bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L2 grit and pragmatic comprehension among Chinese postgraduate learners: Enjoyment and anxiety as mediators
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Ren Wei
Published: July 2023

Comprehension of implicature may be challenging for L2 learners, which may be further influenced for by learners’ L2 grit and emotions. However, few studies have endeavored to determine the predictive impact of L2 grit, along with its closely associated emotional factors, such as enjoyment and anxiety, and investigate how these psychological factors jointly influence pragmatic comprehension. Therefore, this study attempts to investigate the relationship between L2 grit and pragmatic comprehension, along with the mediating roles of enjoyment and anxiety in their interactions. The data were collected from 171 Chinese non‐English major postgraduate learners, a population that has been less pronounced in L2 pragmatics. The findings revealed that the perseverance of effort (PE) of L2 grit predicted pragmatic comprehension instead of the consistency of interest of L2 grit. Pragmatic comprehension was positively but weakly linked to enjoyment and shared negative and moderate associations with anxiety. Only anxiety mediated the interaction between PE and pragmatic comprehension. Implications for pragmatic instruction and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Exploring differences in Korean consumers' perceptions of plant‐based jerky at different test locations: a comparison of the central location test, drive‐thru test, and home‐use test
Authors: Kim Mi‐Ran , Heo JeongAe , Kwak Han Sub
Published: July 2023

Sensory scientists have experienced difficulties in recruiting large samples of consumers to evaluate food products in controlled spaces at central testing sites during the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, this study investigated the consumer acceptance and sensory profiling of five types of plant‐based jerky samples at three different testing locations: a drive‐thru test (DTT, n = 119); a home‐use test (HUT, n = 126); and a conventional central location test (CLT, n = 118). The findings revealed that the CLT and DTT groups showed a similar pattern in terms of acceptance for samples compared to the HUT group. After analysing differences in sensory profiling across locations, the number of discriminating sample terms was found to be higher in both the CLT and DTT groups when compared to the HUT group. The regression vector coefficient values of the DTT and HUT compared to the CLT were 0.99 and 0.97, respectively, indicating close similarity in sensory profiling results. These findings suggest that the DTT is a valid alternative to the CLT when conducting analytical sensory testing.
Effectiveness of museum‐based participatory arts in mental health recovery
Authors: Goodman‐Casanova Jessica Marian , Guzman‐Parra Jose , Duran‐Jimenez Francisco Javier , Garcia‐Gallardo Marta , Cuesta‐Lozano Daniel , Mayoral‐Cleries Fermin
Published: July 2023

The World Health Organization encourages mental health services to adopt a strategic intersectoral approach by acknowledging the potential of the arts and the value of culture on the process of mental health recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of participatory arts in museums on mental health recovery. A quasi‐experimental, pre‐post and multicentre study was carried out. By using a mixed methods evaluation at baseline and at 3 months, quantitative outcome measures were used to assess the changes in recovery and social support and qualitative interviews to explore the self‐perceived impact on five processes of recovery. One hundred mental health service users participated for 3 years in the face‐to‐face programme RecuperArte, of which the data of 54 were analysed. The results indicate a significant increase in recovery measured with the QPR‐15‐SP (42 vs. 44; p = 0.034) and almost significant in functional social support measured with the DUKE‐UNC (41.50 vs. 43.50; p = 0.052), with almost large (r = 0.29) and medium (r = 0.26) effect sizes, respectively. Participants perceived mostly an impact on the recovery process of Meaning in life 30/54 (55.56%), Hope and optimism about the future 29/54 (53.7%) and Connectedness 21/54 (38.89%), followed by Identity 6/54 (11.11%) and Empowerment 5/54 (9.26%). The findings contribute to the growing evidence of the potential of the arts as a therapeutic tool, the value of museums as therapeutic spaces and the role of nurses in intersectoral coordination, between the mental health and cultural sectors, as facilitators and researchers of these evidence‐based practices.
Inbreeding depression and its effect on sperm quality traits in Pietrain pigs
Authors: Tsheten Gyembo , Fuerst‐Waltl Birgit , Pfeiffer Christina , Sölkner Johann , Bovenhuis Henk , Mészáros Gábor
Published: July 2023

In most cases, inbreeding is expected to have unfavourable effects on traits in livestock. The consequences of inbreeding depression could be substantial, primarily in reproductive and sperm quality traits, and thus lead to decreased fertility. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (i) to compute inbreeding coefficients using pedigree (FPED) and genomic data based on runs of homozygosity (ROH) in the genome (FROH) of Austrian Pietrain pigs, and (ii) to assess inbreeding depression on four sperm quality traits. In total, 74,734 ejaculate records from 1034 Pietrain boars were used for inbreeding depression analyses. Traits were regressed on inbreeding coefficients using repeatability animal models. Pedigree‐based inbreeding coefficients were lower than ROH‐based inbreeding values. The correlations between pedigree and ROH‐based inbreeding coefficients ranged from 0.186 to 0.357. Pedigree‐based inbreeding affected only sperm motility while ROH‐based inbreeding affected semen volume, number of spermatozoa, and motility. For example, a 1% increase in pedigree inbreeding considering 10 ancestor generations (FPED10) was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with a 0.231% decrease in sperm motility. Almost all estimated effects of inbreeding on the traits studied were unfavourable. It is advisable to properly manage the level of inbreeding to avoid high inbreeding depression in the future. Further, analysis of effects of inbreeding depression for other traits, including growth and litter size for the Austrian Pietrain population is strongly advised.
In‐vivo evaluation of catheter integrity with the use of a novel catheter torque tool
Authors: Mass Paige , Opfermann Justin , Grupposo R. T. Vito , DiBiase Luigi , Berul Charles I. , Clark Bradley C.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Electrophysiology studies and ablation procedures require strength, steadiness, and dexterity to manipulate catheters. We have previously described a novel catheter torque tool (Peritorq) that improves torqueability and stability and decreases user muscle fatigue. The objective was to evaluate measures of catheter integrity with and without the torque tool in place using multiple diagnostic and ablation catheters in an adult porcine model.

Methods

Diagnostic and ablation catheters were inserted through the femoral or jugular vein into areas of the right atrium, coronary sinus (CS), and right ventricle. Electrical measurements including impedance, sensing, and capture thresholds were obtained with and without the torque tool. Ablation lesions (30 s) were given at different locations using both irrigated and nonirrigated catheters and measurements were recorded with and without the torque tool.

Results

Procedures were performed in eight adult pigs. Measurements with and without the torque tool in all locations did not differ significantly using any of the catheters. With the nonirrigated ablation catheter there was a significant difference in maximum (mean 1.7 W, p = .03) and average power (mean 9.1 W, p = .04) delivery at the PS tricuspid valve, but there were no other differences with the irrigated or nonirrigated catheters. Subjective assessment by the operator revealed a substantial improvement in maneuverability, ability to transfer torque, and stability within the cardiac space.

Conclusion

In an in‐vivo environment, a novel catheter torque tool subjectively improved catheter manipulation and did not have a significant impact on the integrity of electrophysiologic catheters. Further study including additional catheters and in‐vivo human testing is indicated.
Association between tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption with arterial stiffness
Authors: Vallée Alexandre
Published: July 2023

Few investigations have been performed between tobacco smoking, alcohol, and arterial stiffness. The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between smoking use and alcohol with arterial stiffness index (ASI) in a middle‐age population. Smoking pack‐years and cigarettes per day were defined as alcohol consumption in units/day. Sex associations between smoking and alcohol with ASI were estimated using multiple linear regressions. Interactions and synergistic effects were investigating. 98 039 individuals of the UK Biobank cohort were included (45 457 men and 52 582 women). ASI levels were higher in men than in women (9.91 vs. 8.71 m/s, p < .001), and showed higher relationship to smoking tobacco in multiple linear regression models in women than in men (FDR logworth 78.4 vs. 52.7). The findings revealed that ASI was higher among current smokers than never smokers in both sex and after adjustment for all covariates (in men 10.4 vs. 9.6 and in women 9.5 vs. 8.5 m/s, p < .001). Alcohol consumption per day was positively associated with higher levels of ASI in both sex, but with a less relationship (FDR logworth for men = 2.8, for women = 2.5). An interaction was observed between smoking information and alcohol in men but not in women. Synergistic effects were observed by adding smoking information on alcohol consumption models in men and women (p = .029, p < .001, respectively). Smoking and alcohol were associated with higher ASI in both sex but with a higher relationship among women. The findings suggest the importance of considering smoking and alcohol consumption cessation in cardiovascular diseases prevention.
Association of joint exposure to various ambient air pollutants during adolescence with blood pressure in young adulthood
Authors: Wu Jingjing , Li Shenxin , Duan Jingwen , Li Yalan , Wang Jie , Deng Peizhi , Meng Changjiang , Wang Wei , Yuan Hong , Lu Yao , Shen Minxue , Zhao Qiuping
Published: July 2023

The association of various air pollutants exposure during adolescence with blood pressure (BP) in young adulthood is uncertain. We intended to evaluate the long‐term association of individual and joint air pollutants exposure during adolescence with BP in young adulthood. This cross‐sectional study of incoming students was conducted in five geographically disperse universities in China during September and October 2018. Mean concentrations of particulate matter with diameters ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), ≤10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxides (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) at participants’ residential addresses during 2013–2018 were collected from the Chinese Air Quality Reanalysis dataset. Generalized linear mixed models (GLM) and quantile g‐computation (QgC) models were utilized to estimate the association between individual and joint air pollutants exposure and systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP). A total of 16,242 participants were included in the analysis. The GLM analyses showed that PM2.5, PM10, NO2, CO, and SO2 were significantly positively associated with SBP and PP, while O3 was positively associated with DBP. The QgC analyses indicated that long‐term exposure to a mixture of the six air pollutants had a significant positive joint association with SBP and PP. In conclusion, air pollutant co‐exposure during adolescence may influence BP in young adulthood. The findings of this study emphasized the impacts of multiple air pollutants interactions on potential health and the need of minimizing pollution exposures in the environment.
Exploring appropriateness criteria for informing the total knee arthroplasty decision‐making process: An interpretive descriptive study
Authors: Pacheco‐Brousseau Lissa , Poitras Stéphane , Charette Marylène , Amor Sarah Ben , Desmeules François , Stacey Dawn
Published: July 2023

Rational

The Hawker appropriateness criteria for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are: osteoarthritis symptoms impacting quality of life, evidence of osteoarthritis, trial of conservative treatments, patient's realistic expectations, patient/surgeon agree benefits outweigh risks, and readiness for surgery. Little is known about the barriers and facilitators of using the Hawker et al. appropriateness criteria for TKA in clinical practice.

Aims and Objectives

Explore the barriers and facilitators to using appropriateness criteria for TKA in making decisions for adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

Interpretive descriptive qualitative study at an academic hospital. Purposive sampling aimed to recruit: (1) healthcare team members at all levels influencing care delivery, and (2) adults with TKA assessed at the hospital clinic. Semi‐structured interviews asked about the barriers/facilitators to using the Hawker appropriateness criteria. Data analysis consisted of inductive thematic analysis with themes mapped to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research domains.

Results

Nine healthcare professionals and 14 adults with TKA participated and identified common barriers to using the Hawker appropriateness criteria: (a) intervention characteristics domain: difficulty to assess criteria, patients expecting healthcare professionals to decide, limited accessibility to conservative treatments; (b) individuals characteristics domain: no need to change current TKA process, clinical judgement limited to OA severity/age, implicit assessment of subjective criteria; (c) inner setting domain: TKA information received after decision made; and (d) outer setting domain: no timely access to TKA. A facilitator of use was evidence/buy‐in fosters programme changes.

Conclusion

Barriers to using the criteria relevant to clinical practice and the healthcare system were identified while only one facilitator was revealed. Interventions tailored to these barriers are needed to support the use of the Hawker appropriateness criteria in TKA decision‐making.
Color stability and degree of conversion of gingiva‐colored resin‐based composites
Authors: Benavides‐Reyes Cristina , Pérez María M. , Tejada‐Casado Maria , Ruiz‐López Javier , Lucena Cristina
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To evaluate gingiva‐colored resin‐based composites' (GCRBC) color stability and degree of conversion (DC%).

Methods

Eight discs (8 × 1 mm) of 20 shades of GCRBC were prepared. Color coordinates were measured against a gray background with a calibrated spectroradiometer, CIE D65 illuminant and the CIE 45°/0° geometry at baseline and after 30 days of storage in distilled water, coffee, and red wine. Color differences () between final and baseline conditions were calculated. An ATR‐FTIR spectrometer with a diamond tip was used to calculate DC%. The results were analyzed statistically using ANOVA and Tukey post‐hoc test. The level of significance was p < 0.05.

Results

DC% and color stability correlated with each other and with the GCRBC brand. DC% ranged between 43% and 96%, highest values correspond to flowable composites. All composites have experienced color changes after immersion in water, wine and coffee. However, the magnitude of the color change has varied widely depending on the immersion medium and the GCRBC. Color changes generated by the wine were, globally, greater than those induced by coffee (p < 0.001) and above the acceptability thresholds.

Conclusions

The DC% of GCRBCs is sufficient to achieve adequate biocompatibility and physicomechanical properties, but the high susceptibility to staining could compromise aesthetic long‐term results.

Clinical Significance

The degree of conversion and the color stability of gingiva‐colored resin‐based composites correlated with each other. All composites have experienced color changes after immersion in water, wine and coffee. Color changes generated by wine were, globally, greater than those induced by coffee and above the acceptability thresholds that could compromise aesthetic long‐term results.
A Glass Bottle, A Talk, A Falling Star
Authors: Te Sahar , Sandhu Aman
Published: July 2023

The 13‐minute video excerpt from an artist talk, “Listen to the Voices in my Head,” delivered on December 2nd, 2022, by Sahar Te at the Alberta University of the Arts. Accompanying the video is a written response by artist and writer Aman Sandhu who was present at the talk.
Vive le Tour!? Estimating the place‐based benefits of hosting the Tour de France
Authors: Makkonen Teemu , Mitze Timo
Published: July 2023

The Tour de France (TdF) is one of the biggest and most recognized annual sporting events in the world. Cities and regions participate actively by hosting a stage start and/or finish, but it is unclear if there are place‐based benefits from such local engagements. We estimate the direct and spatially indirect immediate regional benefits of hosting a TdF stage using monthly tourism data for French départements during 2011–2020. Our static and dynamic panel regressions indicate that hosting a TdF stage leads to significant increases in tourist arrivals and nights spent vis‐à‐vis similar départements not hosting a stage at the same time. Results are found to be robust when we run placebo tests, matching‐based estimation to deal with regional heterogeneity and associated treatment endogeneity as well as spatially augmented estimations to account for interregional spillovers to départements not directly hosting a stage start/finish, for example, to those located along the route of a TdF stage. We use the obtained treatment estimates to discuss the regional economic impact of the TdF and their ramifications for tourism‐based regional development and event management.
Environment drives color pattern polymorphism in sand lizards beyond the Gloger's rule
Authors: Sau S. , Smolinský R. , Martínková N.
Published: July 2023

Species color and color pattern vary geographically contributing to environmental tolerance of the species to the fluctuating climate. In a constantly changing environment, the population remains polymorphic, when individuals that are not acclimated to the current environment can survive adverse time periods. Factors influencing color morph frequencies in populations affect spatial variation through local adaptation, which is in turn linked to large‐scale environmental gradients. The influence of environmental factors has not been adequately studied in many polymorphic organisms where the influence of sexual selection on the persistence of polymorphisms is widely recognized. We hypothesized that different color morphs of sand lizard are distributed throughout the Palearctic depending on different environmental conditions. The goal of this study was to examine if the range of morph composition in a color polymorphic lizard can be explained by geographic and climatic variation in the Palearctic. We used publicly available data on sand lizard occurrence from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and environmental variables from WorldClim and SEDAC databases. We categorized sand lizards' photos to 10 discrete color morphs based on color and color pattern variation. We predicted the color morph distribution using maximum entropy models. We found that variations in morph distributions were mostly related to temperature seasonality, precipitation, elevation, and anthropogenic activities. Our findings support the relationship between environmental conditions and color morph distribution, implying that environmental selection acts differently on color morphs, most likely in conjunction with sexual selection.
Sanitizing a crisis: The three dimensions of an enhanced regime of accumulation
Authors: Bernat Molina Ignasi , Cutillas Márquez Sergi
Published: July 2023

In many western countries the Covid crisis has evolved from a public health crisis toward an economic crisis. Spain was no exception. Crises are always key moments in the reconfiguration of the role of the state, as this takes on new domains and functions. Conceiving state's role as a triad helps us understanding its functioning. From the initial stage, state work has been intense in order to mitigate its effects. But the Spanish particularity is the specific articulation of state apparatuses. As in previous crises, Spain has deployed a significant activity to police the public order. The policing of public spaces was tailored to ensure the economic apparatuses remain unchallenged. A new mode of regulation has been established to allow an enhanced regime of capital accumulation through different financial instruments. Despite the frequent neglect of ideological state apparatuses, this paper exposes how relevant they are in moments of impasse to produce a new moral economy reassuring the hegemonic project of the elites.
Causal impacts of educational attainment on chronic liver diseases and the mediating pathways: Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Yiying , Kong Lijie , Ye Chaojie , Dou Chun , Zheng Jie , Xu Min , Xu Yu , Li Mian , Zhao Zhiyun , Lu Jieli , Chen Yuhong , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang , Bi Yufang , Wang Tiange
Published: July 2023

Background and Aims

Educational attainment is an essential socio‐economic indicator with broad implications for lifestyle behaviour and metabolic health. We aimed to investigate the causal effect of education on chronic liver diseases and the potential mediating pathways.

Methods

We applied univariable Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the causal associations between educational attainment and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (cases/controls: 1578/307 576 in FinnGen; 1664/400 055 in UK Biobank), viral hepatitis (1772/307 382; 1215/403 316), hepatomegaly (199/222 728; 297/400 055), chronic hepatitis (699/301 014; 277/403 316), cirrhosis (1362/301 014; 114/400 055) and liver cancer (518/308 636; 344/393 372) using summary statistics of genome‐wide association studies from the FinnGen Study and the UK Biobank, respectively. We used two‐step MR to evaluate potential mediators and their mediation proportions in the association.

Results

Meta‐analysis of inverse variance weighted MR estimates from FinnGen and UK Biobank showed that genetically predicted 1‐SD (4.2 years) higher education was causally associated with decreased risks of NAFLD (OR: 0.48; 95%CI: 0.37–0.62), viral hepatitis (0.54; 0.42–0.69) and chronic hepatitis (0.50; 0.32–0.79), but not hepatomegaly, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Nine, two and three out of 34 modifiable factors were identified as causal mediators in the associations of education with NAFLD, viral hepatitis and chronic hepatitis, respectively, including six adiposity traits (mediation proportion: 16.5%–32.0%), major depression (16.9%), two glucose metabolism‐related traits (2.2%–15.8%) and two lipids (9.9%–12.1%).

Conclusions

Our findings supported the causal protective effects of education on chronic liver diseases and outlined mediating pathways to inform prevention and intervention strategies to reduce the burden of liver diseases, especially for individuals with lower education.
Phylogeny and spatial distribution of Japanese encephalitis virus vector species in Cambodia
Authors: Dusadeepong Rutaiwan , Maquart Pierre‐Olivier , Hide Mallorie , Boyer Sebastien
Published: July 2023

In Southeast Asia, despite the use of Japanese encephalitis vaccines and vaccination coverage, Japanese encephalitis (JE) transmission is still a major public health issue. The main vectors of this virus are mosquitoes from the genusCulex,which diversity and density are important in Southeast Asia. The main vector species of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in Cambodia belong to the Vishnui subgroup. However, their morphological identification solely based on the adult stage remains challenging, making their segregation and detection difficult.

In order to identify and describe the distribution of the three main JEV vector species in Cambodia, namelyCulex vishnui,Cx. pseudovishnuiandCx. tritaeniorhynchus, mosquito samplings were carried out throughout the country in different environments. Phylogenetic analysis of thecytochrome c oxidase subunit I(coI) gene using maximum‐likelihood tree with ultrafast bootstrap and phylogeographic analysis were performed. The three mainCulexspecies are phylogenetically separated, and represent two distinct clades, one withCx. tritaeniorhynchusand the second withCx. vishnuiandCx. pseudovishnui, the latter appearing as a subgroup ofCx. vishnui. The phylogeographic analysis shows a distribution of the Vishnui subgroup on the entire Cambodian territory with an overlapped distribution areas leading to a sympatric distribution of these species. The three JEV vector species are geographically well‐defined with a strong presence ofCx. pseudovishnuiin the forest. Combined with the presence ofCx. tritaeniorhynchusand Cx. vishnuiin rural, peri‐urban, and urban areas, the presence of JEV‐competent vectors is widespread in Cambodia.
Nursing as total institution
Authors: Dillard‐Wright Jess , Jenkins Danisha
Published: July 2023

Healthcare under the auspices of late‐stage capitalism is a total institution that mortifies nurses and patients alike, demanding conformity, obedience, perfection. This capture, which resembles Deleuze's enclosure, entangles nurses in carceral systems and gives way to a postenclosure society, an institution without walls. These societies of control constitute another sort of total institution, more covert and insidious for their invisibility (Deleuze, 1992). While Delezue (1992) named physical technologies like electronic identification badges as key to understanding these societies of control, the political economy of late‐stage capitalism functions as a total institution with no cohesive, centralized, connected material apparatus required. In this manuscript, we outline the ways in which the healthcare industrial complex demands nurse conformity and how that, in turn, operationalizes nurses in service to the institution. This foundation leads to the assertion that nursing must foster a radical imagination for itself, unbound by reality as it presently exists, in order that we might conjure more just, equitable futures for caregivers and care receivers alike. To tease out what a radical imagination might look like, we dwell in paradox: getting folks the care they need in capitalist healthcare systems; engaging nursing's deep history to inspire alternative understandings for the future of the discipline; and how nursing might divest from extractive institutional structures. This paper is a jumping‐off place to interrogate the ways institutions telescope and where nursing fits into the arrangement.
Low baseline intraspecific variation in leaf pressure‐volume traits: Biophysical basis and implications for spectroscopic sensing
Authors: Browne Marvin , Bartlett Megan K. , Henry Christian , Jarrahi Mona , John Grace , Scoffoni Christine , Yardimci Nezih Tolga , Sack Lawren
Published: July 2023

Intra‐specific trait variation (ITV) plays a role in processes at a wide range of scales from organs to ecosystems across climate gradients. Yet, ITV remains rarely quantified for many ecophysiological traits typically assessed for species means, such as pressure volume (PV) curve parameters including osmotic potential at full turgor and modulus of elasticity, which are important in plant water relations. We defined a baseline “reference ITV” (ITVref) as the variation among fully exposed, mature sun leaves of replicate individuals of a given species grown in similar, well‐watered conditions, representing the conservative sampling design commonly used for species‐level ecophysiological traits. We hypothesized that PV parameters would show low ITVref relative to other leaf morphological traits, and that their intraspecific relationships would be similar to those previously established across species and proposed to arise from biophysical constraints. In a database of novel and published PV curves and additional leaf structural traits for 50 diverse species, we found low ITVref for PV parameters relative to other morphological traits, and strong intraspecific relationships among PV traits. Simulation modeling showed that conservative ITVref enables the use of species‐mean PV parameters for scaling up from spectroscopic measurements of leaf water content to enable sensing of leaf water potential.
Unveiling the importance of evaluating the nutritional status in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients with antifibrotic agent introduction
Authors: Ogura Takashi , Nakazawa Atsuhito
Published: July 2023

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The HLA‐B*35:02:21 allele identified in a volunteer bone marrow donor
Authors: Loginova Maria , Smirnova Daria , Paramonov Igor
Published: July 2023

The HLA‐B*35:02:21 allele differs from HLA‐B*35:02:01:01 in codon 183 in exon 4.
Real‐time monitoring of cell surface protein arrival with split luciferases
Authors: Fischer Alexandra A. M. , Schatz Larissa , Baaske Julia , Römer Winfried , Weber Wilfried , Thuenauer Roland
Published: July 2023

Each cell in a multicellular organism permanently adjusts the concentration of its cell surface proteins. In particular, epithelial cells tightly control the number of carriers, transporters and cell adhesion proteins at their plasma membrane. However, sensitively measuring the cell surface concentration of a particular protein of interest in live cells and in real time represents a considerable challenge. Here, we introduce a novel approach based on split luciferases, which uses one luciferase fragment as a tag on the protein of interest and the second fragment as a supplement to the extracellular medium. Once the protein of interest arrives at the cell surface, the luciferase fragments complement and generate luminescence. We compared the performance of split Gaussia luciferase and split Nanoluciferase by using a system to synchronize biosynthetic trafficking with conditional aggregation domains. The best results were achieved with split Nanoluciferase, for which luminescence increased more than 6000‐fold upon recombination. Furthermore, we showed that our approach can separately detect and quantify the arrival of membrane proteins at the apical and basolateral plasma membrane in single polarized epithelial cells by detecting the luminescence signals with a microscope, thus opening novel avenues for characterizing the variations in trafficking in individual epithelial cells.
TAGUCHI OPTIMIZATION OF WATER SAVONIUS TURBINE FOR LOW-VELOCITY INLETS USING CFD APPROACH
Authors: Al_Quraishi Mohammed Baqer Zaki Yahya
Published: July 2023

One of the renewable energy technologies for producing electricity from moving water is the Savonius turbine. This paper optimizes the Savonius turbine performance by conducting several CFD simulations and utilizing the mixed-level Taguchi method. The quality function was first created, and then the levels and factors were determined. After analyzing the mesh and the boundary conditions, the orthogonal array was built and the CFD simulation was executed for each run. The diameter is the parameter that has the greatest influence on the hydrodynamic performance, according to the Taguchi analysis, which demonstrated the optimal combinations of the parameters in low-speed streams. The main finding was that the modified water turbine’s power of coefficient (Cp) had a 15% improvement over the original design.
DEVELOPMENT OF A TECHNOLOGY FOR OBTAINING A PROBIOTIC STRAIN LACTOBACILLUS BULGARICUS C-2, PROMISING FOR THE PRODUCTION OF STARTER CULTURES AND BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ADDITIVES
Authors: Khassenova A. , Shybayeva A. , Alzhanova G. , Imamuratova N.
Published: July 2023

Lactic acid probiotic bacteria can be widely used for the prevention and treatment of patients with various diseases, such as acute and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, to restore intestinal microbiocenosis, in combination with antibiotic therapy. The form of intake of these microorganisms is diverse: fermented milk products, drugs, dietary supplements.
In the production of lactic acid starters, including the probiotic strain Lactobacillus bulgaricus, there are problems in the selection of nutrient media and conditions for deep cultivation, the selection of methods and conditions for concentration, and the selection of cryoprotectants for freeze drying.
This article presents all the data for the production of the Lactobacillus bulgaricus C-2 strain in powder form with the maximum yield of microorganism cells, promising for introduction into the composition of starter cultures for the dairy industry and into biologically active additives with a probiotic effect. The Lactobacillus bulgaricus C-2 strain was isolated from koumiss and stored in the collection of the branch of the Republican State Enterprise on the REM of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan "National Center for Biotechnology" in Stepnogorsk. The production nutrient medium, conditions for deep cultivation, methods and conditions of concentration were selected, optimal cryoprotectants for freeze-drying were selected.
JUSTIFICATION OF THE SHELF LIFE OF FERMENTED DAIRY PRODUCTS BASED ON GOAT'S MILK
Authors: Nadirova S. , Sinyavskiy Yu.
Published: July 2023

The article presents the results of studies on the number of survival of lactic acid bacteria, which determine the shelf life of fermented milk products during storage. The studies were carried out at the Department of Food Biotechnology of the Almaty Technological University, as well as in the laboratory of biotechnology of specialized products and dietary supplements of the Kazakh Academy of Nutrition. In the preparation of fermented milk products, a starter consisting of Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus fermentum 14 was used. Lactobacillus fermentum 14, as a probiotic, exhibits antagonistic properties, which helps to extend the shelf life and does not allow yeast and mold to grow in the final products. Lactobacillus bulgaricus, in turn, synthesizes a specific enzyme, peptidoglycan hydrolase, which is responsible for the hydrolysis of peptidoglycan which is an important component of the bacterial cell wall. When dairy products are enriched with biologically active substances of berry syrups Lactobacillus bulgaricus actively synthesizes extracellular polysaccharides, which improve the structure of the clot, increase stability and prevent syneresis. Streptococcus thermophilus is a mild curing thermophilic culture with a high degree of viscosity that promotes the formation of a good clot. Rosehip, hawthorn and mountain ash syrups, grape peel extract enriched fermented milk products with biologically active substances, which improved the growth and development of lactic acid microorganisms. The addition of phytofillers not only enhance the microscopic picture, but also improves the consistency and odors of the products.
Melanoma-intrinsic NR2F6 activity regulates antitumor immunity
Authors: Kim Hyungsoo , Feng Yongmei , Murad Rabi , Pozniak Joanna , Pelz Carl , Chen Yeqing , Dalal Bhavik , Sears Rosalie , Sergienko Eduard , Jackson Michael , Ruppin Eytan , Herlyn Meenhard , Harris Curtis , Marine Jean-Christophe , Klepsch Victoria , Baier Gottfried , Ronai Ze’ev A.
Published: July 2023

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are implicated in the regulation of tumors and immune cells. We identify a tumor-intrinsic function of the orphan NR, NR2F6, regulating antitumor immunity. NR2F6 was selected from 48 candidate NRs based on an expression pattern in melanoma patient specimens (i.e., IFN-γ signature) associated with positive responses to immunotherapy and favorable patient outcomes. Correspondingly, genetic ablation of NR2F6 in a mouse melanoma model conferred a more effective response to PD-1 therapy. NR2F6 loss in B16F10 and YUMM1.7 melanoma cells attenuated tumor development in immune-competent but not -incompetent mice via the increased abundance of effector and progenitor-exhausted CD8
+
T cells. Inhibition of NACC1 and FKBP10, identified as NR2F6 effectors, phenocopied NR2F6 loss. Inoculation of NR2F6 KO mice with NR2F6 KD melanoma cells further decreased tumor growth compared with NR2F6 WT mice. Tumor-intrinsic NR2F6 function complements its tumor-extrinsic role and justifies the development of effective anticancer therapies.
Fingerprinting eukaryotic metabolism across the animal kingdom using position-specific isotope analysis (PSIA)
13
C/
12
C measurements
Authors: Fry Brian , Carter James F. , O’Mara Kaitlyn
Published: July 2023

Despite differences in their overall metabolism, eukaryotes share a common mitochondrial biochemistry. We investigated how this fundamental biochemistry supports overall metabolism using a high-resolution carbon isotope approach, position-specific isotope analysis. We measured carbon isotope
13
C/
12
C cycling in animals, focusing on amino acids that are formed in mitochondrial reactions and are most metabolically active. Carboxyl isotope determinations for amino acids showed strong signals related to common biochemical pathways. Contrasting isotope patterns were measured for metabolism associated with major life history patterns, including growth and reproduction. Turnover of proteins and lipids as well as gluoconeogensis dynamics could be estimated for these metabolic life histories. The high-resolution isotomics measurements fingerprinted metabolism and metabolic strategies across the eukaryotic animal kingdom, yielding results for humans, ungulates, whales, and diverse fish and invertebrates in a nearshore marine food web.
Susceptibility to Cryptococcus neoformans Infection with Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition
Authors: Messina Julia A. , Giamberardino Charles D. , Tenor Jennifer L. , Toffaletti Dena L. , Schell Wiley A. , Asfaw Yohannes G. , Palmucci Julia R. , Lionakis Michail S. , Perfect John R.
Published: July 2023

Patients receiving the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib have an increased likelihood of fungal infections. The objectives of this study were to determine if
Cryptococcus neoformans
infection severity was isolate dependent with BTK inhibition and whether blocking BTK impacted infection severity in a mouse model.
Fusobacterium nucleatum
Promotes Megakaryocyte Maturation in Patients with Gastric Cancer via Inducing the Production of Extracellular Vesicles Containing 14-3-3ε
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhang He , Li Tiepeng , Jiang Zhiqiang , Yuan Yiqiang , Chen Xiaobing
Published: July 2023

Fusobacterium nucleatum
colonization contributes to the occurrence of portal vein thrombosis in patients with gastric cancer (GC). However, the underlying mechanism by which
F. nucleatum
promotes thrombosis remains unclear. In this study, we recruited a total of 91 patients with GC and examined the presence of
F. nucleatum
in tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues by fluorescence
in situ
hybridization and quantitative PCR. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were detected by immunohistochemistry.
Molecular Diversity of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Two Neighboring Japanese Cities
Authors: Ono Takashi , Hashimoto Koichi , Kume Yohei , Chishiki Mina , Okabe Hisao , Sato Masatoki , Norito Sakurako , Aso Jumpei , Sada Mitsuru , Mochizuki Izumi , Mashiyama Fumi , Ishibashi Naohisa , Suzuki Shigeo , Sakuma Hiroko , Suwa Reiko , Kawase Miyuki , Takeda Makoto , Shirato Kazuya , Kimura Hirokazu , Hosoya Mitsuaki
Published: July 2023

Understanding the molecular diversity of human respiratory syncytial viruses during pandemics caused by different viruses can provide insights that can guide public health decisions and vaccine development.
Leishmania donovani Exploits Tunneling Nanotubes for Dissemination and Propagation of B Cell Activation
Authors: Stögerer Tanja , Silva-Barrios Sasha , Carmona-Pérez Liseth , Swaminathan Sharada , Mai Linh Thuy , Leroux Louis-Philippe , Jaramillo Maritza , Descoteaux Albert , Stäger Simona
Published: July 2023

Leishmania donovani
is a causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis, a potentially lethal disease characterized by strong B cell activation and the subsequent excessive production of nonprotective antibodies, which are known to worsen the disease. How
Leishmania
activates B cells is still unknown, particularly because this parasite mostly resides inside macrophages and would not have access to B cells during infection.
Vitamin insufficiency after surgery for oesophagogastric neoplasms: a study protocol for a prospective intervention study
Authors: van der Velden Ariadne L , Vermeer Thomas A , Boerma Evert-Jan G , Belgers Eric HJ , Stoot Jan HMB , Leers Mathie PG , Sosef Meindert N , Vijgen Guy HEJ
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Oesophageal cancer (EC) and gastric cancer (GC) are among the top 10 cancers worldwide. Both diseases impact the nutritional status of patients and their Quality of Life (QoL). Preoperative malnutrition is reported in 42%–80%. However, studies investigating postoperative nutritional status are limited, and postoperative identification and treatment of micronutrient and macronutrient deficiencies are currently lacking in (inter-)national guidelines. The aim of this study is to identify and target micronutrient deficiencies after surgery for oesophagogastric neoplasms.

Methods

This is a single-centre prospective intervention trial performed in Zuyderland Medical Centre. 248 patients who underwent oesophagectomy (n=124) or (sub)total gastrectomy (n=124) from 2011 until 2022 will be included. Both groups will receive Calcium Soft Chew D3 and a multivitamin supplement (MVS) specifically developed according to the type of operation patients underwent; the oesophagectomy group will receive Multi-E and the gastrectomy group will receive Multi-G. The MVSs will be taken once daily and Calcium Soft Chew D3 two times per day. Supplementation will start after baseline measurements. At baseline (T0), blood withdrawal for micronutrient analysis and faecal elastase-1 analysis for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) will be performed. Additionally, patients will receive questionnaires regarding QoL and dietary behaviour. After 180 days of supplementation (T1), baseline measurements will be repeated, and the supplement tolerance questionnaire will be completed. Measurements will also be conducted after 360 days (T2) and after 720 days (T3) of supplementation. The main study parameter is micronutrient deficiency (yes/no) for all measurements. Secondary parameters include occurrence of EPI (n, %), diarrhoea (n, %), steatorrhoea (n, %) or bloating (n, %), time between surgery and start of supplementation (mean in months), and QoL at all time points.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Zuyderland Medical Centre Ethics Committee, Heerlen, the Netherlands. The findings will be disseminated through scientific congresses and in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05281380.
Food & Fertility Study: study protocol for a Danish multicentre prospective cohort study investigating the association between food intake and semen quality, pregnancy and birth outcomes in infertile women and men
Authors: Borgstrøm Maria Buhl , Ahrendt Bjerregaard Anne , Olsen Sjurdur F , Gabrielsen Anette , Humaidan Peter , Kesmodel Ulrik Schiøler
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Worldwide infertility is highly prevalent, and lifestyle factors, such as food intake, could have an essential role in the success of a fertility treatment. The literature is not consistent and adequate for recommendations to the increasing number of women and men of reproductive age who ask for lifestyle guidance. Therefore, the aims of the Food & Fertility Study will be to investigate the possible association between food intake and semen quality in men, and pregnancy and live birth rates in women undergoing intrauterine insemination or assisted reproductive technology treatment.

Methods and analysis

The Food & Fertility Study is a multicentre prospective cohort study which plans to enrol a total of 4000 women and men between 2022 and 2024. Data collection will take place in four fertility clinics through a web-based Food Frequency Questionnaire. Data on sperm quality and pregnancy and live birth rates will be obtained from medical records and national registers.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is registered with and approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency, the North Denmark Region (j.nr: 2019-055298). Further, a Statement of Work and a Master Collaboration Agreement have been submitted and approved by the regional legal departments (AGR-2019-731-9667). Dissemination of the results will be through national and international conferences, in scientific environments, in the form of lectures to the broader public, and by peer-reviewed publications in international scientific journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05454046.
Estimating causal effects of physical disability and number of comorbid chronic diseases on risk of depressive symptoms in an elderly Chinese population: a machine learning analysis of cross-sectional baseline data from the China longitudinal ageing social survey
Authors: Wang Zhenjie , Yang Hanmo , Sun Chenxi , Hong Shenda
Published: July 2023

Objective

This study aimed to explore the causal effects of physical disability and number of comorbid chronic diseases on depressive symptoms in an elderly Chinese population.

Design, setting and analysis

Cross-sectional, baseline data were obtained from the China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey, a stratified, multistage, probabilistic sampling survey conducted in 2014 that covers 28 of 31 provincial areas in China. The causal effects of physical disability and number of comorbid chronic diseases on depressive symptoms were analysed using the conditional average treatment effect method of machine learning. The causal effects model’s adjustment was made for age, gender, residence, marital status, educational level, ethnicity, wealth quantile and other factors.

Outcome

Assessment of the causal effects of physical disability and number of comorbid chronic diseases on depressive symptoms.

Participants

7496 subjects who were 60 years of age or older and who answered the questions on depressive symptoms and other independent variables of interest in a survey conducted in 2014 were included in this study.

Results

Physical disability and number of comorbid chronic diseases had causal effects on depressive symptoms. Among the subjects who had one or more functional limitations, the probability of depressive symptoms increased by 22% (95% CI 19% to 24%). For the subjects who had one chronic disease and those who had two or more chronic diseases, the possibility of depressive symptoms increased by 13% (95% CI 10% to 15%) and 20% (95% CI 18% to 22%), respectively.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that the presence of one or more functional limitations affects the occurrence of depressive symptoms among elderly people. The findings of our study are of value in developing programmes that are designed to identify elderly individuals who have physical disabilities or comorbid chronic diseases to provide early intervention.