bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracing the inheritance line of Subak, a traditional martial art
Authors: song junho
Published: April 2023

At the end of the Joseon Dynasty, traditional martial arts's successors all died of old age. It is difficult to inherit the national cultural heritage and hand it down to descendants through individual efforts alone. We all need to take care of it and preserve it. As with arts that have been handed down by the people, there are no written records related to the genealogy of traditional martial arts
New Institutional Theory: Implementasi Anggaran Berbasis Kinerja
Authors: Astutiningrum  , Djamhuri Ali , Prihatiningtyas Yeney Widya
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze the organizational changes that occurred after the adoption of the performance-based budgeting. Organizational change is analyzed from the perspective of the New Institutional Theory (NIT) focusings on the process of implementing performance-based budgeting in the dr. Iskak Hospital Tulungagung. This case study conducted based on qualitative approach. The results indicate that the occurrence of coercive isomorphism occurs, which is supported by mimetic ishomorphism, although it is weak. The dominant symptom is normative ishomorphism indicated by member’ normative trust that performance-based budgeting is the most suitable for hospital. The implementation of performance-based budgeting has encouraged the use of funds more effectively and efficiently.
Abstrak
Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisa perubahan organisasi setelah pengadopsian anggaran berbasis kinerja. Perubahan organisasi dianalisis berdasarkan perspektif New Institutional Theory (NIT) dengan fokus penelitian terhadap proses penerapan anggaran berbasis kinerja di RSUD dr. Iskak Tulungagung. Strategi penelitian adalah studi kasus dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terjadinya coercive isomorphism, sebagai upaya memperoleh legitimasi, yang didukung oleh mimetic ishomorphism, yaitu upaya peniruan terhadap organisasi lain, meskipun lemah. Gejala yang dominan adalah normative ishomorphism, ditunjukkan dengan kepercayaan normatif anggota organisasi bahwa anggaran berbasis kinerja paling tepat bagi karakteristik rumah sakit. Penerapan anggaran berbasis kinerja telah mendorong penggunaan dana lebih efektif dan efisien.
Considering life and death: a qualitative vignette study among farm animal veterinarians in the Netherlands on considerations in end-of-life decision-making
Authors: Deelen Ellen , Meijboom Franck L. B. , Tobias Tijs J. , Koster Ferry , Hesselink Jan Willem , Rodenburg T. Bas
Published: April 2023

Farm animal veterinarians are frequently involved in animals’ end-of-life (EoL) situations. Existing literature found that the decision-making process to end an animal’s life can be experienced as complex and stressful by veterinarians. The complexity of the process may find its origin in the multiple medical and non-medical aspects that veterinarians consider coming to their decision. Although research provides insight into what considerations are at stake, the literature does not provide information on how these aspects affect the decision-making process. This study explores how different considerations affect the decision-making process of farm animal veterinarians in EoL situations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nineteen farm animal veterinarians in the Netherlands. During the interviews, case scenarios in the form of vignettes were used to identify and explore the considerations that play a role for these veterinarians in EoL decision-making. Based on the analysis of the interview data, we discovered that farm animal veterinarians consider EoL situations using one of three identified frames: function, prospect, and duty. These frames illustrate one’s perspective on the interplay of medical and non-medical aspects. Whereas veterinarians for whom the function frame is dominant focus on the human-centred function that an animal fulfils, veterinarians for whom the prospect frame is dominant focus on an animal’s prospects based on the animal’s living conditions and the influence of the owner. Veterinarians for whom the duty frame is dominant focus on the owner’s legal position towards the animal, illustrating a clear distinction between the veterinarian’s professional duties towards the animal and the duty of care of the animal owner. As such, the key contributions of this study are the discovery of the importance of the interplay between considerations in EoL decision-making and the frame-specific approach of veterinarians. The identified frames may relate to the coping strategies of veterinarians dealing with the complexity of EoL situations.
Nanofibrous insulin/vildagliptin core-shell PLGA scaffold promotes diabetic wound healing
Authors: Lee Chen-Hung , Chen Dong-Yi , Hsieh Ming-Jer , Hung Kuo-Chun , Huang Shu-Chun , Cho Chia-Jung , Liu Shih-Jung
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Slow wound repair in diabetes is a serious adverse event that often results in loss of a limb or disability. An advanced and encouraging vehicle is wanted to enhance clinically applicable diabetic wound care. Nanofibrous insulin/vildagliptin core-shell biodegradable poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds to prolong the effective drug delivery of vildagliptin and insulin for the repair of diabetic wounds were prepared.

Methods: To fabricate core-shell nanofibrous membranes, vildagliptin mixture with PLGA, and insulin solution were pumped via separate pumps into two differently sized capillary tubes that were coaxially electrospun.

Results and Discussion: Nanofibrous core-shell scaffolds slowly released effective vildagliptin and insulin over 2 weeks in vitro migration assay and in vivo wound-healing models. Water contact angle (68.3 ± 8.5° vs. 121.4 ± 2.0°, p = 0.006) and peaked water absorbent capacity (376% ± 9% vs. 283% ± 24%, p = 0.003) of the insulin/vildagliptin core-shell nanofibrous membranes remarkably exceeded those of a control group. The insulin/vildagliptin-loaded core-shell nanofibers improved endothelial progenitor cells migration in vitro (762 ± 77 cells/mm2 vs. 424.4 ± 23 cells/mm2, p < 0.001), reduced the α-smooth muscle actin content in vivo (0.72 ± 0.23 vs. 2.07 ± 0.37, p < 0.001), and increased diabetic would recovery (1.9 ± 0.3 mm2 vs. 8.0 ± 1.4 mm2, p = 0.002). Core-shell insulin/vildagliptin-loaded nanofibers extend the drug delivery of insulin and vildagliptin and accelerate the repair of wounds associated with diabetes.
Moving fluoroscopy-based analysis of THA kinematics during unrestricted activities of daily living
Authors: D’Isidoro Fabio , Brockmann Clara , Friesenbichler Bernd , Zumbrunn Thomas , Leunig Michael , Ferguson Stephen J.
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Knowledge of the accurate in-vivo kinematics of total hip arthroplasty (THA) during activities of daily living can potentially improve the in-vitro or computational wear and impingement prediction of hip implants. Fluoroscopy- based techniques provide more accurate kinematics compared to skin marker-based motion capture, which is affected by the soft tissue artefact. To date, stationary fluoroscopic machines allowed the measurement of only restricted movements, or only a portion of the whole motion cycle.

Methods: In this study, a moving fluoroscopic robot was used to measure the hip joint motion of 15 THA subjects during whole cycles of unrestricted activities of daily living, i.e., overground gait, stair descent, chair rise and putting on socks.

Results: The retrieved hip joint motions differed from the standard patterns applied for wear testing, demonstrating that current pre-clinical wear testing procedures do not reflect the experienced in-vivo daily motions of THA.

Discussion: The measured patient-specific kinematics may be used as input to in vitro and computational simulations, in order to investigate how individual motion patterns affect the predicted wear or impingement.
Improving carbon monoxide tolerance of Cupriavidus necator H16 through adaptive laboratory evolution
Authors: Wickham-Smith Charles , Malys Naglis , Winzer Klaus
Published: April 2023

Background: The toxic gas carbon monoxide (CO) is abundantly present in synthesis gas (syngas) and certain industrial waste gases that can serve as feedstocks for the biological production of industrially significant chemicals and fuels. For efficient bacterial growth to occur, and to increase productivity and titres, a high resistance to the gas is required. The aerobic bacterium Cupriavidus necator H16 can grow on CO2 + H2, although it cannot utilise CO as a source of carbon and energy. This study aimed to increase its CO resistance through adaptive laboratory evolution.

Results: To increase the tolerance of C. necator to CO, the organism was continually subcultured in the presence of CO both heterotrophically and autotrophically. Ten individual cultures were evolved heterotrophically with fructose in this manner and eventually displayed a clear growth advantage over the wild type strain. Next-generation sequencing revealed several mutations, including a single point mutation upstream of a cytochrome bd ubiquinol oxidase operon (cydA2B2), which was present in all evolved isolates. When a subset of these mutations was engineered into the parental H16 strain, only the cydA2B2 upstream mutation enabled faster growth in the presence of CO. Expression analysis, mutation, overexpression and complementation suggested that cydA2B2 transcription is upregulated in the evolved isolates, resulting in increased CO tolerance under heterotrophic but not autotrophic conditions. However, through subculturing on a syngas-like mixture with increasing CO concentrations, C. necator could also be evolved to tolerate high CO concentrations under autotrophic conditions. A mutation in the gene for the soluble [NiFe]-hydrogenase subunit hoxH was identified in the evolved isolates. When the resulting amino acid change was engineered into the parental strain, autotrophic CO resistance was conferred. A strain constitutively expressing cydA2B2 and the mutated hoxH gene exhibited high CO tolerance under both heterotrophic and autotrophic conditions.

Conclusion:C. necator was evolved to tolerate high concentrations of CO, a phenomenon which was dependent on the terminal respiratory cytochrome bd ubiquinol oxidase when grown heterotrophically and the soluble [NiFe]-hydrogenase when grown autotrophically. A strain exhibiting high tolerance under both conditions was created and presents a promising chassis for syngas-based bioproduction processes.
A variational Bayesian inference technique for model updating of structural systems with unknown noise statistics
Authors: Nabiyan Mansureh-Sadat , Sharifi Mahdi , Ebrahimian Hamed , Moaveni Babak
Published: April 2023

Dynamic models of structural and mechanical systems can be updated to match the measured data through a Bayesian inference process. However, the performance of classical (non-adaptive) Bayesian model updating approaches decreases significantly when the pre-assumed statistical characteristics of the model prediction error are violated. To overcome this issue, this paper presents an adaptive recursive variational Bayesian approach to estimate the statistical characteristics of the prediction error jointly with the unknown model parameters. This approach improves the accuracy and robustness of model updating by including the estimation of model prediction error. The performance of this approach is demonstrated using numerically simulated data obtained from a structural frame with material non-linearity under earthquake excitation. Results show that in the presence of non-stationary noise/error, the non-adaptive approach fails to estimate unknown model parameters, whereas the proposed approach can accurately estimate them.
On-line identification of the chemical constituents of Polygoni Multiflori Radix by UHPLC-Q-ToF MS/MS
Authors: Wang Xueting , Yang Jianbo , Cheng Xianlong , Wang Ying , Gao Huiyu , Song Yunfei , Wei Feng , Ma Shuangcheng
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) is a type of Chinese herbal medicine with rich chemical composition and pharmacological activity used widely in medicine and food. However, in recent years, there have been increasing numbers of negative reports about its hepatotoxicity. Identification of its chemical constituents for quality control and safe use is very important.

Methods: Three solvents of different polarities (water, 70% ethanol, and 95% ethanol solution) were used to extract the compounds from PMR. Extracts were analyzed and characterized by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-ToF MS/MS) in the negative-ion mode.

Results: 152 compounds were detected and identified: 50 anthraquinones, 33 stilbene derivatives, 21 flavonoids, seven naphthalene compounds, and 41 other compounds. Eight other compounds were reported for the first time in the PMR-related literature, and eight other compounds were potentially new compounds.

Discussion: This study lays a solid foundation for the screening of toxicity and quality-control indicators of PMR.
The clinical application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in sepsis of immunocompromised patients
Authors: Li Xingxing , Liang Shunda , Zhang Dan , He Miao , Zhang Hong
Published: April 2023

Background

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was commonly applied given its ability to identify and type all infections without depending upon culture and to retrieve all DNA with unbiasedness. In this study, we strive to compare outcomes of mNGS with conventional culture methods in adults with sepsis, investigate the differences between the immunocompromised and control group, and assess the clinical effects of mNGS.

Methods

In our study, 308 adult sepsis patients were included. We used both mNGS and conventional culture methods to analyze diagnostic results, pathogens, and sample types. The correlation between some laboratory tests and the frequency of pathogens by groups was also analyzed. Furthermore, the clinical impacts of mNGS were estimated.

Results

308 samples were assigned to an immunocompromised group (92/308,29.9%) and a control group (216/308,70.1%). There was the sensitivity of mNGS considered greater than that of the culture method in all samples (88.0% vs 26.3%; P <​ 0.001), in the immunocompromised group (91.3% vs 26.1%; P <​ 0.001), and the control group (86.6% vs 26.4%; P <​ 0.001), particularly in all sample types of blood (P <​ 0.001), BALF (P <​ 0.001), CSF (P <​ 0.001), sputum (P <​ 0.001) and ascitic fluid (P = 0.008). When examining the mNGS results between groups, Pneumocystis jirovecii (P < 0.001), Mucoraceae (P = 0.014), and Klebsiella (P = 0.045) all showed significant differences. On the whole, mNGS detected more pathogens than culture methods (111 vs 25), found 89 organisms that were continuously overlooked in entire samples by culture methods, and showed a favorable positive clinical effect in 76.3% (235 of 308) of patients. In 185 (60.1%) patients, mNGS prompted a modification in the course of management, which included antibiotic de-escalation in 61(19.8%) patients.

Conclusions

The research discovered that mNGS was more sensitive than the culture method, particularly in samples of blood, BALF, CSF, sputum, and ascitic fluid. When examining the mNGS results, Pneumocystis jirovecii and Mucoraceae were the pathogens seen more commonly in immunocompromised patients with sepsis, which required more attention from clinicians. There was a substantial benefit of mNGS in enhancing the diagnosis of sepsis and advancing patient treatment.
The impact of digital healthcare on vulnerable pregnant women: A review of the use of the MyCare app in the maternity department at a central London tertiary unit
Authors: Pierce Poppy , Whitten Melissa , Hillman Sara
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Digitalisation offers innovative solutions within maternity services; however, vulnerable groups risk being overlooked. University College London Hospital's (UCLH) successful implementation of a digital maternity app, MyCare, gives women access to test results, information about appointments, and enables communication with healthcare professionals (HCPs). Yet, little is known about access and engagement among vulnerable pregnant women.

Methodology

Research was conducted over a 3-month period (April–June 2022) in the Maternity Department at UCLH, UK. MyCare datasets were analysed, and anonymised surveys completed by vulnerable pregnant women and HCPs.

Results

Lower rates of utilisation and engagement with MyCare were seen in vulnerable pregnant women especially among refugee/asylum seekers, those with mental health issues, and those facing domestic violence. Non-users were also more likely to be individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, with a lower average social-deprivation-index decile, whose first language was not English, and with a significant history of non-attendance to appointments. Patient and HCP surveys highlighted various barriers to MyCare engagement, including a lack of motivation, limited language options, low e-literacy levels, and complex app interfaces.

Conclusion

The use of a single digital tool, without a formulated pathway to identify and assist those not accessing or engaging with it, risks unequal care provision which may exacerbate health inequalities. This research advances the idea that digital exclusion is not necessarily a matter of access to technology, but an issue of a lack of engagement with these tools. Therefore, vulnerable women and HCPs must be integral to the implementation of digital strategies, to ensure no one is left behind.
Pancreatic beta cell ER export in health and diabetes
Authors: Barrabi Cesar , Zhang Kezhong , Liu Ming , Chen Xuequn
Published: April 2023

In the secretory pathway of the pancreatic beta cell, proinsulin and other secretory granule proteins are first produced in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Beta cell ER homeostasis is vital for normal beta cell functions and is maintained by the delicate balance between protein synthesis, folding, export and degradation. Disruption of ER homeostasis leads to beta cell death and diabetes. Among the four components to maintain ER homeostasis, the role of ER export in insulin biogenesis or beta cell survival was not well-understood. COPII (coat protein complex II) dependent transport is a conserved mechanism for most cargo proteins to exit ER and transport to Golgi apparatus. Emerging evidence began to reveal a critical role of COPII-dependent ER export in beta cells. In this review, we will first discuss the basic components of the COPII transport machinery, the regulation of cargo entry and COPII coat assembly in mammalian cells, and the general concept of receptor-mediated cargo sorting in COPII vesicles. On the basis of these general discussions, the current knowledge and recent developments specific to the beta cell COPII dependent ER export are summarized under normal and diabetic conditions.
Joint responsibility in the development of effective wind-turbine collision-reducing solutions
Authors: May Roel
Published: April 2023

With the rapid acceleration of wind energy development there is a growing need to meet the consequences this has for the natural environment. Failing to mitigate environmental impacts is an important cause of conflict in wind energy projects, leading to costly delays in planned wind energy development. It is therefore of the utmost importance to identify effective solutions and measures to reduce such impacts. This requires that the joint responsibility for mitigation across stakeholders is recognized and acted upon. This is exemplified with the black-blade concept that has shown to reduce bird collision rates at the Smøla wind-power plant in Norway by 70%. While presented as a “golden bullet” solution in the media, there remain unanswered challenges that need to be addressed. However, instead of disagreeing on the uncertain efficacy elsewhere, I pose that collaborative and transdisciplinary action is needed to jointly resolve remaining challenges and actively seek for solutions to support the sound implementation of promising wind-turbine collision-reducing solutions.
Coverage and predictors of the uptake of the mass drug administration of praziquantel chemotherapy for schistosomiasis in a selected urban setting in Zambia
Authors: Kiesolo Felix Nzonzi , Sampa Mutale , Moonga Given , Michelo Charles , Jacobs Choolwe
Published: April 2023

The burden of schistosomiasis in Zambia has remained high over the years. The World Health Assembly recommended adequate mass drug administration coverage for schistosomiasis using Praziquantel chemotherapy for school-aged children and all at-risks adults. We aimed at investigating the coverage and the factors associated to the uptake for MDA for schistosomiasis in Ng'ombe township of Lusaka, Zambia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in May and June 2021 via phone calls to the residents of Ng'ombe township. Commcare software was used in the conduct of the survey. Pearson's Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were conducted using the STATA version 15.0. 769 study participants were randomly selected using systematic sampling, of which 76.3% were younger than 40 years, 64.9% were female, 64.4% were married, 56.3% had reached the secondary educational level and 51.9% were employed. Coverage for MDA for schistosomiasis in Ng'ombe township in 2018 was found to be 49.8% (95% CI: 46.2%–53.4%). Positive predictors of the MDA were prior knowledge of the occurrence of the MDA in 2018 (aOR: 2.892, p < 0.001) and believing that the provision of incentives like snacks was important during the MDA with PZQ in Ng'ombe township (aOR: 1.926, p = 0.001), whereas age (aOR:0.979, p = 0.009), marital status (aOR:0.620, p = 0.006), employment status (aOR:0.587, p = 0.001) were negative predictors of the MDA. Elimination of the burden of schistosomiasis in endemic settings needs the attainment of an optimum coverage and uptake during MDA with PZQ. Therefore, prior knowledge about an impending intervention and the provision of incentives like snacks during the intervention should be prioritized by MDA implementers, while background characteristics such as age, marital status, and employment status need to be taken into consideration when planning and promoting uptake in future MDAs.
Organic salt composition of pressure sensitive adhesives produced by spiders
Authors: Wolff Jonas O. , Cherry Brian R. , Yarger Jeffery L. , Adler Lewis , Thomas Donald S. , Hook James M. , Blamires Sean J.
Published: April 2023

Natural glues offer great potential as bio-inspired solutions to problems associated with the performance of synthetic adhesives. Spider viscous glues are elastic pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) that physically adhere to surfaces on contact across a range of environmental conditions. Extracting useful components from these secretions remains a challenge that can be met by the comparative analyses of functional analogues. Here we used 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to ascertain the organic salt compositions of the PSAs of four different species of Australian spiders belonging to two lineages that independently acquired aqueous gluey secretions: the St Andrew’s cross (Argiope keyserlingi), the redback (Latrodectus hasselti), the false widow (Steatoda grossa), and the daddy long-legs spider (Pholcus phalangiodes). The PSAs from each of these spiders contained similar organic salts, albeit in variable concentrations. The adhesives of the false widow and daddy long-legs spider had mixtures of only a few components, of which betaine predominated, while the PSAs of the other spiders predominantly contained small organic acids such as GABA/GABA-amide, isethionate, and choline salts. Our results suggest that the PSA composition of spiders is likely to be influenced more by environmental factors than evolutionary history and are guided by common principles. Our findings could be valuable for facilitating the design of more sustainable synthetic glues.
Twenty years of lion conservation in a commercial rangeland
Authors: Frank Laurence G.
Published: April 2023

Lion populations in Africa declined precipitously in the twentieth century outside of protected areas but the commercial cattle ranches of Laikipia County, Kenya, have been a unique exception, with low livestock stocking rates, careful range management, large populations of wild ungulates, and a full complement of large carnivores, including lions at a stable density of about 6/100 km2. The Laikipia Predator Project, later Living With Lions, started in 1997 with two primary objectives: improving livestock husbandry to reduce lion predation losses and subsequent killing of lions, and studying behavioral adaptations of lions to human activities and persecution. We initially interviewed ranch owners and managers on lion numbers, losses to all mortality factors, husbandry methods, costs, and lion control measures. Studies of husbandry and control methods led to improved livestock management, which gradually reduced losses and retaliatory lion killing. Persecuted lions are secretive and nocturnal, so behavioral research was dependent upon radio collaring, requiring development an effective capture technique. Collars introduced ranchers to their lions as individuals, decreasing their propensity to shoot them after livestock predation. The most important breakthrough was the development of “lion-proof” mobile bomas (corrals) which dramatically reduced night time losses and retaliatory killing. Global positioning system (GPS)-Iridium collars for research into lion movements, allowed development of a Lion Early Warning System to inform ranchers of morning lion locations, allowing them to avoid lions during day time grazing. These measures reduced retaliatory lion killing by 90% between 1998 and 2017. Development of simple and inexpensive hyena-proof bomas for traditional pastoralists dramatically reduced their losses and motivation to poison predators. Studies of lion movements and ecological energetics in relation to human activities have revealed patterns of diel avoidance of humans/livestock by day and predation of wild prey near bomas at night, showing that lions partition their activities temporally in order to utilize high quality hunting habitat while minimizing risk of encountering humans. Studies of predation ecology suggest that lion predation does not have a significant impact on Laikipia’s important population of endangered Grevy’s zebra. Several other carnivore research and conservation projects in Kenya arose out of the initial work in Laikipia.
The potential impacts of climate change on ex situ conservation options for recalcitrant-seeded species
Authors: Fernández Ana , León-Lobos Pedro , Contreras Samuel , Ovalle Juan F. , Sershen  , van der Walt Karin , Ballesteros Daniel
Published: April 2023

Recalcitrant seeds are characterized by desiccation and freezing sensitivity, and short storage longevity. These physiological attributes obviate their ex situ conservation in conventional seed banks, where seeds are stored dry at sub-zero temperatures (typically, 15% relative humidity and –20°C) for extended periods of time. Propagation of plants for field collections (e.g., botanical gardens, nurseries, and arboretums) is a valuable ex situ conservation option. However, these collections are relatively costly, require high maintenance, preserve limited genetic diversity and/or are directly exposed to biotic (e.g., pests) and abiotic (e.g., climatic) threats. Therefore, recalcitrant-seeded (RS) species are dependent on cryopreservation for their safe and long-term ex situ conservation. Different explant sources such as whole seeds, zygotic embryos, dormant buds, shoot tips, and pollen, can be used for plant propagation of RS species in field collections as well as for their cryopreservation. The success of the propagation or the cryopreservation of these explants often depends on their developmental status, vigor, and/or tolerance to desiccation and chilling/freezing. These attributes are modulated by the environment where the donor plant grows and we hypothesize that climate change, by affecting these biological attributes, would impact the success of explant propagation and cryopreservation. To support this hypothesis, we have reviewed how temperature changes and drought, the two main climate change scenarios, affect the main biological attributes that are directly involved in the success of ex situ conservation of tropical and temperate RS species. In general, increases in temperature and drought will negatively affect plant development in field collections and the quality of the explants used in cryopreservation. Consequently, field collections of RS species may need to be moved to more suitable places (e.g., higher latitudes/altitudes). Additionally, we may find a reduction in the success of cryopreservation of RS species germplasm directly harvested from field collections. However, we cannot always generalize these effects for all species since they often depend on the origin of the species (e.g., tropical and temperate species tend to respond to climate change differently), the genotype, the adaptive genetic potential of each population, and the severity of the environmental change. On the other hand, the increase in temperatures and water stress in donor plants at high-latitude areas and also some tropical environments may favor the production of seeds and seedlings better adapted to drying, and hence, increase the success of plant propagation and zygotic embryo cryopreservation.
The effects of vegetation type on ecosystem carbon storage and distribution in subtropical plantations
Authors: Huang Wei-Qi , Xu Bin , Chen Fu-Sheng , Zong Ying-Ying , Duan Xiao-Qing , Zhang Guang-Xin , Wu Zi-Jun , Fang Xiang-Min
Published: April 2023

Establishing plantation forests significantly increases the carbon (C) storage of terrestrial ecosystems. However, how vegetation types affect the ecosystem C sequestration capacity is not completely clear. Here, a slash pine plantation (SPP), a Schima superba plantation (SSP), and a Masson pine plantation (MPP), which have been planted for 30 years, were selected in subtropical China. The C storage and distribution patterns of plant, litter, and soil were investigated and calculated. The ecosystem C density was 17.7, 21.6, and 15.3 kg m–2 for SPP, SSP, and MPP, respectively. Ecosystem C stocks were mainly contributed by tree aboveground (39.9–46.0%) and soil C stocks (41.6–44.2%). The ecosystem C density of SSP was higher than that of SPP and MPP, and significant differences were found among three plantations for both aboveground and underground C densities. The aboveground and underground ecosystem C storage of SSP was 27.4 and 53.4% higher than that of MPP, respectively. Meanwhile, root C storage of MPP was lower than that of SPP and SSP, while soil C storage of MPP was lower than that of SSP. In the understory layer, SPP had the highest C density, followed by MPP, and there was a significant difference in C density among three plantations. However, no significant difference was found for the ecosystem C distribution among three plantations. Our results show that vegetation types significantly affect C storage but not C distribution in forest ecosystems and establishing the broad-leaved plantation has the highest ecosystem C storage in the subtropics. This study provides a theoretical basis for us to choose appropriate forest management measures.
The cyclic guanosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes pathway as a potential target for tumor immunotherapy
Authors: Chen Rui , Liu Mingxia , Jiang Quanhong , Meng Xiangbo , Wei Junmin
Published: April 2023

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) detects infections or tissue damage by binding to microbial or self-DNA in the cytoplasm. Upon binding DNA, cGAS produces cGAMP that binds to and activates the adaptor protein stimulator of interferon genes (STING), which then activates the kinases IKK and TBK1 to induce the secretion of interferons and other cytokines. Recently, a series of studies demonstrated that the cGAS-STING pathway, a vital component of host innate immunity, might play an important role in anticancer immunity, though its mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this review, we highlight the latest understanding of the cGAS-STING pathway in tumor development and the advances in combination therapy of STING agonists and immunotherapy.
Demethyleneberberine alleviated the inflammatory response by targeting MD-2 to inhibit the TLR4 signaling
Authors: Zhao Yaxing , Liu Peng , Luan Haofan , Jiang Hua , Xu Yingmei , Zhang Yuanqiang , Zhang Yubin , Li Ruiyan
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disease that leads to intestinal barrier dysfunction and autoimmunedisorders. However, the existing treatments of colitis are associated with poor outcomes, and the current strategies remain deep and long-time remission and the prevention of complications. Recently, demethyleneberberine (DMB) has been reported to be a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammatory response that relied on multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidation and antiinflammation. However, the target and potential mechanism of DMB in inflammatory response have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

This study employed a TNBS-induced colitis model and acute sepsis mice to screen and identify the potential targets and molecular mechanisms of DMB in vitro and in vivo. The purity and structure of DMB were quantitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry (MS), Hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), and infrared spectroscopy (IR), respectively. The rats were induced by a rubber hose inserted approximately 8 cm through their anus to be injected with TNBS. Acute sepsis was induced by injection with LPS via the tail vein for 60 h. These animals with inflammation were orally administrated with DMB, berberine (BBR), or curcumin (Curc), respectively. The eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression system of myeloid differentiation protein-2 (MD-2) and its mutants were used to evaluate the target of DMB in inflammatory response.

Resluts

DMB had two free phenolic hydroxyl groups, and the purity exceeded 99% in HPLC. DMB alleviated colitis and suppressed the activation of TLR4 signaling in TNBS-induced colitis rats and LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. DMB significantly blocked TLR4 signaling in both an MyD88-dependent and an MyD88-independent manner by embedding into the hydrophobic pocket of the MD-2 protein with non-covalent bonding to phenylalanine at position 76 in a pi–pi T-shaped interaction. DMB rescued mice from sepsis shock induced by LPS through targeting the TLR4–MD-2 complex.

Conclusion

Taken together, DMB is a promising inhibitor of the MD-2 protein to suppress the hyperactivated TLR4 signaling in inflammatory response.
Radiation upregulates macrophage TREM-1 expression to exacerbate injury in mice
Authors: Yamaga Satoshi , Murao Atsushi , Ma Gaifeng , Brenner Max , Aziz Monowar , Wang Ping
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Exposure to high-dose ionizing radiation causes tissue injury, infections and even death due to immune dysfunction. The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) has been demonstrated to critically amplify and dysregulate immune responses. However, the role of TREM-1 in radiation injury remains unknown. Extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP), a new damage-associated molecular pattern, is released from activated or stressed cells during inflammation. We hypothesized that ionizing radiation upregulates TREM-1 expression via eCIRP release to worsen survival

Methods

RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages collected from C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice were exposed to 5- and 10-Gray (Gy) radiation. C57BL/6 WT and CIRP-/- mice underwent 10-Gy total body irradiation (TBI). TREM-1 expression on RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages in vitro and in vivo were evaluated by flow cytometry. eCIRP levels in cell culture supernatants and in peritoneal lavage isolated from irradiated mice were evaluated by Western blotting. We also evaluated 30-day survival in C57BL/6 WT, CIRP-/- and TREM-1-/- mice after 6.5-Gy TBI.

Results

The surface protein and mRNA levels of TREM-1 in RAW264.7 cells were significantly increased at 24 h after 5- and 10-Gy radiation exposure. TREM-1 expression on peritoneal macrophages was significantly increased after radiation exposure in vitro and in vivo. eCIRP levels were significantly increased after radiation exposure in cell culture supernatants of peritoneal macrophages in vitro and in peritoneal lavage in vivo. Moreover, CIRP-/- mice exhibited increased survival after 6.5-Gy TBI compared to WT mice. Interestingly, TREM-1 expression on peritoneal macrophages in CIRP-/- mice was significantly decreased compared to that in WT mice at 24 h after 10-Gy TBI. Furthermore, 30-day survival in TREM-1-/- mice was significantly increased to 64% compared to 20% in WT mice after 6.5-Gy TBI.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that ionizing radiation increases TREM-1 expression in macrophages via the release of eCIRP, and TREM-1 contributes to worse survival after total body irradiation. Thus, targeting TREM-1 could have the potential to be developed as a novel medical countermeasure for radiation injury.
High density lipoprotein-cholesterol is inversely associated with blood eosinophil counts among asthmatic adults in the USA: NHANES 2011-2018
Authors: Wen Jun , Zhuang Rongjuan , He Chunyan , Giri Mohan , Guo Shuliang
Published: April 2023

Background

A growing number of research strongly suggest that metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia contribute to the establishment of a pro-inflammatory state in asthma, according to accumulating data. However, the majority of recent research has focused on the association between lipids and asthma in children and adolescents, with contradictory findings. Consequently, we analyzed the relationship between serum lipid and blood eosinophil counts using data from the NHANES in the USA.

Methods

After screening the individuals from the 2011 to 2018 NHANES survey, a total of 2,544 out of 39156 participants were eligible for our study. The potential association was discussed using the linear regression model, XGBoost algorithm model, generalized additive model, and two-piecewise linear regression model. In addition, we ran stratified analysis to identify specific demographics.

Results

After adjusting for covariates, the result indicated that blood eosinophil counts decreased by 45.68 (-68.56, -22.79)/uL for each additional unit of HDL-C (mmol/L). But serum LDL-C, total cholesterol or triglyceride was not correlated with blood eosinophil counts. Furthermore, we used machine learning of the XGBoost model to determine LDL-C, age, BMI, triglyceride, and HDL-C were the five most critical variables in the blood eosinophil counts. The generalized additive model and two-piecewise linear regression model were used to further identify linear relationship between the serum HDL-C and blood eosinophil counts.

Conclusions

Our study elucidated a negative and linear correlation between serum HDL-C and blood eosinophil counts among American asthmatic adults, suggesting that serum HDL-C levels might be associated with the immunological condition of asthmatic adults. There was no correlation between serum LDL-C, total cholesterol, or triglyceride levels and blood eosinophil counts.
mRNA vaccines: a new opportunity for malaria, tuberculosis and HIV
Authors: Matarazzo Laura , Bettencourt Paulo J. G.
Published: April 2023

The success of the first licensed mRNA-based vaccines against COVID-19 has created a widespread interest on mRNA technology for vaccinology. As expected, the number of mRNA vaccines in preclinical and clinical development increased exponentially since 2020, including numerous improvements in mRNA formulation design, delivery methods and manufacturing processes. However, the technology faces challenges such as the cost of raw materials, the lack of standardization, and delivery optimization. MRNA technology may provide a solution to some of the emerging infectious diseases as well as the deadliest hard-to-treat infectious diseases malaria, tuberculosis, and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), for which an effective vaccine, easily deployable to endemic areas is urgently needed. In this review, we discuss the functional structure, design, manufacturing processes and delivery methods of mRNA vaccines. We provide an up-to-date overview of the preclinical and clinical development of mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases, and discuss the immunogenicity, efficacy and correlates of protection of mRNA vaccines, with particular focus on research and development of mRNA vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis and HIV.
Hippo dictates signaling for cellular homeostasis and immune defense in Crassostrea hongkongensis hemocytes
Authors: Mao Fan , Zheng Xiaoying , Wong Nai-Kei , Yi Wenjie , Song Jingchen , Fu Shiwei , Xiang Zhiming , Xiao Shu , Bao Yongbo , Yu Ziniu , Zhang Yang
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The Hippo signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling cascade that plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. It has been shown to be a key regulator of cell fate and cellular homeostasis in various immune processes. Despite its well-established functions in vertebrate immunity, its roles in marine invertebrate immunity remain poorly understood. Therefore, our present work provides fresh mechanistic insights into how the Hippo pathway orchestrates hemocytic functions in Crassostrea hongkongensis, with implications for studies on its major forms and modifications in animal evolution.

Method

The complete set of Hippo pathway genes, including SAV1, MOB1, LATS, YAP/TAZ, TEAD, and MST, were identified from the C. hongkongensis genome. Quantitative PCR assays were conducted to examine the mRNA expression levels of these genes in different tissues and the levels of these genes in hemocytes before and after bacterial challenges. The study also examined the crosstalk between the Hippo pathway and other immune pathways, such as the AP-1 and p53-dependent p21 signaling cascades. RNA interference was used to knock down MST and TEAD, and MST is a core orchestrator of non-canonical Hippo signaling, to investigate its impact on phagocytosis and bacterial clearance in hemocytes.

Result

The results demonstrated that members of the Hippo pathway were highly expressed in hemocytes, with their expression levels significantly increasing following bacterial challenges. Crosstalk between the Hippo pathway and other immune pathways triggered hemocytic apoptosis, which functioned similarly to the canonical Mst-Lats-Yap signaling pathway in Drosophila and mammals. Knocking down MST resulted in increased phagocytosis and boosted the efficiency of bacterial clearance in hemocytes, presumably due to mobilized antioxidant transcription by Nrf for maintaining immune homeostasis.

Discussion

This study provides novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying the Hippo pathway in immune responses of C. hongkongensis hemocytes. The study highlights the importance of the Hippo pathway in maintaining immune homeostasis and orchestrating hemocytic functions in oysters. Moreover, this study demonstrates the divergence of the Hippo pathway's roles in marine invertebrate immunity from mammalian observations, indicating the need for further comparative studies across species. These findings have significant implications for future research aimed at elucidating the evolutionary trajectory and functional diversity of the Hippo signaling pathway in animal evolution.
Female firefighters’ increased risk of occupational exposure due to ill-fitting personal protective clothing
Authors: McQuerry Meredith , Kwon Cassandra , Poley-Bogan Madeline
Published: April 2023

Despite the growing female firefighter population, firefighting gear was originally designed with only the male human form in mind. As a result, women in the fire service experience issues of improper fit and injuries at rates exponentially higher than their male counterparts. Areas of ill-fit, specifically in interfaces, can increase the risk of occupational exposure for women in the fire service. The purpose of this research was to determine fit and sizing issues of personal protective clothing (PPC) to improve female firefighters’ comfort, mobility, and safety. A mixed methods approach was adopted including a nationwide questionnaire, end-user focus groups, and remote three-dimensional body scanning of 189 female structural and wildland firefighters. Between 15%–21% of female firefighters were found to intentionally leave off a part of their PPC at least “sometimes,” if not “nearly always,” with the coat and pants being the primary items not donned. 100% of participants had wrist and ankle circumferences smaller than the smallest size garment’s wrist and pant leg openings per the wildland sizing system, indicating interface areas and wildland PPC have the greatest opportunities for design and fit improvement. This study gathered and created the first and largest U.S. female firefighter anthropometric database. Overall results indicate female firefighters are wearing PPC with significant fit issues that not only reduce their comfort and restrict their mobility but pose increased safety risks related to occupational exposure.
Machine learning-based evaluation of parameters of high-strength concrete and raw material interaction at elevated temperatures
Authors: Chen Gongmei , Suhail Salman Ali , Bahrami Alireza , Sufian Muhammad , Azab Marc
Published: April 2023

High-strength concrete (HSC) is vulnerable to strength loss when exposed to high temperatures or fire, risking the structural integrity of buildings and critical infrastructures. Predicting the compressive strength of HSC under high-temperature conditions is crucial for safety. Machine learning (ML) techniques have emerged as a powerful tool for predicting concrete properties. Accurate prediction of the compressive strength of HSC is important as HSC can experience strength losses of up to 80% after exposure to temperatures of 800°C–1000°C. This study evaluates the efficacy of ML techniques such as Extreme Gradient Boosting, Random Forest (RF), and Adaptive Boosting for predicting the compressive strength of HSC. The results of this study demonstrate that the RF model is the most efficient for predicting the compressive strength of HSC, exhibiting the R2 value of 0.98 and lower mean absolute error and root mean square error values than the other applied models. Furthermore, Shapley Additive Explanations analysis highlights temperature as the most significant factor influencing the compressive strength of HSC. This article provides valuable insights into the timely and effective determination of the compressive strength of HSC under high-temperature conditions, benefiting both the construction industry and academia. By leveraging ML techniques and considering the critical factors that influence the compressive strength of HSC, it is possible to optimize the design and construction process of HSC and enhance its resilience to high-temperature exposure.