bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estonian science teacher beliefs about competence-based science e-testing
Authors:   Centre for Science Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia, Rosin Triin , Vaino Katrin ,   Centre for Science Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia, Soobard Regina ,   Centre for Science Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia, Rannikmäe Miia ,   Centre for Science Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia
Published: March 2021

Competence-based, science e-testing (CBSeT) is a novel external assessment tool which provides feedback to science teachers about their students’ competence-based skills, thereby giving relevant assessment information which teachers could potentially use in their teaching practice. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which teachers’ existing beliefs towards CBSeT enabled them to use the received CBSeT feedback in their practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven science teachers from selected schools which took part in an CBSeT pilot programme. The findings revealed that most teachers believed the feedback provided adequate assessment information about the level of students’ actual competences and gave general guidelines to support their further teaching and students’ learning. At the same time, they perceived that the CBSeT feedback was currently lacking an accountability function, which would make students more responsible for their learning and provide feedback on the effectiveness of their own teaching. Despite the teachers’ generally positive attitudinal beliefs towards CBSeT, several constraints to operationalising the feedback in the classroom were identified. Based on these findings, the paper suggests ways to facilitate further implementation of CBSeT feedback in the classroom.
Teachers’ way of contextualising the science content in lesson introductions
Authors:   Faculty of Education and Society, Natural Science and Mathematics Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden, Davidsson Eva , Enochson Pernilla Granklint ,   LHS-School of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Halmstad University, Halland, Sweden
Published: March 2021

Abstract: Previous studies have pointed to the benefits of involving students’ everyday life experiences in lessons and in contextualising the science content to enhance learning and positive attitudes towards school science. However, most of these investigations have been conducted as intervention studies. By contrast, the present study explored how teachers, in authentic situations and without interventions, related the school science context to other contexts. We analysed a total of 490 minutes of lesson introductions in Swedish Grade 9 classes. The results revealed that teachers employed contextualisation at the intersection of science content and the everyday life context, the school context, and the language context. Furthermore, it appeared that contextualisation was created in the moment, as a way of explicating the scientific content. Compared to intervention studies, the present study shows that occasions of contextualisation are rare. It is possible to conclude that the use of contextualisation in science learning situations could be viewed as a teacher competence and must be explicit in teacher education and professional development in order to achieve the benefits of enhanced student interest and learning shown in the mentioned intervention studies.
The Relationship Between Students’ Reflective Thinking Skills and Levels of Solving Routine and Non-Routine Science Problems
Authors:   Educational Sciences, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey, Kablan Zeynel , Günen Aslıhan ,   Educational Sciences, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
Published: March 2021

Abstract: Reflective thinking skills are thought to be an important factor affecting the success of problem solving both routine and non-routine science problems. This research aimed to determine the relationship between eighth-grade students’ reflective thinking skills toward problem-solving and their level of solving routine and non-routine science problems. Determining this relationship can form a basis for the decisions teachers make in courses and contribute to increasing teaching quality. A correlational and regressional research design was used in this study. A total of 408 eighth-grade students from four secondary schools in Kocaeli, Turkey constituted the sample group. The correlational results showed that, as the students’ reflective thinking towards problem solving scores increased, which were identified as questioning, reasoning and, evaluating, their level of solving routine and non-routine problems also increased. But multiple regressional results showed only the evaluation skill was a significant predictor in solving routine problems and only the reasoning skill was a significant predictor in solving non-routine problems. Therefore, students should also be equipped with reasoning skill such as examining the cause-and-effect relationships by investigating the reason behind the decisions made while solving a problem, to contribute to the solution of non-routine problems.
Species Diversity Induces Idiosyncratic Effects on Litter Decomposition in a Degraded Meadow Steppe
Authors: Naeem Iqra , Asif Talal , Wu Xuefeng , Hassan Nazim , Yiming Liu , Wang Hongjun , Wang Ling , Wang Deli
Published: March 2021

Litter decomposition is a fundamental path for nutrient cycling in a natural ecosystem. However, it remains unclear how species diversity, including richness and evenness, affects the decomposition dynamics in the context of grassland degradation. Using a litter bag technique, we investigated the litter-mixing effects of two coexisting dominant species (Leymus chinensis Lc and Phragmites australis Pa), as monocultures and mixtures with evenness (Lc:Pa) from M1 (30:70%), M2 (50:50%), and M3 (70:30%), on decomposition processes over time (60 and 365 days). The litter bags were placed on the soil surface along a degradation gradient [near pristine (NP), lightly degraded (LD), and highly degraded (HD)]. We found that 1) mass loss in mixture compositions was significantly and positively correlated with initial nitrogen (N) and cellulose contents; 2) litter mixing (richness and evenness) influenced decomposition dynamics individually and in interaction with the incubation days and the degradation gradients; 3) in a general linear model (GLM), nonadditive antagonistic effects were more prominent than additive or neutral effects in final litter and nutrients except for carbon (C); and 4) in nutrients (C, N, lignin) and C/N ratio, additive effects shifted to nonadditive with incubation time. We speculated that the occurrence of nonadditive positive or negative effects varied with litter and nutrients mass remaining in each degraded gradient under the mechanism of initial litter quality of monoculture species, soil properties of experimental sites, and incubation time. Our study has important implications for grassland improvement and protection by considering species biodiversity richness, as well as species evenness.
Zooplankton Fluctuations in the Surface Waters of the Estuary of a Large Subtropical Urban River
Authors: Lee Pei-Wen , Hsiao Shih-Hui , Chou Chi , Tseng Li-Chun , Hwang Jiang-Shiou
Published: March 2021

The Danshuei River has a third largest catchment area and third longest in Taiwan. It flows through the capital, Taipei, and more than six million people live within its catchment area. Its estuary is characterized by a highly variable chemical and physical environment that is affected by the interaction of inland freshwater runoff with wastewater, and toward the coast is also influenced by the China Coastal Current and the Kuroshio Current. By collecting zooplankton bimonthly in 2014 from the surface layer (0–2 m depth) at five sites in the estuary, we were able to demonstrate that the composition of the zooplankton, and particularly its copepod fraction, varied significantly among sampling stations and months, thereby revealing seasonal succession. Fourteen higher taxa or other categories of zooplankter were identified, with the following being most common taxa: Decapoda, Copepoda (including Calanoida, Cyclopoida, and Harpacticoida), and “other larvae.” The Copepoda comprised 44 taxa (including eight only identified to genus) belonging to 3 orders, 17 families, and 29 genera, the five most abundant of which wereBestiolinan. sp. (undescribed),Corycaeusspp.,Parvocalanus crassirostris,Acartiasp., andParacalanus parvus. The highest and lowest copepod abundances were recorded in July (2557.88 inds. m–3) and January (1.3 inds. m–3), respectively. Observed changes in abundance of many kinds of copepod appeared to be significantly related to changes in physico-chemical parameters (e.g., salinity, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen concentration). Cluster analysis confirmed the existence of distinct copepod communities, each characterized by a preference for a different set of environmental conditions. Our comprehensive literature review of the copepod biodiversity of Taiwan’s major rivers for comparison with similar data compiled for other estuaries in the world, the first time such a review has been compiled, shows that 32 copepod taxa have been recorded from the brackish and freshwater parts of the Danshuei River. They represent 58.2% of the total number of brackish- and freshwater copepod species in Taiwan, and five of them have so far only been recorded in the Danshuei River: the calanoidsAcartiella sinensisandPseudodiaptomus forbesi, the cyclopoidsOithona fragilisandOithona simplex, and the harpacticoidTachidius(Tachidius)discipes.
Delivery Platforms for CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing of Glial Cells in the Central Nervous System
Authors: Meneghini Vasco , Peviani Marco , Luciani Marco , Zambonini Giada , Gritti Angela
Published: March 2021

Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia) are emerging as key players in several physiological and pathological processes of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are not only supportive cells that release trophic factors or regulate energy metabolism, but they also actively modulate critical neuronal processes and functions in the tripartite synapse. Microglia are defined as CNS-resident cells that provide immune surveillance; however, they also actively contribute to shaping the neuronal microenvironment by scavenging cell debris or regulating synaptogenesis and pruning. Given the many interconnected processes coordinated by glial cells, it is not surprising that both acute and chronic CNS insults not only cause neuronal damage but also trigger complex multifaceted responses, including neuroinflammation, which can critically contribute to the disease progression and worsening of symptoms in several neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, this makes glial cells excellent candidates for targeted therapies to treat CNS disorders. In recent years, the application of gene editing technologies has redefined therapeutic strategies to treat genetic and age-related neurological diseases. In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-based gene editing in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on the development of viral- and nanoparticle-based delivery methods for in vivo glial cell targeting.
Widespread Decreases in Cerebral Copper Are Common to Parkinson's Disease Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Dementia
Authors: Scholefield Melissa , Church Stephanie J. , Xu Jingshu , Patassini Stefano , Roncaroli Federico , Hooper Nigel M. , Unwin Richard D. , Cooper Garth J. S.
Published: March 2021

Several studies of Parkinson's disease (PD) have reported dysregulation of cerebral metals, particularly decreases in copper and increases in iron in substantia nigra (SN). However, few studies have investigated regions outside the SN, fewer have measured levels of multiple metals across different regions within the same brains, and there are no currently-available reports of metal levels in Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). This study aimed to compare concentrations of nine essential metals across nine different brain regions in cases of PDD and controls. Investigated were: primary motor cortex (MCX); cingulate gyrus (CG); primary visual cortex (PVC); hippocampus (HP); cerebellar cortex (CB); SN; locus coeruleus (LC); medulla oblongata (MED); and middle temporal gyrus (MTG), thus covering regions with severe, moderate, or low levels of neuronal loss in PDD. Levels of eight essential metals and selenium were determined using an analytical methodology involving the use of inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and compared between cases and controls, to better understand the extent and severity of metal perturbations. Findings were also compared with those from our previous study of sporadic Alzheimer's disease dementia (ADD), which employed equivalent methods, to identify differences and similarities between these conditions. Widespread copper decreases occurred in PDD in seven of nine regions (exceptions being LC and CB). Four PDD-affected regions showed similar decreases in ADD: CG, HP, MTG, and MCX. Decreases in potassium and manganese were present in HP, MTG and MCX; decreased manganese was also found in SN and MED. Decreased selenium and magnesium were present in MCX, and decreased zinc in HP. There was no evidence for increased iron in SN or any other region. These results identify alterations in levels of several metals across multiple regions of PDD brain, the commonest being widespread decreases in copper that closely resemble those in ADD, pointing to similar disease mechanisms in both dementias.
Task-Related Hemodynamic Response Alterations During Slacklining: An fNIRS Study in Advanced Slackliners
Authors: Seidel-Marzi Oliver , Hähner Susanne , Ragert Patrick , Carius Daniel
Published: March 2021

The ability to maintain balance is based on various processes of motor control in complex neural networks of subcortical and cortical brain structures. However, knowledge on brain processing during the execution of whole-body balance tasks is still limited. In the present study, we investigated brain activity during slacklining, a task with a high demand on balance capabilities, which is frequently used as supplementary training in various sports disciplines as well as for lower extremity prevention and rehabilitation purposes in clinical settings. We assessed hemodynamic response alterations in sensorimotor brain areas using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during standing (ST) and walking (WA) on a slackline in 16 advanced slackliners. We expected to observe task-related differences between both conditions as well as associations between cortical activity and slacklining experience. While our results revealed hemodynamic response alterations in sensorimotor brain regions such as primary motor cortex (M1), premotor cortex (PMC), and supplementary motor cortex (SMA) during both conditions, we did not observe differential effects between ST and WA nor associations between cortical activity and slacklining experience. In summary, these findings provide novel insights into brain processing during a whole-body balance task and its relation to balance expertise. As maintaining balance is considered an important prerequisite in daily life and crucial in the context of prevention and rehabilitation, future studies should extend these findings by quantifying brain processing during task execution on a whole-brain level.
Identification of an Individualized Immune-Related Prognostic Risk Score in Lung Squamous Cell Cancer
Authors: Zhuang Yuan , Li Sihan , Liu Chang , Li Guang
Published: March 2021

Background: Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is one of the most common histological subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and its morbidity and mortality are steadily increasing. The purpose of this study was to study the relationship between the immune-related gene (IRGs) profile and the outcome of LUSC in patients by analyzing datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Methods: We obtained publicly available LUSC RNA expression data and clinical survival data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and filtered IRGs based on The ImmPort database. Then, we identified risk immune-related genes (r-IRGs) for model construction using Cox regression analysis and defined the risk score in this model as the immune gene risk index (IRI). Multivariate analysis was used to verify the independent prognostic value of IRI and its association with other clinicopathological features. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the molecular mechanism affecting the expression of IRGs and the correlation between IRI and immune cell infiltration.

Results: We screened 15 r-IRGs for constructing the risk model. The median value of IRI stratified the patients and there were significant survival differences between the two groups (p = 4.271E-06). IRI was confirmed to be an independent prognostic factor (p < 0.001) and had a close correlation with the patients' age (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the infiltration of neutrophils or dendritic cells was strongly upregulated in the high-IRI groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, by investigating differential transcription factors (TFs) and functional enrichment analysis, we explored potential mechanisms that may affect IRGs expression in tumor cells.

Conclusion: In short, this study used 15 IRGs to build an effective risk prediction model, and demonstrated the significance of IRGs-based personalized immune scores in LUSC prognosis.
Comparison of Two Strategies for Prophylactic Donor Lymphocyte Infusion in Patients With Refractory/Relapsed Acute Leukemia
Authors: Su Qiongqiong , Fan Zhiping , Huang Fen , Xu Na , Nie Danian , Lin Dongjun , Guo Ziwen , Shi Pengcheng , Wang Zhixiang , Jiang Ling , Sun Jing , Jiang Zujun , Liu Qifa , Xuan Li
Published: March 2021

Prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusion (pDLI) could reduce relapse in patients with refractory/relapsed acute leukemia (RRAL) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), but optimal timing of pDLI remains uncertain. We compared the outcomes of two strategies for pDLI based on time from transplant and minimal residual disease (MRD) status in patients with RRAL. For patients without grade II–IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) on day +60, pDLI was given on day +60 regardless of MRD in cohort 1, and was given on day +90 unless MRD was positive on day +60 in cohort 2. A total of 161 patients with RRAL were enrolled, including 83 in cohort 1 and 78 in cohort 2. The extensive chronic GVHD (cGVHD) incidence in cohort 2 was lower than that in cohort 1 (10.3% vs. 27.9%, P = 0.006) and GVHD-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS) in cohort 2 was superior to that in cohort 1 (55.1% vs. 41.0%, P = 0.042). The 2-year relapse rate, overall and leukemia-free survival were comparable between the two cohorts (29.0% vs. 28.2%, P = 0.986; 63.9% vs. 64.1%, P = 0.863; 57.8% vs. 61.5%, P = 0.666). Delaying pDLI to day +90 based on MRD for patients with RRAL undergoing allo-HSCT could lower extensive cGVHD incidence and improve GRFS without increasing incidence of leukemia relapse compared with pDLI on day +60.
Preoperative Prediction of Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Multi-Parametric MRI Radiomics
Authors: Zhang Yang , Shu Zhenyu , Ye Qin , Chen Junfa , Zhong Jianguo , Jiang Hongyang , Wu Cuiyun , Yu Taihen , Pang Peipei , Ma Tianshi , Lin Chunmiao
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To systematically evaluate and compare the predictive capability for microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients based on radiomics from multi-parametric MRI (mp-MRI) including six sequences when used individually or combined, and to establish and validate the optimal combined model.

Methods

A total of 195 patients confirmed HCC were divided into training (n = 136) and validation (n = 59) datasets. All volumes of interest of tumors were respectively segmented on T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient, artery phase, portal venous phase, and delay phase sequences, from which quantitative radiomics features were extracted and analyzed individually or combined. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were undertaken to construct clinical model, respective single-sequence radiomics models, fusion radiomics models based on different sequences and combined model. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated to evaluate the performance of different models.

Results

Among nine radiomics models, the model from all sequences performed best with AUCs 0.889 and 0.822 in the training and validation datasets, respectively. The combined model incorporating radiomics from all sequences and effective clinical features achieved satisfactory preoperative prediction of MVI with AUCs 0.901 and 0.840, respectively, and could identify the higher risk population of MVI (P < 0.001). The Delong test manifested significant differences with P < 0.001 in the training dataset and P = 0.005 in the validation dataset between the combined model and clinical model.

Conclusions

The combined model can preoperatively and noninvasively predict MVI in HCC patients and may act as a usefully clinical tool to guide subsequent individualized treatment.
Contrasting Effects of Fasting on Liver-Adipose Axis in Alcohol-Associated and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver
Authors: Rasineni Karuna , Jordan Clayton W. , Thomes Paul G. , Kubik Jacy L. , Staab Elizabeth M. , Sweeney Sarah A. , Talmon Geoffrey A. , Donohue Terrence M. , McNiven Mark A. , Kharbanda Kusum K. , Casey Carol A.
Published: March 2021

Background: Fatty liver, a major health problem worldwide, is the earliest pathological change in the progression of alcohol-associated (AFL) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL). Though the causes of AFL and NAFL differ, both share similar histological and some common pathophysiological characteristics. In this study, we sought to examine mechanisms responsible for lipid dynamics in liver and adipose tissue in the setting of AFL and NAFL in response to 48 h of fasting.

Methods: Male rats were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid control or alcohol-containing diet (AFL model), chow or high-fat pellet diet (NAFL model). After 6–8 weeks of feeding, half of the rats from each group were fasted for 48 h while the other half remained on their respective diets. Following sacrifice, blood, adipose, and the liver were collected for analysis.

Results: Though rats fed AFL and NAFL diets both showed fatty liver, the physiological mechanisms involved in the development of each was different. Here, we show that increased hepatic de novo fatty acid synthesis, increased uptake of adipose-derived free fatty acids, and impaired triglyceride breakdown contribute to the development of AFL. In the case of NAFL, however, increased dietary fatty acid uptake is the major contributor to hepatic steatosis. Likewise, the response to starvation in the two fatty liver disease models also varied. While there was a decrease in hepatic steatosis after fasting in ethanol-fed rats, the control, chow and high-fat diet-fed rats showed higher levels of hepatic steatosis than pair-fed counterparts. This diverse response was a result of increased adipose lipolysis in all experimental groups except fasted ethanol-fed rats.

Conclusion: Even though AFL and NAFL are nearly histologically indistinguishable, the physiological mechanisms that cause hepatic fat accumulation are different as are their responses to starvation.
Italian Food? Sounds Good! Made in Italy and Italian Sounding Effects on Food Products' Assessment by Consumers
Authors: Bonaiuto Flavia , De Dominicis Stefano , Ganucci Cancellieri Uberta , Crano William D. , Ma Jianhong , Bonaiuto Marino
Published: March 2021

Italian Sounding—i. e., the Italian appearance of a product or service brand irrespective of its country of origin—represents a global market phenomenon affecting a wide range of economic sectors, particularly the agro-food sector. Although its economic impact has been repeatedly stressed from different points of view (policy, economy, culture, etc.), systematic scientific knowledge regarding its social–psychological bases is lacking. Three studies carried out in three different countries (Italy, China, and USA) address this literature gap. Different consumer groups (both native and/or non-native) are targeted regarding major product categories pre-selected categories, which are the major Italian food goods within the specific country according to piloting (oil and/or pasta). In each study, the main independent variable (product version) has been manipulated by presenting real product images (previously pre-selected within the tested food category in each country market), whose “Italianness” degree is effectively manipulated by the main study variable (product version) across three or four levels (Protected Designation of Origin Made in Italy, Made in Italy, Italian Sounding, and Generic Foreign). Main hypotheses are tested via a survey with the specific product images administered to samples in Italy (N = 204, 148 Italians and 56 non-Italians), China (N = 191, 100 Chinese and 91 non-Italian expatriates in China), and the USA (N = 237 US citizens). Across the three studies, results show that Made in Italy products, compared to the other ones, are advantaged in terms of the main dependent variables: reputation profile, general reputation, attitude, and willingness to pay (WTP). Moreover, Italian Sounding products are endowed with corresponding significant advantages when compared to the Generic Foreign by non-Italian samples (although to a different degree according to the different sub-samples). Results reveal the specific social–psychological profile of Italian Sounding products in terms of either weaknesses or strengths when compared to both Made in Italy products and Generic Foreign ones, differently in the eyes of Italian and non-Italian consumers across different countries. Finally, consistently across the three studies, the extent to which a food product is perceived to be Italian increases consumers' WTP for that product, and this effect is consistently mediated by the product's reputation.
Stroke Rehabilitation for Falls and Risk of Falls in Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review With Stakeholders' Consultation
Authors: Ahmad Ainuddin Husna , Romli Muhammad Hibatullah , Hamid Tengku Aizan , Salim Mazatulfazura S. F. , Mackenzie Lynette
Published: March 2021

Background:Research on rehabilitation for falls after stroke is warranted. However, published evidence on fall interventions with stroke survivors is limited and these are mainly international studies that may be less relevant for Southeast Asia.

Objective:This review aims to systematically identify literature related to stroke rehabilitation for falls and risk of falls in Southeast Asia.

Methods:A scoping review with stakeholders' consultation was implemented. An electronic search was conducted up to December 2020 on 4 databases (Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, ASEAN Citation Index). Only original studies conducted in Southeast Asia were selected.

Results:The initial search yielded 3,112 articles, however, only 26 were selected in the final analysis. Most of the articles focused on physical rehabilitation and implemented conventional therapies. While the literature may reflect practice in Southeast Asia, stakeholders perceived that the literature was inadequate to show true practice, was not informative and missed several aspects such as functional, cognitive, and psychological interventions in managing falls. Individual-centric interventions dominated the review while community-based and environmental-focused studies were limited. Majority of the articles were written by physiotherapists while others were from physicians, occupational therapists, and an engineer but few from other healthcare practitioners (i.e., speech therapists, psychologists) or disciplines interested in falls.

Conclusions:Falls prevention among stroke survivors has received a lack of attention and is perceived as an indirect goal in stroke rehabilitation in Southeast Asia. More innovative research adopted from falls research with older people is needed to advance falls prevention and intervention practice with stroke survivors.
Embodied Spatial Knowledge Acquisition in Immersive Virtual Reality: Comparison to Map Exploration
Authors: König Sabine U. , Keshava Ashima , Clay Viviane , Rittershofer Kirsten , Kuske Nicolas , König Peter
Published: March 2021

Investigating spatial knowledge acquisition in virtual environments allows studying different sources of information under controlled conditions. Therefore, we built a virtual environment in the style of a European village and investigated spatial knowledge acquisition by experience in the immersive virtual environment and compared it to using an interactive map of the same environment. The environment was well explored, with both exploration sources covering the whole village area. We tested knowledge of cardinal directions, building-to-building orientation, and judgment of direction between buildings in a pointing task. The judgment of directions was more accurate after exploration of the virtual environment than after map exploration. The opposite results were observed for knowledge of cardinal directions and relative orientation between buildings. Time for cognitive reasoning improved task accuracies after both exploration sources. Further, an alignment effect toward the north was only visible after map exploration. Taken together, our results suggest that the source of spatial exploration differentially influenced spatial knowledge acquisition.
Benefits and Limitations of Non-Transgenic Micronutrient Biofortification Approaches
Authors: Marques Edward , Darby Heather M. , Kraft Jana
Published: March 2021

Increasing the amount of micronutrients in diets across the world is crucial to improving world health. Numerous methods can accomplish this such as the biofortification of food through biotechnology, conventional breeding, and agronomic approaches. Of these, biofortification methods, conventional breeding, and agronomic approaches are currently globally accepted and, therefore, should be the primary focus of research efforts. This review synthesizes the current literature regarding the state of biofortified foods through conventional breeding and agronomic approaches for crops. Additionally, the benefits and limitations for all described approaches are discussed, allowing us to identify key areas of research that are still required to increase the efficacy of these methods. The information provided here should provide a basal knowledge for global efforts that are combating micronutrient deficiencies.
Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing and AmpC β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales Isolated from Companion Animals in Korea
Authors: Shin Se Ra , Noh Seong Mi , Jung Woo Kyung , Shin Sook , Park Young Kyung , Moon Dong Chan , Lim Suk-Kyung , Park Yong Ho , Park Kun Taek
Published: March 2021

The emergence of extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC)-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is of great concern in both human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate ESC-resistant bacterial isolates from companion animals in South Korea between 2017 and 2019. Isolates with ESC resistance genes, which were identified by PCR, were assessed for genetic relatedness by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In total, 91 ESC-resistant Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Serratia spp., and Enterobacter cloacae isolates harbored the blaTEM gene. Among other ESC resistance genes, blaCTX-M-15, blaCIT, and blaCTX-M-55 were predominantly detected in E. coli isolates, whereas blaSHV and blaDHA were more frequently detected in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. In addition, all blaEBC-positive isolates were classified as E. cloacae. From the MLST results, blaCTX-M-9-carrying ST131, blaCIT-carrying ST405, and blaCTX-M-1-carrying ST3285 strains were dominant among E. coli isolates. ST273 and ST275 strains harboring blaSHV were frequently detected in K. pneumoniae isolates. Various sequence types were obtained in E. cloacae and Klebsiella oxytoca isolates. All isolates demonstrated unique PFGE profiles (<57–98% similarity) and were unlikely to be derived from a single clone. The present study reveals the presence and wide genetic distribution of ESC-resistant bacterial species in South Korean companion animals.
Effects of Cordyceps militaris Extracts on Macrophage as Immune Conductors
Authors: Park Yoonjin , Choi Seoyoon , Kim Boyong , Lee Seung Gwan
Published: March 2021

Although Cordyceps militaris is documented several medicinal functions, there is not enough for demonstration of leukocytic differentiation. Cordycepin and adenosine were 11.75 µg and 1.25 µg in the extract, respectively. Unlike the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in macrophages that were approximately 4 time and 48 times higher than the control under lipopolysaccharides (LPS), macrophages under the extract (1 μg/mL) showed 13- and 10-fold lower TNF-α and IL-1β levels than the LPS-treated cells. This was corroborated by flow cytometry, where their levels were 20 times and 14 times lower, respectively. Under the extract, the LPS-treated macrophages enhanced M2 polarization and attenuated M1 polarization. In addition, the extract also dose-dependently activated macrophage phagocytosis. Under the extract conditioned medium, dendritic cells (DCs) were strongly differentiated toward CD11b+ and Xcr1+ cells because their densities were 13.6 times and 6.26 times higher than those in the LPS conditioned medium, respectively. Differentiation of Treg and natural killer T-like (NKTL) cells also were increased about 1.67 times and 6.73 times than those in the LPS conditioned medium, respectively. These results suggest that the C. militaris extract has strong effects on the modulation of macrophages and dendritic cells and T cells under inflammatory stress.
Parasitic-Based Active Gate Driver Improving the Turn-On Process of 1.7 kV SiC Power MOSFET
Authors: Lasek Bartosz , Trochimiuk Przemysław , Kopacz Rafał , Rąbkowski Jacek
Published: March 2021

This article discusses an active gate driver for a 1.7 kV/325 A SiC MOSFET module. The main purpose of the driver is to adjust the gate voltage in specified moments to speed up the turn-on cycle and reduce the amount of dissipated energy. Moreover, an adequate manipulation of the gate voltage is necessary as the gate current should be reduced during the rise of the drain current to avoid overshoots and oscillations. The gate voltage is switched at the right moments on the basis of the feedback signal provided from a measurement of the voltage across the parasitic source inductance of the module. This approach simplifies the circuit and provides no additional power losses in the measuring circuit. The paper contains the theoretical background and detailed description of the active gate driver design. The model of the parasitic-based active gate driver was verified using the double-pulse procedure both in Saber simulations and laboratory experiments. The active gate driver decreases the turn-on energy of a 1.7 kV/325 A SiC MOSFET by 7% comparing to a conventional gate driver (VDS = 900 V, ID = 270 A, RG = 20 Ω). Furthermore, the proposed active gate driver lowered the turn-on cycle time from 478 to 390 ns without any serious oscillations in the main circuit.
Process Evaluation for Smart Concrete Road Construction:Road Surface and Thickness Evaluation Using High-Speed LiDAR Technology
Authors: Skalecki Patric , Sesselmann Maximilian , Rechkemmer Sabrina , Britz Thorsten , Großmann Andreas , Garrecht Harald , Sawodny Oliver
Published: March 2021

The enhancement of new quality criteria in highway construction is a key aspect to improving the construction process and lifetime of road. In particular, mobile laser scanning systems are nowadays able to provide realistic 3D elevation profiles of a road to detect anomalies. In this context, this study utilizes a high-accuracy high-speed mobile mapping vehicle and evaluates a weighted longitudinal profile as an improved measure for evenness analysis. For comparison a classical method with a rolling straight edge was evaluated on the same road section and observed effects are discussed. The second focus is the areal reconstruction of the road thickness. For this purpose, a modern method was developed to spatially synchronize two high-speed laser scans using reference boxes next to the road, to transfer the point clouds into a surface model and to calculate the layer thickness. This procedure was conceptually validated by some pointwise measurements of the layer thickness. With this information, imperfections in the base layer could be detected automatically over a wide area at an early stage and countermeasures might be initiated before constructing the highway.
Observational Study Regarding Possible Side Effects of Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expander (MARPE) with or without the Use of Corticopuncture Therapy
Authors: Bud Eugen Silviu , Bică Cristina Ioana , Păcurar Mariana , Vaida Petru , Vlasa Alexandru , Martha Krisztina , Bud Anamaria
Published: March 2021

The use of maxillary expanders has the effect of distancing the maxillary bones at the level of the median palatal suture. During maxillary expansion, the main resistance forces occur at the zygomatico-maxillary sutures, and not in the median palatal suture, which is the basic principle on which this method is based. In this observational study, we evaluated possible complications at the skeletal and dentoalveolar level after palatal split using miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) associated or not with corticopuncture (CP) therapy. The study included 27 patients with maxillary transverse deficiency and unilateral or bilateral cross-bite. Skeletal and dentoalveolar changes were evaluated using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images acquired before and after expansion. The mid-palatal suture was separated in 88.88% of cases, buccal bone height of the alveolar crest had decreased at first molar both at oral and palatal level by approximately 2.07 mm in 40.7% of cases whilst the remaining 59.3% showed insignificant bone loss, with canines exhibiting buccal tipping of 4.10° in 62.5% of cases. Changes of the occlusal planes were observed in 10 cases (37%). Maxillary canines tended to show symmetric buccal inclinations relative to the maxillary basal bone. Six patients; 22.22% showed hypertrophy/hyperplasia of the palatal mucosa associated with ulcerations, erythema, itching, and discomfort in the area. Swelling at the mid-palatal suture after split was observed in all cases and was caused by the resultant force. No cases of necrosis of the palatal mucosa were observed. Although occlusal modifications occur after palatal split, especially in unilateral cross-bite cases, these changes can be treated with the help of fixed orthodontic appliances.
Bone Marrow Homeostasis Is Impaired via JAK/STAT and Glucocorticoid Signaling in Cancer Cachexia Model
Authors: Yu Jinyeong , Choi Sanghyuk , Park Aran , Do Jungbeom , Nam Donghyun , Kim Youngjae , Noh Jinok , Lee Kil Yeon , Maeng Chi Hoon , Park Ki-Sook
Published: March 2021

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial systemic inflammation disease caused by complex interactions between the tumor and host tissues via soluble factors. However, whether cancer cachexia affects the bone marrow, in particular the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), remains unclear. Here, we investigated the bone marrow and bone in a cancer cachexia animal model generated by transplanting Lewis lung carcinoma cells. The number of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) started to significantly decrease in the cancer cachectic animal model prior to the discernable loss of muscle and fat. This decrease in BM-MNCs was associated with myeloid skewing in the circulation and the expansion of hematopoietic progenitors in the bone marrow. Bone loss occurred in the cancer cachexia animal model and accompanied the decrease in the bone marrow MSCs that play important roles in both supporting HSCs and maintaining bone homeostasis. Glucocorticoid signaling mediated the decrease in bone marrow MSCs in the cancer cachectic environment. The cancer cachexia environment also skewed the differentiation of the bone marrow MSCs toward adipogenic fate via JAK/STAT as well as glucocorticoid signaling. Our results suggest that the bone loss induced in cancer cachexia is associated with the depletion and the impaired differentiation capacity of the bone marrow MSCs.
A Phase I Dose Escalation Study of Oxaliplatin, Cisplatin and Doxorubicin Applied as PIPAC in Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
Authors: Robella Manuela , De Simone Michele , Berchialla Paola , Argenziano Monica , Borsano Alice , Ansari Shoeb , Abollino Ornella , Ficiarà Eleonora , Cinquegrana Armando , Cavalli Roberta , Vaira Marco
Published: March 2021

Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) is an innovative laparoscopic intraperitoneal chemotherapy approach with the advantage of a deeper tissue penetration. Thus far, oxaliplatin has been administered at an arbitrary dose of 92 mg/m2, cisplatin at 7.5 mg/m2 and doxorubicin 1.5 mg/m2. This is a model-based approach phase I dose escalation study with the aim of identifying the maximum tolerable dose of the three different drugs. The starting dose of oxaliplatin was 100 mg/m2; cisplatin was used in association with doxorubicin: 15 mg/m2 and 3 mg/m2 were the respective starting doses. Safety was assessed according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE version 4.03). Thirteen patients were submitted to one PIPAC procedure. Seven patients were treated with cisplatin and doxorubicin and 6 patients with oxaliplatin; no dose limiting toxicities and major side effects were found. Common adverse events included postoperative abdominal pain and nausea. The maximum tolerable dose was not reached. The highest dose treated cohort (oxaliplatin 135 mg/m2; cisplatin 30 mg/m2 and doxorubicin 6 mg/m2) tolerated PIPAC well. Serological analyses revealed no trace of doxorubicin at any dose level. Serum levels of cis- and oxaliplatin reached a peak at 60–120 min after PIPAC and were still measurable in the circulation 24 h after the procedure. Cisplatin and doxorubicin may be safely used as PIPAC at a dose of 30 mg/m2 and 6 mg/m2, respectively; oxaliplatin can be used at an intraperitoneal dose of 135 mg/m2. The dosages achieved to date are the highest ever used in PIPAC.
THC Reduces Ki67-Immunoreactive Cells Derived from Human Primary Glioblastoma in a GPR55-Dependent Manner
Authors: Kolbe Marc Richard , Hohmann Tim , Hohmann Urszula , Ghadban Chalid , Mackie Ken , Zöller Christin , Prell Julian , Illert Jörg , Strauss Christian , Dehghani Faramarz
Published: March 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent malignant tumor of the central nervous system in humans with a median survival time of less than 15 months. ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the best-characterized components of Cannabis sativa plants with modulating effects on cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) and on orphan receptors such as GPR18 or GPR55. Previous studies have demonstrated anti-tumorigenic effects of THC and CBD in several tumor entities including GBM, mostly mediated via CB1 or CB2. In this study, we investigated the non-CB1/CB2 effects of THC on the cell cycle of GBM cells isolated from human tumor samples. Cell cycle entry was measured after 24 h upon exposure by immunocytochemical analysis of Ki67 as proliferation marker. The Ki67-reducing effect of THC was abolished in the presence of CBD, whereas CBD alone did not cause any changes. To identify the responsible receptor for THC effects, we first characterized the cells regarding their expression of different cannabinoid receptors: CB1, CB2, GPR18, and GPR55. Secondly, the receptors were pharmacologically blocked by application of their selective antagonists AM281, AM630, O-1918, and CID16020046 (CID), respectively. All examined cells expressed the receptors, but only in presence of the GPR55 antagonist CID was the THC effect diminished. Stimulation with the GPR55 agonist lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) revealed similar effects as obtained for THC. The LPI effects were also inhibited by CBD and CID, confirming a participation of GPR55 and suggesting its involvement in modifying the cell cycle of patient-derived GBM cells.
VATS Pleurectomy Decortication Is a Reasonable Alternative for Higher Risk Patients in the Management of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: An Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes
Authors: Lee Dong-Seok , Carollo Andrea , Alpert Naomi , Taioli Emanuela , Flores Raja
Published: March 2021

Surgery is a mainstay of treatment allowing for debulking of tumor and expansion of the lung for improvement in median survival and quality of life for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Although optimal surgical technique remains open for debate—extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) vs. pleurectomy/decortication (P/D)—minimally invasive surgery (VATS-P/D) remains underutilized in the management of MPM. We examined whether VATS-P/D is a feasible alternative to EPP and P/D. We evaluated the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) from 2007–2017 to assess the short-term complications of EPP vs. P/D, including a subanalysis of open P/D vs. VATS-P/D. There were 331 patients with open surgery; 269 with P/D and 62 with EPP. There were 384 patients with P/D; 269 were open and 115 VATS. Rates of any complication were similar between EPP and P/D patients, but EPP had significantly higher rates of cardiovascular complications. After adjusting for confounders, those with a VATS approach were less likely to have any complication, compared to an open approach and significantly less likely to have a pulmonary complication. VATS-P/D remains a viable alternative to radical surgery in MPM patients allowing for improved short-term outcomes.
The Role of VEGF Receptors as Molecular Target in Nuclear Medicine for Cancer Diagnosis and Combination Therapy
Authors: Masłowska Katarzyna , Halik Paweł Krzysztof , Tymecka Dagmara , Misicka Aleksandra , Gniazdowska Ewa
Published: March 2021

One approach to anticancer treatment is targeted anti-angiogenic therapy (AAT) based on prevention of blood vessel formation around the developing cancer cells. It is known that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) play a pivotal role in angiogenesis process; hence, application of angiogenesis inhibitors can be an effective approach in anticancer combination therapeutic strategies. Currently, several types of molecules have been utilised in targeted VEGF/VEGFR anticancer therapy, including human VEGF ligands themselves and their derivatives, anti-VEGF or anti-VEGFR monoclonal antibodies, VEGF binding peptides and small molecular inhibitors of VEGFR tyrosine kinases. These molecules labelled with diagnostic or therapeutic radionuclides can become, respectively, diagnostic or therapeutic receptor radiopharmaceuticals. In targeted anti-angiogenic therapy, diagnostic radioagents play a unique role, allowing the determination of the emerging tumour, to monitor the course of treatment, to predict the treatment outcomes and, first of all, to refer patients for AAT. This review provides an overview of design, synthesis and study of radiolabelled VEGF/VEGFR targeting and imaging agents to date. Additionally, we will briefly discuss their physicochemical properties and possible application in combination targeted radionuclide tumour therapy.