bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INTEGRATED LEARNING IN DRAMA COURSE USING YOUTUBE
Authors: Tri Widyahening Christiana Evy , Sitoresmi Ulupi
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study was to explain and describe the application of integrated learning in digital-based Drama learning to 6th semester students at Slamet Riyadi University, Surakarta. This research is a qualitative descriptive study with a single case study type which only examines one research subject. The research subjects were students in semester VI in the English Education Study Program, Unisri Surakarta. This study uses the steps proposed by Miles and Huberman. The research location is in semester VI of the English Language Education Study Program, FKIP, Slamet Riyadi University Surakarta and in the central library of the Slamet Riyadi University Surakarta. The results showed that the application of integrated learning in digital-based drama learning was very good and interesting. This is also supported by four student language skills that are increasing, namely writing, reading speaking and listening. In addition, students are also increasingly able to cultivate creative power, cooperation between friends, foster sympathy and empathy, and self-confidence through drama scripts that they write themselves. They then played their work in front of the camera screen and uploaded it through YouTube social media so that the wider community could watch their role play. This is a challenge in itself for students and it makes them even more trying to give their best from the first stage, namely the process of writing drama scripts, practicing playing dramas, playing roles, and in the final stage they upload the results of playing these roles to YouTube social media. The effectiveness of integrated learning is reflected in the meaning of learning. Meaningful learning produces students who are active in a fun teaching and learning process, resulting in two-way communication between lecturers and students. Fun learning will run well if the lecturer has high creativity and has variations in the teaching and learning process so that the end result is that students can get good and meaningful learning achievements.
Keywords: Integrated Learning, Drama Learning, Qualitative Descriptive, Case Study, YouTube
The Sensory Sensitivity of Blind People in Creating the Convenience Concept in their House Interior
Authors: Nurcahyo Mahdi
Published: August 2021

This study aims to examine how a blind person recognizes and presents the aspects of convenience inside the house. The limited ability to see does not make the blind people weak, but it becomes an advantage and an easy walk when carrying out daily activities at home. The experience of the body and senses of the occupied space opens the blind people's awareness to be able to create a "feeling of home" as part of ways of giving the meaning of life for their days. Through a sense of experience, blind people have the ability to organize spaces including scale, shape, material, and distance according to their body's convenience. The sensory sensitivity of blind people in creating a sense of convenience is one of the parts of the process of forming the orderliness of the space they inhabit.
Revitalizing the Interior of Ndalem Puspowijoto as a Laweyan Batik Shop and Museum in Surakarta.
Authors: Pradipta Yosafat Adi , Prasetyo Raden Ersnathan Budi
Published: August 2021

Revitalizing the Interior of Ndalem Puspowijoto as a Batik Shop and Museum in Laweyan Surakarta is an effort to preserve cultural heritage buildings. The revitalization aims to maintain the building and as a means of education about batik and local wisdom of Laweyan village for the visitors and general public who care about batik. The design process is carried out using Kurtz programming including the orientation stage, the base program stage, interative programming, and design as feedback. The design approach uses the Art Deco style with the theme of Parang Saudagar. The results of the revitalization are in the form of the museum that can be used for educational purposes, and Laweyan Batik shop which has a place that is comfortable, safe, and able to accommodate the needs of both managers and visitors. The facilities consist of a lobby, café, deposit counter, shop, ticketing room, digital audio education, main display, fabric display, item display, maintenance room, multipurpose room, pantry, toilet, office, and prayer room.
USE OF FIRST-HAND DATA TO CONSTRUCT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE SUN-EARTH-MOON SYSTEM
Authors: Uskola Araitz
Published: August 2021

Inquiry-based educational contexts including observation of the Moon have been found to facilitate students´ understanding of the Sun-Earth-Moon system. However, the role that the collected data play in the knowledge construction process is unclear, as the process that students develop from the collected data has not previously been reported. Use of data is considered one of the three competencies of scientific literacy, and this research focuses on analysing how eighty four pre-service teachers perform it. A five-level scale has been elaborated. Twenty written group reports and 5 oral data discussion have been analysed. Improvement in the students’ knowledge, especially in areas that had been reported to be problematic, is observed. Results show that the designed activities and group discussions help students take their data into consideration, establish comparisons and identify patterns. However, difficulties in identifying patterns and especially in explaining their causes arise and are discussed. The role of the teacher in the process of establishing the causes of the identified patterns stands out when oral discussions are analysed. Several interventions of the teacher are found to be the key for the students to be able to use the collected data to construct appropriate scientific knowledge. Key words: knowledge construction, phases of the Moon, pre-service teachers, use of data.
Crónica de una invisibilidad anunciada ¿de qué depende la calidad de una revista científica?
Authors: Mollo Brisco Gabriela Fernanda , Solari Estfanía , Blanco Daniela
Published: August 2021

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo determinar si la clasificación asignada por el indicador SCImagoJournal Rank (SJR) a cada una de sus publicaciones, guarda relación según la disciplina, el tipo de publicación y la región de origen de la publicación. Se trabajó con una población de 31.971 publicaciones. Se realizó un análisis Chi-Cuadrado de Pearson y un Modelo Logit con el fin de corroborar la hipótesis nula (Ho): la jerarquización de la publicación no puede ser explicada a través de la disciplina, el tipo de publicación y la región. Los principales resultados permitireron rechazar la Ho, por lo que se concluye que la jerarquización de las publicaciones puede ser explicada a través de la disciplina, el tipo de publicación y la región, así la publicación proviene de Europa o de América del Norte tiene mayor probabilidad de pertenecer al grupo de las publicaciones con mejor clasificación (Q1 y Q2), mientras que si la publicación proviene de Latinoamérica, Europa del Este, Región Asiática, Medio Oriente, África y Región Pacífico, tiene efectos negativos.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity of 62 F4 Population of Rapeseed (Brassica Napus L.) Through Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Sultana S , Mahmud F , Asaduzzaman M
Published: August 2021

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is the best one in respect of oil production. It is the order of the day to take better steps for production and quality improvement of our local cultivars. Broadening of genetic diversity in spring oilseed Brassica napus L. (AACC, 2n = 38), canola is important for continued improvement of this crop. Sixty-two genotypes in F4 generation of Brassica napus L. were evaluated to assess genetic diversity based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. Different Multivariate analyses were performed to classify 62 genotypes. On the basis of cluster analysis, all the genotypes were classified in five clusters. The cluster IV comprised the maximum number (19) of genotypes followed by same in cluster II (18). The cluster I and V comprised 10 and 9 genotypes respectively. The lowest number of genotypes was present in cluster II. The highest inter-cluster distance (10.309) was observed between the cluster I and IV and the genotypes of these clusters involved in hybridization may produce a wide spectrum of segregating population. The lowest inter-cluster distance (3.513) was observed between the cluster III and IV. The inter-cluster distances were larger than the intra-cluster distances. Considering cluster distance, inter genotypic distance and other agronomic performance G3, G4, G24, G35 and G51 might be suggested for future breeding program.
SAARC J. Agric., 19(1): 15-25 (2021)
Money and Foreign Exchange Markets Dynamics in Nigeria: A Multivariate GARCH Approach
Authors: Atoi Ngozi V. , Nwambeke Chinedu G.
Published: August 2021

This study examines money market and foreign exchange market dynamics in Nigeria by estimating the dynamic correlation and volatility spillovers between Nigeria Naira/US Dollar Bureau De Change (BDC) exchange rate and interbank call rate with data from January 2007 to August 2019. The study employs a dynamic conditional correlation form of GARCH model (DCC-GARCH) to access the nature of correlation, while an unrestricted bivariate BEKK-GARCH (1, 1) form of multivariate GARCH model is utilized to investigate shocks and volatility spillover of the rates. The estimated DCC-GARCH (1, 1) reveals that interest rate and exchange rate are dynamically linked negatively, suggesting that exchange rate (or interest rate) is inversely sensitive to interest rate (or exchange rate) in Nigeria. This result was substantiated by the estimated BEKK-GARCH(1, 1) model. Furthermore, the effects of news (shocks spillover) are bi-directional across the markets. However, volatility spillover is unidirectional, from exchange rate to interest rate, suggesting that, calming the volatility in foreign exchange market does guarantee moderation of volatility in the money market, whereas the reverse is not the case. The results underscore the growing influence of foreign exchange market in the financial space of the Nigerian economy. Thus, the study recommends that foreign exchange policies aimed at maintaining exchange rate stability should be sustained, having found exchange rate to be more effective in moderating interest rate volatility in Nigeria.
Identificação anatômica de amostras comercializadas como espinheira-santa na Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Santos Gabriel Uriel Cruz Araújo dos , Freitas Eduarda Assis , Gomes Larissa Canutt Almeida , Goudard Marcio Junio de Azevedo , Guimarães Felipe Gouvêa , Silva Beatriz da Rocha Gomes da , Gomes Jeniffer Fonseca , Silva Yuri Capini , Gonçalves Pamela Rosa , Callado Cátia Henriques
Published: August 2021

Sabe-se que três espécies são comercializadas no Brasil sob o nome “espinheira-santa”: Monteverdia ilicifolia (Mart. ex Reissek) Biral (Celastraceae), Sorocea bonplandii (Baill.) W.C.Burger, Lanj. & Wess.Boer (Moraceae) e Zollernia ilicifolia Vogel (Leguminosae). Somente M. ilicifolia, no entanto, é reconhecida por suas propriedades medicinais, enquanto as demais são potencialmente tóxicas. Nosso objetivo foi verificar a identidade botânica das “espinheiras-santa” comercializadas em cidades da Região Metropolitana do RJ. Adquirimos 19 amostras oriundas principalmente de feiras, mercados municipais e lojas de produtos naturais. Para identificação do material, foram feitos cortes à mão livre do terço médio de folhas reidratadas, e as descrições anatômicas comparadas com a literatura e com lâminas de referência. Tais amostras frequentemente correspondem a uma fraude, já que apenas 1 em cada 4 foram identificadas como M. ilicifolia. A anatomia vegetal é uma excelente ferramenta para o controle de fraudes em plantas medicinais devido ao seu baixo custo e simplicidade.
Spatial distribution of sea turtles on South Atlantic subtropical reefs
Authors: Mello-Fonseca J , Cordeiro CAMM , Ferreira CEL
Published: August 2021

Environmental conditions have a strong influence on sea turtle population dynamics. Sea turtles spend most of their lives in foraging areas; however, there is a lack of information on how oceanographic and biological parameters determine habitat use and density. Here, we estimated density of green turtles Chelonia mydas and hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata in a South Atlantic foraging area (Arraial do Cabo, Brazil). We also investigated the influence of environmental variables (wind fetch, temperature, depth, and visibility) and benthic composition on the distribution of turtles. Surveyed sites were split between a colder, more wave-exposed location (western), and a warmer, more sheltered location (eastern). To ensure that these mobile and sparsely distributed species were adequately surveyed, underwater visual censuses (timed transects) were conducted. Sea turtle densities were significantly different between warm/sheltered and cold/wave-exposed locations. C. mydas were almost 10 times more frequently sighted than E. imbricata. The local distribution of E. imbricata mirrored large-scale latitudinal patterns, where this tropical species is dominant on warmer reefs (similar to habitat conditions found at the eastern location). It was not possible to assess the environmental influence on E. imbricata sightings due to their low density. C. mydas were frequently sighted in the cold/exposed sites and negatively correlated with depth. Overall, the density of E. imbricata and C. mydas suggests that Arraial do Cabo is an important feeding ground in the western Atlantic Ocean. This study highlights that visual census can produce reliable density estimates of sea turtles in foraging areas.
Análise de narrativas televisivas de corrupção envolvendo o Governo de Angola e a empreiteira brasileira Odebrecht
Authors: Lucena Neto Francisco Acioly de , Acioly Natália Luiza Carneiro Lopes
Published: August 2021

A atitude da denúncia jornalística através dos meios de comunicação é um salutar instrumento democrático e de liberdade de expressão. Além de ser uma pratica combativa e denunciadora das anormalidades sociais, a boa prática editorial de um telejornalismo torna-se um princípio inerente da confiabilidade e credibilidade da boa atividade jornalística, constituindo-se como um elemento de caráter vigilante quanto às disfunções de ordem social, política e econômica em uma sociedade. O propósito primeiro do referido estudo é fazer uma proposta de análise de conteúdos telejornalísticos dentro de metodologias de análise de conteúdos audiovisuais contemporâneos e do estudo de televisão diante da transmídia, especialmente aquelesinseridos numa estética híbrida de linguagem, sendo uma tendência cada vez mais perceptível da “cultura digital” e da televisão dos dias atuais, uma vez que cada emissora possui sua plataforma em site de internet, com extensão de reportagens.
Dubens dugno raumenų stiprinimo pratimų poveikis šlapimo nelaikymo sutrikimui moterims po gimdos pašalinimo operacijos
Authors: Jankūnas Deividas , Sipavičienė Saulė , Stakauskienė Simona , Milinavičienė Eglė
Published: August 2021

Tyrimo pagrindimas. Histerektomija – tai procedūra, kurios metu chirurginiu būdu pašalinama gimda. Histerektomijos apimtis ir būdas gali skirtis, tačiau pati chirurginė intervencija yra pooperacinio šlapimo nelaikymo rizikos veiksnys nepriklausomai nuo operacijos apimties ir būdo (Skorupska, Miotla, Kubik–Komar, Rechberger, Adamiak–Godlewska, Rechberger, 2016). Šlapimo nelaikymo prevencijos metodai: tinkamo kūno svorio palaikymas, gimdymų ribojimas, gyvenimo būdo korekcija, mokymas taisyklingai atlikti dubens dugno raumenų (DDR) treniravimo pratimus (Habib, Chaudhary, 2016). Tačiau vis dar stinga tyrimų duomenų, kaip DDR treniravimą būtų galima derinti su kitomis intervencijomis (Silantyeva, ir kt., 2019), skirtingi autoriai pateikia prieštaringus rezultatus.

Tikslas – įvertinti DDR stiprinimo pratimų programų poveikį šlapimo nelaikymo sutrikimui moterims po gimdos pašalinimo operacijos.

Metodai. Pirmai tiriamųjų grupei taikytas grįžtamasis ryšys ir įprasta kineziterapija (GR + IK), antrai – tik įprasta kineziterapija (IK). Visoms tiriamosioms įvertintas jaučiamas skausmas, DDR jėga, gyvenimo kokybė, susijusi su šlapimo nelaikymo problema, bendroji gyvenimo kokybė prieš poveikio taikymą ir po jo. Skausmo intensyvumas ir DDR jėga papildomai įvertinti po 5 ir 10 dienų.

Rezultatai. Po poveikio taikymo pastebėtas reikšmingas rezultatų pagerėjimas GR + IK grupėje: padidėjo DDR jėga, pagerėjo gyvenimo kokybė, susijusi su šlapimo nelaikymo problema, palyginus su IK grupe (p < 0,05). Jaučiamas skausmas ir bendrosios gyvenimo kokybės rezultatai tarp grupių reikšmingai nesiskyrė (p > 0,05).

Išvados. Įprasta kineziterapija, derinama su grįžtamuoju ryšiu, elgsenos požiūriu yra veiksmingesnė dubens dugno raumenų jėgai didinti, gyvenimo kokybei, susijusiai su šlapimo nelaikymu, gerinti nei vien tik įprasta kineziterapija.

Raktažodžiai: histerektomija, dubens dugno raumenys, dubens dugno raumenų treniravimas, šlapimo nelaikymas, kineziterapija.
Bank Competition–Stability Relations in Pakistan: A Comparison between Islamic and Conventional Banks
Authors: M. Kabir Hassan  , Muhammad Shahzad Ijaz  , Mushtaq Hussain Khan
Published: August 2021

This study comparatively analyses the financial stability of Islamic and conventional banks in Pakistan. Using data of 29 conventional and 9 Islamic banks over 18 years, the study first estimates bank competition and stability using Lerner index and Z-Score, respectively. Generalized least squares regression is used and the coefficients are estimated by using random-effects estimator. Results of the mean comparison show that Islamic banks carry more market power (less competition) and are more stable compared to their conventional counterparts. Results of a panel regression show that competition positively affects the stability of the banking sector and this effect is higher for Islamic banks due to their market power. Results also show that bank stability in Pakistan was reduced during global crisis period; however, presence of Islamic banks contributes to the stability even during crisis. Finally, this study supports the competition-stability hypothesis for Islamic banking in Pakistan. Recommendations are given at the end.
CEO Characteristics and Environmental Performance: Evidence from Indonesian Banks
Authors: Nurmadi Harsa Sumarta  , Muhammad Agung Prabowo  , Prihatnolo Gandhi Amidjaya  , Edy Supriyono  , Agista Putri Prameswari
Published: August 2021

Following the paradigm shift of company performance, from merely financial aspects to the balance between economics and environmental aspects, a study that explores the drivers of company environmental performance is indispensable. This study aims to empirically examine the role of CEO characteristics in determining the environmental performance from CEO's gender, age, expertise, and international experience in Indonesian banks. We use secondary data from banks' annual and sustainability reports that were analysed using panel data regression. The results demonstrate that CEO's international experience and education level positively affect bank's environmental performance while foreign CEO and CEO's abroad study exhibit negative effect. Our findings emphasise that CEO plays a great role in initiating banks' environmental activities. CEO's decision is crucial to adopt environmental practice that leads to better environmental performance. The study contributes to the Indonesian literature by providing empirical evidence of CEO factors in determining banks' environmental performance, in which there are very limited studies examining the role of CEO. We also suggest the Indonesian Financial Service Authority to encourage banks to deliver higher environmental contribution by maximizing the role of CEO.
Constructing a Financial Reporting Disclosure Quality Model of Listed Firms in Malaysia
Authors: Daw Tin Hla  , Sharon Cheuk  , Abu Hassan Md Isa  , Shaharudin Jakpar
Published: August 2021

The national accounting standards set by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB) is largely converged with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The benefit arising from this is to enable foreign investors to analyse their investments via a standardised financial reporting system in Malaysia. Financial reporting disclosure quality by the listed firms in the consumer product and service sector on Bursa Malaysia is an essential feature in the firms’ financial reporting to the public. This research evaluates the development of financial reporting disclosure quality assurance by firms listed on Bursa Malaysia, by examining financial reporting disclosure quality and subsequent compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards. This study uses a content analysis approach to identify a financial reporting standard compliance disclosure index, based the financial statements issued by firms listed on Bursa Malaysia from 2008 – 2016. A panel regression model is utilised to construct a model of financial reporting disclosure quality of the firm, based the extent of compliance with IFRS disclosure requirements from the following perspectives: corporate governance practice, audit quality and corporate social responsibility. The sustainability of financial reporting disclosure quality by the listed firms and subsequently the Malaysian capital markets will enable the same to attain a competitive edge in the international markets. In addition, this study will discuss financial reporting disclosure quality implications relevant to the policy makers in Bursa Malaysia, and it is envisaged that such model can be utilised in the improvement of future financial reporting policies.
Decentralizing Cell-Free RNA Sensing With the Use of Low-Cost Cell Extracts
Authors: Arce Anibal , Guzman Chavez Fernando , Gandini Chiara , Puig Juan , Matute Tamara , Haseloff Jim , Dalchau Neil , Molloy Jenny , Pardee Keith , Federici Fernán
Published: August 2021

Cell-free gene expression systems have emerged as a promising platform for field-deployed biosensing and diagnostics. When combined with programmable toehold switch-based RNA sensors, these systems can be used to detect arbitrary RNAs and freeze-dried for room temperature transport to the point-of-need. These sensors, however, have been mainly implemented using reconstituted PURE cell-free protein expression systems that are difficult to source in the Global South due to their high commercial cost and cold-chain shipping requirements. Based on preliminary demonstrations of toehold sensors working on lysates, we describe the fast prototyping of RNA toehold switch-based sensors that can be produced locally and reduce the cost of sensors by two orders of magnitude. We demonstrate that these in-house cell lysates provide sensor performance comparable to commercial PURE cell-free systems. We further optimize these lysates with a CRISPRi strategy to enhance the stability of linear DNAs by knocking-down genes responsible for linear DNA degradation. This enables the direct use of PCR products for fast screening of new designs. As a proof-of-concept, we develop novel toehold sensors for the plant pathogen Potato Virus Y (PVY), which dramatically reduces the yield of this important staple crop. The local implementation of low-cost cell-free toehold sensors could enable biosensing capacity at the regional level and lead to more decentralized models for global surveillance of infectious disease.
G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor-1 Positively Regulates the Growth Plate Chondrocyte Proliferation in Female Pubertal Mice
Authors: Chou Ya-Shuan , Chuang Shu-Chun , Chen Chung-Hwan , Ho Mei-Ling , Chang Je-Ken
Published: August 2021

Estrogen enhances long bone longitudinal growth during early puberty. Growth plate chondrocytes are the main cells that contribute to long bone elongation. The role of G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER-1) in regulating growth plate chondrocyte function remains unclear. In the present study, we generated chondrocyte-specific GPER-1 knockout (CKO) mice to investigate the effect of GPER-1 in growth plate chondrocytes. In control mice, GPER-1 was highly expressed in the growth plates of 4- and 8-week-old mice, with a gradual decline through 12 to 16 weeks. In CKO mice, the GPER-1 expression in growth plate chondrocytes was significantly lower than that in the control mice (80% decrease). The CKO mice also showed a decrease in body length (crown–rump length), body weight, and the length of tibias and femurs at 8 weeks. More importantly, the cell number and thickness of the proliferative zone of the growth plate, as well as the thickness of primary spongiosa and length of metaphysis plus diaphysis in tibias of CKO mice, were significantly decreased compared with those of the control mice. Furthermore, there was also a considerable reduction in the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigens and Ki67-stained proliferating chondrocytes in the tibia growth plate in the CKO mice. The chondrocyte proliferation mediated by GPER-1 was further demonstrated via treatment with a GPER-1 antagonist in cultured epiphyseal cartilage. This study demonstrates that GPER-1 positively regulates chondrocyte proliferation at the growth plate during early puberty and contributes to the longitudinal growth of long bones.
An Outside-In Switch in Integrin Signaling Caused by Chemical and Mechanical Signals in Reactive Astrocytes
Authors: Pérez Leonardo A. , Rashid Aysha , Combs J. Dale , Schneider Pascal , Rodríguez Andrés , Salaita Khalid , Leyton Lisette
Published: August 2021

Astrocyte reactivity is associated with poor repair capacity after injury to the brain, where chemical and physical changes occur in the damaged zone. Astrocyte surface proteins, such as integrins, are upregulated, and the release of pro-inflammatory molecules and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins upon damage generate a stiffer matrix. Integrins play an important role in triggering a reactive phenotype in astrocytes, and we have reported that αVβ3 Integrin binds to the Thy-1 (CD90) neuronal glycoprotein, increasing astrocyte contractility and motility. Alternatively, αVβ3 Integrin senses mechanical forces generated by the increased ECM stiffness. Until now, the association between the αVβ3 Integrin mechanoreceptor response in astrocytes and changes in their reactive phenotype is unclear. To study the response to combined chemical and mechanical stress, astrocytes were stimulated with Thy-1-Protein A-coated magnetic beads and exposed to a magnetic field to generate mechanical tension. We evaluated the effect of such stimulation on cell adhesion and contraction. We also assessed traction forces and their effect on cell morphology, and integrin surface expression. Mechanical stress accelerated the response of astrocytes to Thy-1 engagement of integrin receptors, resulting in cell adhesion and contraction. Astrocyte contraction then exerted traction forces onto the ECM, inducing faster cell contractility and higher traction forces than Thy-1 alone. Therefore, cell-extrinsic chemical and mechanical signals regulate in an outside-in manner, astrocyte reactivity by inducing integrin upregulation, ligation, and signaling events that promote cell contraction. These changes in turn generate cell-intrinsic signals that increase traction forces exerted onto the ECM (inside-out). This study reveals αVβ3 Integrin mechanoreceptor as a novel target to regulate the harmful effects of reactive astrocytes in neuronal healing.
919 Syrup Alleviates Postpartum Depression by Modulating the Structure and Metabolism of Gut Microbes and Affecting the Function of the Hippocampal GABA/Glutamate System
Authors: Tian Xin-Yun , Xing Jing-Wei , Zheng Qiao-Qi , Gao Peng-Fei
Published: August 2021

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mental disorder that affects pregnant women around the world, with serious consequences for mothers, families, and children. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, and medications for treating PPD that can be used during lactation remain to be identified. 919 syrup (919 TJ) is a Chinese herbal medicine that has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of postpartum depression in both clinical and experimental studies. The mechanism of action of 919 TJ is unclear. 919 syrup is ingested orally, making the potential interaction between the drug and the gut microbiome impossible to ignore. We therefore hypothesized that 919 syrup could improve the symptoms of postpartum depression by affecting the structure and function of the intestinal flora, thereby altering hippocampal metabolism. We compared changes in hippocampal metabolism, fecal metabolism, and intestinal microflora of control BALB/c mice, mice with induced untreated PPD, and mice with induced PPD treated with 919 TJ, and found that 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the hippocampus corresponded with PPD behaviors. Based on changes in GABA levels, multiple key gut bacterial species (Mucispirillum schaedleri, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, Desulfovibrio piger, Alloprevotella tannerae, Bacteroides sp.2.1.33B and Prevotella sp. CAG:755) were associated with PPD. Metabolic markers that may represent the function of the intestinal microbiota in mice with PPD were identified (Met-Arg, urocanic acid, thioetheramide-PC, L-pipecolic acid, and linoleoyl ethanolamide). The relationship between these factors is not a simple one-to-one correspondence, but more likely a network of staggered functions. We therefore believe that the composition and function of the entire intestinal flora should be emphasized in research studying the gut and PPD, rather than changes in the abundance of individual bacterial species. The introduction of this concept of “GutBalance” may help clarify the relationship between gut bacteria and systemic disease.
β-Hydroxybutyric Inhibits Vascular Calcification via Autophagy Enhancement in Models Induced by High Phosphate
Authors: Liang Jianwen , Huang Jieping , He Wanbing , Shi Guangzi , Chen Jie , Huang Hui
Published: August 2021

Background: Vascular calcification (VC) is a landmark of aging, while β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) induced by calorie restriction has been identified as a promising factor to extend the lifespan. However, the effect of BHB on VC and the potential mechanism remain unknown.

Methods: A total of 160 subjects with or without metabolic abnormalities (MAs) were assigned to four groups according to different calcification severities. The association between BHB, MAs, and VC was investigated via mediation analysis. Then, with high phosphate-induced calcification models, the effect of BHB on arterial ring calcification and osteogenic phenotypic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was investigated. Hereafter the expressions of autophagy biomarkers, autophagy flux, and effects of autophagy inhibitors on VC were detected.

Results: Severe VC was observed in the elderly, accompanied with a higher proportion of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. The serum BHB level was an independent influencing factor of VC severities. With mediation analysis, BHB was determined as a significant mediator in the effects of MAs on VC, and the indirect effect of BHB accounted for 23% of the total effect. Furthermore, BHB directly inhibited arterial ring calcification and osteogenic phenotypic differentiation in VSMCs, accompanied with autophagy enhancement in VSMCs. In accordance, the inhibition of autophagy counteracted the protective effect of BHB on VC.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that BHB mediated the effects of MAs on VC; then, it further elucidated that BHB could inhibit arterial and VSMC calcification via autophagy enhancement.
Improvement of LV Reverse Remodeling Using Dynamic Programming of Fusion-Optimized Atrioventricular Intervals in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Wang Zhongkai , Li Pan , Zhang Bili , Huang Jingjuan , Chen Shaoping , Cai Zhuhong , Qin Yingyi , Fan Jihai , Tang Wendong , Qin Yongwen , Li Ruogu , Zhao Xianxian
Published: August 2021

Background: The patient-tailored SyncAV algorithm shortens the QRS duration (QRSd) beyond what conventional biventricular (BiV) pacing can. However, evidence of the ability of SyncAV to improve the cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CRT enhanced by SyncAV on echocardiographic and clinical responses.

Methods and Results: Consecutive heart failure (HF) patients from three centers treated with a quadripolar CRT system (Abbott) were enrolled. The total of 122 patients were divided into BiV+SyncAV (n = 68) and BiV groups (n = 54) according to whether they underwent CRT with or without SyncAV. Electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and clinical data were assessed at baseline and during follow-up. Echocardiographic response to CRT was defined as a ≥15% decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), and clinical response was defined as a NYHA class reduction of ≥1. At the 6-month follow-up, the baseline QRSd and LVESV decreased more significantly in the BiV+SyncAV than in the BiV group (QRSd −36.25 ± 16.33 vs. −22.72 ± 18.75 ms, P < 0.001; LVESV −54.19 ± 38.87 vs. −25.37 ± 36.48 ml, P < 0.001). Compared to the BiV group, more patients in the BiV+SyncAV group were classified as echocardiographic (82.35 vs. 64.81%; P = 0.036) and clinical responders (83.82 vs. 66.67%; P = 0.033). During follow-up, no deaths due to HF deterioration or severe procedure related complications occurred.

Conclusion: Compared to BiV pacing, BiV combined with SyncAV leads to a more significant reduction in QRSd and improves LV remodeling and long-term outcomes in HF patients treated with CRT.
Crash Landing of Thyroid Storm: A Case Report and Review of the Role of Extra-Corporeal Systems
Authors: Lim Shir Lynn , Wang Kangjie , Lui Pak Ling , Ramanathan Kollengode , Yang Samantha Peiling
Published: August 2021

Thyroid storm is a rare but life-threatening endocrinological emergency with significant mortality ranging from 10-30% with multi-organ involvement and failure. In view of the rarity of this condition and efficacy of established first line medical treatment, use of extra-corporeal treatments are uncommon, not well-studied, and its available evidence exists only from case reports and case series. We describe a 28-year-old man who presented with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest secondary to thyroid storm. Despite conventional first-line pharmacotherapy, he developed cardiogenic shock and circulatory collapse with intravenous esmolol infusion, as well as multi-organ failure. He required therapeutic plasma exchange, concurrent renal replacement therapy, and veno-arterial extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, one of the few reported cases in the literature. While there was clinical stabilization and improvement in tri-iodothyronine levels on three extra-corporeal systems, he suffered irreversible hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. We reviewed the use of early therapeutic plasma exchange and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, as well as the development of other novel extra-corporeal modalities when conventional pharmacotherapy is unsuccessful or contraindicated. This case also highlights the complexities in the management of thyroid storm, calling for caution with beta-blockade use in thyrocardiac disease, with close monitoring and prompt organ support.
Case Report: Consecutive Adrenal Cushing’s Syndrome and Cushing’s Disease in a Patient With Somatic CTNNB1, USP8, and NR3C1 Mutations
Authors: Detomas Mario , Altieri Barbara , Schlötelburg Wiebke , Appenzeller Silke , Schlaffer Sven , Coras Roland , Schirbel Andreas , Wild Vanessa , Kroiss Matthias , Sbiera Silviu , Fassnacht Martin , Deutschbein Timo
Published: August 2021

The occurrence of different subtypes of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) in single individuals is extremely rare. We here present the case of a female patient who was successfully cured from adrenal CS 4 years before being diagnosed with Cushing’s disease (CD). The patient was diagnosed at the age of 50 with ACTH-independent CS and a left-sided adrenal adenoma, in January 2015. After adrenalectomy and histopathological confirmation of a cortisol-producing adrenocortical adenoma, biochemical hypercortisolism and clinical symptoms significantly improved. However, starting from 2018, the patient again developed signs and symptoms of recurrent CS. Subsequent biochemical and radiological workup suggested the presence of ACTH-dependent CS along with a pituitary microadenoma. The patient underwent successful transsphenoidal adenomectomy, and both postoperative adrenal insufficiency and histopathological workup confirmed the diagnosis of CD. Exome sequencing excluded a causative germline mutation but showed somatic mutations of the β-catenin protein gene (CTNNB1) in the adrenal adenoma, and of both the ubiquitin specific peptidase 8 (USP8) and the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) genes in the pituitary adenoma. In conclusion, our case illustrates that both ACTH-independent and ACTH-dependent CS may develop in a single individual even without evidence for a common genetic background.
Distribution of Bioaerosols in Association With Particulate Matter: A Review on Emerging Public Health Threat in Asian Megacities
Authors: Shammi Mashura , Rahman Md Mostafizur , Tareq Shafi Mohammad
Published: August 2021

Occurrences and exposure to high levels of microbial bioaerosols such as pathogenic bacteria, fungi, fungal spores, and viruses can be linked to the deterioration of the environment and public health. This study aimed to review the results available for the unusual bioaerosol distribution scenario in the Asian regions. The amount of bioaerosol load and their environmental behavior in the atmosphere is heavily influenced by air pollution such as haze, fog, dust, and particulate matter (PM) and thus strongly affect the air quality index (AQI). Human factors such as heavy traffic, overcrowds, and biomass burning also affected the prevalence or occurrences of bioaerosols in the atmosphere. Seasonal/temporal and diurnal variation was significantly observed from these studies and in the case of South Asia, post-monsoon and winter months were incredibly concentrated with pathogenic bioaerosols. Many human infections, for example, pneumonia, tuberculosis, brucellosis, anthrax, and query fever (Q-fever), are linked to pathogenic bacterial bioaerosols. Respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic pulmonary obstructiveness are related to fungal bioaerosols, spores, and viral infections. To facilitate the testing and monitoring appraisal of airborne bioaerosols, artificial intelligence, deep neural networks, and machine learning can be used to develop real-time PCR-based bioaerosol sensors. Moreover, mobile apps and compatible electronic gadgets can be developed for the city dwellers to real-time monitor the concentration of bioaerosols in the air they are breathing.
Mapping Recombination Landscape and Basidial Spore Number in the Button Mushroom Agaricus bisporus
Authors: Sonnenberg Anton S. M. , Sedaghat-Telgerd Narges , Lavrijssen Brian , Hendrickx Patrick M. , Scholtmeijer Karin , Baars Johan J. P. , Visser Richard G. F. , van Peer Arend
Published: August 2021

The button mushroom Agaricus bisporus is represented mainly by two varieties, a secondarily homothallic variety with predominantly two heterokaryotic spores per basidia and a heterothallic variety with predominantly four homokaryotic spored basidium. Both varieties also differ in their recombination landscape with the former showing crossovers (CO) predominantly at chromosome ends whereas the latter has a more evenly distribution of CO over the chromosomes. The two varieties are compatible, and this has been used to study segregation of the basidial spore number (BSN) and the genomic positions of recombination, i.e., the CO landscape, in order to find the underlying genetic determinants. Knowledge on genes controlling CO positions might facilitate either the conservation of favorable allele combinations or the disruption of unwanted allele combinations to reduce linkage drag. For BSN, in total seven QTL were found with the major QTL on chromosome 1 explaining ca. 55% of the phenotypic variation. It appeared, however, difficult to map the recombination landscape. This phenotype can only be assessed in the meiotic offspring of an intervarietal hybrid which is a laborious and difficult task. Nevertheless, this was done, and we were able to map three QTLs for this trait, two on chromosome 1 and one on chromosome 2 not overlapping with the QTL for BSN. The hurdles encountered are discussed and a new strategy is proposed that can solves these. We propose to use two genetically unrelated mapping populations both offspring of a cross between a var. bisporus and a var. burnettii homokaryon and thus segregating both for CO and BSN. Homokaryotic offspring of both populations can be intercrossed without limitation of mating incompatibility and marker homozygosity and the hybrid mushrooms directly used to map BSN. Homokaryotic offspring of these hybrid mushrooms can be genotypes to assess CO positions using next generation sequencing technologies that will solve marker problems encountered, especially for genotyping chromosome ends. This new approach can be a useful strategy for a more efficient breeding strategy for mushrooms in general.
Testing the Genomic Shock Hypothesis Using Transposable Element Expression in Yeast Hybrids
Authors: Drouin Marika , Hénault Mathieu , Hallin Johan , Landry Christian R.
Published: August 2021

Transposable element (TE) insertions are a source of structural variation and can cause genetic instability and gene expression changes. A host can limit the spread of TEs with various repression mechanisms. Many examples of plant and animal interspecific hybrids show disrupted TE repression leading to TE propagation. Recent studies in yeast did not find any increase in transposition rate in hybrids. However, this does not rule out the possibility that the transcriptional or translational activity of TEs increases following hybridization because of a disruption of the host TE control mechanisms. Thus, whether total expression of a TE family is higher in hybrids than in their parental species remains to be examined. We leveraged publically available RNA-seq and ribosomal profiling data on yeast artificial hybrids of the Saccharomyces genus and performed differential expression analysis of their LTR retrotransposons (Ty elements). Our analyses of total mRNA levels show that Ty elements are generally not differentially expressed in hybrids, even when the hybrids are exposed to a low temperature stress condition. Overall, only 2/26 Ty families show significantly higher expression in the S. cerevisiae × S. uvarum hybrids while there are 3/26 showing significantly lower expression in the S. cerevisiae x S. paradoxus hybrids. Our analysis of ribosome profiling data of S. cerevisiae × S. paradoxus hybrids shows similar translation efficiency of Ty in both parents and hybrids, except for Ty1_cer showing higher translation efficiency. Overall, our results do not support the hypothesis that hybridization could act as a systematic trigger of TE expression in yeast and suggest that the impact of hybridization on TE activity is strain and TE specific.
LISA2: Learning Complex Single-Cell Trajectory and Expression Trends
Authors: Chen Yang , Zhang Yuping , Li James Y. H. , Ouyang Zhengqing
Published: August 2021

Single-cell transcriptional and epigenomics profiles have been applied in a variety of tissues and diseases for discovering new cell types, differentiation trajectories, and gene regulatory networks. Many methods such as Monocle 2/3, URD, and STREAM have been developed for tree-based trajectory building. Here, we propose a fast and flexible trajectory learning method, LISA2, for single-cell data analysis. This new method has two distinctive features: (1) LISA2 utilizes specified leaves and root to reduce the complexity for building the developmental trajectory, especially for some special cases such as rare cell populations and adjacent terminal cell states; and (2) LISA2 is applicable for both transcriptomics and epigenomics data. LISA2 visualizes complex trajectories using 3D Landmark ISOmetric feature MAPping (L-ISOMAP). We apply LISA2 to simulation and real datasets in cerebellum, diencephalon, and hematopoietic stem cells including both single-cell transcriptomics data and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin data. LISA2 is efficient in estimating single-cell trajectory and expression trends for different kinds of molecular state of cells.
LR Hunting: A Random Forest Based Cell–Cell Interaction Discovery Method for Single-Cell Gene Expression Data
Authors: Lu Min , Sha Yifan , Silva Tiago C. , Colaprico Antonio , Sun Xiaodian , Ban Yuguang , Wang Lily , Lehmann Brian D. , Chen X. Steven
Published: August 2021

Cell–cell interactions (CCIs) and cell–cell communication (CCC) are critical for maintaining complex biological systems. The availability of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data opens new avenues for deciphering CCIs and CCCs through identifying ligand-receptor (LR) gene interactions between cells. However, most methods were developed to examine the LR interactions of individual pairs of genes. Here, we propose a novel approach named LR hunting which first uses random forests (RFs)-based data imputation technique to link the data between different cell types. To guarantee the robustness of the data imputation procedure, we repeat the computation procedures multiple times to generate aggregated imputed minimal depth index (IMDI). Next, we identify significant LR interactions among all combinations of LR pairs simultaneously using unsupervised RFs. We demonstrated LR hunting can recover biological meaningful CCIs using a mouse cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (CITE-seq) dataset and a triple-negative breast cancer scRNA-seq dataset.
Revelation of Potent Epitopes Present in Unannotated ORF Antigens of SARS-CoV-2 for Epitope-Based Polyvalent Vaccine Design Using Immunoinformatics Approach
Authors: Uttamrao Patil Pranita , Sathyaseelan Chakkarai , Patro L. Ponoop Prasad , Rathinavelan Thenmalarchelvi
Published: August 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) kills thousands of people worldwide every day, thus necessitating rapid development of countermeasures. Immunoinformatics analyses carried out here in search of immunodominant regions in recently identified SARS-CoV-2 unannotated open reading frames (uORFs) have identified eight linear B-cell, one conformational B-cell, 10 CD4+ T-cell, and 12 CD8+ T-cell promising epitopes. Among them, ORF9b B-cell and T-cell epitopes are the most promising followed by M.ext and ORF3c epitopes. ORF9b40-48 (CD8+ T-cell epitope) is found to be highly immunogenic and antigenic with the highest allele coverage. Furthermore, it has overlap with four potent CD4+ T-cell epitopes. Structure-based B-cell epitope prediction has identified ORF9b61-68 to be immunodominant, which partially overlaps with one of the linear B-cell epitopes (ORF9b65-69). ORF3c CD4+ T-cell epitopes (ORF3c2-16, ORF3c3-17, and ORF3c4-18) and linear B-cell epitope (ORF3c14-22) have also been identified as the candidate epitopes. Similarly, M.ext and 7a.iORF1 (overlap with M and ORF7a) proteins have promising immunogenic regions. By considering the level of antigen expression, four ORF9b and five M.ext epitopes are finally shortlisted as potent epitopes. Mutation analysis has further revealed that the shortlisted potent uORF epitopes are resistant to recurrent mutations. Additionally, four N-protein (expressed by canonical ORF) epitopes are found to be potent. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 uORF B-cell and T-cell epitopes identified here along with canonical ORF epitopes may aid in the design of a promising epitope-based polyvalent vaccine (when connected through appropriate linkers) against SARS-CoV-2. Such a vaccine can act as a bulwark against SARS-CoV-2, especially in the scenario of emergence of variants with recurring mutations in the spike protein.