bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
İRAN TÜRKLERİNİN MERSİYE GELENEĞİNDE ZENCAN EKOLÜ MEDDAH MEKTEPLERİ
Authors: GÖZCÜ Nurullah , ÖZARSLAN Metin
Published: March 2024

İran’ın; İslam öncesi ve sonrası tarihî ve dinî anlatılarla ilişkilendirmesi, kitlesel gösterilere sahne olması, profesyonel icracıların mevcudiyeti ve kullanım alanlarını giderek artan bir şekilde genişletmesiyle mersiye geleneğinin önemli bir temsilcisi olduğu söylenilebilir. Geleneğin bu denli gelişiminde ülkede bulunan Türk, Lor, Fars, Kürt, Beluç ve Arap gibi etnik gruplarla zengin bir topluluğa sahip olunması büyük rol oynamıştır. Nitekim İran’da çok büyük oranda benimsenen Şiiliğin oluşumu, İslam halefliğini kimin üsteleneceği tartışmalarına kadar öncesine götürülebilse de temelde Kerbela Hadisesi’ne dayandırılan dinî anlatıyla şekillenmiştir. Dinî ve edebî bir yapıda mersiye geleneği ile sürdürülen bu anlatı, tarihî anlatıya kaynaklık oluşturan toplulukların ve devletlerin de etkisiyle de inişli çıkışlı bir şekilde olsa da sürekliliğini korumuş ve günümüze kadar gelmiştir. Geleneğin sürekliliğinin korunmasında bu devletler içinde bölgeye uzun yıllar hâkim olan Türk devletlerinin ve topluluklarının varlığı, diğer etnik azınlıklara nazaran etkisinin irdelenmesinin göz önünde tutulmasını gerektiren tarihsel bir mesaj içermektedir. Nitekim bölgeye özgü değişiklikler gösterebilen gelenekler için kimlik farklılıklarının rolü çok daha belirleyici olabilmektedir. Bu çerçevede İran Türklerinin mersiye geleneğinde yalnızca tarihsel sürekliliğiyle değil icra ve icracı ortamları yaratması, metinler oluşturması ve Türk dilini muhafaza etmesi gibi bir gelenek oluşturan pek çok hususta önemli rolü olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Söz konusu role büyük katkılar sunan bölgeler arasında Zencan’ın öne çıktığı görülmektedir. İran Azerbaycanı’nda bulunan ve büyük oranda Türklerin yaşadığı bir il olan Zencan’ın geleneğe en büyük katkısı ise ulusal ve uluslararası alanda bilinen Türk meddahlarının yetiştirildiği mekteplerin kurulmasıyla bir ekol oluşturmasıdır. Bu itibarla ele alınan çalışmada, ülkemize sınırı olan İran’ın Farslardan sonra en kalabalık etnik grubunu oluşturan Türklerin mersiye geleneği incelenmiştir. Öncelikli olarak “ağıt ve mersiye” ilişkisine dikkat çekilen incelemede, geleneğin İran’daki tarihî gelişimi ile İran Türklerindeki yapısına da değinilmiştir. Akabinde ise bölgedeki meddah mekteplerinin tanıtılmasına odaklanılmıştır. Bu hususlara bağlı olarak çalışmanın temel amacını, geleneğin gelişim seyrinin tarihî sürekliliği ve katkılarıyla İran Türkleri üzerindeki yansımalarının ortaya konulabilmesi oluşturmaktadır. Çok kapsamlı bir yapıya sahip olması nedeniyle örneklemin, bir ekolün varlığına işaret ettiği gözlemlenen Zencan meddah mektepleriyle sınırlandırılan çalışmada, İran Azerbaycanı bölgesinde bulunan Zencan ilinden, saha çalışması yoluyla derlenen veriler kullanılmıştır.
NAPOLÉON BONAPARTE VE İSTANBUL
Authors: ERTEKİN Işık
Published: March 2024

Napoléon Bonaparte, birinci konsüllüğü (1799-1804) ve imparatorluğu (1804-1814) dönemlerinde I. Fransız İmparatorluğu’nun genişlemesi ve nüfuz alanını arttırmasını amaçlamış ve bu hedef doğrultusunda tarih boyunca stratejik öneme sahip olan İstanbul’u birkaç kez hedefi haline getirmiştir. İstanbul’un konumunun sunduğu ayrıcalık, Osmanlı Devleti’nin iç karışıklıklar ve isyanlarla çalkalandığı bir dönemde Napoléon Bonaparte’a Akdeniz’deki etkisini arttırma ve Doğu’ya açılma fırsatı sunmaktaydı. Fakat aynı zamanda Napoléon’un hayalini kurduğu büyük Fransa İmparatorluğu’nun doğu sınırını teşkil etmesi ve Rusya’nın genişlemeci politikasına bir set oluşturması açısından önemli görülmekteydi. 1797 Campo-Formio Antlaşması ile Birinci Koalisyon Savaşları’nın nihayete ermesi akabinde Fransız Devrimi sonrasında ülkeyi idare eden Direktuvar Hükümeti’nin Mısır’ı hedef haline getirmesiyle başlayan bu süreç kısa sürmüşse de Napoléon’a gelecekteki hedefleri konusunda bir fikir vermişti. Napoléon Bonaparte, Mısır’da birbiri ardına kazandığı askerî zaferlerle Suriye üzerinden İstanbul’a yürüme cesareti bulmuş, akabinde İstanbul’u zapt etme projeleri Paris’te birbiri ardına gündeme gelmişti. Dolayısıyla Mısır’da kurulan yeni Fransız yerleşkesinin, burayı hem Fransa için doğudaki stratejik bir üs, hem de İstanbul’a açılan bir kapı haline getirmesi planlanmıştı. Mısır seferinden sonra başlayan Türk-Fransız savaşını sonlandıran 1802 Paris Antlaşması ise, Napoléon Bonaparte’ın Osmanlı Devleti ile bozulan ilişkilerini düzeltmesi ve İstanbul’un sunduğu avantajlardan siyaset ve diplomasi yoluyla istifade etmesinin önünü açmıştır. Napoléon bu dönemde Mısır’ın işgali ile Babıali’de artan İngiliz-Rus tesirini bertaraf etmek için bir dizi diplomatik hamlede bulunmuş, lakin III. Selim’in tahttan indirilmesi ile İstanbul’daki İngiliz ve Rus hizbine karşı bir sonuç elde edemeyeceğini anlamıştı. Napoléon, bu noktadan sonra bambaşka bir doğu politikası benimseme yoluna tevessül etmişti. Bu yeni dış siyaset vizyonu, Rusya ile Osmanlı Devleti’ni bölüp, paylaşmak üzerine kurulu ittifakların doğumuna sebep olmuştu. Napoléon Bonaparte, dünyanın başkenti olarak gördüğü İstanbul’u, imparatorluğunun en değerli kazanımlarından birisi olarak topraklarına katmayı amaçlamışsa da, Rusya’nın da aynı şeyi hedeflemesiyle bu büyük projesi sürüncemede kalmıştı. Bu çalışmada, Napoléon Bonaparte’ın konsüllükten imparatorluğa uzanan süreçte İstanbul merkezli doğu politikasını pratiğe dökmek adına attığı adımlar ve amacına giden yolda kullandığı araçlar ele alınacaktır.
KÜLTÜREL KÜRESELLEŞME SÜRECİNDE YEREL KİMLİĞİN DÖNÜŞÜMÜ
Authors: ÖZALP Ahmet
Published: March 2024

Küreselleşme ekonomi dışında kültürel ve siyasi durumları da kapsayan çok boyutlu bir olgudur. Doruk noktasına 20. yüzyılın ikinci yarısında ulaşan küreselleşme bilgi üretim teknolojisinin ulus sınırları ötesine yayılmasına ek olarak çoklu kimlik etkileşimlerini de ifade etmektedir. Buna ek olarak küreselleşme genellikle modern dünyadaki çok çeşitli ekonomik, politik ve kültürel eğilimleri içeren bir dizi karmaşık sosyal süreçtir. Bu makale önemli toplumsal olgulardan olan kültürel küreselleşmenin yarattığı kimlikler arası etkileşimi ve bunun sonucunda ortaya çıkan problemleri analiz etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu makalenin konusunu, Batı kültürünün küresel araçlar yoluyla yayılmasıyla gelişen ve Batıyı küresel değer olarak kabul eden kültürel küreselleşme ile yerel kimlik arasındaki ilişki oluşturmaktadır. Kültürel küreselleşme sürecinde canlanan yerel, iki kimliklilik ve küresel kimlik konusunu değerlendiren bu çalışma, küreselleşmenin homojen yerel kültür üzerindeki etkilerini incelemektedir. Bu çalışmanın temel problemini milli aidiyet duygusunu ortadan kaldırdığı varsayılan ve bu nedenle eleştirilen çoklu kimliklerin çeşitlilikleri ve ortaya çıkma nedenleri oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışmada yerel kimliğin küresel kültür etkisi ile birlikte değişime uğradığı ve değişimi yaratan nedenler arasında bilgi ve iletişim teknolojilerinin önemli yer tuttuğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Bununla birlikte, küreselleşme yeni tüketim tarzlarına ek olarak küreselleşen kitle iletişim araçlarıyla da önemli kültürel değişimlere ve dolayısıyla kimlik dönüşümlerine yol açmıştır. Küreselleşen kültürün ideolojik yansıması olan kimliğin, maddi ve manevi tüketime dayalı yeni akışkan yaşam şekillerini teşvik ettiği de anlaşılmaktadır.
RADYO’DA BİR HİKÂYE: YENİDEN YAZIM PENCERESİNDEN KEREM İLE ASLI’YA BİR BAKIŞ
Authors: SAYGILI SAVAŞ Yeliz , BEKKİ Salahaddin
Published: March 2024

Türk halk hikâyeleri içerisinde çok bilinen, sevilen ve anlatılan bir hikâye olarak karşımıza çıkan Kerem ile Aslı hem Anadolu’da hem de Türk boyları arasında büyük bir ilgi görerek geniş bir sahada yayılma imkânı bulmuş ve tanınmıştır. El yazması, taş baskı, matbu, sözlü pek çok metni bulunan hikâyenin, teknolojinin gelişmesi ile beraber elektronik kültür ortamında var olan yeniden yazılmış metin örneklerine de rastlanmaktadır. Öyle ki gelenekselin sunumunda büyük bir paya sahip olan medya sayesinde günümüz okuyucusu/izleyicisi/dinleyicisi metinle çok farklı platformlarda bir araya gelerek çeşitli tercihlerde bulunur. Muhakkak ki bu tercihlerden bir tanesi de özellikle 1940’lardan sonra geleneğin şekillenmesinde önemli bir dinamik olarak bahsedebileceğimiz radyodur. Bu bağlamda birçok kez yeniden yazım çalışmalarıyla karşımıza çıkan Kerem ile Aslı hikâyesinin radyo özelinde metinlerarası ilişkiler cephesinden değerlendirilmesi ve bu doğrultuda biçimsel ve anlamsal dönüşümlerin ortaya konması oldukça önemlidir.

Alt metin olarak hikâyenin daha önce neşredilmemiş bir nüshası üzerine çalışma yaparak hikâyeyi yeni Türk harflerine aktaran Özkan Daşdemir’in “Kerem ile Aslı Hikâyesi California Üniversitesi Nüshası” başlıklı eserindeki metin kullanılmıştır. Ana metinler ise Türkiye Radyo Televizyon Kurumu (TRT) arşivinden temin edilerek dört başlıkta sınıflandırılan Kerem ile Aslı hikâyesinin radyo metinlerinden seçilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, seçilen alt metin ve ana metinler çerçevesinde biçimsel ve anlamsal temelde gerçekleşen dönüşümler, aktarılan örnekler üzerinden irdelenmiştir.
TÜRK KÜLTÜR HAYATINDA HALKEVLERİ KÜTÜPHANELERİ VE BASINA YANSIMASI (1932-1951)
Authors: AYDIN Harun
Published: March 2024

Bu çalışma, 1930’lu yıllarda Harf Devrimi sonrasında Türkiye'nin okuma kültürünü geliştirmek, daha fazla okuyucuyu desteklemek için Halkevleri kütüphane şubelerinin genel misyonunu ve faaliyetlerini medya aracılığıyla incelenmeyi amaçlamıştır. Bu kapsamda öncelikle Halkevleri kütüphane şubelerinin basına nasıl yansıdığı ele alınarak analiz edilmiş akabinde şubenin yapmış olduğu çalışmaların toplumsal dönüşüme katkıları değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışmanın odak noktasını, 1932-1951 yılları arasında Halkevleri kütüphanelerinin çalışmaları ve arşivlerinin faaliyetleri oluşturmuştur. Halkevleri Kütüphanecilik şubesi ülke gelinde, Türk kültür hayatına çeşitli kazanımlar sunmuştur. Geniş bir bilgi koleksiyonu ile bireylerin kolay erişim sağlaması, kültürel birikimlerini artırmalarına ve bilgi paylaşımını teşvik etmelerine olanak tanımıştır. Ayrıca, düzenlediği eğitim programları ve kültürel etkinliklerle topluma sürekli öğrenme fırsatları vermiştir. Her kesimden kişi kütüphanelerde faydalanma imkanı elde etmiştir. Okuma alışkanlığı geliştirme, mesleki gelişim, kültürel değerlerin korunması noktasında önemli işleve sahip olan Halkevleri, kuruldukları ilk yıldan itibaren eğitim ve kültür alanında topluma büyük katkı sağlamıştır. Kütüphane çalışmaları ise bu amaç doğrultusunda büyük bir rol oynamıştır. Halkevi kütüphaneleri, 19 yıl boyunca, toplumun geniş kesimlerine hizmet sunarak gerçek anlamda bir halk kütüphanesi rolünü üstlenmiştir. Bu süre zarfında, kütüphaneler özellikle yerel çevrelerdeki ihtiyaçları karşılamak amacıyla çeşitli programlar, etkinlikler ve kaynaklar sunarak toplumun bilgiye erişimini kolaylaştırmıştır. Nitel araştırma yaklaşımıyla hazırlanan çalışmaya en büyük katkıyı Cumhuriyet Arşivi’nde yer alan belgeler ve Halkevleri yayın organı olan Ülkü Dergisi’ndeki veriler sağlamıştır. Bununla birlikte dönemin önemli gazetelerinden Cumhuriyet, Akşam, Ulus vb. gazetelerdeki haber ve yazılarla da çalışma desteklenmiştir. Bu gazete haberleri Halkevleri kütüphanelerinin çalışmalarını ve arşivlerinin kamu algısı üzerindeki etkisini anlamak için başvurulması gereken önemli kaynaklar olduğu düşünülmektedir.
Effects of botulinum neurotoxin on regularity of head oscillations in cervical dystonia
Authors: Agharazi Hanieh , Jinnah H. A. , Zee David S. , Shaikh Aasef G.
Published: March 2024

Introduction: This study explores the effects of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) on the relationship between dystonia and tremor, specifically focusing on cervical dystonia (CD) and its connection to head tremor.

Methods: Fourteen CD patients were recruited; eight (57%) with clinically observable head oscillations were included in further analysis. A high-resolution magnetic search coil system precisely measured head movements, addressing two questions: 1) BoNT’s effects on head movement amplitude, frequency, and regularity, and 2) BoNT’s influence on the relationship between head position and head oscillations. For the first question, temporal head position measurements of three patients were analyzed before and after BoNT injection. The second question examined the effects of BoNT injections on the dependence of the oscillations on the position of the head.

Results: Three distinct trends were observed: shifts from regular to irregular oscillations, transitions from irregular to regular oscillations, and an absence of change. Poincaré analysis revealed that BoNT induced changes in regularity, aligning oscillations closer to a consistent “set point” of regularity. BoNT injections reduced head oscillation amplitude, particularly in head orientations linked to high-intensity pre-injection oscillations. Oscillation frequency decreased in most cases, and overall variance in the amplitude of head position decreased post-injection.

Discussion: These findings illuminate the complexity of CD but also suggest therapeutic potential for BoNT. They show that co-existing mechanisms contribute to regular and irregular head oscillations in CD, which involve proprioception and central structures like the cerebellum and basal ganglia. These insights advocate for personalized treatment to optimize outcomes that is based on individual head oscillation characteristics.
Implications of O-glycan modifications in the hinge region of a plant-produced SARS-CoV-2-IgA antibody on functionality
Authors: Uetz Pia , Göritzer Kathrin , Vergara Emil , Melnik Stanislav , Grünwald-Gruber Clemens , Figl Rudolf , Deghmane Ala-Eddine , Groppelli Elisabetta , Reljic Rajko , Ma Julian K.-C. , Stöger Eva , Strasser Richard
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Prolyl-4-hydroxylases (P4H) catalyse the irreversible conversion of proline to hydroxyproline, constituting a common posttranslational modification of proteins found in humans, plants, and microbes. Hydroxyproline residues can be further modified in plants to yield glycoproteins containing characteristic O-glycans. It is currently unknown how these plant endogenous modifications impact protein functionality and they cause considerable concerns for the recombinant production of therapeutic proteins in plants. In this study, we carried out host engineering to generate a therapeutic glycoprotein largely devoid of plant-endogenous O-glycans for functional characterization.

Methods: Genome editing was used to inactivate two genes coding for enzymes of the P4H10 subfamily in the widely used expression host Nicotiana benthamiana. Using glycoengineering in plants and expression in human HEK293 cells we generated four variants of a potent, SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody, COVA2-15 IgA1. The variants that differed in the number of modified proline residues and O-glycan compositions of their hinge region were assessed regarding their physicochemical properties and functionality.

Results: We found that plant endogenous O-glycan formation was strongly reduced on IgA1 when transiently expressed in the P4H10 double mutant N. benthamiana plant line. The IgA1 glycoforms displayed differences in proteolytic stability and minor differences in receptor binding thus highlighting the importance of O-glycosylation in the hinge region of human IgA1.

Discussion: This work reports the successful protein O-glycan engineering of an important plant host for recombinant protein expression. While the complete removal of endogenous hydroxyproline residues from the hinge region of plant-produced IgA1 is yet to be achieved, our engineered line is suitable for structure-function studies of O-glycosylated recombinant glycoproteins produced in plants.
Robotic-assisted anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a comparative analysis of modified transtibial and anteromedial portal techniques in cadaveric knees
Authors: Zhang Ling , Lin Jinpeng , Zhao Xuan , Liu Mingwei , Hou Yao , Zhang Yu , Zhao Jinzhong , Wang Shaobai
Published: March 2024

Introduction: This study employed surgical robot to perform anatomic single-bundle reconstruction using the modified transtibial (TT) technique and anteromedial (AM) portal technique. The purpose was to directly compare tunnel and graft characteristics of the two techniques.

Methods: Eight cadaveric knees without ligament injury were used in the study. The modified TT and AM portal technique were both conducted under surgical robotic system. Postoperative data acquisition of the tunnel and graft characteristics included tibial tunnel position, tunnel angle, tunnel length and femoral tunnel-graft angle.

Results: The mean tibial tunnel length of the modified TT technique was significantly shorter than in the AM portal technique (p < 0.001). The mean length of the femoral tunnel was significantly longer for the modified TT technique than for the AM portal technique (p < 0.001). The mean coronal angle of the tibial tunnel was significantly lower for the modified TT technique than for the AM portal technique (p < 0.001). The mean coronal angle of the femoral tunnel was significantly lower for the AM portal technique than for the modified TT technique (p < 0.001). The AM portal technique resulted in a graft bending angle that was significantly more angulated in the coronal (p < 0.001) and the sagittal planes (p < 0.001) compared with the modified TT technique.

Discussion: Comparison of the preoperative planning and postoperative femoral tunnel positions showed that the mean difference of the tunnel position was 1.8 ± 0.4 mm. It suggested that the surgical navigation robot could make predictable tunnel position with high accuracy. The findings may support that the modified TT technique has benefits on femoral tunnel length and obliquity compared with AM portal technique. The modified TT technique showed a larger femoral tunnel angle in the coronal plane than the AM portal technique. Compared with the modified TT technique, the more horizontal trajectory of the femoral tunnel in the AM portal technique creates a shorter femoral tunnel length and a more acute graft bending angle.
Feature discrimination learning transfers to noisy displays in complex stimuli
Authors: Azulai Orly , Shalev Lilach , Mevorach Carmel
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Perception under noisy conditions requires not only feature identification but also a process whereby target features are selected and noise is filtered out (e.g., when identifying an animal hiding in the savannah). Interestingly, previous perceptual learning studies demonstrated the utility of training feature representation (without noise) for improving discrimination under noisy conditions. Furthermore, learning to filter out noise also appears to transfer to other perceptual task under similar noisy conditions. However, such learning transfer effects were thus far demonstrated predominantly in simple stimuli. Here we sought to explore whether similar learning transfer can be observed with complex real-world stimuli.

Methods

We assessed the feature-to-noise transfer effect by using complex stimuli of human faces. We first examined participants' performance on a face-noise task following either training in the same task, or in a different face-feature task. Second, we assessed the transfer effect across different noise tasks defined by stimulus complexity, simple stimuli (Gabor) and complex stimuli (faces).

Results

We found a clear learning transfer effect in the face-noise task following learning of face features. In contrast, we did not find transfer effect across the different noise tasks (from Gabor-noise to face-noise).

Conclusion

These results extend previous findings regarding transfer of feature learning to noisy conditions using real-life stimuli.
Advanced hemodynamics for prognostication in heart failure: the pursuit of the patient-specific tipping point
Authors: Grinstein Jonathan
Published: March 2024

Background

Objective tools to define the optimal time for referral for advanced therapies and to help guide escalation and de-escalation of support can improve management decisions and outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure. The current parameters have variable prognostic potential depending on the patient population being studied and often have arbitrary thresholds.

Methods

Here, a mathematical and physiological framework to define the patient-specific tipping point of myocardial energetics is defined. A novel hemodynamic parameter known as the myocardial performance score (MPS), a marker of power and efficiency, is introduced that allows for the objective assessment of the physiological tipping point. The performance of the MPS and other advanced hemodynamic parameters including aortic pulsatility index (API) and cardiac power output (CPO) in predicting myocardial energetics and the overall myocardial performance was evaluated using a validated computer simulation model of heart failure (Harvi) as well as a proof-of-concept clinical validation using a cohort of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) Stage C cardiogenic shock patients.

Results

Approximately 1010 discrete heart failure scenarios were modeled. API strongly correlated with the left ventricular coupling ratio (R2 = 0.81) and the strength of association became even stronger under loaded conditions where pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) was >20 mmHg (R2 = 0.94). Under loaded conditions, there is a strong logarithmic relationship between MPS and mechanical efficiency (R2 = 0.93) with a precipitous rise in potential energy (PE) and drop in mechanical efficiency with an MPS <0.5. An MPS <0.5 was able to predict a CPO <0.6 W and coupling ratio of <0.7 with sensitivity (Sn) of 87%, specificity (Sp) of 91%, positive predictive value of 81%, and negative predictive value of 94%. In a cohort of 224 patients with SCAI Stage C shock requiring milrinone initiation, a baseline MPS score of <0.5 was associated with a 35% event rate of the composite endpoint of death, left ventricular assist device, or transplant at 30 days compared with 3% for those with an MPS >1 (p < 0.001). Patients who were able to augment their MPS to >1 after milrinone infusion had a lower event rate than those with insufficient reserve (40% vs. 16%, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

The MPS, which defines the patient-specific power-to-efficiency ratio and is inversely proportional to PE, represents an objective assessment of the myocardial energetic state of a patient and can be used to define the physiological tipping point for patients with advanced heart failure.
Type I and II interferons, transcription factors and major histocompatibility complexes were enhanced by knocking down the PRRSV-induced transforming growth factor beta in monocytes co-cultured with peripheral blood lymphocytes
Authors: Fabros Dante , Charerntantanakul Wasin
Published: March 2024

The innate and adaptive immune responses elicited by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection are known to be poor. This study investigates the impact of PRRSV-induced transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) on the expressions of type I and II interferons (IFNs), transcription factors, major histocompatibility complexes (MHC), anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines in PRRSV-infected co-cultures of monocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Phosphorothioate-modified antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS ODN) specific to the AUG region of porcine TGFβ1 mRNA was synthesized and successfully knocked down TGFβ1 mRNA expression and protein translation. Monocytes transfected with TGFβAS1 ODN, then simultaneously co-cultured with PBL and inoculated with either classical PRRSV-2 (cPRRSV-2) or highly pathogenic PRRSV-2 (HP-PRRSV-2) showed a significant reduction in TGFβ1 mRNA expression and a significant increase in the mRNA expressions of IFNα, IFNγ, MHC-I, MHC-II, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), and STAT2. Additionally, transfection of TGFβAS1 ODN in the monocyte and PBL co-culture inoculated with cPRRSV-2 significantly increased the mRNA expression of interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40). PRRSV-2 RNA copy numbers were significantly reduced in monocytes and PBL co-culture transfected with TGFβAS1 ODN compared to the untransfected control. The yields of PRRSV-2 RNA copy numbers in PRRSV-2-inoculated monocytes and PBL co-culture were sustained and reduced by porcine TGFβ1 (rTGFβ1) and recombinant porcine IFNα (rIFNα), respectively. These findings highlight the strategy employed by PRRSV to suppress the innate immune response through the induction of TGFβ expression. The inclusion of TGFβ as a parameter for future PRRSV vaccine and vaccine adjuvant candidates is recommended.
Rheumatoid arthritis and the intestinal microbiome: probiotics as a potential therapy
Authors: Yang Yang , Hong Qing , Zhang Xuehong , Liu Zhenmin
Published: March 2024

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by swollen joints, discomfort, stiffness, osteoporosis, and reduced functionality. Genetics, smoking, dust inhalation, high BMI, and hormonal and gut microbiota dysbiosis are all likely causes of the onset or development of RA, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Compared to healthy controls, patients with RA have a significantly different composition of gut microbiota. It is well known that the human gut microbiota plays a key role in the initiation, maintenance, and operation of the host immune system. Gut microbiota dysbiosis has local or systematic adverse effects on the host immune system, resulting in host susceptibility to various diseases, including RA. Studies on the intestinal microbiota modulation and immunomodulatory properties of probiotics have been reported, in order to identify their potential possibility in prevention and disease activity control of RA. This review summarized current studies on the role and potential mechanisms of gut microbiota in the development and progression of RA, as well as the preventative and therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of probiotics on RA. Additionally, we proposed the challenges and difficulties in the application of probiotics in RA, providing the direction for the research and application of probiotics in the prevention of RA.
Esophageal cancer detection via non-contrast CT and deep learning
Authors: Lin Chong , Guo Yi , Huang Xu , Rao Shengxiang , Zhou Jianjun
Published: March 2024

Background

Esophageal cancer is the seventh most frequently diagnosed cancer with a high mortality rate and the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Early detection of esophageal cancer is very vital for the patients. Traditionally, contrast computed tomography (CT) was used to detect esophageal carcinomas, but with the development of deep learning (DL) technology, it may now be possible for non-contrast CT to detect esophageal carcinomas. In this study, we aimed to establish a DL-based diagnostic system to stage esophageal cancer from non-contrast chest CT images.

Methods

In this retrospective dual-center study, we included 397 primary esophageal cancer patients with pathologically confirmed non-contrast chest CT images, as well as 250 healthy individuals without esophageal tumors, confirmed through endoscopic examination. The images of these participants were treated as the training data. Additionally, images from 100 esophageal cancer patients and 100 healthy individuals were enrolled for model validation. The esophagus segmentation was performed using the no-new-Net (nnU-Net) model; based on the segmentation result and feature extraction, a decision tree was employed to classify whether cancer is present or not. We compared the diagnostic efficacy of the DL-based method with the performance of radiologists with various levels of experience. Meanwhile, a diagnostic performance comparison of radiologists with and without the aid of the DL-based method was also conducted.

Results

In this study, the DL-based method demonstrated a high level of diagnostic efficacy in the detection of esophageal cancer, with a performance of AUC of 0.890, sensitivity of 0.900, specificity of 0.880, accuracy of 0.882, and F-score of 0.891. Furthermore, the incorporation of the DL-based method resulted in a significant improvement of the AUC values w.r.t. of three radiologists from 0.855/0.820/0.930 to 0.910/0.955/0.965 (p = 0.0004/<0.0001/0.0068, with DeLong’s test).

Conclusion

The DL-based method shows a satisfactory performance of sensitivity and specificity for detecting esophageal cancers from non-contrast chest CT images. With the aid of the DL-based method, radiologists can attain better diagnostic workup for esophageal cancer and minimize the chance of missing esophageal cancers in reading the CT scans acquired for health check-up purposes.
Antimicrobial resistance and genomic investigation of Salmonella isolated from retail foods in Guizhou, China
Authors: Zhou Li , Ye Qian , Zhou Qian , Wang Jian , Li Guanqiao , Xiang Jingshu , Huang Jingyu , Zhao Yuanyuan , Zheng Tianli , Zuo Haojiang , Li Shijun
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Salmonella is a major foodborne pathogen worldwide that causes severe morbidity and mortality. It is mainly caused by consuming contaminated food, with retail food considered the primary source.

Methods

In Guizhou, China, 102 Salmonella strains isolated from 2016 to 2021 underwent phenotypic antimicrobial resistance testing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to understand Salmonella diversity, including serotypes, sequencing types (STs), antimicrobial genes, virulence genes, plasmid types, multi-locus sequence types (MLST), and core genome MLST (cgMLST).

Results and discussion

S.Typhimurium was the dominant serotype, and O:4(B) was the leading serogroup. The most prevalent genotype was ST40. Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance identified 66.7% of the sampled isolates as multi-drug resistant (MDR). S.Enteritidis (n = 7), S.Typhimurium (n = 1), S.Indiana (n = 1), S.Kentucky (n = 1), S.Uganda (n = 1), all of which were MDR, were resistant to Colistin. Resistance rates varied significantly across different strains and food types, particularly meat products exhibiting higher resistance. Notably, significant increases in resistance were observed from 2016 to 2021 for the following: ≥ 1 resistant (P = 0.001), MDR (P = 0.001), ampicillin (P = 0.001), tetracycline (P < 0.001), chloramphenicol (P = 0.030), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (P = 0.003). The marked escalation in drug resistance over the recent years, coupled with the varying resistance rates among food sources, underscores the growing public health concern. Our findings highlight the need for a coordinated approach to effectively monitor and respond to Salmonella infections in Guizhou, China.
The proteome of bacterial membrane vesicles in Escherichia coli—a time course comparison study in two different media
Authors: Yu Mia S. C. , Chiang Dapi Menglin , Reithmair Marlene , Meidert Agnes , Brandes Florian , Schelling Gustav , Ludwig Christina , Meng Chen , Kirchner Benedikt , Zenner Christian , Muller Laurent , Pfaffl Michael W.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Bacteria inhabit the in- and outside of the human body, such as skin, gut or the oral cavity where they play an innoxious, beneficial or even pathogenic role. It is well known that bacteria can secrete membrane vesicles (MVs) like eukaryotic cells with extracellular vesicles (EVs). Several studies indicate that bacterial membrane vesicles (bMVs) play a crucial role in microbiome-host interactions. However, the composition of such bMVs and their functionality under different culture conditions are still largely unknown.

Methods

To gain a better insight into bMVs, we investigated the composition and functionality of E. coli (DSM 105380) bMVs from the culture media Lysogeny broth (LB) and RPMI 1640 throughout the different phases of growth (lag-, log- and stationary-phase). bMVs from three time points (8 h, 54 h, and 168 h) and two media (LB and RPMI 1640) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and analyzed using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and mass spectrometry-based proteomics (LC–MS/MS). Furthermore, we examined pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-8 in the human monocyte cell line THP-1 upon bMV treatment.

Results

Particle numbers increased with inoculation periods. The bMV morphologies in Cryo-EM/TEM were similar at each time point and condition. Using proteomics, we identified 140 proteins, such as the common bMV markers OmpA and GroEL, present in bMVs isolated from both media and at all time points. Additionally, we were able to detect growth-condition-specific proteins. Treatment of THP-1 cells with bMVs of all six groups lead to significantly high IL-1β and IL-8 expressions.

Conclusion

Our study showed that the choice of medium and the duration of culturing significantly influence both E. coli bMV numbers and protein composition. Our TEM/Cryo-EM results demonstrated the presence of intact E. coli bMVs. Common E. coli proteins, including OmpA, GroEL, and ribosome proteins, can consistently be identified across all six tested growth conditions. Furthermore, our functional assays imply that bMVs isolated from the six groups retain their function and result in comparable cytokine induction.
Microglia-neuron interactions in schizophrenia
Authors: Hartmann Sophia-Marie , Heider Johanna , Wüst Richard , Fallgatter Andreas J. , Volkmer Hansjürgen
Published: March 2024

Multiple lines of evidence implicate increased neuroinflammation mediated by glial cells to play a key role in neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia. Microglia, which are the primary innate immune cells of the brain, are crucial for the refinement of the synaptic circuitry during early brain development by synaptic pruning and the regulation of synaptic plasticity during adulthood. Schizophrenia risk factors as genetics or environmental influences may further be linked to increased activation of microglia, an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and activation of the inflammasome resulting in an overall elevated neuroinflammatory state in patients. Synaptic loss, one of the central pathological hallmarks of schizophrenia, is believed to be due to excess removal of synapses by activated microglia, primarily affecting glutamatergic neurons. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate microglia-neuron interactions, which has been done by multiple studies focusing on post-mortem brain tissues, brain imaging, animal models and patient iPSC-derived 2D culture systems. In this review, we summarize the major findings in patients and in vivo and in vitro models in the context of neuron-microglia interactions in schizophrenia and secondly discuss the potential of anti-inflammatory treatments for the alleviation of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms.
A scientometric review of the growing trends in transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)
Authors: Liu Yuanli , Luo Yulin , Zhang Na , Zhang Xiaochu , Liu Shen
Published: March 2024

Objective

The aim of the current study was to provide a comprehensive picture of tACS-related research in the last decade through a bibliometric approach in order to systematically analyze the current status and cutting-edge trends in this field.

Methods

Articles and review articles related to tACS from 2013 to 2022 were searched on the Web of Science platform. A bibliometric analysis of authors, journals, countries, institutions, references, and keywords was performed using CiteSpace (6.2.R2), VOSviewer (1.6.19), Scimago Graphica (1.0.30), and Bibliometrix (4.2.2).

Results

A total of 602 papers were included. There was an overall increase in annual relevant publications in the last decade. The most contributing author was Christoph S. Herrmann. Brain Stimulation was the most prolific journal. The most prolific countries and institutions were Germany and Harvard University, respectively.

Conclusion

The findings reveal the development prospects and future directions of tACS and provide valuable references for researchers in the field. In recent years, the keywords “gamma,” “transcranial direct current simulation,” and “Alzheimer’s disease” that have erupted, as well as many references cited in the outbreak, have provided certain clues for the mining of research prefaces. This will act as a guide for future researchers in determining the path of tACS research.
Research on the multidimensional brain remodeling mechanisms at the level of brain regions, circuits, and networks in patients with chronic lower back pain caused by lumbar disk herniation
Authors: Mei Yuan-Dong , Gao Hang , Chen Wei-Fei , Zhu Wei , Gu Chen , Zhang Jun-Peng , Tao Ji-Ming , Hua Xu-Yun
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Chronic lower back pain (cLBP), frequently attributed to lumbar disk herniation (LDH), imposes substantial limitations on daily activities. Despite its prevalence, the neural mechanisms underlying lower back pain remain incompletely elucidated. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) emerges as a non-invasive modality extensively employed for investigating neuroplastic changes in neuroscience. In this study, task-based and resting-state fMRI methodologies are employed to probe the central mechanisms of lower back pain.

Methods

The study included 71 chronic lower back pain patients (cLBP group) due to LDH and 80 age, gender, and education-matched healthy volunteers (HC group). The subjects are mainly middle-aged and elderly individuals. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopedic Association Scores (JOA) were recorded. Resting-state and task-based fMRI data were collected.

Results/discussion

No significant differences were observed in age, gender, and education level between the two groups. In the cLBP group during task execution, there was diffuse and reduced activation observed in the primary motor cortex and supplementary motor area. Additionally, during resting states, notable changes were detected in brain regions, particularly in the frontal lobe, primary sensory area, primary motor cortex, precuneus, and caudate nucleus, accompanied by alterations in Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuation, Regional Homogeneity, Degree Centrality, and functional connectivity. These findings suggest that chronic lower back pain may entail reduced excitability in sensory-motor areas during tasks and heightened activity in the sensory-motor network during resting states, along with modified functional connectivity in various brain regions.
Association between maternal stress and premature milk cortisol, milk IgA, and infant health: a cohort study
Authors: Rosen-Carole Casey B. , Greenman Susan , Wang Hongyue , Sonawane Sharvari , Misra Ravi , O'Connor Tom , Järvinen Kirsi , D'Angio Carl , Young Bridget E.
Published: March 2024

Background

Maternal stress is pervasive in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Maternal stress is associated with changes in human milk (HM) immunomodulatory agents, which may impact neonatal health. We sought to determine the association between maternal stress, HM immunoglobulin A (IgA) and cortisol, and to assess how these milk components correlate with infant immune and neurodevelopmental outcomes. We then compared how these associations persist over time.

Methods

The study design involved a cohort study of exclusively breastfeeding mothers and their singleton moderately preterm (28–34 weeks) infants admitted to the NICU. We collected maternal serum, maternal saliva, and first-morning whole milk samples, and administered maternal stress questionnaires at 1 and 5 weeks postpartum. We analyzed the samples for HM IgA (using a customized immunoassay in skim milk) and for HM and salivary cortisol (using a chemiluminescent immunoassay). Infant illness was assessed using the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology II (SNAP II) and SNAP II with Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE II), and infant neurodevelopment were assessed using the Test of Infant Motor Performance. We analyzed changes in HM IgA and cortisol over time using paired t-tests. Furthermore, we performed correlation and regression analyses after adjusting for gestational age (GA), corrected GA, and infant days of life.

Results

In our study, we enrolled 26 dyads, with a mean maternal age of 28.1 years, consisting of 69% white, 19% Black, and 8% Hispanic. Cortisol: Salivary and HM cortisol were closely associated in week 1 but not in week 5. Though mean salivary cortisol remained stable over time [2.41 ng/mL (SD 2.43) to 2.32 (SD 1.77), p = 0.17], mean HM cortisol increased [1.96 ng/mL (SD 1.93) to 5.93 ng/mL (SD 3.83), p < 0.001]. Stress measures were inversely associated with HM cortisol at week 1 but not at week 5. IgA: HM IgA decreased over time (mean = −0.14 mg/mL, SD 0.53, p < 0.0001). High maternal stress, as measured by the Parental Stressor Scale: neonatal intensive care unit (PSS:NICU), was positively associated with HM IgA at week 5 (r = 0.79, P ≤ 0.001). Higher IgA was associated with a lower (better) SNAP II score at week 1 (r = −0.74, p = 0.05). No associations were found between maternal stress, salivary cortisol, HM cortisol, or HM IgA and neurodevelopment at discharge (as assessed using the TIMP score). Furthermore, these relationships did not differ by infant sex.

Conclusion

Maternal stress showed associations with HM cortisol and HM IgA. In turn, HM IgA was associated with lower measures of infant illness.
Imaging classification of prostate cancer with extracapsular extension and its impact on positive surgical margins after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Wang Jun-Guang , Zhong Chao , Zhang Ke-Cheng , Chen Jun-Bo
Published: March 2024

To explore the impact of different imaging classifications of prostate cancer (PCa) with extracapsular extension (EPE) on positive surgical margins (PSM) after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Methods

Clinical data were collected for 114 patients with stage PT3a PCa admitted to Ningbo Yinzhou No. 2 Hospital from September 2019 to August 2023. Radiologists classified the EPE imaging of PCa into Type I, Type II, and Type III. A chi-square test or t-test was employed to analyze the factors related to PSM. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors associated with PSM. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to calculate the area under the curve and evaluate the diagnostic performance of our model. Clinical decision curve analysis was performed to assess the clinical net benefit of EPE imaging classification, biopsy grade group (GG), and combined model.

Results

Among the 114 patients, 58 had PSM, and 56 had negative surgical margins. Multivariate analysis showed that EPE imaging classification and biopsy GG were risk factors for PSM after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The areas under the curve for EPE imaging classification and biopsy GG were 0.677 and 0.712, respectively. The difference in predicting PSM between EPE imaging classification and biopsy GG was not statistically significant (P>0.05). However, when used in combination, the diagnostic efficiency significantly improved, with an increase in the area under the curve to 0.795 (P<0.05). The clinical decision curve analysis revealed that the clinical net benefit of the combined model was significantly higher than that of EPE imaging classification and biopsy GG.

Conclusions

EPE imaging classification and biopsy GG were associated with PSM after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and their combination can significantly improve the accuracy of predicting PSM.
Assessing quality of life in childhood cancer survivors at risk for hearing loss: a comparison of HEAR-QL and PROMIS measures
Authors: Spence Anne , L’Hotta Allison J. , Hayashi Susan S. , Felts Kara , LaFentres Emily , Jones-White Megan , Lieu Judith E. C. , King Allison A. , Hayashi Robert J.
Published: March 2024

Background

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) exposed to platinum chemotherapy are at an increased risk of developing hearing loss and reporting decreased quality of life (QOL). This study compared two QOL measures; one developed for children with hearing loss, The Hearing Environments and Refection on Quality of Life (HEAR-QL), and one validated in CCS, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), to assess their ability to evaluate QOL deficits in this population.

Methods

Subject eligibility were restricted to CCS exposed to platinum-based chemotherapy but who were free of known risk factors for cognitive impairment, (non-central nervous system tumor, no cranial radiation, or intrathecal chemotherapy). Participants had to be between 8-17 years, have completed anti-cancer therapy for at least 6 months, and have an audiogram within 1 year, Participants completed the HEAR-QL-26 (7-12 years) or the HEAR-QL-28 (13-18 years) and the PROMIS. Independent samples and/or one sample T-tests were utilized to compare participants with normal hearing and hearing loss, and to compare outcome measures to normative HEAR-QL and PROMIS data. Non-parametric correlations were utilized to evaluate the relationship between QOL and demographic and medical variables, and QOL and severity of hearing loss.

Results

Fifty-four CCS were evaluable. The mean age was 12.0 years. Twenty-eight participants (51.9%) received cisplatin, 30 (55.6%) carboplatin, and 4 (7.4%) received both. Twenty participants (37%) demonstrated hearing loss. Participants with hearing loss scored significantly lower on the HEAR-QL than those with normal hearing (mean: 70.3, SD: 21.7, vs mean: 88.0, SD: 9.3, p =.004 for the HEAR-QL-26; mean: 84.7, SD: 10.2 vs mean: 94.8, SD: 3.4, p =.040 for the HEAR-QL-28). Participants with normal hearing scored significantly lower on the HEAR-QL-26 than the normative mean (mean: 88, SD: 9.3, normative mean: 98, SD: 5, p =.000). The PROMIS failed to identify any differences in QOL between participants based on hearing status, or when compared to the normative mean.

Conclusion

The HEAR-QL was more sensitive than the PROMIS in identifying QOL deficits in CCS at risk for hearing loss. The HEAR-QL should be considered in studies seeking to improve the QOL of CCS with hearing loss.
Speech, language, functional communication, psychosocial outcomes and QOL in school-age children with congenital unilateral hearing loss
Authors: Cupples Linda , Ching Teresa Y. C. , Hou Sanna
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Children with early-identified unilateral hearing loss (UHL) might be at risk for delays in early speech and language, functional communication, psychosocial skills, and quality of life (QOL). However, a paucity of relevant research prohibits strong conclusions. This study aimed to provide new evidence relevant to this issue.

Methods

Participants were 34 children, ages 9;0 to 12;7 (years;months), who were identified with UHL via newborn hearing screening. Nineteen children had been fitted with hearing devices, whereas 15 had not. Assessments included measures of speech perception and intelligibility; language and cognition; functional communication; psychosocial abilities; and QOL.

Results and discussion

As a group, the children scored significantly below the normative mean and more than one standard deviation below the typical range on speech perception in spatially separated noise, and significantly below the normative mean on written passage comprehension. Outcomes in other aspects appear typical. There was however considerable within participant variation in the children's degree of hearing loss over time, raising the possibility that this pattern of results might change as children get older. The current study also revealed that participants with higher levels of nonverbal ability demonstrated better general language skills and better ability to comprehend written passages. By contrast, neither perception of speech in collocated noise nor fitting with a hearing device accounted for unique variance in outcome measures. Future research should, however, evaluate the fitting of hearing devices using random assignment of participants to groups in order to avoid any confounding influence of degree of hearing loss or children's past/current level of progress.