bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breast feeding as gift of nature: what it provides for mother and baby? (Lecture)
Authors: Gribakin S. G.
Published: September 2021

The priority of breast feeding is a well-known fact many times described in pediatric scientific literature. However we decided to summarize in a brief review all positive influences of breast feeding both for a baby and for mother and for society in general. For infant one should mention an optimal growth, protection from infections, reduced risk of adult diseases, better mental development. For mother it means better recovery after delivery, weight control, lower risk of postpartum bleeding. Economic profit for family budget is connected with the price of infant formulas which are unnecessary in breast feeding.
COMPARISON OF DENTAL ANXIETY AND FEAR AMONG VOCATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENTS AND EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH HABITS AND THE TYPE OF EDUCATION
Authors: DEĞİRMENCİ Kübra , DEMİR Elif Ulku , OZTOPUZ Nagehan , ZENCIRLI Omer
Published: September 2021

This cross-sectional study evaluated the dental anxiety and fear (DFA) levels, and also the influence of basic medical health knowledge on oral health attitudes in the students of the medical and paramedical vocational schools. 291 students were included the study. Modified Dental Anxiety Scale’s (MDAS) and Dental Fear Scale’s (DFS) questions were used to define degree of anxiety and fear. The students' answers were evaluated considering the assigned cut points for MDAS (no fear: 5-11, low fear: 12-18, high fear: 19-25), for DFS (pointslow: 0-40, moderate: 41-60, high: 61-80, extreme high: 81+). Mann-Whitney U Tests were used to compare two school groups. Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical variables (α:0.05). Gender and the school program have been determined to have an important impact on DFA levels of the students (p<0.05). The scores of students in the vocational medical school were significantly lower than the scores of the paramedical vocational school students (p<0.05). The index scores for female students were significantly higher than the scores defined for male students (p<0.05). The type of school program influenced dental anxiety. The study points out that being familiar with health terms may be effective to manage DFA.
Protests, Pandemics, and Political Participation: Voter Turnout in Georgia in the 2020 Elections
Authors: Crabtree Kiela , Fraga Bernard
Published: September 2021

We consider how pandemic-related shifts in election administration and racial justice protest activity impacted participation in 2020 primary and general elections in Georgia. Using a comprehensive statewide voter file, including data on the self-reported race and validated turnout of over 7 million registered Georgians, we analyze the combined effect of these events on racial differences in voter turnout rates, methods, and timing. We find that despite a shift to mail balloting, Black voters were significantly more likely to vote in person during the pandemic than White Democrats. These voters were later less likely to vote by mail (or vote at all) in November. We also demonstrate that Black turnout was significantly higher in the period following racial justice protests in Georgia than it was for other groups. The results of this study indicate how election reforms and non-electoral mobilization can shape turnout disparities even among highly engaged voters.
EBP och verksamhet med personligt ombud
Authors: Lidström Allan
Published: September 2021

Evidensbaserad praktik (EBP) har länge varit föremål för en polariserad debatt inom socialt arbete. De mest uttalade meningsskiljaktigheterna rör EBP:s vetenskapssyn och i debatten accentueras detta ofta genom att EBP associeras med ett snävt metodologiskt fokus. Samtidigt har EBP i praktiken omtolkats på ett sätt som gjort att begreppet riskerar att urvattnas och inte bli förpliktigande. Varken ett snävt metodologiskt fokus eller ej förpliktigande tillämpningar är troligen optimala för att generera förbättringar i social omsorg eller för att ta till vara de reflektioner som gjorts inom socialtjänsten som kan vara värdefulla vid revidering av EBP. Den här studiens syfte är därför att göra delvis ny begreppsbildning tillgänglig och visa vad den kan betyda för att utveckla förhållningssätt och tillvägagångssätt. Det görs genom att analysera relationen mellan EBP:s grundläggande tillvägagångssätt och en socialtjänstpraktik (personligt ombud) som uppvisar den komplexitet som anses typisk för socialt arbete. Ett vidare syfte är att bidra med reflektioner om vilka element i EBP som behöver revideras respektive tas till vara för att EBP ska vara ett potentiellt önskvärt projekt i en sådan verksamhet. Det empiriska materialet utgår ifrån intervjuer i en ombudsverksamhet och det analyseras med teoretisk utgångspunkt i teknik- och vetenskapsstudier. Resultatet visar att den typ av kognitiva formaliseringar som tillämpas i strävan efter mekanisk objektivitet inom EBP kan vara problematiska i ombudsverksamheten. Samtidigt är formaliseringar i sig inte problematiska eftersom ombudsverksamheten, trots intryck av komplexitet, är mer formaliserad än vad den först verkar. De mest betydelsefulla formaliseringarna i verksamheten är dock inte kognitiva utan sociala och analysen pekar på att det kan vara värdefullt att komplettera EBP med medveten och strukturerad användning av sådana sociala formaliseringar för att stärka disciplinär objektivitet.
Socialtjänsten som granskningsobjekt
Authors: Johansson Staffan , Liljegren Andreas
Published: September 2021

Öppna jämförelser (ÖJ) är ett system för kvalitetsmätning inom den svenska välfärdssektorn och ett skolexempel på det samhällsfenomen som betecknats ”granskningssamhället” (audit society) som försöker göra verksamheter mer transparenta och granskningsbara. Det svenska ÖJ-systemet har rönt internationellt intresse, bland annat genom den höga ambitionsnivån och den omfattande spridningen. Det finns forskning om hur ÖJ används inom olika delar inom socialtjänsten, men hitills ingen som undersökt hur ÖJ-systemet används som lednings- och styrverktyg. Syftet med artikeln är att beskriva hur politiker och ledande tjänstemän uppfattar betydelsen, användningen och konsekvenserna av ÖJ inom socialtjänsten och även att finna förklaringar till användningsmönstret. Studiens empiri är en enkätundersökning till 544 politiker och tjänstemän inom socialtjänsten i slumpvis utvalda kommuner. Analysen visar att ÖJ-systemet främst används för att identifiera förbättringsbehov, utvärdera utvecklingen över tid och som underlag för att rapportera till överordnade enheter. Användningen bestäms till stor del av huruvida användaren uppfattar att systemet har starkt stöd från den lokala ledningsstrukturen och att det uppfattas som ett pålitligt och relevant informationssystem. Den sammantagna tolkningen blir därför att det skett en långsam men stadig tillvänjning där ÖJ-systemet fått en naturlig plats som ledningsverktyg för både politiker och tjänstemän, främst med konsekvenser i form av förändrade attityder och styrformer och även, fast i mindre grad, konkreta verksamhetsförändringar.
Antibacterial Peptide HHC-36 Sustained-Release Coating Promotes Antibacterial Property of Percutaneous Implant
Authors: Miao Qiang , Sun Jin-Long , Huang Fei , Wang Jing , Wang Pei , Zheng Ya-Fei , Wang Feng , Ma Chu-Fan
Published: September 2021

Percutaneous implants are widely used in clinical practice. However, infection is the main clinical problem of percutaneous implants. Titanium dioxide nanotubes are suitable for forming coatings on complex surfaces such as implants. HHC-36, a cationic antimicrobial peptide, has been identified to have a strong broad-spectrum antibacterial effect. In the present study, we use poly D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) and poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) coating to build HHC-36 sustained-release system on the surface of titanium dioxide nanotubes. The titanium specimens were anodized coated with HHC-36-PDLLA/PLGA. The morphology and surface elemental distribution of the specimens were evaluated. Besides, results in the present study demonstrated that with antibacterial peptide HHC-36 sustained-release coating, titanium dioxide nanotubes maintain effective drug release for 15 days in vitro, and show significant antibacterial activity. The proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus can be effectively inhibited by PDLLA/PLGA-HHC-36 coated titanium dioxide nanotube. In addition, PDLLA-HHC-36 and PLGA-HHC-36 coating was demonstrated to be biocompatible and antibacterial in vivo. These findings demonstrated that HHC-36 coated titanium nanotube could improve antibacterial potential of percutaneous implants, and indicated a novel and efficient strategy in preventing bacterial infection of percutaneous implants.
The Cellular Origins of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Their Opposing Contributions to Pancreatic Cancer Growth
Authors: Manoukian Paul , Bijlsma Maarten , van Laarhoven Hanneke
Published: September 2021

Pancreatic tumors are known to harbor an abundant and highly desmoplastic stroma. Among the various cell types that reside within tumor stroma, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained a lot of attention in the cancer field due to their contributions to carcinogenesis and tumor architecture. These cells are not a homogeneous population, but have been shown to have different origins, phenotypes, and contributions. In pancreatic tumors, CAFs generally emerge through the activation and/or recruitment of various cell types, most notably resident fibroblasts, pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), and tumor-infiltrating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In recent years, single cell transcriptomic studies allowed the identification of distinct CAF populations in pancreatic tumors. Nonetheless, the exact sources and functions of those different CAF phenotypes remain to be fully understood. Considering the importance of stromal cells in pancreatic cancer, many novel approaches have aimed at targeting the stroma but current stroma-targeting therapies have yielded subpar results, which may be attributed to heterogeneity in the fibroblast population. Thus, fully understanding the roles of different subsets of CAFs within the stroma, and the cellular dynamics at play that contribute to heterogeneity in CAF subsets may be essential for the design of novel therapies and improving clinical outcomes. Fortunately, recent advances in technologies such as microfluidics and bio-printing have made it possible to establish more advanced ex vivo models that will likely prove useful. In this review, we will present the different roles of stromal cells in pancreatic cancer, focusing on CAF origin as a source of heterogeneity, and the role this may play in therapy failure. We will discuss preclinical models that could be of benefit to the field and that may contribute to further clinical development.
Direct N-Glycosylation Profiling of Urine and Prostatic Fluid Glycoproteins and Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Blaschke Calvin R. K. , Hartig Jordan P. , Grimsley Grace , Liu Liping , Semmes O. John , Wu Jennifer D. , Ippolito Joseph E. , Hughes-Halbert Chanita , Nyalwidhe Julius O. , Drake Richard R.
Published: September 2021

Expressed prostatic secretions (EPS), also called post digital rectal exam urines, are proximal fluids of the prostate that are widely used for diagnostic and prognostic assays for prostate cancer. These fluids contain an abundant number of glycoproteins and extracellular vesicles secreted by the prostate gland, and the ability to detect changes in their N-glycans composition as a reflection of disease state represents potential new biomarker candidates. Methods to characterize these N-glycan constituents directly from clinical samples in a timely manner and with minimal sample processing requirements are not currently available. In this report, an approach is described to directly profile the N-glycan constituents of EPS urine samples, prostatic fluids and urine using imaging mass spectrometry for detection. An amine reactive slide is used to immobilize glycoproteins from a few microliters of spotted samples, followed by peptide N-glycosidase digestion. Over 100 N-glycan compositions can be detected with this method, and it works with urine, urine EPS, prostatic fluids, and urine EPS-derived extracellular vesicles. A comparison of the N-glycans detected from the fluids with tissue N-glycans from prostate cancer tissues was done, indicating a subset of N-glycans present in fluids derived from the gland lumens. The developed N-glycan profiling is amenable to analysis of larger clinical cohorts and adaptable to other biofluids.
Physical Origin of Dual-Emission of Au–Ag Bimetallic Nanoclusters
Authors: Peng Bo , Zheng Liu-Xi , Wang Pan-Yue , Zhou Jia-Feng , Ding Meng , Sun Hao-Di , Shan Bing-Qian , Zhang Kun
Published: September 2021

On the origin of photoluminescence of noble metal NCs, there are always hot debates: metal-centered quantum-size confinement effect VS ligand-centered surface state mechanism. Herein, we provided solid evidence that structural water molecules (SWs) confined in the nanocavity formed by surface-protective-ligand packing on the metal NCs are the real luminescent emitters of Au-Ag bimetal NCs. The Ag cation mediated Au-Ag bimetal NCs exhibit the unique pH-dependent dual-emission characteristic with larger Stokes shift up to 200 nm, which could be used as potential ratiometric nanosensors for pH detection. Our results provide a completely new insight on the understanding of the origin of photoluminescence of metal NCs, which elucidates the abnormal PL emission phenomena, including solvent effect, pH-dependent behavior, surface ligand effect, multiple emitter centers, and large-Stoke’s shift.
Mahakal Blessed My Crop: Community Dynamics and Religious Beliefs Influence Efficacy of a Wildlife Compensation Program
Authors: Kshettry Aritra , Bhave Nupur , Das Priyanka , Athreya Vidya
Published: September 2021

Conservation conflicts or human-wildlife conflicts present one of the foremost challenges to wildlife conservation globally. The challenges of reconciling human safety and food security with the conservation of large-bodied wildlife are further compounded in the developing nations with a high spatial overlap of wildlife with people. Therefore, conservation models are required to offset losses faced by affected communities while at the same time ensuring the long-term conservation of wildlife species in shared spaces. Ex-gratia payment is one such widely used conflict mitigation instrument that aims to reduce losses and increase tolerance toward damage-causing wildlife species. However, the efficacy of such programs is rarely investigated and the complex interplay of local beliefs, traditions, and community dynamics are rarely incorporated in the compensation programs. This paper aimed to study an ex-gratia payment program for crop losses in India using ecological, economic, and social lenses. In this study, we used 119 interview surveys across 30 villages. Linear models and thematic analysis were used to understand the sources of crop losses, the propensity to claim ex-gratia payments, and the reasons for claiming or not claiming. We find that even though wildlife is the major cause of crop loss in the region, especially to elephants, the majority of the respondents (53%) did not claim compensation for the losses. The reasons varied from procedural failures to a negative evaluation of the process or the agency involved but the most recurrent reason for not claiming was a deep religious belief in certain communities on the elephant God, “Mahakal.” Our work indicates that the cultural reverence toward the species is enabling the acceptance of losses. We propose that such complex cultural beliefs and local traditions should be considered when designing schemes that aim to garner conservation support toward damage-causing wildlife species.
Digital Health Literacy About COVID-19 as a Factor Mediating the Association Between the Importance of Online Information Search and Subjective Well-Being Among University Students in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Linh Hoang Thuy , Vo Man Thi Hue , Tran Lien Thi Mai , Dadaczynski Kevin , Okan Orkan , Murray Linda , Van Vo Thang
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Digital health literacy (DHL) has recently been proposed as a means of enabling healthy decisions for protective behavior, preventive measures, and adherence with COVID-19 policies and recommendations especially in the era of the “infodemic”. This study aimed to (1) identify COVID-19 related DHL and its association with online information seeking; (2) to elucidate COVID-19 related DHL as a mediator predictor between the importance of online information search and its association with subjective well-being among Vietnamese university students.

Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was used to elicit the responses of Vietnamese students over 2 consecutive weeks (from April 25 to May 9, 2020, n = 1,003, 70.1% female students, mean age 21.4 ± 3.1). The online survey questionnaire collected data on the sociodemographic characteristics of participants, DHL about COVID-19, information seeking behavior, and subjective well-being. Mediation analysis was conducted using the importance of searching COVID-19 related information as independent variables, subjective well-being as a dependent variable, and DHL as a mediator variable.

Results: Among 1,003 students, the mean (SD) of DHL related to COVID-19 was 2.87 ± 0.32. In the survey, 87.2% of the students reported sufficient well-being, while almost 13% reported low or very low well-being. The findings also indicated that search engines were the most popular platform for information seeking by Vietnamese students (95.3%) and 92.8% of participants had searched for information related to the current spread of COVID-19. Not searching for hygiene regulation as part of infection control and an average level of information satisfaction were associated with limited DHL (p < 0.05). The importance of online information searching related to COVID-19 increased the subjective well-being of students significantly and limited DHL (p < 0.05). DHL was found to mediate the relationship between the importance of online information searching and the subjective well-being of students.

Conclusion: The finding provides insight into DHL about COVID-19 among university students, and their ability to find, understand, appraise, and use online health related information during lockdown throughout the first COVID-19 pandemic wave. DHL should be highlighted as a mediating factor that enhances the positive effect of the importance of information seeking on psychological well-being. However, further studies are needed to better define the mediating role of DHL across other factors.
Diagnosing Student Node Mastery: Impact of Varying Item Response Modeling Approaches
Authors: Embretson Susan
Published: September 2021

An important feature of learning maps, such as Dynamic Learning Maps and Enhanced Learning Maps, is their ability to accommodate nation-wide specifications of standards, such as the Common Core State Standards, within the map nodes along with relevant instruction. These features are especially useful for remedial instruction, given that accurate diagnosis is available. The year-end achievement tests are potentially useful in this regard. Unfortunately, the current use of total score or area sub-scores are neither sufficiently precise nor sufficiently reliable to diagnose mastery at the node level especially when students vary in their patterns of mastery. The current study examines varying approaches to using the year-end test for diagnosis. Prediction at the item level was obtained using parameters from varying item response theory (IRT) models. The results support using mixture class IRT models predicting mastery in which either items or node scores vary in difficulty for students in different latent classes. Not only did the mixture models fit better but trait score reliability was also maintained for the predictions of node mastery.
Endometrial Thickness Is a Risk Factor for Singleton Low Birth Weight From Single Blastocyst Transfer: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Du Mingze , Zhang Junwei , Liu Manman , Guan Yichun , Wang Xingling
Published: September 2021

Objective

To explore whether endometrial thickness (EMT) ≤7.5 mm is associated with singleton low birth weight (LBW) from single fresh blastocyst transfer.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. Only women ≤ 40 years old who underwent single fresh blastocyst transfer and had singleton live births were included in the study. LBW was the primary outcome of this study. Neonatal malformation was the secondary outcome. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between (EMT) ≤7.5 mm and singleton LBW.

Results

A total number of 2847 women met the study inclusion criteria. The neonatal birthweight in the EMT ≤7.5 mm group was significantly lower than that in the EMT 7.6~12.0 mm and EMT >12.0 mm group (P<0.001). The rate of LBW in the EMT ≤7.5 mm group was 24.9%, which was significantly higher than the 4.0% in the EMT 7.6~12.0 mm group and the 5.3% in the EMT >12.0 mm group (P<0.001). The total neonatal malformation rate was similar between the groups (1.1%, 0.8% and 1.5%, P=0.21). After logistic regression analysis, EMT ≤7.5 mm was found to be an independent risk factor for LBW (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.39, 95% CI: 1.85˜10.46, P<0.001).

Conclusion

EMT ≤7.5 mm on the hCG trigger day is an independent risk factor for LBW in singleton pregnancies from single fresh blastocyst transfer. The neonatal birthweight in the EMT ≤7.5 mm group was significantly lower than that in the EMT 7.6~12.0 mm and EMT >12.0 mm groups. The total neonatal malformation rate was comparable between the groups.
The Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Health Risks of Metal(oid)s Bioaccumulation in Leafy Vegetables: A Consumption Advisory
Authors: Alsafran Mohammed , Usman Kamal , Rizwan Muhammad , Ahmed Talaat , Al Jabri Hareb
Published: September 2021

High levels of metal(oid)s in soil or food pose a severe health risk to humans. The potential toxicants find their way into the living systems via the food chain, following bioaccumulation in edible plants, including leafy vegetables grown in or irrigated with contaminated soil or water, respectively. The current study determines the levels of vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in leafy vegetables (rocca, coriander, and parsley) grown in different open irrigated farms in Qatar and investigates their potential human health risks (carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic). The mean concentrations of V, Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb in rocca are 17.09, 6.41, 1.70, 13.04, 14.72, 0.90, and 6.36 mg/kg, respectively; in coriander are 15.91, 6.03, 1.38, 15.30, 16.86, 0.43, and 5.00 mg/kg, respectively; and in parsley are 16.25, 6.26, 2.19, 17.97, 16.60, 0.51, and 5.46 mg/kg, respectively. The mean levels of V, Cr, As, Cd, and Pb were observed to be higher than the recommended World Health Organization (WHO)/Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) values. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values of Cu and As were found to be greater than 1 for the adult population. For the two elements (i.e., Cu and As), the THQ varied from 1.03 to 1.42 and 1.17 to 1.44 in men. In women, the values ranged from 1.20 to 1.65 and 1.35 to 1.55, for Cu and As, respectively. The hazard index (HI) of rocca, coriander, and parsley was 3.99, 4.10, and 4.43, respectively, in men, 4.64, 4.76, and 5.14, respectively, among women. The carcinogenic risk (CR) of Cr, Ni, and As ranged from 7.16 × 10−4 to 7.61 × 10−4, 5.57 × 10−4 to 8.85 × 10−4, and 5.24 × 10−3 to 6.01 × 10−3, respectively, in men. In women, it ranged from 8.31 × 10−4 to 8.83 × 10−4, 6.47 × 10−4 to 1.03 × 10−3, and 6.09 × 10−3 to 6.97 × 10−3, respectively, in all vegetables. In crux, the consumption of rocca, coriander, and parsley grown in selected farms in Qatar poses a major health risk (both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic) to the consumer. As a result, we recommend that vegetables grown in the studied areas be closely monitored to protect consumer health.
Comparing Soil Nitrous Oxide and Methane Fluxes From Oil Palm Plantations and Adjacent Riparian Forests in Malaysian Borneo
Authors: Drewer Julia , Kuling Harry John , Cowan Nicholas Jon , Majalap Noreen , Sentian Justin , Skiba Ute
Published: September 2021

Riparian forests are often kept as buffers between rivers and oil palm plantations. Many benefits of riparian forests, such as increasing biodiversity and providing a travel corridor for wildlife have been documented. Conversely, data on fluxes of the greenhouse gases nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) from riparian forests are sparse. Nitrogen (N) from fertilizer applied in the oil palm plantations leached to the adjacent riparian forests, may increase emissions of N2O. Methane (CH4) fluxes might also differ between oil palm plantations and riparian forests due to carbon (C) availability. In this scoping study, we installed transects from three mature oil palm plantations to adjacent riparian forests within the SAFE project landscape in Sabah, Malaysia (https://www.safeproject.net) for measurements of greenhouse gases and associated parameters every 2 months for 13 months. Emissions of N2O were higher from riparian forests with 40.4 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 35.7–44.6] μg N2O-N m–2 h–1 than from an equivalent area of oil palm plantation 27.6 (CI: 23.1–32.3) μg N2O-N m–2 h–1. Methane uptake was significantly higher from the riparian forest with −14.7 (CI: −21.1 to −8.3) μg CH4-C m–2 h–1 compared to slight positive emission in the oil palm plantations of 6.3 (CI: 1.1–11.4) μg CH4-C m–2 h–1. We are contributing urgently needed flux data for less well studied riparian forests in the Tropics, however, additional long-term studies are needed to be able to draw wider conclusions than possible from this scoping study alone.
Overview of the Mechanisms of Action of Selected Bisphenols and Perfluoroalkyl Chemicals on the Male Reproductive Axes
Authors: Ješeta Michal , Navrátilová Jana , Franzová Kateřina , Fialková Sandra , Kempisty Bartozs , Ventruba Pavel , Žáková Jana , Crha Igor
Published: September 2021

Male fertility has been deteriorating worldwide for considerable time, with the greatest deterioration recorded mainly in the United States, Europe countries, and Australia. That is, especially in countries where an abundance of chemicals called endocrine disruptors has repeatedly been reported, both in the environment and in human matrices. Human exposure to persistent and non-persistent chemicals is ubiquitous and associated with endocrine-disrupting effects. This group of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) can act as agonists or antagonists of hormone receptors and can thus significantly affect a number of physiological processes. It can even negatively affect human reproduction with an impact on the development of gonads and gametogenesis, fertilization, and the subsequent development of embryos. The negative effects of endocrine disruptors on sperm gametogenesis and male fertility in general have been investigated and repeatedly demonstrated in experimental and epidemiological studies. Male reproduction is affected by endocrine disruptors via their effect on testicular development, impact on estrogen and androgen receptors, potential epigenetic effect, production of reactive oxygen species or direct effect on spermatozoa and other cells of testicular tissue. Emerging scientific evidence suggests that the increasing incidence of male infertility is associated with the exposure to persistent and non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols and perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS). These chemicals may impact men’s fertility through various mechanisms. This study provides an overview of the mechanisms of action common to persistent (PFAS) and nonpersistent (bisphenols) EDC on male fertility.
SAP30 Gene Is a Probable Regulator of Muscle Hypertrophy in Chickens
Authors: Petry Bruna , Moreira Gabriel Costa Monteiro , Copola Aline Gonçalves Lio , Souza Marcela Maria de , da Veiga Fernanda Cristina , Jorge Erika Cristina , de Oliveira Peixoto Jane , Ledur Mônica Corrêa , Koltes James E. , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann
Published: September 2021

Animals with muscle hypertrophy phenotype are targeted by the broiler industry to increase the meat production and the quality of the final product. Studies characterizing the molecular machinery involved with these processes, such as quantitative trait loci studies, have been carried out identifying several candidate genes related to this trait; however, validation studies of these candidate genes in cell culture is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate SAP30 as a candidate gene for muscle development and to validate its function in cell culture in vitro. The SAP30 gene was downregulated in C2C12 muscle cell culture using siRNA technology to evaluate its impact on morphometric traits and gene expression by RNA-seq analysis. Modulation of SAP30 expression increased C2C12 myotube area, indicating a role in muscle hypertrophy. RNA-seq analysis identified several upregulated genes annotated in muscle development in treated cells (SAP30-knockdown), corroborating the role of SAP30 gene in muscle development regulation. Here, we provide experimental evidence of the involvement of SAP30 gene as a regulator of muscle cell hypertrophy.
Associations of the miRNA-146a rs2910164 and the miRNA-499a rs3746444 Polymorphisms With Plasma Lipid Levels: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Fuqiang , Wang Shengping , Luo Zhi
Published: September 2021

Background: The studies of miRNAs are vibrant and remain at the forefront in the cardiovascular system. Emerging studies indicate that the genetic polymorphisms of the miRNA gene may affect lipid metabolism; this study aims to clarify the specific correlations between the rs2910164 and rs3746444 polymorphisms and lipid levels.

Methods and Results: A comprehensive search of literature was performed from December 31, 2020, to May 31, 2021, by searching of the PubMed and the Cochrane databases. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the differences in lipid levels between the genotypes. rs2910164, a functional polymorphism in the miRNA-146a gene, was associated with increased triglycerides (TG) (SMD = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.15–0.54, p < 0.001), total cholesterol (TC) (SMD = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.16–0.70, p < 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.11–0.63, p = 0.01) as well as decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (SMD = −0.27, 95% CI = −0.47−0.07, p = 0.01) levels. rs3746444, a functional polymorphism in the miRNA-499a gene, was only correlated with decreased TG (SMD = −0.09, 95% CI = −0.17−0.01, P = 0.03) levels.

Conclusions: The miRNA-146a rs2910164 polymorphism is significantly associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia.
A Focused Review of Neural Recording and Stimulation Techniques With Immune-Modulatory Targets
Authors: Carnevale Lorenzo , Perrotta Marialuisa , Lembo Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

The complex interactions established between the nervous and immune systems have been investigated for a long time. With the advent of small and portable devices to record and stimulate nerve activity, researchers from many fields began to be interested in how nervous activity can elicit immune responses and whether this activity can be manipulated to trigger specific immune responses. Pioneering works demonstrated the existence of a cholinergic inflammatory reflex, capable of controlling the systemic inflammatory response through a vagus nerve-mediated modulation of the spleen. This work inspired many different areas of technological and conceptual advancement, which are here reviewed to provide a concise reference for the main works expanding the knowledge on vagus nerve immune-modulatory capabilities. In these works the enabling technologies of peripheral nervous activity recordings were implemented and embody the current efforts aimed at controlling neural activity with modulating functions in immune response, both in experimental and clinical contexts.
Unsupervised Clustering Reveals Distinct Subtypes of Biliary Atresia Based on Immune Cell Types and Gene Expression
Authors: Pang Xiuqing , Cao Jing , Chen Shuru , Gao Zhiliang , Liu Guangjian , Chong Yutian , Chen Zhuanggui , Gong Jiao , Li Xinhua
Published: September 2021

Background

Biliary atresia (BA) is a severe cholangiopathy of early infancy that destroys cholangiocytes, obstructs ductular pathways and if left untreated, culminates to liver cirrhosis. Mechanisms underlying the etiological heterogeneity remain elusive and few studies have attempted phenotyping BA. We applied machine learning to identify distinct subtypes of BA which correlate with the underlying pathogenesis.

Methods

The BA microarray dataset GSE46995 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to identify BA subtypes. Then, functional enrichment analysis was applied and hub genes identified to explore molecular mechanisms associated with each subtype. An independent dataset GSE15235 was used for validation process.

Results

Based on unsupervised cluster analysis, BA patients can be classified into three distinct subtypes: Autoimmune, Viral and Embryonic subtypes. Functional analysis of Subtype 1 correlated with Fc Gamma Receptor (FCGR) activation and hub gene FCGR2A, suggesting an autoimmune response targeting bile ducts. Subtype 2 was associated with immune receptor activity, cytokine receptor, signaling by interleukins, viral protein interaction, suggesting BA is associated with viral infection. Subtype 3 was associated with signaling and regulation of expression of Robo receptors and hub gene ITGB2, corresponding to embryonic BA. Moreover, Reactome pathway analysis showed Neutrophil degranulation pathway enrichment in all subtypes, suggesting it may result from an early insult that leads to biliary stasis.

Conclusions

The classification of BA into different subtypes improves our current understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of BA and provides new insights for future studies.
Numerical and Experimental Research on Single-Valve and Multi-Valve Resonant Systems
Authors: Bai Changan , Chen Tianning , Yu Wuzhou
Published: September 2021

Multiple valves in the pipeline system belong to obvious periodic structure distribution types. When a high-speed airstream flows through the pipeline valve, it produces obvious aero-acoustic and acoustic resonance. Acoustic resonant systems with single and six-pipe valves were investigated to understand the flow and acoustic characteristics using a numerical simulation method and testing method. The strongest acoustic resonance occurred at a specific flow velocity with a corresponding Strouhal number of 0.47 corresponding to the geometric parameters in the paper. Moreover, acoustic resonance occurred in a certain velocity range, rather than increasing with the increase of the velocity of the pipeline. This regular increase provided an important theoretical basis for the prediction of the acoustic resonant and ultimate acoustic load of a single-valve system. When the pipeline was attached with multiple valves and the physical dimension was large, the conventional aero-acoustics calculation results were seriously attenuated at high frequency; the calculation method involving a cut-off frequency in this paper was presented and could be used to explain the excellent agreement of the sound pressure level (SPL) below the cut-off frequency and the poor agreement above the cut-off frequency. A new method involving steady flow and stochastic noise generation and radiation (SNGR) was proposed to obtain better results for the SPL at the middle and high frequencies. The comparison results indicated that the traditional method of Lighthill analogy and unsteady flow could accurately acquire aerodynamic noise below the cut-off frequency, while the new method involving steady flow and SNGR could quickly acquire aerodynamic noise above the cut-off frequency.
Case Report: Oral Cimetidine Administration Causes Drug-Induced Immune Hemolytic Anemia by Eliciting the Production of Cimetidine-Dependent Antibodies and Drug-Independent Non-specific Antibodies
Authors: Wu Yuanjun , Wu Yong , Ji Yanli , Liu Yanhui , Wu Dongsheng , Liang Jiajie , Guo Ganping , Chen Baochan
Published: September 2021

Previously, it was reported that multiple patients had hemolytic anemia associated with cimetidine administration, while only one patient who had received intravenous cimetidine was serologically diagnosed with drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) caused by cimetidine-dependent antibodies. However, the ability of oral cimetidine intake to induce the production of antibodies has not been examined. In this study, we report a 44-year-old male patient in whom oral cimetidine administration resulted in cimetidine-dependent antibodies and drug-independent non-specific antibodies, leading to the development of DIIHA. Serological tests showed that the results of direct antiglobulin test (DAT) for anti-IgG (3+) and anti-C3d (1+) were positive. The IgM and IgG cimetidine-dependent antibodies (the highest total titer reached 4,096) were detected in the plasma incubated with O-type RBCs and 1 mg/mL cimetidine or the plasma incubated with cimetidine-coated RBCs. IgG-type drug-independent non-specific antibodies were detected in blood samples collected at days 13, 34, 41, and 82 post-drug intake. This is the first study to report that oral administration of cimetidine can elicit the production of cimetidine-dependent antibodies, leading to DIIHA, and the production of drug-independent non-specific antibodies, resulting in hemolytic anemia independent of cimetidine. Presence of pathogenic antibodies were detectable longer than 41 days. This suggests that patients with DIIHA caused by cimetidine need to be given necessary medical monitoring within 41 days after cimetidine intake.
An APSES Transcription Factor Xbp1 Is Required for Sclerotial Development, Appressoria Formation, and Pathogenicity in Ciboria shiraiana
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Zhu Panpan , Cao Boning , Ma Shuyu , Li Ruolan , Wang Xie , Zhao Aichun
Published: September 2021

Sclerotinia diseases are important plant fungal diseases that, causes huge economic worldwide losses every year. Ciboria shiraiana is the main pathogen that results in mulberry sclerotia diseases. Sclerotia and appressoria play important roles in long-term pathogen survival and in host infection during life and disease cycles. However, the molecular mechanisms of sclerotial development and appressoria formation in C. shiraiana have not been well studied. Here, an Asm1p, Phd1p, Sok2p, Efg1p and StuAp (APSES)-type transcription factor in C. shiraiana, CsXbp1, involved in sclerotial development and appressoria formation was functionally characterized. Bioinformatics analyses showed that CsXbp1 contained an APSES-type DNA binding domain. The expression levels of CsXbp1 were higher in sclerotia and during later stages of infection. Compared with wild-type strains, hyphal growth was slower, the number and weight of sclerotia were reduced significantly, and appressoria formation was obviously delayed in CsXbp1 RNA interference (RNAi) strains. Moreover, the CsXbp1 RNAi strains showed weakened pathogenicity owing to compound appressoria defects. Tobacco rattle virus-mediated host-induced gene silencing enabled Nicotiana benthamiana to increase its resistance to C. shiraiana by reducing the CsXbp1 transcripts level. Thus, CsXbp1 plays vital roles in sclerotial formation, appressoria formation, and pathogenicity in C. shiraiana. This study provides new insights into the infection mechanisms of C. shiraiana and plant resistance breeding.
Mast Cells Mediate Inflammatory Injury and Aggravate Neurological Impairment in Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Through Microglial PAR-2 Pathway
Authors: Qin Bing , Peng Yucong , Zhong Chen , Cai Yong , Zhou Shengjun , Chen Huaijun , Zhuang Jianfeng , Zeng Hanhai , Xu Chaoran , Xu Hangzhe , Li Jianru , Ying Guangyu , Gu Chi , Chen Gao , Wang Lin
Published: September 2021

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating cerebrovascular disease with high mortality and disability. Aberrant neuroinflammation has been identified as a critical factor accounting for the poor prognosis of SAH patients. Mast cells (MCs), the sentinel cells of the immune system, play a critical in the early immune reactions and participate in multiple pathophysiological process. However, the exact role of MCs on the pathophysiological process after SAH has not been fully understood. The current study was conducted to determine the role of MCs and MC stabilization in the context of SAH. Mouse SAH model was established by endovascular perforation process. Mice received saline or cromolyn (MC stabilizer) or compound 48/80 (MCs degranulator). Post-SAH evaluation included neurobehavioral test, western blot, immunofluorescence, and toluidine blue staining. We demonstrated that SAH induced MCs activation/degranulation. Administration of MC stabilizer cromolyn conferred a better neurologic outcome and decreased brain edema when compared with SAH+vehicle group. Furthermore, cromolyn significantly inhibited neuroinflammatory response and alleviated neuronal damage after SAH. However, pharmacological activation of MCs with compound 48/80 dramatically aggravated SAH-induced brain injury and exacerbated neurologic outcomes. Notably, pharmacological inhibition of microglial PAR-2 significantly reversed MCs-induced inflammatory response and neurological impairment. Additionally, the effect of MCs-derived tryptase in mediating neuroinflammation was also abolished by the microglial PAR-2 blockage in vitro. Taken together, MCs yielded inflammatory injury through activating microglia-related neuroinflammation after SAH. These data shed light on the notion that MCs might be a novel and promising therapeutic target for SAH.
Applying Deep Learning to Accelerated Clinical Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Mani Ashika , Santini Tales , Puppala Radhika , Dahl Megan , Venkatesh Shruthi , Walker Elizabeth , DeHaven Megan , Isitan Cigdem , Ibrahim Tamer S. , Wang Long , Zhang Tao , Gong Enhao , Barrios-Martinez Jessica , Yeh Fang-Cheng , Krafty Robert , Mettenburg Joseph M. , Xia Zongqi
Published: September 2021

Background: Magnetic resonance (MR) scans are routine clinical procedures for monitoring people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Patient discomfort, timely scheduling, and financial burden motivate the need to accelerate MR scan time. We examined the clinical application of a deep learning (DL) model in restoring the image quality of accelerated routine clinical brain MR scans for PwMS.

Methods: We acquired fast 3D T1w BRAVO and fast 3D T2w FLAIR MRI sequences (half the phase encodes and half the number of slices) in parallel to conventional parameters. Using a subset of the scans, we trained a DL model to generate images from fast scans with quality similar to the conventional scans and then applied the model to the remaining scans. We calculated clinically relevant T1w volumetrics (normalized whole brain, thalamic, gray matter, and white matter volume) for all scans and T2 lesion volume in a sub-analysis. We performed paired t-tests comparing conventional, fast, and fast with DL for these volumetrics, and fit repeated measures mixed-effects models to test for differences in correlations between volumetrics and clinically relevant patient-reported outcomes (PRO).

Results: We found statistically significant but small differences between conventional and fast scans with DL for all T1w volumetrics. There was no difference in the extent to which the key T1w volumetrics correlated with clinically relevant PROs of MS symptom burden and neurological disability.

Conclusion: A deep learning model that improves the image quality of the accelerated routine clinical brain MR scans has the potential to inform clinically relevant outcomes in MS.
Periodic Limb Movements Syndrome in Patients With Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Spektor Ekaterina , Fietze Ingo , Poluektov Mikhail G.
Published: September 2021

Background: Cerebrovascular diseases are the leading cause of cognitive decline and dementia. Therefore, the investigation of the potential ways to slow down the disease progression is an important research field. Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are known to be associated with transient changes in heart rate and blood pressure. These changes might influence the course of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). Nevertheless, the clinical significance of PLMS, particularly its influence on cardiovascular diseases course, is still controversial and underinvestigated.

Methods/design: Patients from 60 to 75 years old diagnosed with cSVD will undergo nocturnal polysomnography. Subjects with apnea/hypopnea index under 5 will be enrolled. Sleep quality and daytime functioning will be assessed at baseline with self-reported questionnaires. Brain MRI and cognitive assessment will be performed at baseline and in the 2-year follow-up. Progression of cSVD markers and cognitive dysfunction will be compared between patients with PLMS index (PLMI) equal to or more than 15 movements per hour of sleep and controls (PLMI <15/h).

Discussion: The negative role of PLMS in cSVD progression and related cognitive decline is expected. We suppose that patients with PLMS tend to worsen in cognitive performance more rapidly than age-, gender-, and comorbidity-matched controls. We also expect them to have more rapid white matter hyperintensities and other cSVD marker progression. The limitations of the study protocol are the short follow-up period, the absence of a treatment group, and inability to make a conclusion about causality.
Magnetically Induced Temporal Interference for Focal and Deep-Brain Stimulation
Authors: Xin Zonghao , Kuwahata Akihiro , Liu Shuang , Sekino Masaki
Published: September 2021

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has been clinically applied for neural modulation. Conventional TMS systems are restricted by the trade-off between depth penetration and the focality of the induced electric field. In this study, we integrated the concept of temporal interference (TI) stimulation, which has been demonstrated as a non-invasive deep-brain stimulation method, with magnetic stimulation in a four-coil configuration. The attenuation depth and spread of the electric field were obtained by performing numerical simulation. Consequently, the proposed temporally interfered magnetic stimulation scheme was demonstrated to be capable of stimulating deeper regions of the brain model while maintaining a relatively narrow spread of the electric field, in comparison to conventional TMS systems. These results demonstrate that TI magnetic stimulation could be a potential candidate to recruit brain regions underneath the cortex. Additionally, by controlling the geometry of the coil array, an analogous relationship between the field depth and focality was observed, in the case of the newly proposed method. The major limitations of the methods, however, would be the considerable intensity and frequency of the input current, followed by the frustration in the thermal management of the hardware.