bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Intermediate Respiratory Care Units as An Alternative to Intensive Care Units During The Covid-19 Pandemic in Catalonia
Authors: Galdeano Lozano Marina , Alfaro Alvarez Julio Cesar , Parra Macías Nuria , Salas Campos Rosario , Heili Frades Sarah , Montserrat Josep M. , Rosell Gratacós Antoni , Abad Capta Jorge , Parra Ordaz Olga , Lopez Seguí Francesc
Published: April 2022

OBJETIVES: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of collapse of the health system created great difficulties. We will demonstrate that Intermediate Respiratory Care Units (IRCU) provide adequate management of patients with non-invasive respiratory support, which is particularly important in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. METHODS: A prospective observational study of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU of a tertiary hospital. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, pharmacological, respiratory support, laboratory and blood gas variables were collected. The overall cost of the unit was subsequently analyzed. RESULTS: 991 patients were admitted, 56 to the IRCU (of the 81 a critical care unit). Mean age was 65 years (SD 12.8), Barthel Index 75 (SD 8.3), Charlson 3.1 (SD 2.2), HTN 27%, COPD 89% and obesity 24%. Significant relationship (p <0.05) with higher mortality of the following: fever greater than or equal to 39oC [OR 5.6; 95% CI (1.2-2.7); p = 0.020], protocolized pharmacological treatment [OR 0.3; 95% CI (0.1-0.9); p = 0.023] and IOI [OR 3.7; 95% CI (1.1-12.3); p = 0.025]. NIMV showed less of a negative impact [OR 1.8; 95% CI (0.4-8.4); p = 0.423] than IOI. The total cost of the IRCUs amounted to €66,233. The cost per day of stay in the IRCU was €164 per patient. The total cost avoided was €214,865. CONCLUSION: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of IRCUs in facilitating the management of a high patient volume. The treatment carried out in IRCUs is effective and efficient, reducing both admissions to and stays in the ICU.
MEDIA VIDEO POWTOON UNTUK MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR IPA SD MATERI PERKEMBANGBIAKAN VEGETATIF TUMBUHAN
Authors: Muakhirin Binti
Published: April 2022

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the use of Powtoon video learning media in an effort to improve science learning outcomes at SDN Cibuk Lor Seyegan, Sleman Yogyakarta in class VI students in the 2020/2021 academic year. This research used Classroom Action Research method with 2 cycles with 2 meetings in each cycle. The data collection instrument used an observation sheet on the implementation of learning and tests to determine the improvement of student learning outcomes. The results showed that the mastery of learning from cycle 1 to cycle 2 reached 75%. In addition, student learning outcomes also increased with the acquisition of test results from an average of 67.65 to 74.12. The use of powtoon video learning media can improve student learning outcomes at SD Negeri Cibuk Lor on plant vegetative propagation materials.
ANALISIS PEMAHAMAN GURU PAI DALAM MENYUSUN PENILAIAN MENGGUNAKAN TEKNIK MULTIPLE CHOICE PADA TINGKAT SMP DI PEKANBARU
Authors: Mila Roza
Published: April 2022

In practice PAI teachers are allegedly not understanding the use of multiple choice question models in accordance with the guidelines in preparing questions, because PAI teachers tend to use traditional multiple choice models. This study will reveal what types of multiple choice models have been used by PAI teachers. In addition, we will see the extent of the teacher's understanding in preparing questions based on the guidelines in the guidelines for formulating multiple choice questions. This research uses a qualitative research model with a field research model or field research. In this case the researcher will describe the results of the study in answering the problem formulation, using interview, observation and questionnaire techniques as data collection in the field. The results of this study indicate that PAI teachers are more likely to use the multiple choice question model with the usual model without being varied from one model to another. Meanwhile, the teacher's understanding based on the guidelines for making multiple choice questions is in the good category even though there are several different answers.
DETECTION OF GENDER BIASED USING DIF (DIFFERENTIAL ITEM FUNCTIONING) ANALYSIS ON ITEM TEST OF SCHOOL EXAMINATION YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Ajeng Wahyuni
Published: April 2022

This study aim to detect an item that biased on gender (divided by male and female) by DIF (Differential Item Functioning) on  school examination test in Yogyakarta regency in islamic education subject for third grade of Senior High School based on item respons theory . This research is quantitative research and the subject for this study are 937 Senior High School students in Yogyakarta regency taken by their response sheets on 50 items test with of choices of islamic education subject in school examination at year 2016. Data analysis based on Rasch model with Winstep 3.73 software. The research found that the there are item that biased on certain gender, there are 26 items that have probabilitas value less than 0.05 and t-value outside the range of -1.96 ≤ t-value ≤ 1.96, based on plot from the result analysis there are 14 items (6, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 20, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32, 41, 48) tend to give advantage for Male, and there are 12 items (1, 11, 12, 14, 21, 22, 29, 38, 40, 43, 46, 50) tend to give advantage for Female.
The Role of Credit Risk as Mediating the Effect of Liquidity on Sharia Banking Performance
Authors: Safitri Julia , Primadhita Yuridistya
Published: April 2022

This study aims to examine and analyze the relationship of the influence of liquidity on bank performance mediated by credit risk. Using data on Islamic banking companies listed on the IDX in 2013-2019. The methodology of this research was carried out to achieve the objectives of this study, namely how the influence of liquidity on the performance of Islamic banking companies in Indonesia which is mediated by credit risk. By processing data from data collected from the pre-pandemic and during the pandemic, this research can prove the proposed hypothesis. The analytical tool used is SEM-PLS with WarpPLS 7.0 application. The results of this study indicate that credit risk can partially mediate the relationship between the influence of liquidity on bank performance. This study succeeded in proving that the influence of liquidity on bank performance is acceptable and can be mediated by credit risk. This is in line with the Commercial Loan Theory which explains that providing loans to short-term and productive customers can minimize customer defaults, so that the company's performance will be maintained. During the current pandemic, it is one of the things that makes companies careful in managing liquidity as well as in distributing credit. Banks must be really selective in choosing loans submitted by customers, in order to avoid defaults that cause a decline in bank performance.
Deterioration Characteristic and Constitutive Model of Red-Bed Argillaceous Siltstone Subjected to Drying-Wetting Cycles
Authors: Zha Fusheng , Huang Kai , Kang Bo , Sun Xianguo , Su Jingwen , Li Yunfeng , Lu Zhitang
Published: April 2022

Red-bed argillaceous siltstone is one of main types of rocks composing unstable slopes on both banks of water diversion project from the Yangtze to Huaihe River and is prone to deterioration after subjected to drying-wetting cycle conditions during water diversion project operation. The study of the damage degradation and the constitutive relationship of rocks subjected to drying-wetting cycle process is therefore of critical scientific importance. In this paper, laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the effect of drying-wetting cycles on the mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics. The experimental results show that the microstructure of the sample surface is no longer dense and uniform and the porosity of tested samples significantly increases with drying-wetting cycles increasing. After subjected to cycles of drying-wetting, the compaction stage of the stress-strain curve becomes longer with more pronounced nonlinear features, while uniaxial compression strength (UCS) and elastic modulus drop obviously. Combined with the evolution characteristics of microstructure found as the porosity grew, UCS and elastic modulus gradually decline. Additionally, from the perspective of energy analysis, the input energy density and dissipated energy density gradually extended with the increasing strain, and the elastic energy density increased first and then declined. As the number of drying-wetting cycles increases, the energy density of samples all present linear fell. Based on the evolution of dissipated energy, a new damage model of red-bed argillaceous siltstone subjected to drying-wetting cycles was established by introducing compaction coefficient. The coefficients of determination (R2) of the constitutive model are always greater than 0.85, indicating that the proposed model is generally in good agreement with the experimental data under different drying-wetting cycles. This paper has specific research and reference value to understand the damage evolution characteristics of red-bed argillaceous siltstone under cyclic drying-wetting.
Embedding employability skills in vocational education and training: What works best for students’ self-evaluation and aspirations?
Authors: Romanova Olga
Published: April 2022

This paper investigates how explicit integration of employability skills into vocational education and training (VET) affects students’ perceived skills. Perceived or self-evaluated skills are often inaccurate perceptions of the real skills’ possession, but nonetheless they play a profound role in graduates’ career decisions. Confidence that resulted from positive self-evaluations supports the efforts and aspirations during school-to-work transitions. Thus, they are considered to be an important educational outcome supporting employability. The purpose of the study is to enrich understanding of relationship between students’ self-evaluations of employability skills and different teaching practices.

The analysis employs self-evaluations and entrepreneurial intentions of the Russian VET students collected with Monitoring of education markets and organizations in 2020 (n = 9 178). It focuses on social, self-learning and entrepreneurial skills, which are part of the VET national curriculum.  The findings show that explicit embedding and integration of employability skills in the curriculum is significantly related to more positive self-evaluations of social and self-learning skills. Moreover, students, who were explicitly taught entrepreneurial skills, are more likely to plan to establish their own enterprise after graduation. Despite being effective, the explicit integration approach is revealed to be not dominant. Further research on the reasons behind this is needed for development of properly informed policy.
A New Kinetic Assay Method for Effective Scale Inhibitor Concentration Determination with Low Detection Limit
Authors: Dai Zhaoyi , Ko Saebom , Wang Xin , Dai Chong , Paudyal Samridhdi , Zhao Yue , Li Wei , Leschied Cianna , Yao Xuanzhu , Lu Yi-Tsung , Kan Amy , Tomson Mason
Published: April 2022

Scale inhibitors are widely used for mineral scale control in various industries, including oil and gas productions, geothermal energy acquisitions, and heat exchanger scale control to mention a few. In most applications, these scale inhibitors are effective at substoichiometric concentrations (e.g., 1 mg/L or lower), and the optimization of these applications is based on the ability to accurately measure the effective inhibitor concentration at such low concentrations. For example, the continuous treatment injection rate, the squeeze treatment frequency, or the batch treatment schedule need to be optimized to ensure the minimum inhibitor concentration (MIC) is achieved during production. However, the non- or low-phosphorous polymeric scale inhibitor concentration determination is difficult using inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-optic emission spectroscopy/mass spectrometry or ion chromatography, especially at mg/L level concentrations due to their high detection limits. The recently developed hyamine method or high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method involves intensive labor and high costs. Furthermore, in the complex oilfield operational conditions, the presence of other chemicals (e.g., surfactants, biocides, and corrosion inhibitors), the potential degradation of scale inhibitors and the use of combination scale inhibitors require the measurement of effective scale inhibitor concentration, which cannot be accomplished by the traditional methods. In this study, a new kinetic assay method has been developed to determine the effective scale inhibitor concentration with limits of detection (LODs) less than or around 0.1 mg/L for most cases. This method uses a continuous stirring tank reactor (CSTR) apparatus and is developed based on the linear correlation between the effective inhibition concentration and the measured critical time when laser signal changes. The results show that the inhibitor concentrations of various non- or low-phosphorous polymeric scale inhibitors in synthetic field brine, laboratory solutions, and real oilfield brines can be accurately determined at mg/L level, or lower, with less than 10% error. The method is robust, accurate, and much less time- or labor-consuming than other existing methods especially for non- or low-phosphorous polymeric scale inhibitors.
Modeling and optimization of the pyrolysis oil production process from polypropylene for the production of aviation kerosene
Authors: Santos Heraclito Alexandre dos , Santos Igor José Boggione , Quintão Cristiane Medina Finzi , Knupp Vagner Fernandes , Lofrano Renata Carolina Zanetti , de Oliveira Eliane Cristina , Samanamud Gisella Lamas , Amaral Mateus Souza , França Alexandre Boscaro , Pereira Mariana Arruda , Silva Matheus Teixeira Araújo , Loures Carla Cristina Almeida , Carneiro Mozart Dos Santos , Ponciano Jéssica Amaral Pereira , Naves Luzia Lima Rezende , Naves Fabiano
Published: April 2022

One of the greatest challenges in the world is in the final disposal of plastics in order to reduce the effect of its polluting potential. Thus, the application of pyrolysis processes in generating products of interest such as fuel oils can be part of the solution. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere, oil can enter the supply chain after the cracking process in petrochemical industries. In this context, this work used statistical modeling of the response surface linked to the Normal Boundary Intersection algorithm, aiming at a higher yield of oil production and major selectivity of recycled polypropylene pyrolysis. From the analysis of the mechanisms proposed in the literature with the modeling and optimization in this work, it was possible, from a kaolin mass of 9.12 g and a heating ramp of 19.37°C/min, to obtain higher percentages of aviation kerosene as well as a satisfactory performance.
Point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Sweden at six time points during 2020
Authors: Groenheit Ramona , Beser Jessica , Berenzon Sharon Kühlmann , Galanis Ilias , Straten Edward , Duracz Jan , Rapp Marie , Hansson Disa , Mansjö Mikael , Söderholm Sandra , Muradrasoli Shaman , Risberg Anna , Ölund Richard , Wiklund Andreas , Metzkes Kristoffer , Lundberg Matilda , Bacchus Philip , Wisell Karin Tegmark , Bråve Andreas
Published: April 2022

BackgroundTo estimate the prevalence and understand the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 in Sweden, the Public Health Agency of Sweden, with support from the Swedish Armed Forces, conducted a series of point prevalence surveys between March and December 2020.MethodsSampling material and instructions on how to perform self-sampling of the upper respiratory tract were delivered to the homes of the participants. Samples were analysed by real-time PCR, and the participants completed questionnaires regarding symptoms.FindingsThe first survey in the Stockholm region in March, including 707 participants, showed a SARS-CoV-2 prevalence of 2.5%. The following five surveys, performed on a national level, with between 2,461 and 2,983 participants, showed SARS-CoV-2 prevalences of 0.9% (April), 0.3% (May), 0.0% (August), 0.0% (September), and 0.7% (December).All positive cases responding to the questionnaires regarding experienced symptoms had experienced symptoms two weeks before sampling up until the day of sampling.InterpretationNone of the individuals shown to be PCR-positive were asymptomatic at the time of sampling, including 14 days prior to sampling. This is in contrast to many other surveys, where a substantial proportion of positive cases are reported to be asymptomatic.In line with an increasing testing capacity and consecutive inclusion of all symptomatic individuals in the case definition for testing, our surveys demonstrate a decreasing ratio between notified cases and shown prevalence throughout the year.
Identification of key genes and pathways in postoperative cognitive dysfunction: Potential therapeutic drugs discovered using bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Dou Xiaoke , Dai Maosha , Ma Jiamin , Sun Yan , Chen Rui , Lin Yun
Published: April 2022

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication after general anesthesia surgery, and the mechanism of POCD has not been completely studied yet. We aim to use bioinformatics to identify the potential key genes and pathways involved in the mechanism of POCD and explore the potential targeted drugs to treat POCD.Methods: Genes related to POCD were detected using pubmed2ensemble, then the Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway of these genes were annotated and visualized using GENECODIS. A protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING and visualized in Cytoscape, and the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) was used to classify the candidate gene modules. Candidate genes were further validated again via Metascape and Cluego for a GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis. Finally, Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIDB) was used to identify the related drugs.Results: We identified 70 genes related to POCD and as follows 48 candidate genes were obtained following GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. 39 genes were obtained from a PPI network and one gene module including 12 crucial genes were obtained using the MCODE. Lastly, 5 genes including ACE, IL6, TNF, CCL2, CXCL8 related to 3 main signaling pathways---- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor, and IL17 signaling pathway. Furthmore,26 targeted drugs were explored as potential therapeutic agents. Conclusion: In this study, we ultimately identified 5 target genes targetable by 26 drugs for POCD, related to 3 main signaling pathways.
LAMP2A facilitates lipid droplet production and chemoresistance of colorectal cancer cells by maintaining ING5 protein stability
Authors: Xuan Ying , Shi Shuai , Xue Hang , Liu Kun , Han Wei-li , Li Benchang , Zhang Rui , Nie Yongzhan , Zheng Huachuan
Published: April 2022

Background
LAMP2A is a lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein, which acts as a receptor for substrate proteins of chaperone-mediated autophagy. This study investigated the effect of LAMP2A in colon tumorigenesis and chemoresistance.
Methods
LAMP2A mRNA and protein expression in colorectal cancer and normal tissue was detected by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot. HCT116 and DLD-1 cell lines and the corresponding transfected cells were assessed by measurement by proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and droplet formation.
Results
LAMP2A was down-regulated in colorectal cancer at the mRNA level (p < 0.05), but up-regulated at the protein level (p < 0.05). LAMP2A protein overexpression was negatively correlated with lymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis and TNM staging of colorectal cancer (p < 0.05), as well as unfavorable prognosis of Tis-T2 colorectal cancer patients (p < 0.05). LAMP2A knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells (p < 0.05), along with under-expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1(ACC1), ATP-citrate lyase (ACL), Bcl-2, ING5, NF-κB, and Bax overexpression, while LAMP2A overexpression had the opposite results. There was a positive relationship between LAMP2A and ING5 expression in colorectal cancer (p < 0.05). Treatment with lysosome or NF-κB inhibitor decreased ING5 expression in LAMP2A transfectants. ING5 degradation was delayed in LAMP2A transfectants after cycloheximide exposure (p < 0.05). ING5 knockdown reduced the expression of ACC1, ACL and NF-κB, and the formation of lipid droplets, while the opposite was true in ING5 overexpression. There was higher expression of ING5, LAMP2A, ACC1, ACL, and NF-κB, and stronger lipogenesis in 5-FU-resistant cancer cells. ING5 and/or LAMP2A silencing caused down-regulation of ACC1, ACL, and NF-κB, and lipogenesis in both 5-FU-resistant cancer cells.
Conclusions
LAMP2A overexpression was positively correlated with colorectal carcinogenesis, aggressiveness and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer. LAMP2A may contribute to lipogenesis and subsequent chemoresistance by inhibiting lysosomal degradation of ING5 via the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Face-to-face vs. Emergency Remote Teaching during the Covid-19 lockdown. A comparative analysis of Ecuadorian undergraduate polytechnic students' performance.
Authors: ESTRELLA FELIX
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 outbreak has changed education, mainly by shifting face-to-face classes to online sessions. Online courses are not new as many educational institutions offer distance or hybrid learning courses. However, emergency remote teaching (ERT), into which education has shifted, attains differences. This study aims to identify student performance differences depending on teaching modality (face-to-face and ERT). Studies considering the COVID-19 pandemic and information originating from Ecuador are scarce, making this study relevant. This quantitative research used a two-way ANOVA to analyze skills results from exams given in the academic year 2019 (face-to-face) and 2020 (ERT). Results were not statistically significant at p < .05, which concurs with the existing literature.
Experiences of Cancer Patients about Seeking Health Information: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mousavi Seyedeh Leila Mousavi , Saki Mandana , Mohammadipour Fatemeh , Gholami Mohammad , Almasian Mohammad , Pour Fatemeh Jafari
Published: April 2022

Objective: Searching for health information is an important strategy in dealing with cancer that contributed to the improved management of cancer. This study aimed to explore the experiences of cancer patients seeking health information.Methods: The 18 participants were selected by purposive sampling and data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data analysis was performed through conventional content analysis approach method at the same time as data collection.Results: Data analysis led to the emergence of three central categories, including “optimal cancer management”, “poor information dissemination system” and “perceived health literacy”.Conclusion: Knowing how cancer patients obtain health information can form the basis to promote patients’ health literacy and design a health information dissemination system tailored to the patients’ needs.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in major urban wetlands of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Mercy Fariha Tahsin , Alam A.K.M. Rashidul , Akbor Md. Ahedul
Published: April 2022

The study was performed to evaluate the abundance and characteristics of MPs in water, sediment, and fish samples of three major urban lakes, namely Dhanmondi Lake, Gulshan Lake, and Hatir Jheel Lake in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The abundance of microplastics varied from 0-9 items/L in surface water, 0-16 items/kg in sediment, and 0-17 items/individual; 0-4.88 items/g in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of test fish species, respectively. Highest abundance of microplastic in an individual fish was observed in Oreochromis mossambicus from Dhanmondi Lake. The samples were visually observed under a stereo microscope, which showed the dominant type of microplastics in both water and sediment samples were films followed by micro pellets, fragments, fibers, and in fish samples pellets and foams were dominant. According to the Fourier Transform Infrared analysis (FTIR) the dominant polymers in the analyzed samples were High density polyethylene (HDP), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polycarbonate (PC), Cellulose Acetate (CA), and Polypropylene (PP). In water and sediment samples of Gulshan Lake, MPs were relatively higher than in other lakes, and in fish samples of Dhanmondi Lake MPs were higher. The results of this study indicate that MPs were abundant in studied lakes and suggested a high level of microplastic contamination occurred not only in the water and sediment but also in the resident fishes. The implication of the finding suggests that the presence of MPs in urban lakes has raised concerns about the potential human health impact.
Molecular Research on the Effect of IL10 Gene Polymorphism on Obesity Parameters in Highly Physically Active Young Men
Authors: Maculewicz Ewelina , Mastalerz Andrzej , Antkowiak Bożena , Antkowiak Oktawiusz , Borecka Anna , Garbacz Aleksandra , Szarska Ewa , Dzitkowska-Zabielska Magdalena , Rusin Paweł , Cywińska Anna , Białek Agnieszka , Cięszczyk Paweł
Published: April 2022

The main aim of this study was to investigate the association between 5 polymorphisms of the interleukin 10 (IL10) gene with body composition parameters in physically active young men. A cohort of 131 male students was enrolled and the following IL10 SNPs were analyzed: rs1518111, rs1878672, rs3024496, rs3024498 and rs3024505. The subjects were divided into groups depending on obesity parameters: body mass index (BMI) and fat percentage (fat %). Statistical analysis was conducted for a single locus and haplotypes, an association between SNPs and body composition parameters were tested with four genetic models: dominant, recessive, codominant and overdominant mode of inheritance (MOI).The results showed statistically significant association with BMI for CCGTA haplotype in additive model (score = -2.00, p = 0.04) and in dominant model (score = -2.30, p = 0.02). The obtained results indicate the significant participation of IL10 polymorphisms in the regulation of body weight in physically active people.
Evaluation of the behavior of constitutive heterochromatin in chromosomes of Astyanax altiparanae (Pisces, Characidae) when submitted to the product of fungal remediation of textile dyes.
Authors: Sacco Vania Aparecida , de Carvalho Luciana Andréia Borin , Castro Ana Luiza de Brito Portela
Published: April 2022

Specimens of Astyanax altiparanae were analyzed concerning the mutagenic potential of textile dyes Reactive Black 5 and Reactive Blue 19 and their products remediated by endophytic fungi, lineage Phlebias sp. through karyotype analysis in order to detect possible chromosomal alterations and variations on heterochromatin through band C. Twenty-eight copies of Astyanax altiparanae commercially obtained were submitted to different treatments being distributed 2 individuals each tank with 10L of water: tank 1 only with water (negative control); tank 2 with potato dextrose broth; tank 3 with dye Reactive Blue 19; tank 4 with dye Black 5; tank 5 with environment fermented by fungi and potato dextrose broth; tank 6 with environment fermented by fungi added with dye Reactive Blak 5. All solutions of treatment were made with concentration 0,01%/L and each treatment lasted for 24h. Metaphases of A. altiparanae revealed chromosomal breaks and also variations on distribution and quantity of heterochromatin among different types of treatment. The tested textile dyes seem to exert genotoxic effect due to Gaps and chromosomal breaks as well as epigenetic effect, due to alteration of chromatin compaction of analyzed specimens.
Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein 1 induces microglial activation and M1 polarization via the MAPK-NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Oh Yebin , Jung Hak-Jun , Hong Seungwon , Cho Yerim , Cho Daeho , Kim Tae Sung
Published: April 2022

BackgroundActivation of microglia, which are the primary immune cell of the central nervous system, plays an important role in neuroinflammation associated with several neuronal diseases. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (ARS) complex-interacting multifunctional protein 1 (AIMP1), a structural component of the multienzyme ARS complex, is secreted to trigger a pro-inflammatory function and has been associated with several inflammatory diseases. However, the effect of AIMP1 on microglial activation remains unknown.MethodsPrimary microglial cells were obtained from mixed glial cultures prepared from the cerebral cortexes of postnatal 3-5-day mice. Cultured primary microglia and BV-2 microglial cells were treated with various concentrations of AIMP1, after which the activation-related factors were determined by flow cytometric analysis and ELISA. Immunoblot analysis of major components of MAPKs and NF-κB was proceeded to investigate the underlying mechanism of microglial activation. Immunofluorescent assay of the cell-surface markers indicated the polarization of microglia.ResultsAIMP1 elevated the expression levels of activation-related cell surface markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines in primary and BV-2 microglial cells. In addition to the AIMP1-mediated increase in the expression levels of M1 markers (interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-1β), the expression levels of CD68, an M1 cell surface molecule, were also increased in AIMP-1-treated microglial cells, while those of CD206, an M2 cell surface molecule, were decreased, indicating that AIMP1 triggers the polarization of microglial cells into the M1 state but not the M2 state. AIMP1 treatment induced the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), while MAPK inhibitors suppressed the AIMP1-induced microglial cell activation. AIMP1 also induced the phosphorylation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) components and nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit in microglial cells. Furthermore, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 inhibitors markedly suppressed the AIMP1-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB components as well as the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit, suggesting the involvement of JNK and p38 as upstream regulators of NF-κB in AIMP1-induced microglial cell activation.ConclusionAIMP1 effectively induces M1 microglial activation via the JNK and p38/NF-κB-dependent pathways. These results suggest that AIMP1 secreted under stress conditions may be a pathological factor that induces neuroinflammation.
Environmental and Anthropogenic impact on Conservation and Sustainability of Marine Fish Diversity
Authors: Pandion Kumar , Arunachalam Kantha Deivi , Ayyamperumal Ramamoorthy , Chang Soon Woong , Chang Woo jin , Rajagopal Rajinikanth , Kalavathi Francisca , Iwai Chuleemas Boonthai , Gayathiri Ekambaran , Ravindran Balasubramani
Published: April 2022

Marine fish biodiversity and conservation linking to human livelihood around the coast were carried out during 2019 by survey and personal interviews to study the effects of environmental and anthropogenic issues on marine fish diversity changes which affect the sustainability. 42 finfish, 6 crabs, and 1 shrimp belonging to 3 groups collected along the coastal zone were authenticated by Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). The fish species diversity index was estimated showed that alpha and beta biodiversity were prevalent compared to gamma fish diversity in the study zone. The collected fish species were compared with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) threatened lists and found 51% least concerned. The Principle Component Analysis done for the livelihood status age group, religious, education, houses, training, graft and gear of fishermen exhibited 93.6% and 4.3% variations. The observed 51% least concerned species in the study zone implies species declination due to overexploitation of the natural sources. The study recommends strict conservation measures to be implemented to ensure sustainability and conservation of fish diversity. The fish conservation is a crucial factor for the sustainability of the human lively hood
Central Environmental Protection Inspector and Stock Price Crash Risk -- Evidence from Polluting Industries Firms in China
Authors: Wen Mengyao
Published: April 2022

In recent years, under the background of vigorously promoting environmental governance, the implementation effect of the central environmental protection inspection is an issue of great concern to the government and the public. This paper systematically investigates the impact of central environmental protection inspection on the risk of stock price crash using a sample of listed firms in polluting industries. The results show that compared with non-supervised areas, central environmental protection inspection can reduce the polluting industries firms’ stock price crash risk by reducing stock price bubbles. After a series of robustness tests, the results still held. The above transmission mechanism is more effective in the samples of private enterprises, low information transparency and disclosure quality enterprises, non-national civilized urban areas and high promotion incentive areas. Furthermore, this paper found that there were differences in the effects of central environmental protection inspection in different batches. Among the effects of central environmental protection inspection in different batches, the effect of environmental regulation in the second, third and fourth batches was better, and the effect of central environmental protection inspection in different batches gradually deepened. Finally, by analyzing the environmental governance of the central environmental protection inspection, it is found that the central environmental protection inspection has significant short-term and long-term control effect in air pollution governance, and it is still necessary to strengthen the law enforcement in water pollution governance.
Validation of biomarkers for neonicotinoid exposure in Folsomia candida under mutual exposure to diethyl maleate
Authors: Bakker Ruben , Xie Liyan , Vooijs Riet , Roelofs Dick , Hoedjes Katja M. , Gestel Cornelis A.M. van
Published: April 2022

Neonicotinoid insecticides are harmful to non-target soil invertebrates, which are crucial for sustainable agriculture. Gene expression biomarkers could provide economical and high-throughput metrics of neonicotinoid exposure and toxicity to non-target invertebrates and could help guide remediation efforts or policy enforcement. Gene expression of Glutathione S-Transferase 3 (GST3), which negates oxidative stress, has previously been proposed as a biomarker for the neonicotinoid imidacloprid in the soil ecotoxicological model species Folsomia candida (Collembola). It remains unclear, however, how reliably gene expression of neonicotinoid biomarkers, such as GST3, can indicate the exposure to the broader neonicotinoid family under varying oxidative stress conditions. In this work, we exposed springtails to two neonicotinoids, thiacloprid and imidacloprid, alongside diethyl maleate (DEM), a known GST metabolic inhibitor that imposes oxidative stress. First, we determined the influence of DEM on neonicotinoid toxicity to springtail fecundity. Second, we surveyed the gene expression of four biomarkers, including GST3, under mutual exposure regimes to neonicotinoids and DEM. We observed no effect of DEM on springtail fecundity. Moreover, the expression of GST3 was only influenced by DEM under mutual exposure with thiacloprid but not with imidacloprid. The results indicate that GST3 is not a robust indicator of neonicotinoid exposure and that oxidative stress mediates the toxicity of imidacloprid and thiacloprid differentially. Due to influence of DEM on biomarker expression, future research should investigate biomarker reliability under increased oxidative stress conditions as provided by DEM exposure.
LDLc and residual risk reduction with fixed-dose combination rosuvastatin-ezetimibe in patients with acute vs. chronic coronary syndrome not candidates for PCSK9 inhibitors treatment
Authors: Cordero Alberto , Escribano David , Quintanilla M. Amparo , Masiá M. Dolores , Monteagudo Marta , Moreno-Arribas Jose , Lopez-Ayala Jose M , Zuazola Pilar , Bertomeu-Gonzalez Vicente
Published: April 2022

Background: Most patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) might be candidates for statin plus ezetimibe combination to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) <55 mg/dl. Fixed-dose combinations increase adherence but there is less evidence on for rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe in patients with CHD. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with CHD that received fixed-dose combination with rosuvastatin-ezetimibe between January 2019 and March 2020 in a single center. Inclusion criteria were: patients initiating this treatment and LDLc <100 mg/dl despite statin treatment or >100 mg/dl without previous lipid-lowering treatments. Results: We included 208 patients, 55 (26.44%) acute coronary (ACS) patients. Most chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients (90.04%), but just 27.27% of the ACS patients, were on statins. Mean LDLc before treatment was 102.48 (29.78) mg/dl and it was higher in patients with ACS (p<0.001). Median time to second blood test was 203 days and mean on-treatment LDLc was 57.76 (20.23) mg/dl: ACS 53.45 (22.15) vs. CCS 59.65 (19.12) mg/dl (p=0.073). Mean LDLc reduction was 41.00% and it was higher in was higher in ACS patients (49.35% vs. 37.36%; p<0.003). LDLc <55 mg/dl was achieved in 65.31% ACS patients vs. 41.96% CCS patients (p=0.006). ACS patients had significant reductions in triglycerides/HDL ratio and C-reactive protein; all patients had reductions in cholesterol remnants and residual lipid risk. Reductions of C-reactive protein correlated to LDLc reductions. Conclusions: Fixed-dose combination with rosuvastatin-ezetimibe in patients with CHD, not candidates for PCSK9 inhibitors, is effective for LDLc reduction especially in patients with ACS, and improves residual lipid risk.
MicroRNAs 181a and 125a are highly expressed in early diagnosed RRMS: a pilot case-control study
Authors: D'AMICO EMANUELE , allegretta caterina , Zanghì Aurora , manuti virginia , amoruso antonella , avolio carlo
Published: April 2022

Background: Recently microRNAs (miRs) have been proposed as possible disease biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) field. Among miRs, those secreted through microvesicles (MVs) may contribute to different disease phases. Methods: This is a case-control study performed at the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Italy. Patients have not been yet exposed to disease modifying therapies (DMTs) and had received a confirmed diagnosis of relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). We analyzed the serum level of 6 MVs miRs by using Quantitative Real-Time PCR, comparing RRMS to HCs, with a 2:1 ratio. Subsequently, the differentially expressed miRNAs, were further tested with receiving operator curves (ROC). We aimed to explore possible role of MVs miRs as disease biomarker at the time of diagnosis.Results: A total of 12 patients were enroled. MiR-181a and miR-125a had higher levels in RRMS patients when compared to HCs (p<.01 and p<.05 respectively). The ROC curve indicated that both miR-181a and 125a could be considered as biomarkers with an area under the curve of 0.896 (p=.014; 95% CI: 0.72–1.00) and 0.785 (p=.046; 95% CI:0.59–1.00) respectively.Conclusions: Our study suggested MVs miR-181a and 125a as possible disease biomarkers in early diagnosed RRMS patients, not yet exposed to DMTs.
Integrated analysis of circulating and tissue proteomes reveal fibronectin 1 is a potential biomarker in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Qian Xu , Ye Guochao , Zhang Xiaomei , Li Mansheng , Xu Yongcan , Dong Haoru , Wang Sheng , Zhu Yunping , Yu Xiaobo
Published: April 2022

As the most frequent subtype of thyroid cancer, papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has 20% indeterminate cases from preoperative cytology that could not be accurately diagnosed, which might lead to the surgical removal of the thyroid gland. To address this concern, we executed an in-depth analysis of serum proteomes of 26 PTC patients and 26 healthy controls using antibody microarrays and Data Independent Acquisition Mass Spectrometry (DIA-MS). The results identified a total of 1,091 serum proteins spanning 10–12 orders of magnitude, in which 157 differentially expressed proteins were identified that participate complement activation and coagulation cascades, platelet degranulation pathways. Furthermore, the analysis of serum proteomes before and after surgery indicate that the expression of proteins such as lactate dehydrogenase A, OR52B4 were changed which participate into fibrin clot formation and ECM-receptor interaction pathways. The further analysis of proteomes of PTC and neighboring tissues reveals integrin-mediated pathways that may cross talk between tissue and circulating compartment. Among these cross-talk proteins, circulating fibronectin 1 (FN1), gelsolin (GSN) and UDP-glucose 4-epimerase (GALE) were indicated as promising biomarkers to the PTC identification and validated in an independent cohort. To differentiate patients with benign nodule and PTC, the best ELISA result was from FN1 (sensitivity = 96.89%; specificity = 91.67%) which was tested in an independent cohort. Altogether, our results provide proteomic landscapes of PTC cancer before and after surgery as well as the cross-talk between tissue and circulating system, which would be valuable to understand the PTC pathology and improve PTC diagnostics in future.
The Role of Taxation Measures in the Management of Harmful Products, Services, and Practices: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Kooshkebaghi Mahdi , Dargahi Hossein , Emamgholipour Sara
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim:
Levying a tax on harmful products, services, and practices can impact consumer choices, effectively preventing diseases and reducing healthcare costs by reducing demand, changing consumption patterns, and encouraging healthier lifestyles. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of taxation as a powerful financial tool in the management of harmful products, services, and practices with the purpose of maintaining and improving public health and preserving the financial sustainability of the healthcare system.
Materials and Methods
The present study is a qualitative research that was conducted in 2020-21. In order to collect information, semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were used. Using purposive and snowball sampling methods, 38 managers, policymakers, economists and key experts, were interviewed. Data were analyzed using content analysis method and the transcribed interviews were further imported into MAXQDA for classification and relevant codes were extracted.
Findings:
In this study, 6 main themes and 19 subthemes were labeled. The main themes accordingly included 1- Objectives, effects, and requirements of the taxation of harmful products, services, and practices 2- Definition, instances, and grading of harmful products, services, and practices 3- Challenges and problems in controlling harmful products, services, and practices 4- Controlling harmful products, services, and practices 5- Traffic violations and accidents and social harms 6- Tax revenue use and the share of healthcare.
Discussion and Conclusion:
Harmful products, services, and practices tend to have major health and financial implications for individuals, families and society. In order to improve public health, the demand for these products and services can be controlled through taxation measures so as to push consumers toward less harmful alternatives.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Kebbi State, Nigeria
Authors: Kalgo Zaharaddin Muhammad , Amin Binta Muhammad , Mohammed Bashar
Published: April 2022

Background The rise in antibiotics resistance is a growing public health concern among agents of respiratory tract infection, which is responsible for morbidity, mortality and costs in Africa. This study was designed to survey for multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens in patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) attending some hospitals in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Methods Three hundred and fifty sputum samples were collected from consented patients with the symptoms of LRTI attending six different hospitals in Kebbi State. The samples were all screened for bacterial pathogens using standard microbiological techniques. The bacterial isolates were identified using conventional biochemical tests and then confirmed using commercial biochemical test kit (MICROBACT) according to manufacturerer’s instruction. Antimicrobial susceptibility test were determined using disc diffusion method. Results Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant bacteria isolated in this location followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae with an estimated percentage occurrence of 31.1% and 22.2% respectively. Other bacteria isolated include Klebsiella oxytoca (13.9%), Escherichia coli (11.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.6%), Aeromonas hydrophila (5.6%), Acinetobacter baumannii (4.6%), B. pseudomallei (2.8%) and Proteus spp (2.8%) in order of ranking. It was found out that, the young adults and the elderly were most at risk of a severe respiratory condition. The result also shows that LRTI were more common in males than in females. Most of the isolates were susceptible to piperacilin ((51%), trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole (61%), Azithromycin (70%), Ciprofloxacin (71%) and Gentamycin (74%), in order of ranking. High resistance were recorded in almost all the βeta-lactam antibiotics, erythromycin and vancomycin tested.Conclusion In conclusion, it was found out that, Staphylococcus aureus is the most predominant bacteria isolated, most of the isolates were resistance to β-lactam antibiotic tested. Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin and piperacillin remain the useful antibiotics in the treatment of LRTIs in this location.
COMT, CRTZ, and F3’H regulate glycyrrhizic acid biosynthesis in Glycyrrhiza uralensis hairy roots
Authors: Zhang Zhixin , Ding Wenwen , Chen Ziyi , Xu Wenpu , Wang Doudou , Lu Tiangong , Liu Ying
Published: April 2022

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. is prescribed as one of the original plants of licorice in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. This herbal medicine possesses numerous important pharmacological activities and has been used in clinic in China since ancient times. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is a triterpenoid compound isolated from G. uralensis and also one of the marker components for its quality control. Based on our pervious transcriptome study, three genes, the caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT), the β-carotene 3-hydroxylase gene (CRTZ), and the flavonoid 3’-monooxygenase gene (F3’H), were selected as our target genes due to their high correlation with GA biosynthesis. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of these genes on GA biosynthesis through gene editing and overexpression in G. uralensis hairy roots. We observed that all transgenic hairy roots were viable whether knocking out or overexpressing the three target genes, indicating that these genes had no impact on survival of hairy roots. However, compared with the wild type and negative control hairy roots, GA contents were significantly lower in hairy roots overexpressing COMT, CRTZ, and F3’H, while higher in those knocking out the three genes. Our findings demonstrate that the three genes, COMT, CRTZ, and F3’H, all negatively regulate the GA biosynthesis.