bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accelerated aging in normal breast tissue of women with breast cancer
Authors: Panjarian Shoghag , Madzo Jozef , Keith Kelsey , Slater Carolyn M. , Sapienza Carmen , Jelinek Jaroslav , Issa Jean-Pierre J.
Published: May 2021

Background

DNA methylation alterations have similar patterns in normal aging tissue and in cancer. In this study, we investigated breast tissue-specific age-related DNA methylation alterations and used those methylation sites to identify individuals with outlier phenotypes. Outlier phenotype is identified by unsupervised anomaly detection algorithms and is defined by individuals who have normal tissue age-dependent DNA methylation levels that vary dramatically from the population mean.

Methods

We generated whole-genome DNA methylation profiles (GSE160233) on purified epithelial cells and used publicly available Infinium HumanMethylation 450K array datasets (TCGA, GSE88883, GSE69914, GSE101961, and GSE74214) for discovery and validation.

Results

We found that hypermethylation in normal breast tissue is the best predictor of hypermethylation in cancer. Using unsupervised anomaly detection approaches, we found that about 10% of the individuals (39/427) were outliers for DNA methylation from 6 DNA methylation datasets. We also found that there were significantly more outlier samples in normal-adjacent to cancer (24/139, 17.3%) than in normal samples (15/228, 5.2%). Additionally, we found significant differences between the predicted ages based on DNA methylation and the chronological ages among outliers and not-outliers. Additionally, we found that accelerated outliers (older predicted age) were more frequent in normal-adjacent to cancer (14/17, 82%) compared to normal samples from individuals without cancer (3/17, 18%). Furthermore, in matched samples, we found that the epigenome of the outliers in the pre-malignant tissue was as severely altered as in cancer.

Conclusions

A subset of patients with breast cancer has severely altered epigenomes which are characterized by accelerated aging in their normal-appearing tissue. In the future, these DNA methylation sites should be studied further such as in cell-free DNA to determine their potential use as biomarkers for early detection of malignant transformation and preventive intervention in breast cancer.
Quantitative proteomic comparison of salt stress in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the snow alga Chlamydomonas nivalis reveals mechanisms for salt-triggered fatty acid accumulation via reallocation of carbon resources
Authors: Hounslow E. , Evans C. A. , Pandhal J. , Sydney T. , Couto N. , Pham T. K. , Gilmour D. James , Wright P. C.
Published: May 2021

Background

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a model green alga strain for molecular studies; its fully sequenced genome has enabled omic-based analyses that have been applied to better understand its metabolic responses to stress. Here, we characterised physiological and proteomic changes between a low-starch C. reinhardtii strain and the snow alga Chlamydomonas nivalis, to reveal insights into their contrasting responses to salinity stress.

Results

Each strain was grown in conditions tailored to their growth requirements to encourage maximal fatty acid (as a proxy measure of lipid) production, with internal controls to allow comparison points. In 0.2 M NaCl, C. nivalis accumulates carbohydrates up to 10.4% DCW at 80 h, and fatty acids up to 52.0% dry cell weight (DCW) over 12 days, however, C. reinhardtii does not show fatty acid accumulation over time, and shows limited carbohydrate accumulation up to 5.5% DCW. Analysis of the C. nivalis fatty acid profiles showed that salt stress improved the biofuel qualities over time. Photosynthesis and respiration rates are reduced in C. reinhardtii relative to C. nivalis in response to 0.2 M NaCl. De novo sequencing and homology matching was used in conjunction with iTRAQ-based quantitative analysis to identify and relatively quantify proteomic alterations in cells exposed to salt stress. There were abundance differences in proteins associated with stress, photosynthesis, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism proteins. In terms of lipid synthesis, salt stress induced an increase in dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase in C. nivalis (1.1-fold change), whilst levels in C. reinhardtii remained unaffected; this enzyme is involved in acetyl CoA production and has been linked to TAG accumulation in microalgae. In salt-stressed C. nivalis there were decreases in the abundance of UDP-sulfoquinovose (− 1.77-fold change), which is involved in sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol metabolism, and in citrate synthase (− 2.7-fold change), also involved in the TCA cycle. Decreases in these enzymes have been shown to lead to increased TAG production as fatty acid biosynthesis is favoured. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD018148.

Conclusions

These differences in protein abundance have given greater understanding of the mechanism by which salt stress promotes fatty acid accumulation in the un-sequenced microalga C. nivalis as it switches to a non-growth state, whereas C. reinhardtii does not have this response.
High larvicidal efficacy of yeast-encapsulated orange oil against Aedes aegypti strains from Brazil
Authors: Gomes Bruno , Ogélio Huarlen , Brant Fabiane , Pereira-Pinto Camila Jesus , Workman Michael J. , Costa Monique , Lima José Bento Pereira , Martins Ademir Jesus , Ramalho-Ortigao Marcelo , Durvasula Ravi , Hurwitz Ivy , David Mariana Rocha , Genta Fernando Ariel
Published: May 2021

Background

Botanical substances such as essential oils (EOs) have demonstrated insecticidal properties and are a valid option for vector control. However, free EOs are unreliable as mosquito larvicides due their easy degradation by environmental exposure to ultraviolet light and higher temperatures. Here, we assessed the efficacy of a mosquito larvicide based on orange oil in a yeast-based delivery system against Aedes aegypti strains with different resistance status towards chemical neurotoxic insecticides. This larvicide preparation was physicochemically characterized in a previous report.

Methods

Larvae of four Ae. aegypti strains from different regions of Brazil and different resistance profiles for deltamethrin (pyrethroid) and temephos (organophosphate) were tested against yeast-encapsulated orange oil (YEOO) in laboratory conditions for measurement of LC50 and LC90 values. The same assays were performed with the Belo Horizonte strain under environmental conditions (natural light and temperature). The resistance profiles of these strains were compared to the Rockefeller reference strain in all conditions.

Results

YEOO was found to be a highly active larvicide (LC50 < 50 mg/L) against all Ae. aegypti strains tested in both laboratory conditions (LC50 = 8.1–24.7 mg/L) and environmental conditions with natural light and temperature fluctuation (LC50 = 20.0–49.9 mg/L). Moreover, all strains were considered susceptible (RR < 5) to YEOO, considering resistance ratios calculated based on the Rockefeller strain. The resistance ratios were only higher than 2.5 for LC90–95 of Belo Horizonte in the laboratory, probably due the higher heterogeneity associated with older egg papers (> 5 months).

Conclusion

YEOO demonstrates high larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti strains with resistant phenotypes for deltamethrin (PY) and temephos (OP). This larvicidal activity suggests the potential for the development of YEOO as an alternative intervention to synthetic insecticides in integrated vector management programs, for populations with resistance to commonly used insecticides.

Graphical Abstract
Spatial expression pattern of serine proteases in the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni determined by fluorescence RNA in situ hybridization
Authors: Ulrychová Lenka , Ostašov Pavel , Chanová Marta , Mareš Michael , Horn Martin , Dvořák Jan
Published: May 2021

Background

The blood flukes of genus Schistosoma are the causative agent of schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that infects more than 200 million people worldwide. Proteases of schistosomes are involved in critical steps of host–parasite interactions and are promising therapeutic targets. We recently identified and characterized a group of S1 family Schistosoma mansoni serine proteases, including SmSP1 to SmSP5. Expression levels of some SmSPs in S. mansoni are low, and by standard genome sequencing technologies they are marginally detectable at the method threshold levels. Here, we report their spatial gene expression patterns in adult S. mansoni by the high-sensitivity localization assay.

Methodology

Highly sensitive fluorescence in situ RNA hybridization (FISH) was modified and used for the localization of mRNAs encoding individual SmSP proteases (including low-expressed SmSPs) in tissues of adult worms. High sensitivity was obtained due to specifically prepared tissue and probes in combination with the employment of a signal amplification approach. The assay method was validated by detecting the expression patterns of a set of relevant reference genes including SmCB1, SmPOP, SmTSP-2, and Sm29 with localization formerly determined by other techniques.

Results

FISH analysis revealed interesting expression patterns of SmSPs distributed in multiple tissues of S. mansoni adults. The expression patterns of individual SmSPs were distinct but in part overlapping and were consistent with existing transcriptome sequencing data. The exception were genes with significantly low expression, which were also localized in tissues where they had not previously been detected by RNA sequencing methods. In general, SmSPs were found in various tissues including reproductive organs, parenchymal cells, esophagus, and the tegumental surface.

Conclusions

The FISH-based assay provided spatial information about the expression of five SmSPs in adult S. mansoni females and males. This highly sensitive method allowed visualization of low-abundantly expressed genes that are below the detection limits of standard in situ hybridization or by RNA sequencing. Thus, this technical approach turned out to be suitable for sensitive localization studies and may also be applicable for other trematodes. The results suggest that SmSPs may play roles in diverse processes of the parasite. Certain SmSPs expressed at the surface may be involved in host–parasite interactions.

Graphical Abstract
Frequency and factors associated of potential zoonotic pathogens (Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Leishmania spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum) in equids in the state of Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Costa Sonia Carmen Lopo , de Souza Freitas Jéssica , Carvalho Fábio Santos , Pereira Maria Julia Salim , Cordeiro Matheus Dias , da Fonseca Adivaldo Henrique , Gomes Jusi Márcia Mariza , Machado Rosangela Zacarias , Munhoz Alexandre Dias
Published: May 2021

Background

Currently, various zoonotic diseases are classified as emerging or reemerging. Because equids have a direct relationship with various vectors, they are possibly more frequently exposed to zoonotic agents than are humans. The undeniable importance of diseases such as human granulocytic anaplasmosis, spotted fever, and leishmaniasis for both public and animal health, as well as the possibility of equids acting as sources, reservoirs, or even sentinels for these pathogens, justifies the detection of their frequency and factors associated with infection in equids from northeastern Brazil.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 569 equids (528 horses, 33 donkeys, and 8 mules), 516 from a rural area and 53 from an urban area. Pathogen detection was carried out as follows: Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp., serological analysis; Leishmania spp., serological analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR); Anaplasma phagocytophilum, PCR. Determination of associated factors was carried out through generalized linear models.

Results

The frequencies of positivity for the pathogens observed in equids were as follows: Borrelia spp., 13.9% (79/569); Leishmania spp., 3.5% (20/569); Rickettsia spp. 33.4% (190/569). Regarding factors associated with infection, male sex was associated with protection against Borrelia spp.; donkeys and mules were associated with protection against Rickettsia spp., while a younger age was a risk factor. The infection of A. phagocytophilum was not detected in the sampled population. Co-infection was detected in 5.1% (29/569) of the animals.

Conclusions

Most of the studied pathogenic agents are present in the prospected area, indicating a possible risk for both human and animal health. This demonstrates that equids can be considered important sentinels in the assessment of pathogens with zoonotic potential in the region.

Graphical Abstract
The effects of a mitochondrial targeted peptide (elamipretide/SS31) on BAX recruitment and activation during apoptosis
Authors: Grosser Joshua A. , Fehrman Rachel L. , Keefe Dennis , Redmon Martin , Nickells Robert W.
Published: May 2021

Objective

Elamipretide (SS31) is a mitochondria-targeted peptide that has reported functions of stabilizing mitochondrial cristae structure and improving mitochondrial bioenergetics. Several studies have documented cell protective features of this peptide, including impairment of intrinsic apoptosis by inhibiting the recruitment and activation of the pro-apoptotic BAX protein. We used live-cell imaging of ARPE-19 cells expressing fluorescently labeled BAX, cytochrome c, and a mitochondrial marker to investigate the effect of elamipretide on the kinetics of BAX recruitment, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (as a function of cytochrome c release), and mitochondrial fragmentation, respectively.

Result

In nucleofected and plated ARPE-19 cells, elamipretide accelerated the formation of larger mitochondria. In the presence of the apoptotic stimulator, staurosporine, cells treated with elamipretide exhibited moderately slower rates of BAX recruitment. Peptide treatment, however, did not significantly delay the onset of BAX recruitment or the final total amount of BAX that was recruited. Additionally, elamipretide showed no impairment or delay of cytochrome c release or mitochondrial fragmentation, two events associated with normal BAX activation during cell death. These results indicate that the protective effect of elamipretide is not at the level of BAX activity to induce pro-apoptotic mitochondrial dysfunction after the initiation of staurosporine-induced apoptosis.
Effects of topical gel formulation of Ficus carica latex on cutaneous leishmaniasis induced by Leishmania major in BALB/c mice
Authors: Pouryousef Ali , Eslami Erfan , Shahriarirad Sepehr , Zoghi Sina , Emami Mehdi , Cheraghi Mohammad Reza , Zamiri Bardia , Mohammadi-Samanii Soliman , Sarkari Bahador
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects ofFicus caricalatex on the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), induced byLeishmania major.A 5% topical gel withF. caricalatex was prepared. BALB/c mice were infected by inoculation of amastigotes form ofL. major.Thirty BALB/c mice were divided into five groups, where the first group was treated daily, the second group twice per day, and the third group every other day with the 5% topical gel, for 3 weeks. The sizes of the lesions were measured before and during the course of treatment.

Results

Although the mean size of lesions in the mice group treated with the 5%F. caricagel, especially in the group receiving daily treatment, was less than the mean size of the lesions in the control group, yet, the differences was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The findings of the current study demonstrated that the 5%F. caricalatex with a 3-week course of treatment had no considerable effect in recovery or control of CL induced byL. majorin the murine model. Using higher concentration ofF. caricalatex and with longer treatment lengths may increase its efficacy in the treatment of CL.
A misdiagnosed case of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm experiencing multiple recurrences who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a case report
Authors: Salemi Fateme , Mortazavizadeh Seyed Mohammad Reza , Mirmoeeni Seyyedmohammadsadeq , Azari Jafari Amirhossein , Kosari Farid , Naghibi Irvani Seyed Sina
Published: May 2021

Background

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm represents a rare type of hematologic malignancy that often manifests itself through various skin lesions. It commonly affects the elderly male population. Lymph nodes, peripheral blood, and bone marrow involvement are the typical findings that justify its aggressive nature and dismal prognosis. On histopathological assessment, malignant cells share some similarities with blastic cells from the myeloid lineage that make immunohistochemistry staining mandatory for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm diagnosis.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old Asian man presented with cervical lymphadenopathy followed by an erythematous lesion on his left upper back. At first, the lesion was misdiagnosed as an infectious disease and made the patient receive two ineffective courses of azithromycin and clarithromycin. Six months later, besides persistent skin manifestations, he felt a cervical mass, which was misdiagnosed as follicular center cell lymphoma. Tumor recurrence following the chemoradiation questioned the diagnosis, and further pathologic assessments confirmed blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. The second recurrence occurred 3 months after chemotherapy. Eventually, he received a bone marrow transplant after complete remission. However, the patient expired 3 months after transplant owing to the third recurrence and gastrointestinal graft versus host disease complications.

Conclusions

Early clinical suspicion and true pathologic diagnosis play a crucial role in patients’ prognosis. Moreover, allogenic bone marrow transplant should be performed with more caution in aggressive forms of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm because of transplant side effects and high risk of cancer recurrence.
Choroid plexus carcinoma with leptomeningeal spread in an adult: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Jo In Young , Yeo Seung-Gu , Oh Hyuk-Jin , Oh Jae-Sang
Published: May 2021

Background

Choroid plexus carcinoma is an intraventricular neoplasm originating from the choroid plexus epithelium and is of rare occurrence in adults. However, owing to the low prevalence of choroid plexus carcinoma, there is very limited information about the disease entity and treatment. Here we report a rare case of choroid plexus carcinoma in an adult patient.

Case presentation

A 46-year-old South Korean (East Asian) male presented with low back pain, headache, and diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated enhancing mass lesion in the left trigone, cerebellar with leptomeningeal spread. Surgery was performed via left parietal craniotomy, and the lesion was histologically confirmed to be choroid plexus carcinoma. The patient received adjuvant craniospinal irradiation for remnant mass and leptomeningeal spread. Magnetic resonance imaging performed immediately after completion of the treatment revealed a partial decrease in the size of the tumor. However, the patient expired died as a result of acute respiratory distress syndrome before follow-up of long-term outcome.

Conclusion

Choroid plexus carcinoma with leptomeningeal spread in adults is very important for rapid diagnosis and treatment. In the case of the presence of leptomeningeal spread, craniospinal irradiation can be considered as a treatment method, but may have serious complications. Hence, the technique should be applied with care.
Research models and mesenchymal/epithelial plasticity of osteosarcoma
Authors: Yu Xiaobin , Yustein Jason T. , Xu Jianming
Published: May 2021

Most osteosarcomas (OSs) develop from mesenchymal cells at the bone with abnormal growth in young patients. OS has an annual incidence of 3.4 per million people and a 60–70% 5-year surviving rate. About 20% of OS patients have metastasis at diagnosis, and only 27% of patients with metastatic OS survive longer than 5 years. Mutation of tumor suppressors RB1, TP53, REQL4 and INK4a and/or deregulation of PI3K/mTOR, TGFβ, RANKL/NF-κB and IGF pathways have been linked to OS development. However, the agents targeting these pathways have yielded disappointing clinical outcomes. Surgery and chemotherapy remain the main treatments of OS. Recurrent and metastatic OSs are commonly resistant to these therapies. Spontaneous canine models, carcinogen-induced rodent models, transgenic mouse models, human patient-derived xenograft models, and cell lines from animal and human OSs have been developed for studying the initiation, growth and progression of OS and testing candidate drugs of OS. The cell plasticity regulated by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition transcription factors (EMT-TFs) such as TWIST1, SNAIL, SLUG, ZEB1 and ZEB2 plays an important role in maintenance of the mesenchymal status and promotion of cell invasion and metastasis of OS cells. Multiple microRNAs including miR-30/9/23b/29c/194/200, proteins including SYT-SSX1/2 fusion proteins and OVOL2, and other factors that inhibit AMF/PGI and LRP5 can suppress either the expression or activity of EMT-TFs to increase epithelial features and inhibit OS metastasis. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate OS cell plasticity should provide potential targets and therapeutic strategies for improving OS treatment.
Lipidomics profiling of goose granulosa cell model of stearoyl-CoA desaturase function identifies a pattern of lipid droplets associated with follicle development
Authors: Yuan Xin , Hu Shenqiang , Li Liang , Han Chunchun , Liu Hehe , He Hua , Xia Lu , Hu Jiwei , Hu Bo , Ran Mingxia , Liu Yali , Wang Jiwen
Published: May 2021

Background

Despite their important functions and nearly ubiquitous presence in cells, an understanding of the biology of intracellular lipid droplets (LDs) in goose follicle development remains limited. An integrated study of lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses was performed in a cellular model of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) function, to determine the effects of intracellular LDs on follicle development in geese.

Results

Numerous internalized LDs, which were generally spherical in shape, were dispersed throughout the cytoplasm of granulosa cells (GCs), as determined using confocal microscopy analysis, with altered SCD expression affecting LD content. GC lipidomic profiling showed that the majority of the differentially abundant lipid classes were glycerophospholipids, including PA, PC, PE, PG, PI, and PS, and glycerolipids, including DG and TG, which enriched glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, and glycerolipid metabolisms. Furthermore, transcriptomics identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), some of which were assigned to lipid-related Gene Ontology slim terms. More DEGs were assigned in the SCD-knockdown group than in the SCD-overexpression group. Integration of the significant differentially expressed genes and lipids based on pathway enrichment analysis identified potentially targetable pathways related to glycerolipid/glycerophospholipid metabolism.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the importance of lipids in understanding follicle development, thus providing a potential foundation to decipher the underlying mechanisms of lipid-mediated follicle development.
Why do poxviruses still matter?
Authors: Yang Zhilong , Gray Mark , Winter Lake
Published: May 2021

Poxviruses comprise many members that infect both vertebrate and invertebrate animals, including humans. Despite the eradication of the historically notorious smallpox, poxviruses remain significant public health concerns and serious endemic diseases. This short review briefly summarizes the present, historical, and future threats posed by poxviruses to public health, wildlife and domestic animals, the role poxviruses have played in shaping modern medicine and biomedical sciences, the insight poxviruses have provided into complex life processes, and the utility of poxviruses in biotechniques and in fighting other infectious diseases and cancers. It is anticipated that readers will appreciate the great merit and need for continued strong support of poxvirus research; research which benefits not only the expansion of fundamental biological knowledge but also the battle against diverse diseases.
Mapping evidence on standards and quality of care for older persons in long-term care facilities: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Kalideen Letasha , Govender Pragashnie , van Wyk Jacqueline Marina , Kuupiel Desmond
Published: May 2021

Background

Ageing is a global and universal process that results in physiological, psychological and behavioural changes. Due to the changing needs of the individual and the circumstances of the family, long-term care of older persons in facilities has become essential. The standard and quality of health care for older persons in long-term care facilities is critical to maintain functional ability in keeping with international goals of healthy ageing. This study, therefore, will aim to systematically map literature and describe the evidence on standards and the quality of health care for older persons living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Methods

A scoping review will be conducted using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and recommendations set out by Levac and colleagues. PubMed, CINAHL, Health Sources, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar will be searched for relevant published studies/sources of evidence up to the last search date. The search will be conducted using keywords, and Boolean terms, and Medical Subject Headings/Subject Headings. EndNote X9 will be used to compile all relevant sources of evidence. This study will include studies involving participants ≥ 65 years old, living in LTCFs for older persons. English language publications, with no time limitations, and primary studies, guidelines, and quality of care specific to LTCFs for older persons will be sourced. Two reviewers will independently screen all sources of evidence at the title, abstract, and full-text screening stages as well as perform the data charting. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis flow diagram will be used to account for all relevant sources of evidence during the screening. Thematic content analysis will be used to describe the themes aligned with this study’s research question based on initial coding and categorisation and a summary of the findings reported narratively for each theme.

Discussion

We anticipate that this scoping review will highlight the standards of care and assessment tools available worldwide, in addition to gaps that exist in the evidence base for older persons in LTCFs. These may include an exposition of the standards and quality of care documented, monitoring and evaluation processes, instruments used for reviewing standards of care. This would contribute towards identifying the need for practical and universally acceptable tools for LTCFs for older persons.
Normal periodic solutions for the fractional abstract Cauchy problem
Authors: Bravo Jennifer , Lizama Carlos
Published: May 2021

We show that ifAis a closed linear operator defined in a Banach spaceXand there exist$t_{0} \geq 0$t0≥0and$M>0$M>0such that$\{(im)^{\alpha }\}_{|m|> t_{0}} \subset \rho (A)${(im)α}|m|>t0⊂ρ(A), the resolvent set ofA, and$$ \bigl\Vert (im)^{\alpha }\bigl(A+(im)^{\alpha }I \bigr)^{-1} \bigr\Vert \leq M \quad \text{ for all } \vert m \vert > t_{0}, m \in \mathbb{Z}, $$∥(im)α(A+(im)αI)−1∥≤M for all |m|>t0,m∈Z,then, for each$\frac{1}{p}<\alpha \leq \frac{2}{p}$1p<α≤2pand$1< p < 2$1<p<2, the abstract Cauchy problem with periodic boundary conditions$$ \textstyle\begin{cases} _{GL}D^{\alpha }_{t} u(t) + Au(t) = f(t), & t \in (0,2\pi ); \\ u(0)=u(2\pi ), \end{cases} $${DtαGLu(t)+Au(t)=f(t),t∈(0,2π);u(0)=u(2π),where$_{GL}D^{\alpha }$DαGLdenotes the Grünwald–Letnikov derivative, admits anormal2π-periodic solution for each$f\in L^{p}_{2\pi }(\mathbb{R}, X)$f∈L2πp(R,X)that satisfies appropriate conditions. In particular, this happens ifAis a sectorial operator with spectral angle$\phi _{A} \in (0, \alpha \pi /2)$ϕA∈(0,απ/2)and$\int _{0}^{2\pi } f(t)\,dt \in \operatorname{Ran}(A)$∫02πf(t)dt∈Ran(A).
On approximation properties of a new construction of Baskakov operators
Authors: Usta Fuat
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this research is to construct sequences of Baskakov operators such that their construction consists of a functionσby use of two function sequences,$\xi _{n} $ξnand$\eta _{n} $ηn. In these operators,σnot only features the sequences of operators but also features the Korovkin function set$\lbrace 1,\sigma ,\sigma ^{2} \rbrace ${1,σ,σ2}in a weighted function space such that the operators fix exactly two functions from the set. Thereafter, weighted uniform approximation on an unbounded interval, the degree of approximation with regards to a weighted modulus of continuity, and an asymptotic formula of the new operators are presented. Finally, some illustrative results are provided in order to observe the approximation properties of the newly defined Baskakov operators. The results demonstrate that the introduced operators provide better results in terms of the rate of convergence according to the selection ofσ.
The impact of a ‘milking the COW’ campaign in a regional hospital in Singapore
Authors: Pada Surinder Kaur M. S. , Lishi Poh , Ng Kim Sim , Rethenam Sarathamani , Alenton Lilibeth Silagan , Chee Poh Ling , Guo Wilma , Hsann Yin Maw , Cheng Carmen Wan Rong , Ong Chiou Horng , Lasantha Ratnayake , Chan Douglas , Tambyah Paul Anantharajah
Published: May 2021

Background

Computerisation of various processes in hospitals and reliance on electronic devices raises the concern of contamination of these devices from the patient environment. We undertook this study to determine if an attached hand hygiene device that unlocks the screen of a computer on wheels (COW) on usage can be effective in decreasing the microbiological burden on computer keyboards.

Methods

An electronic hand sanitizer was integrated onto the COW. A prospective cohort study with a crossover design involving 2 control and 2 intervention wards was used. The study end point was the number of colony forming units found on the keyboards. Bacteria were classified into 4 main groups; pathogenic, skin flora, from the environment or those thought to be commensals in healthy individuals. We then used a mixed effects model for the statistical analysis to determine if there were any differences before and after the intervention.

Results

Thirty-nine keyboards were swabbed at baseline, day 7 and 14, with 234 keyboards cultured, colony forming units (CFUs) counted and organisms isolated. By mixed model analysis, the difference of mean bacteria count between intervention and control for week 1 was 32.74 (− 32.74, CI − 94.29 to 28.75, p = 0.29), for week 2 by 155.86 (− 155.86, CI − 227.45 to − 83.53, p < 0.0001), and after the 2-week period by 157.04 (− 157.04, CI − 231.53 to − 82.67, p < 0.0001). In the sub-analysis, there were significant differences of pathogenic bacteria counts for the Intervention as compared to the Control in contrast with commensal counts.

Conclusion

A hand hygiene device attached to a COW may be effective in decreasing the microbiological burden on computer keyboards.
Comparison of conventional and non-invasive diagnostic tools for detecting Plasmodium falciparum infection in southwestern Cameroon: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Apinjoh Tobias O. , Ntasin Veronica N. , Tataw Phil Collins C. , Ntui Vincent N. , Njimoh Dieudonne L. , Cho-Ngwa Fidelis , Achidi Eric A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Malaria remains a significant health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with early diagnosis critical to reducing its morbidity and mortality. Despite the increasing Plasmodium spp. diagnostic capabilities, access to testing is limited in some cases by the almost absolute requirement for blood from potentially infected subjects as the only sample source for all conventional methods. A rapid test on non-invasive specimen with comparable performance to microscopy for the screening or diagnosis of all participants is invaluable. This study sought to compare conventional and non-invasive diagnostic tools for detecting Plasmodium falciparum.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study, carried out between March and August 2019 to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of a PfHRP2/pLDH-based malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) on patients’ blood, saliva and urine relative to conventional light microscopy and nested PCR at outpatient clinics in the Buea and Tiko health districts of Southwestern Cameroon. The significance of differences in proportions was explored using the Pearson’s χ2 test whereas differences in group means were assessed using analyses of variance.

Results

A total of 359 individuals of both sexes, aged 1–92 years, were enrolled into the study. Of the 301 individuals tested by light microscopy and mRDTs on blood, saliva and urine, 84 (27.9%), 81 (26.9%), 87 (28.9%) and 107 (35.5%) respectively were positive. However, only 34.3%, 90.5%, 91.4%, 83.9% and 65.4% febrile, light microscopy and mRDT positives on blood, saliva and urine respectively had P. falciparum infection as confirmed by PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of presumptive diagnosis, light microscopy and mRDT on blood, saliva and urine were 86.9% and 19.7%, 77.8% and 96.1%, 75.8% and 96.6%, 74.5% and 93.1%, and 70.7% and 81.8%, respectively. The agreement between mRDT on saliva (k = 0.696) and microscopy (k = 0.766) compared to PCR was good.

Conclusion

The study highlighted the low performance of presumptive diagnosis, reinforcing the need for parasitological tests prior to antimalarial therapy. The higher PfHRP2/pLDH mRDT parasite detection rates and sensitivity in saliva compared to urine suggests that the former is a practical adjunct to or alternative worth optimising for the routine diagnosis of malaria.

Graphic Abstract

Flow chart for diagnosis of P. falciparum infection by light microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests and nested PCR.
The effects of meditation on individuals facing loneliness: a scoping review
Authors: Saini Gurleen K. , Haseeb Saud B. , Taghi-Zada Zhala , Ng Jeremy Y.
Published: May 2021

Background

Meditation is defined as a mind and body practice focused on interactions between the brain, mind, body, and behaviour, containing four key elements: a quiet location with little distractions, a comfortable posture, a focus of attention, and an open attitude. We sought to review the benefits of meditation on the alleviation of loneliness.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework. Eligibility criteria included primary studies of any type that investigated the effects of meditation on loneliness. Search strategies were developed and conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, and CINAHL. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and American Psychological Association websites were also searched. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were critically reviewed using a descriptive-analytical narrative method.

Results

Thirteen studies met our inclusion criteria and were published between 2012 and 2020 across 10 countries. Eleven studies reported improvements in relation to loneliness. Of the remaining two studies (15%), one mentioned the alleviation of loneliness, but only looked primarily at social closeness in lonely individuals. The other study found a correlation between loneliness and nuclear factor (NF)-κB levels, which was the measured outcome; however, the direct effects of meditation on loneliness were unclear. Three main themes emerged from our analysis, as follows: 1) positive results across all studies, 2) relatively small randomized control trials conducted over the last decade, and 3) lack of diverse demographic information.

Conclusions

While a small number of studies exist at this intersection, given all included studies indicated positive findings, the effects of meditation in alleviating loneliness are promising. Future research should be directed at understanding how meditation mitigates loneliness and how this intervention can impact practice for healthcare professionals.
Phubbing and temperaments among young Lebanese adults: the mediating effect of self-esteem and emotional intelligence
Authors: Bitar Zeinab , Hallit Souheil , Khansa Wael , Obeid Sahar
Published: May 2021

Background

The rapid increasing rate of mobile and internet users in Lebanon, predisposes us to a high dependency on smartphones, leading to more phubbing. Phubbing has been found associated with many psychological factors. Thus, the main objectives of this study was (1) to evaluate the association between phubbing and temperaments, and (2) assess the mediating effect of self-esteem and emotional intelligence in the association between phubbing and temperaments among a sample of Lebanese adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional study, carried out between August and September 2020, enrolled 461 participants aged between 18 and 29 years old. Participants were recruited from all districts/governorates of Lebanon (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, and Bekaa) using the snowball technique. The Generic Scale of Phubbing, Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale, Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test and TEMPS-M were used to assess phubbing, self-esteem, emotional intelligence and temperaments respectively.

Results

Our results showed that higher depressive temperament (B = 1.21) was significantly associated with more phubbing, whereas higher self-esteem (B = − 0.32) was significantly associated with less phubbing. Regarding the mediating effect, self-esteem partially mediated the association between depressive temperament and phubbing (21.02%), whereas emotional intelligence had no mediating effect on the association between temperaments and phubbing.

Conclusion

A strong correlation between phubbing and temperaments has been found in our study with a partial mediating effect of self-esteem in this association. Our findings might be a first step for raising awareness to develop the etiquette of using smartphones by providing media education to families, and good media usage habits.
Chemical studies of Chinese coinage II: from Qin to Yuan (221 BCE–1368 CE)
Authors: Pollard A. M. , Liu Ruiliang
Published: May 2021

This paper surveys of the chemical composition of the copper alloy coinage in China from the Qin Dynasty to the end of the Yuan Dynasty (221 BCE–1368 CE). It shows a dramatic change in the alloying practice used to cast these coins from the Qin unification (after 221 BCE), compared to that practiced in the pre-Qin. There are a number of shifts in the quality of the coinage from dynasty to dynasty, such as the obvious debasement of the Southern Song coinage (1127–1279 CE) when compared to that of the previous Northern Song dynasty (960–1127 CE). Particular attention is paid to the low levels of zinc in the coinage over the period. Although not as obvious as the switch to brass coinage in the Ming, certain periods do show occasional values of zinc up to 2–4%, which we suggest could reflect the sporadic input of recycled brass (Cu–Zn alloy) into the raw material melt. There were several major suppressions of Buddhism during this period, when Buddhist brass statuary was recycled into the coinage, providing a plausible mechanism for the injection of small quantities of zinc into the coinage alloy. A diachronic study of the amounts of iron in the metal, taken to indicate changes to the manufacturing process of copper, also show changes over time. The median levels of iron jump from the Qin (221–206 BCE) to the Western Han (206 BCE–9 CE), possibly reflecting the adoption of slagging processes in the production of the copper, followed by a gradual decline to the Northern Song (960–1127 CE), and a rapid increase during the Southern Song (1127–1279 CE). Finally, a study of changes in the content of silver over time reveals differences in the sources of lead, or changes in lead and silver extraction technologies, over the period.
Exploring halal tourism tweets on social media
Authors: Feizollah Ali , Mostafa Mohamed M. , Sulaiman Ainin , Zakaria Zalina , Firdaus Ahmad
Published: May 2021

This study explores tweets from Oct 2008 to Oct 2018 related to halal tourism. The tweets were extracted from twitter and underwent various cleaning processes. A total of 33,880 tweets were used for analysis. Analysis intended to (1) identify the topics users tweet about regarding halal tourism, and (2) analyze the emotion-based sentiment of the tweets. To identify and analyze the topics, the study used a word list, concordance graphs, semantic network analysis, and topic-modeling approaches. The NRC emotion lexicon was used to examine the sentiment of the tweets. The analysis illustrated that the word “halal” occurred in the highest number of tweets and was primarily associated with the words “food” and “hotel”. It was also observed that non-Muslim countries such as Japan and Thailand appear to be popular as halal tourist destinations. Sentiment analysis found that there were more positive than negative sentiments among the tweets. The findings have shown that halal tourism is a global market and not only restricted to Muslim countries. Thus, industry players should take the opportunity to use social media to their advantage to promote their halal tourism packages as it is an effective method of communication in this decade.
Targeted accumulation of selective anticancer depsipeptides by reconstructing the precursor supply in the neoantimycin biosynthetic pathway
Authors: Zhou Lin , Shen Yaoyao , Chen Nannan , Li Wanlu , Lin Hou-wen , Zhou Yongjun
Published: May 2021

Background

Neoantimycins are a group of 15-membered ring depsipeptides isolated from Streptomycetes with a broad-spectrum of anticancer activities. Neoantimycin biosynthesis is directed by the hybrid multimodular megaenzymes of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase and polyketide synthase. We previously discovered a new neoantimycin analogue unantimycin B, which was demonstrated to have selective anticancer activities and was produced from the neoantimycin biosynthetic pathway with a starter unit of 3-hydroxybenzoate, instead of the 3-formamidosalicylate unit that is common for neoantimycins. However, the low fermentation titre and tough isolation procedure have hindered in-depth pharmacological investigation of unantimycin B as an anticancer agent.

Results

In this work, we genetically constructed two unantimycin B producer strains and inhibited neoantimycins production by removing natO and natJ-L genes essential for 3-formamidosalicylate biosynthesis, therefore facilitating chromatographic separation of unantimycin B from the complex fermentation extract. Based on the ΔnatO mutant, we improved unantimycin B production twofold, reaching approximately 12.8 mg/L, by feeding 3-hydroxybenzoate during fermentation. Furthermore, the production was improved more than sixfold, reaching approximately 40.0 mg/L, in the ΔnatO strain introduced with a chorismatase gene highly expressed under a strong promoter for endogenously over-producing 3-hydroxybenzoate.

Conclusion

This work provides a case of targeting accumulation and significant production improvement of medicinally interesting natural products via genetic manipulation of precursor biosynthesis in Streptomycetes, the talented producers of pharmaceutical molecules.
Fostering socio-emotional learning through early childhood intervention
Authors: Mondi Christina F. , Giovanelli Alison , Reynolds Arthur J.
Published: May 2021

Educators and researchers are increasingly interested in evaluating and promoting socio-emotional learning (SEL) beginning in early childhood (Newman & Dusunbury in 2015; Zigler & Trickett in American Psychologist 33(9):789–79810.1037/0003-066X.33.9.789, 1978). Decades of research have linked participation in high-quality early childhood education (ECE) programs (e.g., public prekindergarten, Head Start) to multidimensional wellbeing. ECE programs also have demonstrated potential to be implemented at large scales with strong financial returns on investment. However, relatively few studies have investigated the effects of ECE programs on SEL, particularly compared to smaller-scale, skills-based SEL interventions. Furthermore, among studies that have examined SEL, there is a general lack of consensus about how to define and measure SEL in applied settings. The present paper begins to address these gaps in several ways. First, it discusses conceptual and methodological issues related to developmentally and culturally sensitive assessment of young children’s socio-emotional functioning. Second, it reviews the empirical research literature on the impacts of three types of early childhood programs (general prekindergarten programs; multi-component prekindergarten programs; and universal skills-based interventions) on SEL. Finally, it highlights future directions for research and practice.
Retroperitoneal fibrous tumor recurring as lung metastases after 10 years: a case report
Authors: Matsuishi Kozue , Eto Kojiro , Morito Atsushi , Hamasaki Hirokazu , Morita Keisuke , Ikeshima Satoshi , Horino Kei , Shimada Shinya , Baba Hideo
Published: May 2021

Background

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a relatively rare mesenchymal tumor that mainly affects adults. Its prognosis is good after curative resection, but distant recurrences after 10 years or longer have been reported. Recurrent SFT usually arises as a local lesion; distant metastasis is rarely reported. Here, we report lung metastases that recurred a decade after excising a retroperitoneal primary SFT.

Case presentation

A 44-year-old woman had an SFT resected from her right retroperitoneum at our hospital. Ten years later, at age 54, she underwent a lung resection after CT showed three suspected metastases in her left lung. All three were histologically diagnosed as lung metastases from the retroperitoneal SFT. However, whereas the primary SFT had 1–2 mitotic cells/10 high power fields (HPF), the metastatic lesion increased malignancy, at 50/10 HPF.

Conclusion

Patients who have had resected SFTs should be carefully followed up, as malignancy may change in distant metastasis, as in this case.