bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fasciola hepatica juveniles interact with the host fibrinolytic system as a potential early-stage invasion mechanism
Authors: Serrat Judit , Becerro-Recio David , Torres-Valle María , Simón Fernando , Valero María Adela , Bargues María Dolores , Mas-Coma Santiago , Siles-Lucas Mar , González-Miguel Javier
Published: April 2023

Background

The trematode Fasciola hepatica is the most widespread causative agent of fasciolosis, a parasitic disease that mainly affects humans and ruminants worldwide. During F. hepatica infection, newly excysted juveniles (FhNEJ) emerge in the duodenum of the mammalian host and migrate towards their definitive location, the intra-hepatic biliary ducts. Understanding how F. hepatica traverses the intestinal wall and migrates towards the liver is pivotal for the development of more successful strategies against fasciolosis. The central enzyme of the mammalian fibrinolytic system is plasmin, a serine protease whose functions are exploited by a number of parasite species owing to its broad spectrum of substrates, including components of tissue extracellular matrices. The aim of the present work is to understand whether FhNEJ co-opt the functions of their host fibrinolytic system as a mechanism to facilitate trans-intestinal migration.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A tegument-enriched antigenic extract of FhNEJ (FhNEJ-Teg) was obtained in vitro, and its capability to bind the zymogen plasminogen (PLG) and enhance its conversion to the active protease, plasmin, were analyzed by a combination of enzyme-linked immunosorbent, chromogenic and immunofluorescence assays. Additionally, PLG-binding proteins in FhNEJ-Teg were identified by bidimensional electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry analysis, and the interactions were validated using FhNEJ recombinant proteins.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results show that FhNEJ-Teg contains proteins that bind PLG and stimulate its activation to plasmin, which could facilitate the traversal of the intestinal wall by FhNEJ and contribute to the successful establishment of the parasite within its mammalian host. Altogether, our findings contribute to a better understanding of host-parasite relationships during early fasciolosis and may be exploited from a pharmacological and/or immunological perspective for the development of treatment and control strategies against this global disease.
Genomic bacterial load associated with bacterial genotypes and clinical characteristics in patients with scrub typhus in Hainan Island, Southern China
Authors: Wang Gaoyu , Fu Ruijia , Zhang Liyuan , Xue Liying , Al-Mahdi Abdullah Y. , Xie Xiaofei , Qin Aiping , Tang Chuanning , Du Jiang , Huang Yi , Wang Yueping , Su Jian , Huang Shengkai , Peng Ruoyan , Lu Zhe , An Jing , Sun Changjia , Yang Hua , He Changhua , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , Du Yongguo , Xiao Meifang , Sun Long , Yin Feifei
Published: April 2023

Scrub typhus, caused by mite-borne Orientia tsutsugamushi (O. tsutsugamushi), is a major febrile disease in the Asia-Pacific region. The DNA load of O. tsutsugamushi in the blood was previously found to be significantly higher in patients with fatal disease than those with non-fatal disease and correlated with the duration of illness, presence of eschar, and hepatic enzyme levels. In this prospective observation study, we analyzed the association of bacterial DNA load with clinical features, disease severity, and genotype using real-time PCR targeting the 56 kDa TSA gene of O. tsutsugamushi in the blood samples of 117 surviving patients with scrub typhus who had not received appropriate antibiotic treatment. The median O. tsutsugamushi DNA load was 3.11×103 copies/mL (range, 44 to 3.3×106 copies/mL). The severity of patients was categorized as mild, moderate, and severe based on the number of dysfunctional organs, and no significant difference in O. tsutsugamushi DNA load was found among these groups. Patients infected with the Karp group showed a significantly higher O. tsutsugamushi DNA load than those in the Gilliam (P < 0.05) and TA763 (P < 0.01) groups. Patients belonging to the Li ethnic group showed a significantly higher DNA load than those in the Han ethnic groups. The blood bacterial DNA load of patients showed no significant difference between groups divided by gender, age, with or without eschar, or the season of disease onset. The highest body temperature recorded during fever onset was positively correlated with O. tsutsugamushi DNA load (ρ  =  0.272, P  =  0.022). Correlation analyses indicated that the serum total bilirubin level was positively correlated with O. tsutsugamushi DNA load. In conclusion, the findings in this study demonstrated the association of DNA load of O. tsutsugamushi with the severity and genotype in patients with scrub typhus in Hainan, China.
Acupuncture for military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and related symptoms after combat exposure: Protocol for a scoping review of clinical studies
Authors: Seung Hye-Bin , Leem Jungtae , Kwak Hui-Yong , Kwon Chan-Young , Kim Sang-Ho
Published: April 2023

Posttraumatic stress disorder is caused by traumatic events such as death, serious injury, and sexual violence. Military personnel and veterans are at high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. Conventional posttraumatic stress disorder treatments have certain limitations. Complementary and integrative medicine treatments, especially acupuncture, are potential novel first-line treatments that may overcome these limitations. We aim to investigate the current status of the available clinical evidence related to acupuncture treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in war veterans. We will follow the scoping review process as previously described. The study question is as follows: "Which types of clinical research designs, study types, study durations, adverse events, and clinical outcomes have been reported regarding acupuncture therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in military veterans?" We will perform a comprehensive search of Medline, Excerpta Medica dataBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Scopus databases, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycArticles databases, as well as Chinese, Korean, and Japanese databases, from inception to June 2022. Data from the included studies will be collected and descriptively analyzed in relation to our research question. The extracted data will be collated, synthesized, and summarized according to the analytical framework of a scoping review. The protocol of this study adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews to ensure the clarity and completeness of our reporting in all phases of this scoping review (Protocol registration: https://osf.io/t723f/). The findings of this scoping review will provide fundamental data that will help researchers identify appropriate research questions and design further studies on the use of acupuncture for PTSD management in military veterans. These results will be helpful for developing disaster site-specific research protocols for future clinical trials on this topic.
Changes in the length of speeches in the plays of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries: A mixed models approach
Authors: Colyvas Kim , Egan Gabriel , Craig Hugh
Published: April 2023

Since 2007 a number of investigators have compiled statistics on the length in words of speeches in plays by William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, focusing on a change to shorter speeches around 1600. In this article we take account of several potentially confounding factors in the variation of speech lengths in these works and present a model of this variation in the period 1538–1642 through Linear Mixed Models. We confirm that the mode of speech lengths in English plays changed from nine words to four words around 1600, and that Shakespeare’s plays fit this wider pattern closely. We establish for the first time: that this change is independent of authorship, dramatic genre, theatrical company, and the proportion of verse in a play’s dialogue; that the chosen time span can be segmented into pre-1597 plays (with high modes), 1597–1602 plays (with mixed high and low modes), and post-1602 plays (with low modes); that some additional secondary modes are evident in speech lengths, at 16 and 24 words, suggesting that the length of a standard blank verse line (around 8 words) is an underlying unit in speech length; and that the general change to short speeches also holds true when the data is viewed through the perspective of the median and the mean. The change in speech lengths is part of a collective drift in the plays towards liveliness and verisimilitude and is evidence of a hitherto hidden constraint on the playwrights: whether or not they were aware of the fact, playwrights as a group were conforming to a structure for the distribution of speech lengths peculiar to the era they were writing in. The authors hope that the full modelling of this variation in the article will help bring this change to the attention of scholars of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.
Characteristics and evolution of knowledge innovation network in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration——A case study of China National Knowledge Infrastructure
Authors: Gao Ya , Ye Lei
Published: April 2023

With the development of economic globalization, urban agglomerations have become growth poles and core areas of economic development. By building knowledge innovation networks in urban agglomerations, we can effectively improve the strength of inter-city knowledge innovation links and better realize the integrated and synergistic development of the region. This study selected core cities in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration as the study area, constructed the knowledge innovation network based on inter-city dissertation cooperation data from 2010 to 2020, and analyzed the characteristics and evolution of its knowledge network by combining social network analysis and geospatial analysis. The research results show that: (1) with changes in policies and investment in scientific research and innovation, intra-regional thesis cooperation in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration has been increasing and the scale of the knowledge innovation cooperation network is growing; (2) in addition to the core cities radiating innovation resources outward to drive the development of other node cities, other cities are continuously improving their own innovation capabilities, taking the initiative to strengthen knowledge innovation cooperation with core cities and enhancing their own position in the network; (3) there are no longer isolated cities within the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, and a multi-core knowledge network structure centered on Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Suzhou has initially formed, but the network is still spatially heterogeneous; (4) there are still problems within the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration such as uneven development of knowledge innovation and low participation of peripheral cities, which need to be addressed jointly by all regions. The article concludes with some suggestions for countermeasures to provide a reference for the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration to continuously strengthen intra-regional knowledge cooperation in the future, enhance regional competitiveness, and ultimately achieve synergistic development among cities.
Experiences of family caregivers of people with spinal cord injury at the neurosurgical units of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana
Authors: Mohammed Rumana Saeed , Boateng Edward Appiah , Amponsah Abigail Kusi , Kyei-Dompim Joana , Laari Timothy Tienbia
Published: April 2023

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leaves affected persons with a lifelong demand for care. As a result, the effect of the condition goes beyond the injured person to affect family members and significant others who have to adjust their lives to provide care and support. However, little is known about the experiences of these family caregivers regarding the care of people with SCI in Ghana. Exploring their experiences would enhance the understanding of family caregiving of people with SCI and contribute to policy intervention.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive phenomenology study used the purposive sampling method to select 10 family caregivers. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide through individual in-depth interviews. Written informed consent was obtained and interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were manually analysed following Colaizzi’s method of data analysis.

Results

In all, 4 main themes emerged from the analysis of data (1) becoming a caregiver, (2) roles of the caregiver, (3) the burden of caregiving, and (4) coping strategies. The family caregivers provided vital assistance to their relatives with SCI and experienced physical and financial burdens as a result of the care. Due to the strains involved in the caregiving process, family caregivers adopted various strategies to cope with the situation.

Conclusion

This study has provided evidence of the lived experiences of family caregivers of people with SCI in the Ghanaian context and further supports the findings of previous studies. Measures including training, counselling, and instituting social support services for family caregivers should be considered by the management of healthcare institutions to enhance the experiences of family caregivers.
Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 genomic populations on a country-wide scale through targeted sequencing
Authors: Cancela Florencia , Ramos Natalia , Smyth Davida S. , Etchebehere Claudia , Berois Mabel , Rodríguez Jesica , Rufo Caterina , Alemán Alicia , Borzacconi Liliana , López Julieta , González Elizabeth , Botto Germán , Thornhill Starla G. , Mirazo Santiago , Trujillo Mónica
Published: April 2023

SARS-CoV-2 surveillance of viral populations in wastewater samples is recognized as a useful tool for monitoring epidemic waves and boosting health preparedness. Next generation sequencing of viral RNA isolated from wastewater is a convenient and cost-effective strategy to understand the molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 and provide insights on the population dynamics of viral variants at the community level. However, in low- and middle-income countries, isolated groups have performed wastewater monitoring and data has not been extensively shared in the scientific community. Here we report the results of monitoring the co-circulation and abundance of variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2 in Uruguay, a small country in Latin America, between November 2020—July 2021 using wastewater surveillance. RNA isolated from wastewater was characterized by targeted sequencing of the Receptor Binding Domain region within the spike gene. Two computational approaches were used to track the viral variants. The results of the wastewater analysis showed the transition in the overall predominance of viral variants in wastewater from No-VOCs to successive VOCs, in agreement with clinical surveillance from sequencing of nasal swabs. The mutations K417T, E484K and N501Y, that characterize the Gamma VOC, were detected as early as December 2020, several weeks before the first clinical case was reported. Interestingly, a non-synonymous mutation described in the Delta VOC, L452R, was detected at a very low frequency since April 2021 when using a recently described sequence analysis tool (SAM Refiner). Wastewater NGS-based surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 is a reliable and complementary tool for monitoring the introduction and prevalence of VOCs at a community level allowing early public health decisions. This approach allows the tracking of symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, who are generally under-reported in countries with limited clinical testing capacity. Our results suggests that wastewater-based epidemiology can contribute to improving public health responses in low- and middle-income countries.
Inhibition of the PCR by genomic DNA
Authors: Latham Sue , Hughes Elizabeth , Budgen Bradley , Morley Alexander
Published: April 2023

Aims

qPCR, is widely used for quantifying minimal residual disease (MRD) and is conventionally performed according to guidelines proposed by the EuroMRD consortium. However it often fails when quantifying MRD levels below 10−4. By contrast, HAT-PCR, a recent modification designed to minimise false-positive results, can quantify MRD down to 10−6.

Methods

The factors leading to failure of conventional qPCR to quantify low levels of MRD were studied by analysing PCR reagents, protocol and primers and by testing for inhibition by adding primers to a plasmid amplification system. Complementary primers, ending in either G/C or A/T, were used to determine the effect of the 3’ end of a primer.

Results

Inhibition of conventional PCR resulted from interaction of primers with genomic DNA leading to exponential amplification of nonspecific amplicons. It was observed with approximately half of the EuroMRD J primers tested. Inhibition by a primer was significantly related to primer Tm and G/C content and was absent when extension at the 3’ end was blocked. Nonspecificity and inhibition were decreased or abolished by increasing the annealing temperature and inhibition was decreased by increasing the concentration of polymerase. Primers terminating with G/C produced significantly more nonspecificity and inhibition than primers terminating with A/T. HAT-PCR produced minimal nonspecificity and no inhibition.

Conclusions

Inhibition of the PCR may result from the presence of genomic DNA and resultant exponential amplification of nonspecific amplicons. Factors contributing to the phenomenon include suboptimal annealing temperature, suboptimal primer design, and suboptimal polymerase concentration. Optimisation of these factors, as in HAT-PCR, enables sensitive quantification of MRD. PCR assays are increasingly used for sensitive detection of other rare targets against a background of genomic DNA and such assays may benefit from similar improvement in PCR design.
A single-dose, randomized crossover study in healthy Chinese subjects to evaluate pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of two capsules of calcium dobesilate 0.5 g under fasting and fed conditions
Authors: Liu Yanmei , Cheng Jie , Liang Liyu , Qian Weigang , Ou Meixian , Zhang Mengqi , Wang Yijun , Wang Yan , Peng Ka , Jia Jingying
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To compare the rate and extent of absorption of a launched generic calcium dobesilate capsule versus the branded reference formulation under fasting and fed conditions in healthy Chinese subjects, and to assess their bioequivalence and tolerability.

Methods

This single-dose, open-label, randomized-sequence, 2-period crossover bioequivalence study was conducted on healthy Chinese volunteers aged 18 to 45 years. Subjects received a single 0.5 g dose of calcium dobesilate capsule under fasting or fed conditions, with a 3-day washout period between doses of the test (T) and reference (R) formulations. Blood samples were collected before and up to 24 hours after administration. The plasma concentration of calcium dobesilate was determined by a validated Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Non-compartmental analysis was applied to identify the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. The primary PK parameters including the maximal plasma concentration (Cmax), the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-t), and the AUC extrapolated to infinity (AUC0-inf) were used for bioequivalence evaluation.

Results

The mean of PK parameters for T and R capsules under fasting (fed) condition were: Cmax, 13.57 (6.71) and 12.59 (7.25) μg/mL; AUC0-t, 97.32 (79.74) and 96.97 (80.71) h*μg/mL; AUC0-inf, 101.68 (88.01) and 101.64 (87.81) h*μg/mL. The 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of GMRs under fasting (fed) condition were: Cmax, 97.91%-116.62% (88.63%-96.53%); AUC0-t, 97.15%-104.00% (96.58%-101.39%); and AUC0-inf, 97.19%-102.89% (98.67%-103.99%). These 90% CIs were all within the bioequivalence range of 80%-125%. All adverse events were mild.

Conclusion

In this study, the T calcium dobesilate 0.5 g capsule was bioequivalent to the reference product under both fasting and fed conditions. Taking food would slow down its rate and reduce its amount of absorption. Both formulations were generally well tolerated.
S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 through inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme-epidermal growth factor receptor axis in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Nango Hiroshi , Ohtani Masahiro
Published: April 2023

Periodontal disease is the most common dental health problem characterized by the destruction of connective tissue and the resorption of alveolar bone resulting from a chronic infection associated with pathogenic bacteria in the gingiva. Aged garlic extract has been reported to improve gingival bleeding index and probing pocket depth score in patients with mild to moderate periodontitis. Although our previous study found that aged garlic extract and its constituents suppressed the tumor necrosis factor-α-induced inflammatory responses in a human gingival epithelial cell line, the mechanism underlying the effect of aged garlic extract on the destruction of the gingiva remains unclear. The present study investigated the effect of S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine, one of the major sulfur bioactive compounds in aged garlic extract, on the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinases in human gingival fibroblasts HGF-1 cells. Matrix metalloproteinases are well known to be closely related to the destruction of the gingiva. We found that S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine suppressed the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in HGF-1 cells. In addition, S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor and expression of the active form of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme. Furthermore, the inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase and tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme, AG-1478 and TAPI-1, respectively, reduced the lipopolysaccharide-induced protein level of matrix metalloproteinase-1, as did S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine. Taken together, these results suggested that S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine suppresses the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 through the blockade of the tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme-epidermal growth factor receptor axis in gingival fibroblasts.
Mixed-ownership reform and strategic choice of Chinese state-owned enterprises
Authors: Yuan Runsen , Li Chunling , Sun Xiaoran , Khaliq Nosherwan
Published: April 2023

The strategic choice of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is crucial to the sustainable development of China’s economy. This paper explores the impact of mixed-ownership reform on the strategic choice of SOEs from the shareholder power and the board power. We find that the greater the diversity of mixed shareholders, the depth of mixed equity, the control of mixed equity, and the excess control of mixed equity, the higher the degree of mixed-ownership reform, and the more likely it is to promote SOEs to choose the prospector strategy. The mechanism test states that the impact of mixed-ownership reform on enterprise strategy is achieved through the balance effect between non-state-owned shareholders and state-owned controlling shareholders with the same power, and the synergy effect between different powers of non-state shareholders. Further research indicates that the mixed-ownership reform has a stronger driving effect on the prospector strategy in SOEs under strict external supervision, competitive industries, and local areas. This study clarifies the governance logic of non-state-owned shareholders on the strategic positioning of SOEs by dual control rights, and it provides empirical evidence for the formulation of enterprises’ market-oriented strategic objectives.
Jean Otth and video art networks: Exhibitions, festivals, open encounters – About the agency of a medium
Authors: Bovier François
Published: April 2023

In the early 1970s, Jean Otth played an active role in the constitution and development of a video art scene in French-speaking Switzerland. The art critic and museum director René Berger described these pioneers in the use of a new medium as ‘musketeers of the invisible’. Based on the notion of agency theorised by Alfred Gell, we show in this article how Otth’s work, as well as his curatorial and pedagogical activities, allowed the development of a videosphere (to take up and displace the meaning of a term proposed by Gene Youngblood in 1970). We also propose an analysis of Otth’s early videos and installations, which are traversed by a phenomenological interrogation on the mechanisms of perception and a deconstruction of representation and its conventions. Finally, we integrate Otth’s reflections on television and video from his personal archives to reveal his creative intentions.
The Moving Image as Public Art: Sidewalk Spectators and Modes of Enchantment, Annie Dell’Aria (2021)
Authors: Madsen Jane
Published: April 2023

Review of: The Moving Image as Public Art: Sidewalk Spectators and Modes of Enchantment, Annie Dell’Aria (2021)

Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 307 pp.,

ISBN 978-3-03065-906-6, h/bk, £89.99, p/bk, £59.99
Anglo Catholic’s Sin in the Light of Bergson’s Pure Memory in Family Reunion of T. S. Eliot
Authors:   The T. S. Eliot Society Of Korea, Yang Jae-yong
Published: April 2023

Eliot’s love and betrayal to Vivien and Hale caused him to feel guilty about the religious sin which was originated from Anglo Catholic’s faith and Creed. The death of his first wife and the separation of Hale made him recognize the evil and sin of his Anglo-Catholic faith and creed handed down by Catholic religious tradition. Only Agatha of Harry’s family recognized that the sin of his family(original sin) was inherited to Harry’s conscience through Bergson’s mechanical memory. Harry perceived sin of his family through the aid of Agatha. Eliot’s self-consciousness of doing evil to Vivien Haigh-Wood and Emily Hale made him choose the way of purgatory. Bergson’s pure memory enabled him to be free from the sin of the past because of being cut off from the consciousness of the past. He had to choose purgatory way purifying his sin in search of Anglo-Catholic’ faith and creed. Now to be purged of sin, Harry had to undergo the way of self-surrender of Anglo-Catholic’ faith and Creed. Harry chose a way sinners must undergo to get salvation. After Harry purged the sin of his family, he could reach a still point free from the purgatory, which was negative way of redemption in Anglo-Catholicism.
Social obligations in the logging sector in Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia and Republic of Congo
Authors: Young D. , Nkuintchua T.
Published: April 2023

This paper offers a critical review of the social obligations (revenue redistribution, direct payments, payments in kind, and access to justice or compensation) of logging concessionaires to affected communities in Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia and Republic of Congo. The research draws on
a full desk-review of relevant legal texts, and consultation with leading non-governmental organisations working in the forest sector in the four countries. It appears that the legal foundation of social obligations is mainly shaped by national context, and therefore important differences
can be observed across countries. However, they are complex, incomplete and precarious, providing opportunities for elite capture, and communities – and the State – not reaping the benefits they are owed by law. A key conclusion is that legality-licensing schemes such as under
a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union (EU) tend to downplay social obligations compared to other aspects of legal compliance.
Six years of industrial logging in Ngoyla (East-Cameroon): what have been the outcomes for local populations?
Authors: Defo L.
Published: April 2023

The industrial exploitation of Cameroon's forests was, until the late 2000s, credited with little positive impacts on the communities living near logging concessions. In order to evaluate the outcomes of logging for local populations and to inform the sustainable management of Ngoyla-Mintom
forest block, socio-economic data was collected from 2011 to 2018. Data from guided interviews, observations and questionnaires reveal that local populations have seen improvements in their living conditions, particularly in terms of formal employment, better housing and increased mobility.
The main adverse effects observed were a reduction of some forest resources, an increase in certain diseases, and increased violations of the rights of Indigenous People. Despite identified favorable factors, the positive impacts from industrial logging in Ngoyla are below expectations.
Genetic differentiation of Gracilaria changii and Gracilaria firma (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) based on chloroplast genome
Authors: Song Sze-Looi , Yong Hoi-Sen , Tan Teck-Toh , Lim Phaik-Eem , Phang Siew-Moi
Published: April 2023

The Gracilariaceae are important in the biotechnology industry and microbiology research. Some Gracilaria species are difficult to identify morphologically and molecular phylogenetic data hold a key role in species level identification. In this study, the chloroplast genomes of G. changii and G. salicornia from the Peninsular Malaysia were sequenced to compare with the published taxa in order to gain a better understanding of the phylogenetic questions regarding the red algae, particularly G. changii and G. firma. Phylogenetic analysis for 66 plastid genes showed that G. changii from Malaysia formed a sister lineage with G. firma with a genetic distance of 0.43 %. However, there was a genetic distance of p = 4.32 % between the Malaysian and Philippine samples of G. changii, indicating they are genetically distinct. Five chloroplast genes (petF, rps12, rps14, rpl18 and petB) showed higher variation of genetic distance between Malaysian G. changii and G. firma (p = 1.23–2.00 %) and the intraspecific variation in G. salicornia from Peninsular Malaysia and Hawaii varies from p = 0–0.31 %. The lack of overlap between the intraspecific genetic distance of Malaysian G. changii and interspecific genetic distance of Malaysian G. changii-G. firma indicates that G. changii and G. firma are not conspecific.
Pitfalls in the diagnosis of hematuria
Authors: Delanghe Joris , Speeckaert Marijn , Delanghe Sigurd , Oyaert Matthijs
Published: April 2023

Detection of hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cells in urine (hematuria) is characterized by a large number of pitfalls. Clinicians and laboratory specialists must be aware of these pitfalls since they often lead to medical overconsumption or incorrect diagnosis. Pre-analytical issues (use of vacuum tubes or urine tubes containing preservatives) can affect test results. In routine clinical laboratories, hematuria can be assayed using either chemical (test strips) or particle-counting techniques. In cases of doubtful results, Munchausen syndrome or adulteration of the urine specimen should be excluded. Pigmenturia (caused by the presence of dyes, urinary metabolites such as porphyrins and homogentisic acid, and certain drugs in the urine) can be easily confused with hematuria. The peroxidase activity (test strip) can be positively affected by the presence of non-Hb peroxidases (e.g. myoglobin, semen peroxidases, bacterial, and vegetable peroxidases). Urinary pH, haptoglobin concentration, and urine osmolality may affect specific peroxidase activity. The implementation of expert systems may be helpful in detecting preanalytical and analytical errors in the assessment of hematuria. Correcting for dilution using osmolality, density, or conductivity may be useful for heavily concentrated or diluted urine samples.
Potentials and pitfalls of ChatGPT and natural-language artificial intelligence models for the understanding of laboratory medicine test results. An assessment by the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Working Group on Artificial Intelligence (WG-AI)
Authors: Cadamuro Janne , Cabitza Federico , Debeljak Zeljko , De Bruyne Sander , Frans Glynis , Perez Salomon Martin , Ozdemir Habib , Tolios Alexander , Carobene Anna , Padoan Andrea
Published: April 2023

Objectives

ChatGPT, a tool based on natural language processing (NLP), is on everyone’s mind, and several potential applications in healthcare have been already proposed. However, since the ability of this tool to interpret laboratory test results has not yet been tested, the EFLM Working group on Artificial Intelligence (WG-AI) has set itself the task of closing this gap with a systematic approach.

Methods

WG-AI members generated 10 simulated laboratory reports of common parameters, which were then passed to ChatGPT for interpretation, according to reference intervals (RI) and units, using an optimized prompt. The results were subsequently evaluated independently by all WG-AI members with respect to relevance, correctness, helpfulness and safety.

Results

ChatGPT recognized all laboratory tests, it could detect if they deviated from the RI and gave a test-by-test as well as an overall interpretation. The interpretations were rather superficial, not always correct, and, only in some cases, judged coherently. The magnitude of the deviation from the RI seldom plays a role in the interpretation of laboratory tests, and artificial intelligence (AI) did not make any meaningful suggestion regarding follow-up diagnostics or further procedures in general.

Conclusions

ChatGPT in its current form, being not specifically trained on medical data or laboratory data in particular, may only be considered a tool capable of interpreting a laboratory report on a test-by-test basis at best, but not on the interpretation of an overall diagnostic picture. Future generations of similar AIs with medical ground truth training data might surely revolutionize current processes in healthcare, despite this implementation is not ready yet.
Effect of pumpkin enriched with calcium lactate on iron status in an animal model of postmenopausal osteoporosis
Authors: Wawrzyniak Natalia , Gramza-Michałowska Anna , Suliburska Joanna
Published: April 2023

The homeostasis of calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) is disturbed during menopause. The present study aimed to determine the effects of Ca-enriched pumpkin on Fe status in ovariectomized rats. A total of 48 female Wistar rats were divided into six groups. One group was fed a standard diet (C), while the other five groups were ovariectomized and fed a standard diet (OVX), a calcium lactate diet (CaL_OVX), calcium lactate-enriched pumpkin (PCaL_OVX), calcium lactate and alendronate (CaL_OVX_B), and calcium lactate-enriched pumpkin and alendronate (PCaL_OVX_B), respectively. The nutritional intervention lasted 12 weeks and rats were euthanized. Tissue samples were collected, and the iron content in the samples was assessed. A comparison of all groups showed a reduction in iron concentrations in femurs, liver, hair, spleen, and kidneys in the ovariectomized groups than in the control group. The PCaL_OVX_B group had a significantly higher blood hemoglobin concentration than the control group. Moreover, spleen and liver Fe concentrations were the highest in PCaL_OVX and PCaL_OVX_B rats among the treated groups and were comparable with the control group. These results indicate that ovariectomy decreases Fe status in rats. Calcium lactate-enriched pumpkin with and without alendronate can increase Fe concentration in liver and spleen in ovariectomized rats.
A simple pedagogical limiting reactant kitchenette experiment including a simple algorithm
Authors: Omari Khaled W. , Mandumpal Jestin B.
Published: April 2023

Limiting reactants is a crucial factor in any reaction. Students found it a tricky topic. The current study has intended to conduct a kitchenette experiment, in which a student will follow the instructional procedure to determine a limiting reactant in a self-learning process. The study has adopted an experimental approach. A program was developed in C++ as an efficient tool to determine the limiting reactant. The major outcomes drawn from the study have enlightened the significance of a balanced equation in obtaining the correct molar ratio. It has also been noted that molar ratio similarity in a particular balanced equation can wrongly lead to an erroneous assumption.
The Political Economy of Transatlantic Security – A Policy Perspective
Authors: Becker Jordan , Kuokštytė Ringailė , Kuokštis Vytautas
Published: April 2023

This article reviews the broad political economy literature on transatlantic security, while noting applications to the current challenges ranging from burden-sharing to enlargement to NATO/EU relations, all in the context of renewed state-centric threats to allies emanating from Russia in particular. Thinking about the policy practicalities of transatlantic security has interested scholars and practitioners since the early days of the post-WWII international order. The “O” in NATO emerged as an international “organization” in many ways to address the economic challenges posed by a defense investment imbalance, wherein the US assumed the largest share. This collective action problem and the concomitant burden-sharing challenges merit yet another consideration given a deteriorating security environment in Europe and globally. We discuss a variety of influences that shape the ability of the transatlantic community to invest in defense, while also highlighting the role of recent empirical developments, notably, NATO’s prospective enlargement and the EU’s policy initiatives in the defense field. The discussion lays groundwork for a broader approach to transatlantic security, that is, beyond the canonical understanding of the collective action problem, and stresses a policy perspective that encourages thinking about levers by which burden-sharing arrangements can be adjusted to deal with unfavourable dynamics of defense investment.
Mediator structure and function in transcription initiation
Authors: Rengachari Srinivasan , Schilbach Sandra , Cramer Patrick
Published: April 2023

Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy have led to multiple structures of Mediator in complex with the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription initiation machinery. As a result we now hold in hands near-complete structures of both yeast and human Mediator complexes and have a better understanding of their interactions with the Pol II pre-initiation complex (PIC). Herein, we provide a summary of recent achievements and discuss their implications for future studies of Mediator and its role in gene regulation.
Improvement of power quality by using novel controller for hybrid renewable energy sources based microgrid
Authors: Deepak Karanam , Mandal Rajib Kumar , Verma Vimlesh
Published: April 2023

Due to the intermittence of renewable sources, reliable customer service is not guaranteed unless hybrid-energy systems emerged with energy storage is employed together with an appropriate energy management system (EMS). Usually integrating different renewable energy sources can able to supply a reliable power to consumers. In this paper, an efficient EMS for a four-wire, 1000 kW Microgrid system is presented. The studied system consists of three wind farms and three solar plants with a central link to battery banks, an electrolyzer, and a fuel-cell system. A hybrid optimization algorithm is adapted to track the maximum power of PV arrays under variable weather and partial shading conditions. The tracking algorithm merges the benefits of the Whale Optimization and Perturb-and-Observe (P&O) technique. To track the maximum available power of wind plants, a P&O algorithm is established by calculating the proper duty cycle of a boost dc/dc converter that regulates the load current. A TS-Fuzzy-based controller for the inverter is applied to provide an acceptable power quality level associated with the battery bank, electrolyzer, and fuel cell. The suggested inverter controllers provide multi tasks such as reactive power compensator, voltage regulator under unbalanced loads, and active filter. The validity of the proposed system is verified via Extensive Hardware-in-Loop (HIL).
Comparing between steady-state excitonic transitions and ultrafast polaronic photoexcitations in layered perovskites: the role of electron–phonon interaction
Authors: Yan Pingyuan , Li Tao , Zhou Haoxiang , Hu Shu , Xiang Chenhong , Zhang Yang , Wang Chengqiang , Wu Zihan , Li Heng , Zhao Haibin , Sheng ChuanXiang
Published: April 2023

We have studied four 2D layered perovskites, including OA2PbI4 (RP phase), ODAPbI4 and BDAPbI4 (DJ phase), (GA)MAPbI4 (ACI phase), where OA is [(C
m
H2m+1)NH3](m = 8), ODA is [NH3(CH2)
m
NH3](m = 8), BDA is [NH3(CH2)
m
NH3](m = 4), and GA is [C(NH2)3]; RP, DJ, and ACI means Ruddlesden–Popper, Dion–Jacobson and alternating cations in the interlayer, respectively. The temperature dependence of absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra have been measured. From which the average phonon energy (electron-phonon interaction strength) is analyzed as around 34 (80), 47 (184), 50 (402), and 63 (758) with the unit of meV for OA2PbI4, ODAPbI4, BDAPbI4, and (GA)MAPbI4, respectively. Larger phonon energy indicates the involvement of more phonons in organic spacer layer, with the corresponding stronger electron-phonon interaction. Furthermore, ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy proves that, when the excitation photon energy is serval hundred meV higher than bandgap, the excitons still are the major photoexcitations in OA2PbI4, but polarons are major one in ODAPbI4, BDAPbI4, and (GA)MAPbI4 films, no matter the excitonic transitions dominate the absorption at their band edges. This work proves the organic spacers can regulate electron–phonon interaction then optoelectronic properties in 2D perovskites profoundly, which have implications toward future rational design for relevant devices.
For THEY do not know what THEY are doing
Authors: Haubner Roland
Published: April 2023

This article tries to work out how scientific data are generated and what causes lead to incorrect data. For this purpose, interactions between humans, computers and machines are analyzed. The handling of incorrect data that has already been published must also be clarified. The final, ethical question is: to what extent are people responsible for their actions if their decisions are shaped by incorrect data that are scientifically proven?
Negation and Verb-Movement in Romance: New Perspectives on Jespersen’s Cycle
Authors: Ledgeway Adam , Schifano Norma
Published: April 2023

In this article we bring to light one additional factor underlying so-called Jespersen’s Cycle (JC) in Romance which has to date gone unnoticed, namely the varying position of the finite verb within the IP. More specifically, we show that there exists an empirical correlation between the availability of clause-medial/high verb-movement and Stages II–III of JC in which a postverbal negator is licensed. Drawing on novel data, we demonstrate that this correlation holds not only across modern Romance varieties, but also across early varieties. Formally, we explain this link between negation and verb-movement from the (in)active status of the T-domain and the consequent (im)possibility of donating a [Neg] feature to the lowerv-VP domain. Although verb-movement in itself is not a sufficient condition to trigger a shift towards Stages II–III negation, we argue that it is a necessary one, a fact which explains the peculiar distribution of negation strategies across the Romània.
The aerodynamic performance degradation analysis of a small high bypass turbofan engine compression system with fan rotor blade leading edge erosion
Authors: Shi Lei , Jiang Ruilin , Huang Chenlei , Guo Shuhan , Chen Guoshun
Published: April 2023

The entire compression system of DGEN380 was selected to study the degradation of aerodynamic characteristics caused by erosion of the leading edge. Numerical simulations under different degrees of leading edge erosion were performed. It was found that the leading edge erosion causes a significant decrease in operability from 70 % of the blade height to the tip, and mainly affects the subsequent flow field in the bypass. At 90 % of blade height, the isentropic efficiency and total pressure ratio of the blade with leading edge erosion are reduced compared to the origin blade. Afterwards, the thrust equation was introduced to analyze the effect of leading edge erosion on the thrust loss under different operating conditions of the aircraft. Among the three operating conditions, the thrust loss rate of the cruise condition was the largest, which provided a reference for the subsequent evaluation of the blade repair condition.
Molecular and functional properties of human Plasmodium falciparum CSP C‐terminus antibodies
Authors: Oludada Opeyemi Ernest , Costa Giulia , Burn Aschner Clare , Obraztsova Anna S , Prieto Katherine , Canetta Caterina , Hoffman Stephen L , Kremsner Peter G , Mordmüller Benjamin , Murugan Rajagopal , Julien Jean‐Philippe , Levashina Elena A , Wardemann Hedda
Published: April 2023

Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the central repeat and junction domain of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) have been studied extensively to guide malaria vaccine design compared to antibodies against the PfCSP C terminus. Here, we describe the molecular characteristics and protective potential of 73 germline and mutated human mAbs against the highly immunogenic PfCSP C‐terminal domain. Two mAbs recognized linear epitopes in the C‐terminal linker with sequence similarity to repeat and junction motifs, whereas all others targeted conformational epitopes in the α‐thrombospondin repeat (α‐TSR) domain. Specificity for the polymorphic Th2R/Th3R but not the conserved RII+/CS.T3 region in the α‐TSR was associated with IGHV3‐21/IGVL3‐21 or IGLV3‐1 gene usage. Although the C terminus specific mAbs showed signs of more efficient affinity maturation and class‐switching compared to anti‐repeat mAbs, live sporozoite binding and inhibitory activity was limited to a single C‐linker reactive mAb with cross‐reactivity to the central repeat and junction. The data provide novel insights in the human anti‐C‐linker and anti‐α‐TSR antibody response that support exclusion of the PfCSP C terminus from malaria vaccine designs.
The evolution in pituitary tumour classification: a clinical perspective
Authors: Lenders Nele F , Earls Peter E , Inder Warrick J , McCormack Ann I
Published: April 2023

Objective

Pituitary tumours comprise a pathologically and clinically diverse group of neoplasms. Classification frameworks have changed dramatically in the past two decades, reflecting improving understanding of tumour biology. This narrative review examines the evolution of pituitary tumour classification, from a clinical perspective.

Results

In 2004, pituitary tumours were classified as ‘typical’ or ‘atypical’, based on the presence of markers of proliferation, Ki67, mitotic count and p53. In 2017, the new WHO marked a major paradigm shift, with a new focus on lineage-based classification, determined by transcription factor and hormonal immunohistochemistry. The terms ‘typical’ and ‘atypical’ were omitted, though the importance of proliferative markers Ki67 and mitotic count was acknowledged. The recent WHO 2022 classification incorporates further refinements, specifically recognising some less common types that may represent less well-differentiated tumours. Whilst ‘high risk’ tumour types have been identified, further work is still required to improve prognostication.

Conclusions

Recent WHO classifications have marked significant progress in the diagnostic evaluation of pituitary tumours, though shortcomings and challenges remain for both clinicians and pathologists in managing these tumours.