, and better clinically applicable. This study reviews the scientific accomplishments in this field over the past few years covering the classification, applications, and prospects of noble metal biomimetic nanozymes and biomimetic nanocarriers.
Coronary artery aneurysm formation after paclitaxel-coated balloon-only intervention for de novo coronary chronic total occlusion
Authors: Jun Eun Jung , Shin Eun-Seok , Kim Bitna , Teoh Eu-Vin , Chu Chong-Mow , Kim Sunwon , Liew Houng Bang
Published: January 2023

Background

Although coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is an uncommon complication of drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment, the incidence and mechanisms CAA formation after DCB intervention for chronic total occlusion (CTO) remains to be clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of CAA after DCB intervention for the treatment of CTO of coronary arteries.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 82 patients, contributing 88 vessels, who underwent successful DCB-only treatment for de novo CTO lesions. Follow-up angiography was performed in all cases, at a mean 208.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 174.8 to 337.5) days after the index procedure.

Results

CAA was identified in seven vessels, in seven patients, at the site of previous successful DCB-only treatment. Of these, six were fusiform in shape and one saccular, with a mean diameter of 4.2 ± 1.0 mm and length of 6.7 ± 2.6 mm. Six CAAs developed at the CTO inlet site, and all CAAs occurred at the lesions following dissection immediately after DCB treatment. CAAs were not associated with an increased risk of major clinical events over the median follow-up of 676.5 (IQR: 393.8 to 1,304.8) days.

Conclusion

The incidence of CAA after DCB-only treatment for CTO lesions was 8.0% in this study. Further research is warranted, using intravascular imaging, to clarify the mechanism of DCB-related CAA formation and prognosis.
Whole-cycle analysis of echocardiographic tissue Doppler velocities as a marker of biological age
Authors: Wang Joanna Nan , Olsen Niels Thue , Taraldsen Ida Arentz , Mogelvang Rasmus
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a sensitive marker of impaired cardiac function and different phases of the TDI curve carry different prognostic information. It is not known how continuous TDI curves change with age in normal subjects, and whether these changes differ from changes seen in individuals at risk of future cardiac events.

Methods

A total of 1,763 individuals from the general population were examined with color TDI at the septal and lateral mitral sites. A low-risk group was defined as without cardiac risk factors (hypertension, diabetes or ischemic heart disease) at baseline and without any cardiac events (cardiovascular death or admission due to either heart failure or acute myocardial infarction) during 10-years follow-up. All TDI curves were corrected for heart rate, and whole-cycle analysis of age-related changes to TDI velocities was performed in both low-risk (n = 881) and high-risk individuals (n = 882).

Results

In the low-risk population, four phases where myocardial velocity differed most (p < 10–10) according to age were identified [in a standardized cardiac cycle of 1 second (s)]: Systolic peak (0.09–0.13 s), systolic plateau (0.18–0.27 s), early diastole (0.43–0.54 s) and late diastole (0.88–0.95 s). With increasing age, systolic velocities decreased, early diastolic velocities decreased and had delayed peak, and late diastolic velocities increased until age 70 and then stopped increasing. In the high-risk population, comparison to corresponding age groups of the low-risk population showed: Lower early diastolic velocities in 20–40-year-olds; higher late diastolic velocities and lower peak systolic velocities in 40–60-year-olds; further decreased systolic velocities including the systolic plateau and decreased late diastolic velocities in 60-year-olds. The time segments around the systolic peak (p = 0.002) and early diastole (p < 0.001) differed significantly between the high-risk and low-risk population, thus making it possible to use the individual age gap between a TDI-derived biological age and the real chronological age as a tool to discriminate high-risk individuals from low-risk individuals.

Conclusion

We found that individuals with cardiac risk factors display findings compatible with an accelerated aging of the heart and thus propose TDI-derived biological age as a tool to identify high-risk patients.
Fair classification via domain adaptation: A dual adversarial learning approach
Authors: Liang Yueqing , Chen Canyu , Tian Tian , Shu Kai
Published: January 2023

Modern machine learning (ML) models are becoming increasingly popular and are widely used in decision-making systems. However, studies have shown critical issues of ML discrimination and unfairness, which hinder their adoption on high-stake applications. Recent research on fair classifiers has drawn significant attention to developing effective algorithms to achieve fairness and good classification performance. Despite the great success of these fairness-aware machine learning models, most of the existing models require sensitive attributes to pre-process the data, regularize the model learning or post-process the prediction to have fair predictions. However, sensitive attributes are often incomplete or even unavailable due to privacy, legal or regulation restrictions. Though we lack the sensitive attribute for training a fair model in the target domain, there might exist a similar domain that has sensitive attributes. Thus, it is important to exploit auxiliary information from a similar domain to help improve fair classification in the target domain. Therefore, in this paper, we study a novel problem of exploring domain adaptation for fair classification. We propose a new framework that can learn to adapt the sensitive attributes from a source domain for fair classification in the target domain. Extensive experiments on real-world datasets illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed model for fair classification, even when no sensitive attributes are available in the target domain.
Precipitation variations of western equatorial pacific during glacial–interglacial cycles since MIS8: Evidence from multi–proxies of abyssal sediment
Authors: Wang Genmin , Xu Jishang , Jiang Zhaoxia , Li Guangxue , Zhang Yang , Zhang Wenchao , Liu Yong
Published: January 2023

As an important global water vapor source, the Western Pacific warm pool (WPWP) influences precipitation changes in middle and low latitudes. The low-latitude water cycle is a key climate parameter at different time scales, as it contributes to various feedback processes. However, at present, indicators of precipitation variability in the equatorial western Pacific are limited. In this work, we used the sedimentary record of the southern margin of the WPWP to study the precipitation variability over the western equatorial Pacific since MIS8. The age framework based on plankton-foraminifera δ18O was used to analyze changes in geochemical elements, clay minerals, and magnetic parameters of a marine sediment core H10. As new precipitation records, our precipitation records (TiO2, χ, and SIRM concentration without carbonate base) are closely related to monsoon and Intertropical Convergence Zone and generally in inverse phase with the oxygen isotope records of stalagmites from caves in China. A spectral analysis showed an obvious precession period. The southern margin of the WPWP water cycle is closely related to the East Asian monsoon in the last four climate cycles, and is influenced by both high and low latitudes.
Advanced detection for faults in front of coal mine roadways using seismic scattered waves
Authors: Zhang Jun , Xiao Wenhao , Li Chunyang , Liu Shengdong
Published: January 2023

An unsuspected fault in front of a roadway is a key hidden disaster-causing factor that can result in major accidents in coal mines; therefore, the accurate advanced detection of faults is important for the safe coal mining. However, existing seismic advanced detection methods are difficult to execute because of the narrow space limits of roadways. Therefore, on the basis of the generalized theory of scattered waves and the scenes of advanced detections in roadways, we construct a new and superior advanced detection method using scattered waves. In this method, a virtual equivalent survey line perpendicular to the roadway strike is established to reconstruct scattered wave records and a polarization filter function is built to dynamically and accurately extract different types of scattered waves in the target area. An analysis of numerical simulations indicates the following. 1) The true reflection position of a fault in front of a rock roadway is closely related to its dip, and the proposed method can accurately extract and image the scattered multiwaves generated at the true reflection position to identify the inclination of the fault, which can avoid the arc-shaped illusion problem caused by the false reflection signal. 2) Under the condition that the scattered waves at the breakpoint of a broken coal seam are significantly disturbed by the coal seam waveguide effect, the fault inclination of the coal roadway can be determined by the joint imaging and interpretation on the reflected channel wave of the hanging wall breakpoint and the scattered wave of the footwall breakpoint. A field study was performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results indicate that this method can effectively identify the position and inclination of faults and provide an effective new means for the accurate detection of faults in front of coal mine roadways.
Undrained strength of clay determined from simple shear test
Authors: Huang Bin , Cai Shiqian , Li Jingjing , Wu Kunming , Yang Wenhui
Published: January 2023

The undrained shear strength of clay is an important parameter for the design of embankments, shallow foundations, and pile foundations. Among the various methods of testing undrained strength, the simple shear is essential when the shearing mode of the soil surrounding the pile is similar to that in a simple shear test. This study employs a series of undrained strength tests with a Berkeley simple shear apparatus. Three reconstituted natural clays and one artificial clay were tested with a range of coefficients of consolidation. The influence factors, including sample pre-consolidation pressure, saturation back pressure, shearing rate, height of specimen, consolidation stress, and lateral stress ratio, were investigated in undrained simple shear tests. The failure mode in simple shear and corresponding strength parameters are also examined. Based on the test data set, models for describing the undrained strength with simple shear for high plasticity clays are developed and compared to test data for normally consolidated reconstituted clay. Good agreement between models and intact Onsoy clay is also observed when allowance is made for the coefficient of consolidation and strength parameters of undisturbed clay and in situ stress state.
Numerical study of the effect of infilling material in a hole-like flaw on acoustic emission characteristics and damage evolution in sandstone
Authors: Zhang Qi , Ma Chun-Chi , Jiang Yalong , Geng Huale
Published: January 2023

Per-existing flaws are wide existence in rock mass, which have a significant effect on mechanical properties and fracturing behaviors. To investigate the effects of flaw type, infilling material, and flaw shape on the mechanical properties and fracture evolution of rock, a series of uniaxial compression tests were conducted on sandstone specimens. The bonded-particle model (BPM) and acoustic emission (AE) techniques were adopted to study the cracking process and AE characteristics of sandstone. The results indicate that relatively rigid infilling can significantly improve the mechanical properties of the rock. The AE simulation in the BPM revealed its fracture evolution, and there is a good consistency between fracture evolution and AE events. The cracking process and crack type around the hole-like flaw are influenced by the type of infilling material and its shape due to changes in the stress state around the hole-like flaw. Tensile cracks in nature usually initiate from the top or the bottom of a hole-like flaw. The shear and compaction cracks in nature prefer to initiate within the infilling material or from the lateral sides of the hole-like flaw. The cracking process of rocks can be characterized by the b-value, the variation of which is comparable with fracture behaviors and energy dissipation.
Preservice teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge development: A bibliometric review
Authors: Su Jiahong
Published: January 2023

Technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) has become an emerging topic in teacher education research. This review aims to analyze the global trends of the research on preservice teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) development. The bibliometric approach examines preservice teachers’ TPACK by identifying the most cited publications, journals, authors, funding agencies, and keywords used in the eligible studies (N = 114). The results show that preservice teachers’ TPACK research began in 2007 and the scientific community’s interest in this subject has been irregular. This study presents a global perspective on preservice teachers’ TPACK and provides researchers with future directions.
Okiskinwahamâkew: Reflecting on teaching, learning and assessment
Authors: Steinhauer Patricia J.
Published: January 2023

This paper looks at assessment views held by Alberta Education in regards to teaching and learning for educators in Alberta. The standardization model of teaching and assessment excludes Indigenous thought systems articulated through rigorous thought processes in the nehiyaw mâmitoneyihcikan – the Cree mind and intelligences. Infusion, integration, indigenization models that privilege the dominant educational design continue to perpetuate an invisible colliding space that impacts the Indigenous thinker and learner. Privileging Indigenous language thought systems that are rich in multidimensional processes are presented to address current notions of teaching and assessment. Looking through the lens of the Indigenous language system and addressing the politics of literacy uncovers nehiyaw mâmitoneyihcikan – the Cree mind. This rich thought system reveals a sophisticated system that operates omni and multidimensionally from and within a compassionate mind – a value based way of seeing and engaging. Honoring nehiyaw thought systems, processes of coming to know and respecting Indigenous understandings of teaching and learning, lead to considering the rigorous nehiyaw understanding of okiskinwahamâkew – Indigenous informed teaching guide.
Absenteeism prevention in preschools in Chile: Impact from a quasi-experimental evaluation of 2011–2017 Ministry of Education data
Authors: Arbour MaryCatherine , Soto Carolina , Alée Yanira , Atwood Sidney , Muñoz Pablo , Marzolo Marcela
Published: January 2023

Introduction

In 2007, to promote social equity, Chile expanded coverage and subsidies for early childhood education (ECE). Fundación Educacional Oportunidad (OFE) aimed to improve ECE quality through its professional development program for teachers and school leaders, Un Buen Comienzo (UBC). An experimental evaluation showed that high levels of absenteeism moderated UBC’s impact: despite moderate to large positive impacts on preschool quality, only children who attended most frequently experienced positive impacts on targeted language and literacy skills. In 2012, OFE began prioritizing attendance promotion and chronic absenteeism prevention.

Methods

Using a Breakthrough Series Collaborative (BTS) that combines continuous quality improvement methods and networked peer learning, OFE tested a theory of change and several innovations, including Absenteeism Committees comprised of school teams and families; a new real-time data platform; and a set of universal and targeted strategies to apply with families at risk for chronic absenteeism. In 2014-2015, OFE expanded the UBC program to nineteen schools in Chile’s VI Region, five of which prioritized attendance promotion. This study describes the intervention strategies and BTS implementation approach, and we use publicly available Ministry of Education databases to analyze rates of absences and chronic absenteeism in public preschools in Chile’s VI region from 2011 to 2017 (n = 1,218 children per year; 63,689 child-months of data), comparing rates between UBC schools that prioritized attendance (n = 5), UBC schools that did not prioritize attendance (n = 14), and non-UBC schools (n = 27).

Results

Children missed, on average, 14.0%–14.4% of schooldays. Rates of chronic absenteeism were 50.9%–54.2%. Statistical Process Control charts show an initial increase in the percentage of days absent per child each month (13.4% to 16.3%) in UBC Schools prioritizing attendance, followed by a decrease to 12.9%. The percentage of children with chronic absenteeism decreased from 54.2% to 35%. Interrupted time series analyses suggest that these reductions can be attributed to UBC participation.

Discussion

This study (1) replicates findings from prior research indicating that absenteeism rates are sufficiently high among Chilean preschoolers to diminish ECE’s potential benefits, and (2) demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-level strategies implemented using continuous improvement methods and networked peer learning to promote attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism.
Oral administration of VDAC1-derived small molecule peptides increases circulating testosterone levels in male rats
Authors: Martinez–Arguelles Daniel B. , Nedow Jennifer W. , Gukasyan Hovhannes J. , Papadopoulos Vassilios
Published: January 2023

Cholesterol is the precursor of all steroid hormones, and the entry of cholesterol into the mitochondria is the rate-limiting step of steroidogenesis. Voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC1) is an outer mitochondrial protein part of a multiprotein complex that imports cholesterol. We previously reported that intratesticular administration of a 25 amino acid peptide blocking the interaction between 14-3-3ϵ with VDAC1 increased circulating levels of testosterone. This fusion peptide was composed of a HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (TAT) protein transduction domain cell-penetrating peptide, a glycine linker, and amino acids 159-172 of VDAC1 (TV159-172). Here, we describe the development of a family of small molecules that increase circulating testosterone levels after an oral administration. We first characterized an animal model where TV159-172 was delivered subcutaneously. This subcutaneous model allowed us to study the interactions between TV159-172 and the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) and identify the biologically active core of TV159-172. The core consisted of the tetrapeptide RVTQ, which we used as a platform to design synthetic peptide derivatives that can be administered orally. We developed a second animal model to test various derivatives of RVTQ and found 11 active compounds. Dose-response experiments identified 4 synthetic peptides that robustly increased androgen levels in a specific manner. We selected RdVTQ as the leading VDAC1-core derivative and profiled the response across the lifespan of Brown-Norway rats. In summary, we present the development of a new class of therapeutics that act within the HPG axis to increase testosterone levels specifically. This new class of small molecules self-regulates, preventing abuse.
Increased plasma genistein after bariatric surgery could promote remission of NAFLD in patients with obesity
Authors: Wang Geng , Wang Yu , Bai Jie , Li Gang , Liu Yang , Deng Shichang , Zhou Rui , Tao Kaixiong , Xia Zefeng
Published: January 2023

Background

Bariatric surgery is associated with a positive effect on the progress of non-alcoholic associated fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although weight loss is the obvious mechanism, there are also weight-independent mechanisms.

Methods

We collected blood samples from 5 patients with obesity before and 3 months after surgery and performed an LC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics test to detect potential systemic changes. We also constructed sleeve gastrectomy (SG) mice models. The plasma, liver and intestine samples were collected and analyzed by qPCR, ELISA and HPLC. Cohousing experiments and feces transplantation experiments were performed on mice to study the effect of gut microbiota. Genistein administration experiments were used to study the in vivo function of the metabolites.

Results

Plasma genistein (GE) was identified to be elevated after surgery. Both clinical data and rodent models suggested that plasma GE is negatively related to the degree of NAFLD. We fed diet-induced obese (DIO) mice with GE, and we found that there was significant remission of NAFLD. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that GE could restrict the inflammation state in the liver and thus relieve NAFLD. Finally, we used co-housing experiments to alter the gut microbiota in mice, and it was identified that sleeve gastrectomy (SG) mice had a special gut microbiota phenotype, which could result in higher plasma GE levels. By feces transplantation experiment (FMT), we found that only feces from the SG mice (and not from other lean mice) could induce higher plasma GE levels.

Conclusion

Our studies showed that SG but not calorie restriction could induce higher plasma GE levels by altering the gut microbiota. This change could promote NAFLD remission. Our study provides new insights into the systemic effects of bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery could affect remote organs via altered metabolites from the gut microbiota. Our study also identified that additional supplement of GE after surgery could be a therapy for NAFLD.
Growth hormone stimulates lipolysis in mice but not in adipose tissue or adipocyte culture
Authors: Zhao Lidan , Jiang Honglin
Published: January 2023

The inhibitory effect of growth hormone (GH) on adipose tissue growth and the stimulatory effect of GH on lipolysis are well known, but the mechanisms underlying these effects are not completely understood. In this study, we revisited the effects of GH on adipose tissue growth and lipolysis in the lit/lit mouse model. The lit/lit mice are GH deficient because of a mutation in the GH releasing hormone receptor gene. We found that the lit/lit mice had more subcutaneous fat and larger adipocytes than their heterozygous lit/+ littermates and that these differences were partially reversed by 4-week GH injection. We also found that GH injection to the lit/lit mice caused the mature adipose tissue and adipocytes to reduce in size. These results demonstrate that GH inhibits adipose tissue growth at least in part by stimulating lipolysis. To determine the mechanism by which GH stimulates lipolysis, we cultured adipose tissue explants and adipocytes derived from lit/lit mice with GH and/or isoproterenol, an agonist of the beta-adrenergic receptors. These experiments showed that whereas isoproterenol, expectedly, stimulated potent lipolysis, GH, surprisingly, had no effect on basal lipolysis or isoproterenol-induced lipolysis in adipose tissue explants or adipocytes. We also found that both isoproterenol-induced lipolysis and phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase were not different between lit/lit and lit/+ mice. Taken together, these results support the conclusion that GH has lipolytic effect in mice but argue against the notion that GH stimulates lipolysis by directly acting on adipocytes or by enhancing β-adrenergic receptors-mediated lipolysis.
Whole-exome sequencing and bioinformatic analyses revealed differences in gene mutation profiles in papillary thyroid cancer patients with and without benign thyroid goitre background
Authors: Eng Zing Hong , Abdullah Mardiaty Iryani , Ng Khoon Leong , Abdul Aziz Azlina , Arba’ie Nurul Hannis , Mat Rashid Nurullainy , Mat Junit Sarni
Published: January 2023

Background

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy. Concurrent presence of cytomorphological benign thyroid goitre (BTG) and PTC lesion is often detected. Aberrant protein profiles were previously reported in patients with and without BTG cytomorphological background. This study aimed to evaluate gene mutation profiles to further understand the molecular mechanism underlying BTG, PTC without BTG background and PTC with BTG background.

Methods

Patients were grouped according to the histopathological examination results: (i) BTG patients (n = 9), (ii) PTC patients without BTG background (PTCa, n = 8), and (iii) PTC patients with BTG background (PTCb, n = 5). Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on genomic DNA extracted from thyroid tissue specimens. Nonsynonymous and splice-site variants with MAF of ≤ 1% in the 1000 Genomes Project were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). PTC-specific SNVs were filtered against OncoKB and COSMIC while novel SNVs were screened through dbSNP and COSMIC databases. Functional impacts of the SNVs were predicted using PolyPhen-2 and SIFT. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) enrichment of the tumour-related genes was analysed using Metascape and MCODE algorithm.

Results

PCA plots showed distinctive SNV profiles among the three groups. OncoKB and COSMIC database screening identified 36 tumour-related genes including BRCA2 and FANCD2 in all groups. BRAF and 19 additional genes were found only in PTCa and PTCb. “Pathways in cancer”, “DNA repair” and “Fanconi anaemia pathway” were among the top networks shared by all groups. However, signalling pathways related to tyrosine kinases were the most significantly enriched in PTCa while “Jak-STAT signalling pathway” and “Notch signalling pathway” were the only significantly enriched in PTCb. Ten SNVs were PTC-specific of which two were novel; DCTN1 c.2786C>G (p.Ala929Gly) and TRRAP c.8735G>C (p.Ser2912Thr). Four out of the ten SNVs were unique to PTCa.

Conclusion

Distinctive gene mutation patterns detected in this study corroborated the previous protein profile findings. We hypothesised that the PTCa and PTCb subtypes differed in the underlying molecular mechanisms involving tyrosine kinase, Jak-STAT and Notch signalling pathways. The potential applications of the SNVs in differentiating the benign from the PTC subtypes requires further validation in a larger sample size.
Autophagy and senescence of rat retinal precursor cells under high glucose
Authors: Peng Hanhan , Han Wentao , Ma Benteng , Dai Shirui , Long Jianfeng , Zhou Shu , Li Haoyu , Chen Baihua
Published: January 2023

Backgrounds

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common diabetic ocular disease characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) changes. An abnormal environment, hyperglycemia, may progressively alter the structure and function of RGCs, which is a primary pathological feature of retinal neurodegeneration in DR. Accumulated studies confirmed autophagy and senescence play a vital role in DR; however, the underlying mechanisms need to be clarified.

Methods

This study included the microarray expression profiling dataset GSE60436 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to conduct the bioinformatics analysis. The R software was used to identify autophagy-related genes (ARGs) that were differentially expressed in fibrovascular membranes (FVMs) and normal retinas. Co-expression and tissue-specific expression were elicited for the filtered genes. The genes were then analyzed by ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). R28 cells were cultured with high glucose, detected by reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-qPCR) and stained by apoptosis kit.

Results

In the retina, 31 differentially expressed ARGs (24 up-regulated genes) were discovered and enriched. The enrichment results revealed that differentially expressed ARGs were significantly enriched in autophagy, apoptosis, aging, and neural function. Four hub genes (i.e., TP53, CASP1, CCL2, and CASP1) were significantly up-regulated. Upregulation of cellular autophagy and apoptosis level was detected in the hyperglycemia model in vitro.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence for the autophagy and cellular senescence mechanisms involved in retinal hyperglycemia injury, and the protective function of autophagy is limited. Further study may favour understanding the disease progression and neuroprotection of DR.
Frequency of de novo variants and parental mosaicism in families with inactivating PTH/PTHrP signaling disorder type 2
Authors: Vado Yerai , Pereda Arrate , Manero-Azua Africa ,   Spanish Network for Imprinting Disorders, Perez de Nanclares Guiomar
Published: January 2023

Objective

iPPSD2 (which includes PHP1A and PPHP/POH) is a rare inherited autosomal dominant endocrine disorder caused by inactivating GNAS pathogenic variants. A high percentage of de novo cases has been suggested. In rare cases, parental mosaicism has been described, but its real frequency is unknown.

Design

A retrospective study including a series of 95 genetically confirmed iPPSD2 probands.

Methods

The frequency of de novo cases was evaluated and the distribution of the type of variants was compared according to the type of inheritance. The putative involved allele was determined by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) or allele specific oligonucleotide RT-PCR (ASO-RT-PCR). The possibility of GNAS mosaicism was studied by next-generation sequencing (NGS) on the corresponding parental DNA.

Results

In 41 patients the variant was of de novo origin and in 24 the origin could not be established. In both cases 66.67% of variants generated a truncated or absent protein whereas the rest of the variants were missense or in-frame deletion/duplication. Parental origin was studied in 45 of those patients and determined in 35. Curiously, the percentage of de novo variants at the paternal allele was higher than when paternally inherited (31.1% vs 6.67%). NGS detected mosaicism in three independent families: one from paternal DNA (allelic ratio 10%) and two from maternal DNA (allelic ratio 10% and 2%).

Conclusion

De novo pathogenic variants are frequent in iPPSD2 (around 45%). Parental mosaicism is infrequent (8.11%) but should be analyzed with NGS, taking into account its importance in genetic counselling.