bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives of health and community stakeholders on community-delivered models of malaria elimination in Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A qualitative study
Authors: Oo May Chan , Phongluxa Khampheng , Oo Win Han , Kounnavong Sengchanh , Xayyavong Syda , Louangphaxay Chanthaly , Htike Win , Cutts Julia C. , Thu Kaung Myat , Hkawng Galau Naw , Fowkes Freya J. I.
Published: March 2022

In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), village health volunteers play an important role in providing health services including those to reduce the burden of malaria. Over the last two decades, the volunteer network has expanded to bring malaria services closer to communities and contributed to the reduction of malaria cases. However, as malaria test positivity rates decreased, many volunteers have lost motivation to continue providing routine malaria services, and other services they provide may not reflect growing healthcare demands for common diseases in the community. This study explored the perspectives, knowledge and inputs of key health stakeholders and community members in southern Lao PDR on community-delivered models in order to refine the volunteer model in the context of Lao PDR’s primary health care sector and malaria elimination goals. Semi-structured interviews with multi-level health stakeholders, participatory workshops with community leaders, and focus group discussions with community members and current village health volunteers were conducted. Deductive followed by inductive thematic analysis was used to explore and categorise stakeholders’ perspectives on community-delivered models for malaria elimination. Both stakeholders and community members agreed that village health volunteers are essential providers of malaria services in rural communities. Apart from malaria, community members identified dengue, diarrhoea, influenza, skin infections and tuberculosis as priorities (in descending order of importance) and requested community-based primary health care for these diseases. Stakeholders and community members suggested integrating prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services for the five priority diseases into the current malaria volunteer model. A divergence was identified between community members’ expectations of health services and the services currently provided by village health volunteers. Stakeholders proposed an integrated model of healthcare to meet the needs of the community and help to maintain volunteers’ motivation and the long-term sustainability of the role. An evidence-based, integrated community-delivered model of healthcare should be developed to balance the needs of both community members and stakeholders, with consideration of available resources and current health policies in Lao PDR.
Cortical and medullary oxygenation evaluation of kidneys with renal artery stenosis by BOLD-MRI
Authors: Zhao Long , Li Guoqi , Meng Fanyu , Sun Zhonghua , Liu Jiayi
Published: March 2022

Aim

Blood oxygen level–dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) can measure deoxyhemoglobin content. This study aims to evaluate the capacity of BOLD-MRI, which is possible to evaluate the oxygenation state of kidneys with renal artery stenosis (RAS).

Materials and methods

We performed BOLD-MRI for 40 patients with RAS and for 30 healthy volunteers. We then performed post-scan processing and analysis of manually drawn regions of interest to determine R2* values (relaxation rates) for the renal cortex and medulla. We compared R2* values in patients with RAS with those in the control group, and also compared these values for subgroups with varying degrees of stenosis.

Results

Medulla R2* values were higher than cortex R2* values in the control group. There was no significant difference in R2* values for different segments (upper, middle, lower) of the kidneys. Both cortex and medulla R2* values in patients with RAS were significantly higher than corresponding R2* values in the control group (P< 0.05), and BOLD-MRI was more sensitive to changes in the R2* values in the medulla than in the cortex. Among different subgroups in the RAS group, the medulla R2* values were significantly higher in kidneys with severe stenosis than in those with no obvious obstruction, mild stenosis, or moderate stenosis (P< 0.05).

Conclusion

BOLD-MRI is an effective, noninvasive method for evaluating kidney oxygenation, which is important for proper treatment in RAS. It is sufficiently sensitive for detecting medulla ischemia and anoxia of the kidneys.
Prioritized Shortest Path Computation Mechanism (PSPCM) for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Onwuegbuzie Innocent Uzougbo , Razak Shukor Abd , Isnin Ismail Fauzi , Al-dhaqm Arafat , Anuar Nor Badrul
Published: March 2022

Routing Protocol for Low-power and Lossy Networks (RPL), the de facto standard routing protocol for the Internet of Things (IoT) administers the smooth transportation of data packets across the Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). However, the mechanism fails to address the heterogeneous nature of data packets traversing the network, as these packets may carry different classes of data with different priority statuses, some real-time (time-sensitive) while others non-real-time (delay-tolerant). The standard Objective Functions (OFs), used by RPL to create routing paths, treat all classes of data as the same, this practice is not only inefficient but results in poor network performance. In this article, the Prioritized Shortest Path Computation Mechanism (PSPCM) is proposed to resolve the data prioritization of heterogeneous data and inefficient power management issues. The mechanism prioritizes heterogeneous data streaming through the network into various priority classes, based on the priority conveyed by the data. The PSPCM mechanism routes the data through the shortest and power-efficient path from the source to the destination node. PSPCM generates routing paths that exactly meet the need of the prioritized data. It outperformed related mechanisms with an average of 91.49% PDR, and average power consumption of 1.37mW which translates to better battery saving and prolonged operational lifetime while accommodating data with varying priorities.
Using hyperspectral leaf reflectance to estimate photosynthetic capacity and nitrogen content across eastern cottonwood and hybrid poplar taxa
Authors: Kyaw Thu Ya , Siegert Courtney M. , Dash Padmanava , Poudel Krishna P. , Pitts Justin J. , Renninger Heidi J.
Published: March 2022

Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoidesW. Bartram ex Marshall) and hybrid poplars are well-known bioenergy crops. With advances in tree breeding, it is increasingly necessary to find economical ways to identify high-performingPopulusgenotypes that can be planted under different environmental conditions. Photosynthesis and leaf nitrogen content are critical parameters for plant growth, however, measuring them is an expensive and time-consuming process. Instead, these parameters can be quickly estimated from hyperspectral leaf reflectance if robust statistical models can be developed. To this end, we measured photosynthetic capacity parameters (Rubisco-limited carboxylation rate (Vcmax), electron transport-limited carboxylation rate (Jmax), and triose phosphate utilization-limited carboxylation rate (TPU)), nitrogen per unit leaf area (Narea), and leaf reflectance of seven taxa and 62 genotypes ofPopulusfrom two study plantations in Mississippi. For statistical modeling, we used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and principal component analysis (PCA). Our results showed that the predictive ability of LASSO and PCA models was comparable, except forNareain which LASSO was superior. In terms of model interpretability, LASSO outperformed PCA because the LASSO models needed 2 to 4 spectral reflectance wavelengths to estimate parameters. The LASSO models used reflectance values at 758 and 935 nm for estimatingVcmax(R2= 0.51 and RMSPE = 31%) andJmax(R2= 0.54 and RMSPE = 32%); 687, 746, and 757 nm for estimating TPU (R2= 0.56 and RMSPE = 31%); and 304, 712, 921, and 1021 nm for estimatingNarea(R2= 0.29 and RMSPE = 21%). The PCA model also identified 935 nm as a significant wavelength for estimatingVcmaxandJmax. Therefore, our results suggest that hyperspectral leaf reflectance modeling can be used as a cost-effective means for field phenotyping and rapid screening ofPopulusgenotypes because of its capacity to estimate these physicochemical parameters.
Quality of life and cognitive assessment in healthy older Asian people with early and moderate chronic kidney disease: The NAHSIT 2013–2016 and validation study
Authors: Lin Sheng-Feng , Fan Yen-Chun , Kuo Tzu-Tung , Pan Wen-Harn , Bai Chyi-Huey
Published: March 2022

Background

Taiwan has the highest prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Impaired cognition and quality of life are significant phenomena in the late stages of CKD. We sought to obtain an overview and the attributable effect of impaired glomerular filtration on multiple domains in cognition and dimensions of quality of life for community-based healthy older adults in Taiwan.

Methods

The study was derived from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 2013–2016, a nationwide cross-sectional study conducted to sample healthy, community-based older adults aged ≥65 years in Taiwan. Participants were categorized into four CKD groups: CKD stage 1, stage 2, stages 3a and 3b, and stages 4–5. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the QoL questionnaire derived from the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were measured. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and principal component regressions were employed for the analysis and validation, respectively.

Results

Participants with moderate CKD (stages 3a and 3b) showed deficits in global MMSE, domain orientation to time, calculation, complex commands, and role-physical and vitality in QoL questionnaires. In GLMMs, impaired eGFR per 30 mL/min/1.73 m² was associated with lower global MMSE scores (β = -0.807, standard error [SE] = 0.235, P = 0.0007), domain orientation to time (β = -0.155, SE = 0.047, P = 0.0011), calculation (β = -0.338, SE = 0.109, P = 0.0020), complex commands (β = -0.156, SE = 0.079, P = 0.0494), and role-physical (β = -2.219, SE = 0.779, P = 0.0046) dimensions of QoL.

Conclusions

Elderly Han Chinese adults with moderately impaired renal filtration could manifest cognitive deficits in orientation to time, calculation, and impaired quality of life in physical role functioning.
Development of a predictive model for vitamin D deficiency based on the vitamin D status in young Japanese women: A study protocol
Authors: Kuwabara Akiko , Nakatani Eiji , Tsugawa Naoko , Nakajima Hideaki , Sasaki Satoshi , Kohno Kenichi , Uenishi Kazuhiro , Takenaka Masaru , Takahashi Kyoko , Maeta Akihiro , Sera Nobuko , Kaimoto Kaori , Iwamoto Masako , Kawate Hisaya , Yoshida Mayumi , Tanaka Kiyoshi
Published: March 2022

Background

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with an increased risk for lifestyle-related diseases. In Japan, VDD is quite prevalent in all age groups, with its high risk in young women. Furthermore, its association during pregnancy with gestational hypertension and low birth weight has also been reported. VDD can be diagnosed by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, which, however, is not suited for screening. Therefore, we will create a predictive model for serum 25(OH)D concentration and prevalence of VDD based on such data as region, sun exposure habit, and vitamin D intake in young women.

Methods

From 2020 to 2022, we conduct a cross-sectional study of 600 young women in four regions of Japan, identify the indices associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations such as sun exposure habits, habitual vitamin D intake, ultraviolet-B irradiation, seasons (summer and winter) and latitude, and construct prediction models for serum 25(OH)D concentrations and VDD risk. This study has been registered with UMIN-CTR (ID: UMIN000041527).

Results

One hundred and fifteen subjects have been collected from 6 institutions in winter as of May 2021. When data from more than 200 subjects have become available, we will conduct the interim analysis, summarize the data by region and facility, review the inclusion criteria for analysis, and check for missing values and outliers. Prediction models for serum 25(OH)D concentration and VDD will be determined in the final analysis when all cases have been collected.

Conclusions

A screening tool for VDD risk to be developed in our study based on the predictive model would help the public and medical professionals prevent lifestyle-related diseases through improving VDD. Additionally, the results may serve as the scientific basis for determining the appropriate vitamin D intake and sun exposure standards.
The impact of COVID-19 induced emergency remote instruction on students’ academic performance at an HBCU
Authors: Mostafa Sayed , Cousins-Cooper Kathy , Tankersley Barbara , Burns Shea , Tang Guoqing
Published: March 2022

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic early in 2020 forced universities to shut down their campuses and transition to emergency remote instruction (ERI). Students had to quickly adapt to this new mode of instruction while dealing with all other distractions caused by the pandemic. This study integrates extensive data from students’ institutional records at a large Historically Black College and University (HBCU) institution with data from a students’ survey about the impact of COVID-19 on learning during the Spring 2020 semester to examine the impact of the transition to ERI on students’ performance and identify the main factors explaining variations in students’ performance. The main findings of our analysis are: (a) students’ university experience was positively correlated with performance (continuing students who spent at least one academic year at the university prior to the outbreak had better performance than freshman and new transfer students), (b) students’ perceived change in performance after the transition was positively associated with actual performance (students who perceived a decline in their performance after transition to ERI had significantly worse performance than other students), and (c) students’ prior online learning experiences and students’ emotional experiences with the COVID-19 disease were not significantly associated with performance. These results suggest that the approaches adopted by higher education institutions to support students during times of crisis should pay special attention to certain groups of students.
Automated fitting of transition state force fields for biomolecular simulations
Authors: Quinn Taylor R. , Patel Himani N. , Koh Kevin H. , Haines Brandon E. , Norrby Per-Ola , Helquist Paul , Wiest Olaf
Published: March 2022

The generation of surrogate potential energy functions (PEF) that are orders of magnitude faster to compute but as accurate as the underlying training data from high-level electronic structure methods is one of the most promising applications of fitting procedures in chemistry. In previous work, we have shown that transition state force fields (TSFFs), fitted to the functional form of MM3* force fields using the quantum guided molecular mechanics (Q2MM) method, provide an accurate description of transition states that can be used for stereoselectivity predictions of small molecule reactions. Here, we demonstrate the applicability of the method for fit TSFFs to the well-established Amber force field, which could be used for molecular dynamics studies of enzyme reaction. As a case study, the fitting of a TSFF to the second hydride transfer in Pseudomonas mevalonii 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (PmHMGR) is used. The differences and similarities to fitting of small molecule TSFFs are discussed.
iPSC reprogramming-mediated aneuploidy correction in autosomal trisomy syndromes
Authors: Akutsu Silvia Natsuko , Miyamoto Tatsuo , Oba Daiju , Tomioka Keita , Ochiai Hiroshi , Ohashi Hirofumi , Matsuura Shinya
Published: March 2022

Trisomy 21, 18, and 13 are the major autosomal aneuploidy disorders in humans. They are mostly derived from chromosome non-disjunction in maternal meiosis, and the extra trisomic chromosome can cause several congenital malformations. Various genes on the trisomic chromosomes are intricately involved in the development of disease, and fundamental treatments have not yet been established. However, chromosome therapy has been developed to correct the extra chromosome in cultured patient cells, and it was recently reported that during reprogramming into iPSCs, fibroblasts from a Down syndrome patient lost the extra chromosome 21 due to a phenomenon called trisomy-biased chromosome loss. To gain preliminary insights into the underlying mechanism of trisomy rescue during the early stages of reprogramming, we reprogrammed skin fibroblasts from patients with trisomy syndromes 21, 18, 13, and 9 to iPSC, and evaluated the genomes of the individual iPSC colonies by molecular cytogenetic techniques. We report the spontaneous correction from trisomy to disomy upon cell reprogramming in at least one cell line examined from each of the trisomy syndromes, and three possible combinations of chromosomes were selected in the isogenic trisomy-rescued iPSC clones. Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis showed that the trisomy-rescued clones exhibited either heterodisomy or segmental uniparental isodisomy, ruling out the possibility that two trisomic chromosomes were lost simultaneously and the remaining one was duplicated, suggesting instead that one trisomic chromosome was lost to generate disomic cells. These results demonstrated that trisomy rescue may be a phenomenon with random loss of the extra chromosome and subsequent selection for disomic iPSCs, which is analogous to the karyotype correction in early preimplantation embryos. Our finding is relevant for elucidating the mechanisms of autonomous karyotype correction and future application in basic and clinical research on aneuploidy disorders.
Morphological, agronomical, physiological and molecular characterization of a high sugar mutant of sugarcane in comparison to mother variety
Authors: Khan Qaisar , Qin Ying , Guo Dao-Jun , Zeng Xiu-Peng , Chen Jiao-Yun , Huang Yu-Yan , Ta Quang-Kiet , Yang Li-Tao , Liang Qiang , Song Xiu-Peng , Xing Yong-Xiu , Li Yang-Rui
Published: March 2022

Sugarcane is a significant crop plant with the capability of accumulating higher amount of sucrose. In the present study, a high sucrose content sugarcane mutant clone, GXB9, has been studied in comparison to the low sucrose mother clone B9 on morphological, agronomical and physiological level in order to scrutinize the variation because of mutation in GXB9 in field under normal environmental condition. The results showed that GXB9 has less germination, tillering rate, stalk height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, number of internodes, internode length and internode diameter than B9. Qualitative traits of leaf and stalk displayed significant variation between GXB9 and B9. Endogenous hormones quantity was also showed variation between the two clones. The relative SPAD reading and chlorophyll a, b concentrations also showed variation between GXB9 and B9. The photosynthetic parameter analysis indicated that the GXB9 has significantly higher net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) than B9. The qRT-PCR analysis of genes encoding enzymes like SPS, SuSy, CWIN, and CeS showed upregulation in GXB9 and downregulation in B9. However, these genes were significantly differentially expressed between the immature and maturing internodes of GXB9. The cane quality trait analysis showed that GXB9 had higher juice rate, juice gravity purity, brix, juice sucrose content and cane sucrose content than B9. The yield and component investigation results indicated that GXB9 had lower single stalk weight, however higher number of millable stalks per hectare than B9, and GXB9 had lower theoretical cane yield than B9. SSR marker analysis showed genetic variation between GXB9 and B9. This study has shown significant variation in the traits of GXB9 in comparison to B9 which advocates that GXB9 is a high sugar mutant clone of B9 and an elite source for future breeding.
Positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines: A cross-country analysis
Authors: Greyling Talita , Rossouw Stephanié
Published: March 2022

COVID-19 severely impacted world health and, as a consequence of the measures implemented to stop the spread of the virus, also irreversibly damaged the world economy. Research shows that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is the most successful measure to combat the virus and could also address its indirect consequences. However, vaccine hesitancy is growing worldwide and the WHO names this hesitancy as one of the top ten threats to global health. This study investigates the trend in positive attitudes towards vaccines across ten countries since a positive attitude is important. Furthermore, we investigate those variables related to having a positive attitude, as these factors could potentially increase the uptake of vaccines. We derive our text corpus from vaccine-related tweets, harvested in real-time from Twitter. Using Natural Language Processing (NLP), we derive the sentiment and emotions contained in the tweets to construct daily time-series data. We analyse a panel dataset spanning both the Northern and Southern hemispheres from 1 February 2021 to 31 July 2021. To determine the relationship between several variables and the positive sentiment (attitude) towards vaccines, we run various models, including POLS, Panel Fixed Effects and Instrumental Variables estimations. Our results show that more information about vaccines’ safety and the expected side effects are needed to increase positive attitudes towards vaccines. Additionally, government procurement and the vaccine rollout should improve. Accessibility to the vaccine should be a priority, and a collective effort should be made to increase positive messaging about the vaccine, especially on social media. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the emotional challenges associated with vaccine uptake and inform policymakers, health workers, and stakeholders who communicate to the public during infectious disease outbreaks. Additionally, the global fight against COVID-19 might be lost if the attitude towards vaccines is not improved.
Identification and profiling of Trichinella spiralis circulating antigens and proteins in sera of mice with trichinellosis
Authors: Thawornkuno Charin , Nogrado Kathyleen , Adisakwattana Poom , Thiangtrongjit Tipparat , Reamtong Onrapak
Published: March 2022

Trichinellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the ingestion of the Trichinella nematode. With a worldwide incidence of approximately 10,000 cases per year, Trichinella spiralis is responsible for most human infections. There are no specific signs or symptoms of this parasitic infection. Muscle biopsy is the gold diagnostic standard for trichinellosis, but the technique is invasive and unable to detect the early stage of infection. Although immunodiagnostics are also available, antibody detection usually occurs after 3 weeks and prolonged up to 19 years after the acute phase. Therefore, additional diagnostic biomarkers must be identified to improve trichinellosis diagnosis. This study aimed to measure concentration changes in mouse serum proteins prior to T. spiralis infection and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after infection, and to identify T. spiralis circulating proteins and antigens using mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Mouse muscle-related proteins including inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H2, a protein involved in the response to muscle tissue damage, were up-regulated in mouse sera during the T. spiralis larvae invasion. Additionally, 33 circulatory parasite proteins were identified in infected mouse sera. Notably, T. spiralis long-chain fatty acid transport protein 1 could be detected in the early stage of infection and peroxidasin-like protein was identified 2, 4 and 8 weeks after infection. Seventeen T. spiralis circulating antigens were detected in mouse immune complexes, with PX domain protein being found 2, 4 and 8 weeks after infection. Because peroxidasin-like protein and PX domain protein were detected at all post-infection time points, sequence alignments of these proteins were performed, which showed they are conserved among Trichinella spp. and have less similarity to the human and murine sequences. Integrative analysis of T. spiralis biomarkers throughout the course of infection may reveal additional diagnostic targets to improve early diagnosis of trichinellosis.
A clinical observational analysis of aerosol emissions from dental procedures
Authors: Dudding Tom , Sheikh Sadiyah , Gregson Florence , Haworth Jennifer , Haworth Simon , Main Barry G. , Shrimpton Andrew J. , Hamilton Fergus W. ,   AERATOR group, Ireland Anthony J. , Maskell Nick A. , Reid Jonathan P. , Bzdek Bryan R. , Gormley Mark
Published: March 2022

Aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) are defined as any procedure releasing airborne particles <5 μm in size from the respiratory tract. There remains uncertainty about which dental procedures constitute AGPs. We quantified the aerosol number concentration generated during a range of periodontal, oral surgery and orthodontic procedures using an aerodynamic particle sizer, which measures aerosol number concentrations and size distribution across the 0.5–20 μm diameter size range. Measurements were conducted in an environment with a sufficiently low background to detect a patient’s cough, enabling confident identification of aerosol. Phantom head control experiments for each procedure were performed under the same conditions as a comparison. Where aerosol was detected during a patient procedure, we assessed whether the size distribution could be explained by the non-salivary contaminated instrument source in the respective phantom head control procedure using a two-sided unpaired t-test (comparing the mode widths (log(σ)) and peak positions (DP,C)). The aerosol size distribution provided a robust fingerprint of aerosol emission from a source. 41 patients underwent fifteen different dental procedures. For nine procedures, no aerosol was detected above background. Where aerosol was detected, the percentage of procedure time that aerosol was observed above background ranged from 12.7% for ultrasonic scaling, to 42.9% for 3-in-1 air + water syringe. For ultrasonic scaling, 3-in-1 syringe use and surgical drilling, the aerosol size distribution matched the non-salivary contaminated instrument source, with no unexplained aerosol. High and slow speed drilling produced aerosol from patient procedures with different size distributions to those measured from the phantom head controls (mode widths log(σ)) and peaks (DP,C, p< 0.002) and, therefore, may pose a greater risk of salivary contamination. This study provides evidence for sources of aerosol generation during common dental procedures, enabling more informed evaluation of risk and appropriate mitigation strategies.
Research on the factors of extremely short construction period under the sufficient resources based on Grey-DEMATEL-ISM
Authors: Peng Junlong , Peng Chao , Wang Mengyao , Hu Ke , Wu Dubin
Published: March 2022

Under the condition of sufficient resources, there are many factors affecting the realization of extremely short construction period of engineering construction projects. Based on literature review and questionnaire survey, this paper firstly selected 17 influencing factors from the five dimensions of design, management, technology, policy and environment. And the factor analytic hierarchy process model was established based on Grey-DEMATEL-ISM. The model introduced the improved grey system theory and combined decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) with interpretative structural modeling method (ISM). In addition, the model can not only identify the critical factors in the system, but also present the internal logical relationship between the influencing factors through the multi-level hierarchical structure diagram. Finally, through the analysis of the influencing factors of extremely short construction period under the sufficient resources, it defined that the key factor is the natural environment and second is the structure type. The methodology implemented in this paper helps decision makers and managers of construction projects to understand the interrelationship and degree of influence among factors affecting the duration under the condition of sufficient resources, to effectively grasp key factors, and to effectively achieve project success.
The mitochondrial proteomic changes of rat hippocampus induced by 28-day simulated microgravity
Authors: Ji Guohua , Chang Hui , Yang Mingsi , Chen Hailong , Wang Tingmei , Liu Xu , Lv Ke , Li Yinghui , Song Bo , Qu Lina
Published: March 2022

A large number of aerospace practices have confirmed that the aerospace microgravity environment can lead to cognitive function decline. Mitochondria are the most important energy metabolism organelles, and some studies demonstrate that the areospace microgravity environment can cause mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the relationships between cognitive function decline and mitochondrial dysfunction in the microgravity environment have not been elucidated. In this study, we simulated the microgravity environment in the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by -30° tail suspension for 28 days. We then investigated the changes of mitochondrial morphology and proteomics in the hippocampus. The electron microscopy results showed that the 28-day tail suspension increased the mitochondria number and size of rat hippocampal neuronal soma. Using TMT-based proteomics analysis, we identified 163 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between tail suspension and control samples, and among them, 128 proteins were upregulated and 35 proteins were downregulated. Functional and network analyses of the DEPs indicated that several of mitochondrial metabolic processes including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were altered by simulating microgravity (SM). We verified 3 upregulated proteins, aconitate hydratase (ACO2), dihydrolipoamide S-succinyltransferase (DLST), and citrate synthase (CS), in the TCA cycle process by western blotting and confirmed their differential expressions between tail suspension and control samples. Taken together, our results demonstrate that 28-day tail suspension can cause changes in the morphology and metabolic function of hippocampus mitochondria, which might represent a mechanism of cognitive disorder caused by aerospace microgravity.
Impact of military training stress on hormone response and recovery
Authors: Tait Jamie L. , Drain Jace R. , Corrigan Sean L. , Drake Jeremy M. , Main Luana C.
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Military personnel are required to train and operate in challenging multi-stressor environments, which can affect hormonal levels, and subsequently compromise performance and recovery. The aims of this project were to 1) assess the impact of an eight-day military training exercise on salivary cortisol and testosterone, 2) track the recovery of these hormones during a period of reduced training.

Methods

This was a prospective study whereby 30 soldiers (n = 27 men, n = 3 women) undergoing the Australian Army combat engineer ‘Initial Employment Training’ course were recruited and tracked over a 16-day study period which included an eight-day military training exercise. Non-stimulated saliva samples were collected at waking, 30 min post waking, and bedtime on days 1, 5, 9, 13, 15; measures of subjective load were collected on the same days. Sleep was measured continuously via actigraphy, across four sequential study periods; 1) baseline (PRE: days 1–4), 2) field training with total sleep deprivation (EX-FIELD: days 5–8), 3) training at simulated base camp with sleep restriction (EX-BASE: days 9–12), and 4) a three-day recovery period (REC: days 13–15).

Results

Morning cortisol concentrations were lower following EX-FIELD (p<0.05) compared to the end of REC. Training in the field diminished testosterone concentrations (p<0.05), but levels recovered within four days. Bedtime testosterone/cortisol ratios decreased following EX-FIELD and did not return to pre-training levels.

Conclusions

The sensitivity of testosterone levels and the testosterone/cortisol ratio to the period of field training suggests they may be useful indicators of a soldier’s state of physiological strain, or capacity, however inter-individual differences in response to a multi-stressor environment need to be considered.
Associations between socio-spatially different urban areas and knowledge, attitudes, practices and antibiotic use: A cross-sectional study in the Ruhr Metropolis, Germany
Authors: Schmiege Dennis , Falkenberg Timo , Moebus Susanne , Kistemann Thomas , Evers Mariele
Published: March 2022

Inappropriate and excessive antibiotic use fuels the development of antibiotic resistance. Determinants of antibiotic use, including knowledge and attitudes, are manifold and vary on different spatial scales. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between socio-spatially diverse urban areas and knowledge, attitudes, practices and antibiotic use within a metropolitan city. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the general population in socio-spatially different areas in Dortmund, Germany, in February and March 2020. Three urban areas were chosen to represent diverse socio-spatial contexts (socio-spatially disadvantaged: A, intermediate: B, socio-spatially disadvantaged: C). Participants were selected via simple random sampling. The questionnaire comprised knowledge and attitude statements and questions around antibiotic use and handling practices. Differences between the areas were examined by estimating odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals by multiple logistic regression. Overall, 158 participants were included. Participants of Area C showed the lowest proportions of correct knowledge statements, indicated more often attitudes contrary to common recommendations, lower risk awareness and reported more often antibiotic use (C: 40.8%; A: 32.7%; B: 26.5%) and potential mishandling practices (C: 30.4%; A: 9.6%; B: 17.3%). The multiple logistic regression confirmed these differences. Around 42.3% (C), 33.3% (A) and 20.0% (B) of the diseases mentioned for which an antibiotic was used are mainly caused by viral pathogens. A common misconception across all areas was the perception of antibiotic resistance as an individual rather than a universal issue. This study reveals distinct differences between socio-spatially diverse urban areas within a metropolitan city, regarding knowledge, attitudes and practices around antibiotics and ABR. Our findings confirm that enhanced efforts are required to better inform the population about the adequate use and handling of antibiotics. This study emphasizes the need for future interventions to be tailored to the specific local socio-economic context.
Impact of history of mental disorders on short-term mortality among hospitalized patients with sepsis: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Oud Lavi , Garza John
Published: March 2022

Background

Mental disorders are associated with markedly reduced life expectancy, in part due to an increased risk of death due to infection, likely reflecting sepsis-associated mortality. Patients with mental disorders are at an increased risk of sepsis, but data on the prognostic impact of mental disorders in sepsis are sparse, showing conflicting findings.

Methods

We used statewide data to identify hospitalizations aged ≥18 years with sepsis in Texas during 2014–2017. Mental disorders, including mood, anxiety, psychosis, and personality disorders were identified using Clinical Classification Software codes. Multilevel, multivariable logistic regression with propensity adjustment (primary model), with propensity score matching, and multivariable logistic regression as alternative models, were used to estimate the association between mental disorders and short-term mortality (defined as in-hospital mortality or discharge to hospice). Additional models were fitted for sensitivity analyses and to estimate the prognostic associations of individual categories of mental disorders.

Results

Among 283,025 hospitalizations with sepsis, 56,904 (20.1%) had mental disorders. Hospitalizations with vs without mental disorders were younger (age 18–44 years 12.2% vs 10.6%), more commonly white (61.0% vs 49.8%), with lower burden of comorbidities (mean [SD] Deyo comorbidity index 2.53 [2.27] vs 2.73 [2.47]), and with lower need for organ support (mechanical ventilation 32.8% vs 36.0%); p<0.0001 for all comparisons. Crude short-term mortality among sepsis hospitalizations with and without mental disorders was 25.0% vs 32.8%, respectively. On adjusted analyses, mental disorders remained associated with lower odds of short-term mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.792 [95% CI 0.772–0.812]). This finding was consistent on the alternative modeling approaches, sensitivity analyses, and examination of individual categories of mental disorders.

Conclusions

Mental disorders were associated, unexpectedly, with markedly lower risk of short-term mortality in sepsis. Further studies to examine the mechanisms underlying these findings may inform future efforts to improve sepsis outcomes.
Psychosomatic syndromes are associated with IL-6 pro-inflammatory cytokine in heart failure patients
Authors: Altamura Mario , D’Andrea Giovanna , Angelini Eleonora , Tortorelli Fabio M. P. , Balzotti Angela , Porcelli Piero , Margaglione Maurizio , Brunetti Natale D. , Cassano Tommaso , Bellomo Antonello
Published: March 2022

Psychosomatic syndromes have emerged as an important source of comorbidity in cardiac patients and have been associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Understanding of the mechanisms underlying this connection is limited, however immune activity represents a possible pathway. While there have been numerous studies connecting immune activity to psychosomatic psychopathology, there is a lack of research on patients with HF. We examined forty-one consecutive outpatients affected by HF. We assessed psychosomatic psychopathology using the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15). The Psychosocial Index (PSI) was used for assessing stress and psychosocial dimensions. Depression was evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha were ascertained. Univariate and multivariable regression models were used to test for associations between inflammatory cytokines and psychosomatic psychopathology (i.e., DCPR syndromes, PHQ-15) and psychological dimensions (i.e., BDI-II, PSI). A significant positive correlation was found between IL-6 levels and psychosomatic psychopathology even when controlling for any confounding variables (i.e., Body-mass index (BMI), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, statin use, aspirin use, beta blockers use, age, and gender). In contrast, the associations between TNF-alpha levels were non-significant. These findings can contribute to research in support of a psychoneuroimmune connection between psychosomatic psychopathology and HF. Findings also suggest the possibility that elevated IL-6 levels are more relevant for the pathogenesis of psychosomatic syndromes than for depression in patients with HF.
Experimental and natural infections of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 in pets and wild and farm animals
Authors: Mastutik Gondo , Rohman Ali , I'tishom Reny , Ruiz-Arrondo Ignacio , de Blas Ignacio
Published: March 2022

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally and has led to extremely high mortality rates. In addition to infecting humans, this virus also has infected animals. Experimental studies and natural infections showed that dogs have a low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas domesticated cats and other animals in the family Felidae, such as lions, tigers, snow leopards, and cougars, have a high susceptibility to viral infections. In addition, wild white-tailed deer, gorillas, and otters have been found to be infected by SARS-CoV-2. Furry farm animals, such as minks, have a high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus appears to spread among minks and generate several new mutations, resulting in increased viral virulence. Furthermore, livestock animals, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, were found to have low susceptibility to the virus, whereas chicken, ducks, turkeys, quail, and geese did not show susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This knowledge can provide insights for the development of SARS-CoV-2 mitigation strategies in animals and humans. Therefore, this review focuses on experimental (both replication and transmission) in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies of SARS-CoV-2 infections in pets and in wild and farm animals, and to provide details on the mechanism associated with natural infection.
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and their Antimicrobial
Properties: A Review on Recent Advances
Authors: Mitra K.
Published: March 2022

Today, the world is witnessing the rapid advancement of nanotechnology in our everyday life, with
numerous applications in energy, medicine, food, water, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Synthesis of
silver nanoparticle is critical since their use is highly dependent on their form, size, and dispersion.
The search for synthetic technologies which are safe for humans and the environment prompted
researchers to employ locally accessible biogenic ingredients for silver nanoparticles. silver
nanoparticles (AgNPs) are now employed as antimicrobial agents and produced using diverse
procedures. This review article reports the green techniques for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles,
which are eco-friendly, sustainable and energy-efficient that cause little pollution and pose no health
risks. The goal of this article is to highlight and review the application of green synthesis methods that
employ biological entities, specifically plants and microorganisms (bacteria, fungus and algae), for
the formation of silver nanoparticles and their antimicrobial effect with an emphasis on research done
in the previous five years.
A Short Review on Recent Applications of Chitosan Biopolymer in Gene and Drug Delivery
Authors: Suresh Sreehari , Umesh Mridul , Sarojini Suma
Published: March 2022

The battle of the human race with genetic disorders was prevailing from the time immemorial.
Revolutions and modernizations in science and technology have clearly improved our understanding
regarding the molecular basis of genetic disorders thereby aiding in designing new therapeutic
interventions in their treatment and prevention. With the advent and development of gene therapy in
the last few decades, promising windows were opened for treatment and prevention of genetic disorders
and cancer. Despite of its remarkable significance in medicine, the common practice of using viral
vectors as gene delivery agents has created controversies and concerns among the scientific community.
This made the research focus on biobased polymers as alternative non-viral vector systems for gene
and drug delivery for treating genetic disorders and cancer. Chitosan is a cationic polymer that can be
easily tailored to serve as gene and drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.
Their structural integrity and stability have made them widely used for various applications in the
biomedical field. Chitosan and its derivatives have gained more attention as vectors for gene delivery
and cancer therapy in the past decade. The amenability of structural modification, non-toxicity and
high biodegradability of chitosan derivatives can make them prospective carriers for controlled drug
delivery in future.
Spectroscopic Identification, Structural Features and Molecular Docking Studies on
5-(4-Propoxybenzylidene)-2-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[4(propan-2-yl) phenyl-4,5-dihydro-
1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-one using Pim-1 Kinase Cancer Protein
Authors: Shanmugapriya N. , Vanasundari K. , Balachandran V. , Revathi B. , Sivakumar C. , Viji A.
Published: March 2022

A comprehensive investigation of the molecular structure, electronic properties and vibrational spectra
of 5-(4-propoxybenzylidene)-2-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[4-(propan-2-yl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-1Hpyrazol-
1-yl]-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-one have been studied. Many natural and/or synthetic compounds
contain, thiazole which are attractive compounds found in the building of numerous natural products
and certain pharmaceutical agents. To understand the molecular-orbital interaction and structural
investigation of the title compound, the density functional theory (DFT) calculation has been carried
out using B3LYP/6-31G and 6-311G basis sets combination. The experimental FT-IR, FT-Raman spectral
data along with theoretical quantum chemical calculation were investigated. For potential energy
distributions (PED) analysis, the VEDA 4 program is utilized to do comparative frequency assignments.
With the optimized structures, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), the lowest unoccupied
molecular orbital (LUMO) energies, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and natural bond orbital
(NBO) were applied to describe the chemical reactivity.The electron density interactions distributed
in space, which exist within these compounds are analyzed by different topological methods namely,
atom in molecule (AIM), localized orbital locator (LOL), electron localization function (ELF) and the
reduced density gradient (RDG). Finally, the molecular docking studies of the title compound for
potent Pim-1 kinase cancer PDB ID: 3A99, 1GJ8, 1XQZ was investigated using theAuto Dock program
Theoretical Insights into the Intermolecular Hydrogen Bond Effect on
ESIHT Process in 2′-Hydroxychalcone: A Combined DFT/TDDFT Study
Authors: Ramu Y.L. , Jagadeesha K. , Ramegowda M.
Published: March 2022

Present computational study lighting up the ground and excited states properties of 2′-hydroxychalcone
(2′-HC) and 2′-HC + (H2O)2-[2′-HCH] molecules by employing density functional theory (DFT) and
time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). Furthermore, micro-solvation, hydrogen bond
dynamics and natural charge analysis studies have been done for both molecules at ground/excited states
by using effective fragment potential (EFP1)/natural bond orbital (NBO) methods at 6-31G(d,p)/B3LYP
level. The excited state intra-molecular hydrogen atom transfer (ESIHT) mechanism of 2′-HC was
investigated via potential energy scans (PES). No hydrogen atom transfer is observed in the S3 state of
2′-HC and S1/S3 states of 2′-HCH. The optimized molecular structures, molecular orbital’s and
electrostatic potential maps were depicted along with UV-Vis absorption spectra. Good consistency
between experimental and computational absorption wavelength for a 2′-HC molecule with methanol
as solvent.
Copolymers of Poly(butyl acrylate): Synthesis, Characterization and Compositional Analysis
Authors: Medhi Achinta , Dhar Anjana , Sarmah Karabi , Dutta Paramita , Haloi Dhruba J.
Published: March 2022

This investigation reports the synthesis and characterization of colloidal latices of butyl acrylate (BA)
and its copolymers with styrene (Sty) and acrylonitrile (ACN). The copolymers of BA with Sty,
P(BA-co-Sty) and with ACN, P(BA-co-ACN) were synthesized via emulsion polymerization using
two different thermal initiators, ammonium persulfate (APS) and potassium persulfate (KPS). Sodium
dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as surfactant in both the cases. The polymerizations were carried out
at 70 ºC for 0.5 h. Attempts had also been made to prepare copolymers with different monomer
composition. The progress of the polymerizations with time was monitored by measuring the conversion
of monomers gravimetrically. The prepared lattices were characterized by GPC, UV-Vis, FT-IR and
1H NMR analyses. All the prepared lattices were transparent as evident by the UV-visible analysis.
The FT-IR and 1H NMR analysis of the purified copolymers confirmed the successful preparation of
the copolymers. The molar composition of the co-monomers in the copolymer was calculated by 1H
NMR analysis.