bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rotenone causes mitochondrial dysfunction and prevents maturation in porcine oocytes
Authors: Heo Geun , Sun Ming-Hong , Jiang Wen-Jie , Li Xiao-Han , Lee Song-Hee , Guo Jing , Zhou Dongjie , Cui Xiang-Shun
Published: November 2022

Rotenone is a commonly used insecticidal chemical in agriculture and it is an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex Ⅰ. Previous studies have found that rotenone induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by inhibiting electron transport in the mitochondria of somatic and germ cells. However, there is little precise information on the effects of rotenone exposure in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation, and the mechanisms underlying these effects have not been determined. The Cumulus-oocyte complexes were supplemented with different concentrations of rotenone to elucidate the effects of rotenone exposure on the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation for about 48 hours. First, we found that the maturation rate and expansion of cumulus cells were significantly reduced in the 3 and 5 μM rotenone-treated groups. Subsequently, the concentration of rotenone was determined to be 3 μM. Also, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and image quantification analyses were performed to test the rotenone exposure on the meiotic maturation, total and mitochondrial ROS, mitochondrial function and biogenesis, mitophagy and apoptosis in porcine oocytes. Further experiments showed that rotenone treatment induced mitochondrial dysfunction and failure of mitochondrial biogenesis by repressing the level of SIRT1 during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes. In addition, rotenone treatment reduced the ratio of active mitochondria to total mitochondria, increased ROS production, and decreased ATP production. The levels of LC3 and active-caspase 3 were significantly increased by rotenone treatment, indicating that mitochondrial dysfunction induced by rotenone increased mitophagy but eventually led to apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that rotenone interferes with porcine oocyte maturation by inhibiting mitochondrial function.
A genetic approach to identify amino acids in Gcn1 required for Gcn2 activation
Authors: Gottfried Susanne , Koloamatangi Siaosi M. B. M. J. , Daube Clement , Schiemann Anja H. , Sattlegger Evelyn
Published: November 2022

The protein kinase Gcn2 is present in virtually all eukaryotic cells. It is best known for its role in helping cells cope with amino acid starvation. Under starvation, Gcn2 phosphorylates the α subunit of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), to stimulate a signal transduction pathway that allows cells to cope and overcome starvation. Gcn2 has been implicated in many additional biological functions. It appears that for all functions, Gcn2 must directly bind to its effector protein Gcn1, mediated via a region in Gcn1 called the RWD binding domain (RWDBD). Arg-2259 in this region is important for Gcn2 binding. Overexpression of a Gcn1 fragment only encompassing the RWDBD binds Gcn2, thereby disrupting endogenous Gcn1-Gcn2 interaction which dampens Gcn2 activation. Consequently, cells are unable to increase eIF2α phosphorylation under starvation conditions, visible by impaired growth. This dominant negative phenotype is reverted by the R2259A substitution, again allowing Gcn1-Gcn2 interaction and enhanced eIF2α phosphorylation. We have found that the amino acid substitutions, R2289A, R2297A, and K2301A, also reverted the dominant negative phenotype as well as allowed enhanced eIF2α phosphorylation, as found previously for the R2259A substitution. This suggests that the respective amino acids are relevant for the overexpressed RWDBD to disrupt Gcn1-Gcn2 interaction and impair Gcn2 activation, supporting the idea that in Gcn1 these amino acids mediate Gcn2-binding. Our findings suggest that two helices in Gcn1 constitute a Gcn2 binding site. We serendipitously found amino acid substitutions that enhanced the dominant negative phenotype that correlated with a further reduction in eIF2α-P levels, suggesting that the respective RWDBD variants are more potent in disrupting Gcn1-Gcn2 interaction.
The impact of providing hiding spaces to farmed animals: A scoping review
Authors: Spitzer Hannah B. , Meagher Rebecca K. , Proudfoot Kathryn L.
Published: November 2022

Many wild animals perform hiding behaviours for a variety of reasons, such as evading predators or other conspecifics. Unlike their wild counterparts, farmed animals often live in relatively barren environments without the opportunity to hide. Researchers have begun to study the impact of access to hiding spaces (“hides”) in farmed animals, including possible effects on animal welfare. The aims of this scoping review were to: 1) identify the farmed species that have been most used in research investigating the provision of hides, 2) describe the context in which hides have been provided to farmed animals, and 3) describe the impact (positive, negative or neutral/inconclusive) that hides have on animals, including indicators of animal welfare. Three online databases (CAB Abstracts, Web of Science, and PubMed) were used to search for a target population of farmed animals with access to hiding spaces. From this search, 4,631 citations were screened and 151 were included in the review. Fourteen animal types were represented, most commonly chickens (48% of papers), cattle (9%), foxes (8%), and fish (7%). Relatively few papers were found on other species including deer, quail, ducks, lobsters, turkeys, and goats. Hides were used in four contexts: at parturition or oviposition (56%), for general enrichment (43%), for neonatal animals (4%), or for sick or injured animals (1%). A total of 218 outcomes relevant to our objectives were found including 7 categories: hide use, motivation, and/or preference (47% of outcomes), behavioural indicators of affective state (17%), health, injuries, and/or production (16%), agonistic behaviour (8%), abnormal repetitive behaviours (6%), physiological indicators of stress (5%), and affiliative behaviours (1%). Hiding places resulted in 162 positive (74%), 14 negative (6%), and 42 neutral/inconclusive (19%) outcomes. Hides had a generally positive impact on the animals included in this review; more research is encouraged for under-represented species.
Tuberculosis in individuals who recovered from COVID-19: A systematic review of case reports
Authors: Alemu Ayinalem , Bitew Zebenay Workneh , Seid Getachew , Diriba Getu , Gashu Emebet , Berhe Nega , Mariam Solomon H. , Gumi Balako
Published: November 2022

Background

The emergence of COVID-19 overwhelmed tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control, resulting in a decrease in TB detection rate and an increase in TB deaths. Furthermore, the temporary immunosuppressive effects, lung inflammation, and the corticosteroids used to treat COVID-19, may play a direct role in immunosuppression, leading to reactivation of either previous infection or latent TB or the development of new TB. Thus, the aim of this study was to review TB incidence in individuals who recovered from COVID-19.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of available databases for previously published studies that reported TB in COVID-19 survivors. The PRISMA checklist was used to guide the review, and the JBI checklist was used to evaluate the study’s quality. The descriptive data were summarized.

Results

Data were extracted from 21 studies conducted in 13 countries having 33 cases. The median age was 44 years (range; 13.5–80), and more than half (18, 54.5%) were males. Twelve patients immigrated from TB endemic settings. All 17 patients assessed for HIV were seronegative, and all 11 patients assessed for BCG vaccination status were vaccinated. The majority (20, 69%) of patients had some type of comorbidity with diabetes (12/29) and hypertension (9/29) being the most common. Four patients (30.77%) had a history of TB. Corticosteroids were used to treat COVID-19 in 62.5% (10) of individuals. Dexamethasone, remdesivir, azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine, and enoxaparin were the most commonly used drugs to treat COVID-19. The most common TB symptoms were fever, cough, weight loss, dyspnea, and fatigue. Twenty, eleven, and two patients developed pulmonary, extrapulmonary, and disseminated/miliary TB respectively. It may take up to seven months after COVID-19 recovery to develop tuberculosis. Data on the final treatment outcome was found for 24 patients, and five patients died during the anti-TB treatment period.

Conclusion

Tuberculosis after recovering from COVID-19 is becoming more common, potentially leading to a TB outbreak in the post-COVID-19 era. The immunosuppressive nature of the disease and its treatment modalities may contribute to post COVID-19 TB. Thus, we recommend a further study with a large sample size. Furthermore, we recommend feasibility studies to assess and treat latent TB in COVID-19 patients residing in TB endemic counties since treatment of latent TB is done only in TB non-endemic countries.
Illness perspectives in patients with primary aldosteronism
Authors: Ragnarsson Oskar , Muth Andreas , Johannsson Gudmundur , Gkaniatsa Eleftheria , Ung Eva Jakobsson , Jakobsson Sofie
Published: November 2022

Objective

The burden of symptoms and treatment in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), as well as the patients’ experience of the health care is sparsely studied. The objectives of this study were to describe symptoms considered to be the most troublesome by patients with PA, and to explore health related worries and expectations following treatment.

Methods

This was an explorative qualitative study where 25 patients with PA, diagnosed between 2017 and 2019, were included; 13 patients who had undergone adrenalectomy and 12 who were receiving medical treatment. Data was collected during six group interviews and analyzed using a thematic approach.

Results

Three main themes were identified: 1) Distress of the past, where the most important issues were struggle to receive a correct diagnosis, impaired well-being and the consumption of a large number of tablets, 2) Satisfaction after receiving a correct diagnosis, both in patients with unilateral and bilateral disease, but also dissatisfaction with lack of information about the disease, and 3) Future concerns, where worries about the long-term effects of PA on health in general dominated.

Conclusions

Our findings illustrate several important issues related to PA where improvements in patient care are needed, including actions aiming at shortening the long diagnostic delay, a thorough information to the patients about the disease is of great importance, and that all patients with PA, regardless of treatment, would benefit from a structured long-term follow-up.
The impact of migraine and probable migraine on productivity loss in Korea: A cross-sectional online survey
Authors: Kim Yejin , Han Sola , Suh Hae Sun
Published: November 2022

Migraine is an enormous burden on society, but relevant studies are limited. The population of interest of this study was migraine or probable migraine (PM) in Korea. In this population, we aimed to assess the productivity loss through the level of severity defined by monthly migraine days (MMD) and analgesic frequency and to estimate costs and associated factors of productivity loss. We conducted an online survey of adults with migraine symptoms. We defined migraine and PM using the modified International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition. Severity level was defined by subgroups of MMD (0–3, 4–14, and ≥15 days) and analgesic frequency (0, 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 per week). Productivity loss was assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire and consisted of absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work productivity loss, and activity impairment. The costs of productivity loss due to absenteeism and presenteeism were calculated in 2020 USD. We used negative binomial regression to identify the factors associated with the costs of productivity loss. We identified 362 respondents with migraine or PM. Mean age was 41.7 years, 75.7% were female (N = 274), and 73.2% (N = 265) were employed. On average, productivity losses due to absenteeism and presenteeism were 8.1% and 39.7%, respectively. As MMD increased, there was a trend toward increased activity impairment, presenteeism, and overall work productivity loss. The mean overall productivity loss cost was USD 44.61 per person per day. Duration of migraine attacks was significantly associated with higher absenteeism costs. The results of this study indicate that the higher the MMD, the greater the productivity loss in patients with migraine or PM in Korea. We also found that patients with low-frequency migraine and PM experienced substantial productivity loss. This study provides comprehensive evidence of the burden of migraine in Korea using a representative sample.
Evaluation of microaneurysms as predictors of therapeutic response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with DME
Authors: Hatano Makoto , Higashijima Fumiaki , Yoshimoto Takuya , Ogata Tadahiko , Ohta Manami , Kobayashi Yuka , Wakuta Makiko , Yanai Ryoji , Kimura Kazuhiro
Published: November 2022

Administration of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is the first-line therapy for diabetic macular oedema (DME). However, some patients show no or insufficient response to repeated anti-VEGF injections. Therefore, it is necessary to identify factors that can predict this resistance against anti-VEGF treatment. Presence of microaneurysms (MAs) is a predictor of the development and progression of DME, but its relationship with the treatment response to the anti-VEGF agents is not well known. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between the distribution of MAs and the response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with DME. The number of MAs was measured before anti-VEGF therapy in each region using fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography (IA), and optical coherence tomography angiography. Patients with DME were divided into the responder and non-responder groups after three loading phases. Differences in the distribution of MAs between the groups were investigated. Pre-treatment IA revealed more MAs in the nasal area in the non-responder group than in the responder group (10.7 ± 10.7 and 5.7 ± 5.7, respectively, in the nasal macula) (1.4 ± 2.1 and 0.4 ± 0.7, respectively, in the nasal fovea). Whereas, pre-treatment FA and OCTA could not reveal significantly difference between the groups. Detection of MAs in the nasal macula using pre-treatment IA may indicate resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. We recommend the clinicians confirm the presence of MAs in the nasal macula, as shown by IA, as a predictor of therapeutic response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with treatment naive DME.
Drivers of respiratory syncytial virus seasonal epidemics in children under 5 years in Kilifi, coastal Kenya
Authors: Wambua James , Munywoki Patrick K. , Coletti Pietro , Nyawanda Bryan O. , Murunga Nickson , Nokes D. James , Hens Niel
Published: November 2022

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes significant childhood morbidity and mortality in the developing world. The determinants of RSV seasonality are of importance in designing interventions. They are poorly understood in tropical and sub-tropical regions in low- and middle-income countries. Our study utilized long-term surveillance data on cases of RSV associated with severe or very severe pneumonia in children aged 1 day to 59 months admitted to the Kilifi County Hospital. A generalized additive model was used to investigate the association between RSV admissions and meteorological variables (maximum temperature, rainfall, absolute humidity); weekly number of births within the catchment population; and school term dates. Furthermore, a time-series-susceptible-infected-recovered (TSIR) model was used to reconstruct an empirical transmission rate which was used as a dependent variable in linear regression and generalized additive models with meteorological variables and school term dates. Maximum temperature, absolute humidity, and weekly number of births were significantly associated with RSV activity in the generalized additive model. Results from the TSIR model indicated that maximum temperature and absolute humidity were significant factors. Rainfall and school term did not yield significant relationships. Our study indicates that meteorological parameters and weekly number of births potentially play a role in the RSV seasonality in this region. More research is required to explore the underlying mechanisms underpinning the observed relationships.
A multi-attribute method for ranking influential nodes in complex networks
Authors: Sheikhahmadi Adib , Veisi Farshid , Sheikhahmadi Amir , Mohammadimajd Shahnaz
Published: November 2022

Calculating the importance of influential nodes and ranking them based on their diffusion power is one of the open issues and critical research fields in complex networks. It is essential to identify an attribute that can compute and rank the diffusion power of nodes with high accuracy, despite the plurality of nodes and many relationships between them. Most methods presented only use one structural attribute to capture the influence of individuals, which is not entirely accurate in most networks. The reason is that network structures are disparate, and these methods will be inefficient by altering the network. A possible solution is to use more than one attribute to examine the characteristics aspect and address the issue mentioned. Therefore, this study presents a method for identifying and ranking node’s ability to spread information. The purpose of this study is to present a multi-attribute decision making approach for determining diffusion power and classification of nodes, which uses several local and semi-local attributes. Local and semi-local attributes with linear time complexity are used, considering different aspects of the network nodes. Evaluations performed on datasets of real networks demonstrate that the proposed method performs satisfactorily in allocating distinct ranks to nodes; moreover, as the infection rate of nodes increases, the accuracy of the proposed method increases.
“I feel I have been taken seriously” Women’s experience of greater trochanteric pain syndrome treatment—A nested qualitative study
Authors: Andreasen Jane , Fearon Angela , Morissey Dylan , Hjørnholm Laura H. , Kristinsson Jens , Jorgensen Jens Erik , Mølgaard Carsten M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Women experiencing greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) report high levels of pain and reduced quality of life. Exploring how they manage GTPS in a daily life context can provide important knowledge about individual coping strategies. Education, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and exercise have good group level evidence for efficacy in clinical trials and are increasingly used in routine care for patients with GTPS. Exploring women’s experiences of such treatment may help understand the mechanisms underpinning these positive results and inform treatment strategies. We therefore aimed to explore how women with GTPS experience and manage their daily life, and their experience of the combined treatment of education, ESWT and exercises.

Methods

This qualitative study was nested within a cohort study based in a hospital outpatient clinic and a physiotherapy clinic in Denmark assessing the combined treatment of education, ESWT and exercises. Data was collected from eleven women using in-person, individual, semi-structured interviews which were audio recorded. Transcripts were coded and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach.

Findings

Five themes were identified: (1) Daily life was controlled and structured by pain; (2) The condition was acknowledged and taken seriously by treating professionals; (3) The participants´ experiences of the intervention–information is key; (4) Improved capability and autonomy in pain management and (5) The women´s perspectives on improving and expanding the intervention. Learning how to manage pain was experienced as the most important element of the program to the women to be able to minimize pain and manage daily life.

Conclusion

Exploration of how women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome experienced and managed daily hip pain, and how they experienced and adapted to treatment are important novel findings that will inform clinical practice. This new knowledge may be used to inform an individualized patient education, treatment and evaluation strategy for women with the painful and debilitating condition of GTPS.
Convergent innervations of mesencephalic trigeminal and vestibular nuclei neurons onto oculomotor and pre-oculomotor neurons—Tract tracing and triple labeling in rats
Authors: Chen Yongmei , Gong Xinrui , Ibrahim Shaimaa I. A. , Liang Houcheng , Zhang Jingdong
Published: November 2022

In studies of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), the horizontal VOR circuit is much clearer than vertical-torsional VOR. The circuit and mechanism of gravity-related vertical-torsional VOR is probably weak. “Somatosensory vestibular interaction” is a known extra source to facilitate VOR, and cervico-ocular reflex is a representative for torsional VOR compensation. Whereas, how the cervical afferents finally reach the oculomotor system is less documented. Actually, when the head tilts, which generates cervico-ocular reflex, not only the neck muscle is activated, but also the jaw muscle is stretched by gravity dragged mandible and/or tissue-muscle connection between the mandible and clavicle. We have previously identified a projection from the jaw muscle afferent mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Vme) neurons to oculomotor nuclei (III/IV) and their premotor neurons in interstitial nucleus of Cajal (INC)–a well-known pre-oculomotor center manipulating vertical-torsional eye movements. We hypothesized that these projections may interact with vestibulo-ocular signals during vertical-torsional VOR, because effects of gravity on jaw muscles and bones has been reported. Thus, we injected different anterograde tracers into the Vme and medial vestibular nucleus (MVN)—the subnuclear area particularly harboring excitatory vestibulo-ocular neurons, and immunostained III/IV motoneurons. Retrograde tracer was injected into the III in the same animals after dual anterograde tracers’ injections. Under confocal microscope, we observed the Vme and MVN neuronal endings simultaneously terminated onto the same III/IV motoneurons and the same INC pre-oculomotor neurons. We consider that jaw muscle proprioceptive Vme neurons projecting to the III/IV and INC would sense spindle activity if the jaw muscle is stretched by gravity dragged mandible or connection between mandible and clavicle during head rolling. Therefore, the convergent innervation of the Vme and MVN neurons onto the oculomotor and pre-oculomotor nuclei would be a neuroanatomic substrate for interaction of masticatory proprioception with the vestibulo-ocular signals upon the oculomotor system during vertical-torsional VOR.
High prevalence of low-allele-fraction somatic mutations in STAT3 in peripheral blood CD8+ cells in multiple sclerosis patients and controls
Authors: Valori Miko , Lehikoinen Joonas , Jansson Lilja , Clancy Jonna , Lundgren Sofie A. , Mustjoki Satu , Tienari Pentti
Published: November 2022

Somatic mutations have a central role in cancer, but there are also a few rare autoimmune diseases in which somatic mutations play a major role. We have recently shown that nonsynonymous somatic mutations with low allele fractions are preferentially detectable in CD8+ cells and that the STAT3 gene is a promising target for screening. Here, we analyzed somatic mutations in the STAT3 SH2 domain in peripheral blood CD8+ cells in a set of 94 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 99 matched controls. PCR amplicons targeting the exons 20 and 21 of STAT3 were prepared and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq instrument with 2x300bp reads. We designed a novel variant calling method, optimized for large number of samples, high sequencing depth (>25,000x) and small target genomic area. Overall, we discovered 64 STAT3 somatic mutations in the 193 donors, of which 63 were non-synonymous and 77% have been previously reported in cancer or lymphoproliferative disease. The overall median variant allele fraction was 0.065% (range 0.007–1.2%), without significant difference between MS and controls (p = 0.82). There were 26 (28%) MS patients vs. 24 (24%) controls with mutations (p = 0.62). Two or more mutations were found in 9 MS patients vs. 2 controls (p = 0.03, pcorr = 0.12). Carriership of mutations associated with older age and lower neutrophil counts. These results demonstrate that STAT3 SH2 domain is a hotspot for somatic mutations in CD8+ cells with a prevalence of 26% among the participants. There were no significant differences in the mutation prevalences between MS patients and controls. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of antigenic stimuli in the expansion of the mutant clones. Furthermore, the high discovered prevalence of STAT3 somatic mutations makes it feasible to analyze these mutations directly in tissue-infiltrating CD8+ cells in autoimmune diseases.
Business characteristics of the operation of Hungarian social enterprises = A hazai társadalmi vállalkozások működésének üzleti sajátosságai
Authors:   , Krátki Noémi
Published: November 2022

Cikkalapú disszertációm a hazai társadalmi vállalkozások üzleti sajátosságait egyfelől társadalmi vállalkozás oldalról, azon belül is az egészségügyi és szociális területeken működő társadalmi vállalkozások példáján vizsgálja, továbbá vállalkozás fejlesztői oldalról megközelítve, azon belüli is a hazai társadalmi vállalkozásokat üzleti szempontból fejlesztő szervezetek fejlesztési folyamatainak, azok során alkalmazott üzleti modelleken, eszközökön keresztül tárja fel. Kiindulópontom, hogy a társadalmi vállalkozások olyan szervezetek, amelyek kettős céllal bírnak, elsődleges céljuk valamilyen társadalmi érték megteremtése, másodlagos céljuk pedig ennek pénzügyi megvalósítása. Vizsgálatom tárgyát azok a társadalmi vállalkozások képezik, amelyek alkalmazzák az üzleti szemléletet, továbbá üzleti bevételtermelő képességgel rendelkeznek. Irodalmi áttekintésemben megvizsgáltam a társadalmi vállalkozások elméleti megközelítéseit, majd a társadalmi vállalkozások működési tipológiáját tártam fel. Üzleti működésük vizsgálatához, a társadalmi vállalkozások üzleti modelljeinek, illetve ezek fejlesztésének és fejlesztőinek szakirodalmát dolgoztam fel. A disszertáció cikkei kvalitatív és vegyes kutatási módszertannal készültek el, amelyből kettő cikk esettanulmány. A kutatások során társszerzőimmel feltártuk a hazai társadalmi vállalkozások működését befolyásoló kulcsszereplőket, továbbá finanszírozási modelleket térképeztünk fel. Megvizsgáltam a hazai fejlesztő szervezetek típusait, munkájuk folyamatait, eszközeit. Kutatásom alapján a piaci alapú működés újszerűnek mondható, vannak olyan szervezetek, amelyek fő bevételi forrásuk mellé alakítanak ki saját értékesítésből fakadó bevételi forrásokat és vannak olyanok, amelyek csak és kizárólag saját értékesítési tevékenységeikből kívánnak működni. Egyelőre a működési környezetből fakadó kulcsszereplők által generált korlátok és lehetőségek nagyban befolyásolják a társadalmi vállalkozások működését. Ennek egyik elsődleges szempontja a pénzügyi korlátok jelenléte, az állami szférától való finanszírozási függés. A fejlesztő szervezetek célja az alapvető és a már összetettebb üzleti működés átadása és fenntartása. Módszereiket és eszközeiket a hagyományos üzleti szektorból vették át, amelyeket a társadalmi vállalkozások igényeire specializálnak.
Information and communication technologies vs. traditional approaches targeting parents to improve healthy diet or body mass index in preschoolers: a systematic review
Authors: León Hernández Anahi Julieta , Bonilla Matamoros Andrea , Alba Alba Corina Mariela , Ramírez-Girón Natalia , D´Alonzo Karen
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Preschool age is a critical period for learning healthy habits and, in the face of technological advances, innovative ways to improve health have emerged. This study aims to compare interventions that use Information and Communication Technologies tools in comparison with traditional approaches, targeted to parents, to improve healthy diet and weight in preschoolers. Specifically, to know its effectiveness, which tools have been used and the main success factors in the interventions.
Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, SpringerLink and Cochrane Library databases. The protocol was registered (PROSPERO ID. CRD42021251037). Intervention studies to promote healthy diet and weight in preschoolers and one or both parents were included. The authors assessed risk of bias separately assigning scores with specific tools such as PRISMA or CONSORT. The results were synthesized in Excel tables according to the results sought such as the use of technology, characteristics of the intervention, weight results, and healthy eating.
Results: A total of eight studies were included. Two studies showed positive effects, for both: healthy diet and Body Mass Index. Most of them used mixed tools, with predominant use of traditional approaches. The most frequent technological tool was telephony and, as a traditional approach, direct contact. The success factors seemed to be fictional characters to inspire healthy behaviors, home settings and daily dose of intervention.
Conclusions: Mixing both types of tools was effective in the studies, although the low use of Information and Communication Technologies in the interventions was reflected. In addition, the results increase the evidence that they may be more effective in reducing the consumption of non-recommended food groups and in overweight or obese children.
A evolução geológica do Brasil central
Authors: Tomazzoli Edson Ramos
Published: November 2022

A evolução geológica do Brasil central
Les criteres morphologiques de reconnaissance des potentialites des sols: morphologie et fertilite des sols
Authors: Ruellan Alain
Published: November 2022

Les criteres morphologiques de reconnaissance des potentialites des sols: morphologie et fertilite des sols.
3D Modeling of Bosscha Observatory With TLS and UAV Integration Data
Authors: Kartini Gusti Ayu Jessy , Saputri Naura Dwi
Published: November 2022

Terrestrial Laser Scanner is a tool capable of generating millions 3D points with mm accuracy, but upper structure is difficult to model. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is an unmanned aircraft system technology that can provide structural data on buildings. Measurements with one technique can lead to unsatisfactory results, so an integration process is carried out to obtain a more accurate 3D model. The purpose of this research is to see the successful integration of TLS and UAV point cloud data for 3D modeling. The data used is secondary data from previous research. TLS and UAV data were processed with Agisoft Metashape and Cyclone in the same coordinate system. The integration process is carried out by aligning the same point cloud between the two data in CloudCompare with an RMSE of 25.60 mm. Validation is done by comparing the distance between the results of the 3D model with the actual conditions. The integrated 3D model can be implemented for the purposes of Bosscha Observatory 3D modeling.
A study on the adsorption property and mechanism of β-cyclodextrin/polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid hydrogel for ciprofloxacin
Authors: Tian Jintao , Zhang Hongyu , Zhao Xinyu , Liu Wanyi , Fakhri Yasser
Published: November 2022

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), acrylic acid (AA), and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were used as monomers, and ammonium persulfate was used as an initiator. Orthogonal tests were optimized the experimental condition, and aqueous polymerization was used to prepare poly-β-cyclodextrin/polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid (β-CD/PVA/PAA) hydrogel. The samples were characterized by FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared), SEM (Scanning electron microscopy), and XRD (X-ray diffraction). β-CD/PVA/PAA hydrogel was analyzed, which influenced external environmental factors on the β-CD/PVA/PAA hydrogel adsorption performance, and the kinetic behavior of β-CD/PVA/PAA hydrogel on ciprofloxacin (CIP) adsorption was explored. The results concluded that the prepared β-CD/PVA/PAA hydrogel has a well-defined three-dimensional network structure. The decrease in the pH of the CIP solution and the adsorption temperature reduces the adsorption reaction of β-CD/PVA/PAA hydrogel on CIP. The kinetics of CIP adsorption by β-CD/PVA/PAA hydrogel confirmed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R
2 > 0.997), the maximum equilibrium adsorption amounts is 372.12 mg/g, the removal rate reaches 74.42%. The adsorption process was mainly chemisorption, the adsorption isotherm fits the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model (R
2 > 0.946), and the adsorption process was heterogeneous with multi-molecular layer adsorption. The adsorption process inclined more toward the adsorption of inhomogeneous multi-molecular layers. The β-CD/PVA/PAA hydrogel retained 80% adsorption properties after three adsorption-desorption under optimal conditions.
EDM-GNSS distance comparison at the EURO5000 calibration baseline: preliminary results
Authors: Wezka Kinga , García-Asenjo Luis , Próchniewicz Dominik , Baselga Sergio , Szpunar Ryszard , Garrigues Pascual , Walo Janusz , Luján Raquel
Published: November 2022

At the Pieniny Klippen Belt in Poland, the novel primary reference baseline EURO5000 is required as part of the European Research project GeoMetre to both validate refractivity-compensated EDM prototypes and investigate the metrological traceability of GNSS-based distances. Since the aimed uncertainty is 1 mm at 5 km (k = 2), the design, construction, and validation must be carefully prepared to fulfil the high standards of the GeoMetre field campaigns which are planned to be carried out in May 2022. This contribution describes the main features of the EURO5000 and presents the results of the preliminary validation which includes a first comparison between the results obtained by using precise currently available EDMs as well as GNSS techniques following the standard GNSS geodetic processing algorithms, on the one hand, and the improved GNSS-Based Distance Meter (GBDM+) approach developed at UPV, on the other hand. The preliminary validation presented in this contribution also permits (1) to detect potential problems in the use of the baseline such as potential geodynamic problems, atmospheric refraction or multipath limitations, (2) to produce a set of reliable results, and (3) to pave the way for the final field comparisons between the novel EDMs and the GBDM+ approach. The result of this metrological experiment may significantly contribute to overcome the limitations of current high-precision deformation monitoring applications that require their scale to be consistent with the SI-metre within 0.1 ppm in several km.
Examination of α′′, α′ and ω phases in a β-type titanium–niobium metal
Authors: Sun Jin-hui
Published: November 2022

In this study, titanium–niobium (Ti-Nb) alloy samples containing β, α′′, ω and α′ were used to investigate the effect of each phase on the mechanical properties. The results show that the content of each phase affects the shape of the tensile curve. When the fraction of ω phase is relatively large, the tensile curve exhibits obvious upper yield point and lower yield point. However, the fraction of α′′ phase is relatively large; the tensile curve has a single peak yield stage. A small amount of α′ phase can significantly improve the yield strength, however, the elongation decreased significantly. In addition, some ω phase surrounded in α′′ matrix was also observed, and it can be inferred that the micro-crack may first appear at the incoherent ω/α′′ interface under the application of external stress.
Influence of acidic media and chlorides on protective properties of epoxy coatings
Authors: Alar Vesna , Stojanović Ivan , Šimunović Vinko , Kurtela Marin , Samardžija Marina , Ivaniš Dalibor
Published: November 2022

Organic coatings are used as one of the key surface protection methods to protect cast iron pipelines against corrosion due to their cost efficiency and a variety of applications. In most metallic systems that are protected by organic coatings, the performance depends on the response of the coating to corrosion stresses to which they are exposed during operation. One of the most dangerous factors causing chemical damage to coatings are the acidic and chloride aggressive media. Such damage reduces the protection effectiveness thus leading to blistering, cracking, increase in pore volume and number, as well as loss of adhesion. Moreover, the influence of aggressive media impairs also aesthetic characteristics. In the experimental part of the paper, analyses of the physical and chemical properties of epoxy coatings applied on the metal substrate in phosphoric acid, acetic acid and 3.5 wt% NaCl solutions were carried out. The test results showed that the physical properties of epoxy coatings were satisfactory in the acidic medium, but electrochemical tests in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution showed reduced corrosion protection.
Friction stir welding for manufacturing of a light weight combat aircraft structure
Authors: Rajendran Chinnasamy , Srinivasan Kasi , Balasubramanian Visvalingam , Sonar Tushar , Balaji Haridasu
Published: November 2022

This paper aims to validate the viability of friction stir welding process (FSW) to join high strength aerospace grade AA2014-T6 aluminium alloy for manufacturing light-weight combat aircraft (LCA) structure as a replacement to riveting process. FSW is used to overcome the heat input-related problems in fusion welding of AA2014-T6 aluminium alloy such as coarse grain fusion zone microstructure, softening in HAZ and lower joint efficiency. The 2 mm thick AA2014-T6 aluminium alloy sheets were used as the base material (BM). Friction stir butt (FBW) and friction stir lap (FLP) joints were developed, and its performance was compared with double cover riveted butt (DRB) joint in butt (RBJ) and lap (RLJ) joint configuration. Results showed that the load-carrying capability of FSW joints is greater than the riveted joints. The superior load-carrying capacities of FBW and FLW joints refers to evolution of refined grains and strengthening precipitates in stirred zone (SZ), which ensures superior metallurgical bonding between the joining surfaces. The riveted joints disclosed inferior load-carrying capacities due to the lack of metallurgical connection between the joining surfaces.
Strategische Irrtümer deutscher Außenpolitik im Rückblick – die Jahre von 1890 bis 1914
Authors: Krause Joachim
Published: November 2022

Kurzfassung

Die Phase strategischer Irrtümer deutscher Außenpolitik der vergangenen 25 Jahre weist – trotz unterschiedlicher Ausgangsbedingungen – Ähnlichkeiten mit einer früheren Phase strategischen Irrens auf: den Jahren zwischen 1890 und 1914. Der Artikel analysiert diese Zeit, indem nach drei Perioden differenziert wird, in denen die verantwortlichen Politiker trotz des Bewusstseins für das Bestehen einer existenziellen Gefahr für das Deutsche Reich eine ideologisch angeleitete und realitätsfremde Politik betrieben hatten. Strategische Blindheit, die Abwesenheit eines strategischen Zentrums, ein sorgloser Umgang mit militärischen Machtmitteln und eine zutiefst von patriotischen Gefühlen getriebene Politik haben zu einer Selbstisolierung Deutschlands und zu Maßnahmen beigetragen, durch die die militärische Situation des Reiches immer aussichtsloser wurde und der Krieg als einziger Ausweg erschien. Die jüngste Phase strategischen Irrtums war zwar durch Post-Nationalismus und Pazifismus gekennzeichnet, sie hat dennoch auch dazu beigetragen, dass ein neuer Krieg in Europa ausbrach.
A Covid-19 világjárvány következményeként kis- és középvállalkozások számára hirdetett élelmiszeripari digitalizációt célzó pályázatok vizsgálata
Authors: Freund Anna
Published: November 2022

A TANULMÁNY CÉLJA

A 2020 elején kibontakozó Covid-19 vírus következményeként megmutatkozott, hogy mennyire fontos az élelmiszeripar hazánkban is. Előtérbe került az ország önellátó képességének fontossága, melynek fontos szereplői a kis- és középvállalkozások. Ennek eredményeként 2021-től kezdődően számos pályázati forrás áll a vállalkozók rendelkezésére, amit fejlesztésre fordíthatnak. A tanulmány célja megvizsgálni, hogy a Covid helyzet a következményeként megjelenő pályázati kiírások által felgyorsítja-e a digitalizációs eszközökbe történő beruházásokat, valamint, hogy a támogatási lehetőségek milyen irányba ösztönzik a Magyarországon, a helyi gazdasági környezetben és a régióra jellemző technológiai felkészültséggel működő cégeket.

ALKALMAZOTT MÓDSZERTAN

A feltáró kutatás másodlagos források hibrid módon történő elemzésén alapszik, ami egyaránt magába foglalja a szakirodalom, valamint a pályázati adatok elemzését. A szakirodalom feldolgozása bibliometriai elemzés formájában valósul meg, míg a pályázatokat és a döntéshozói célkitűzéseket hagyományos manuális tartalomelemzéssel vizsgálja a tanulmány.

LEGFONTOSABB EREDMÉNYEK

A kutatás eredményeiben látszik, hogy hazai élelmiszeripar támogatását a digitalizáció irányába tolják a pályázati lehetőségek is. A támogatható tevékenységek esetében megjelennek elsődlegesen a fejlesztési irányok automatizált termelési rendszerekre, gyártási technológiákra, szenzor-, és vezérlés technológiákra vonatkozóan. Ezen kívül a fókuszban található, akár robottechnológiához köthető, vagy intelligens gyártási megoldásokat célzó beruházások megvalósítása (GINOP-1.2.12-21 pályázati felhívás, 2021). Emellett a Covid-19 hullámra reagálva bővített lehetőségeket is kínálva, a további fejlesztést és fennmaradást támogató pályázatok is megjelentek a magyar gazdasági szereplők számára 2021-ben (GINOP-PLUSZ-1.2.1-21 pályázati felhívás, 2021). Kidomborodik emellett azonban az is, hogy a pályázóknak lehetőségük van elsődlegesen létesítményfejlesztésre, valamint kapacitásbővítésre használni a támogatásokat, amely csak belépő szintnek tekinthető a digitális fejlettség irányába.

GYAKORLATI JAVASLATOK

A tanulmány a gyakorló szakemberek számára áttekinthető képet nyújt a gazdaságpolitikai célkitűzések és a megvalósítási lehetőségek kapcsolatáról, felhívva ezáltal figyelmüket a digitális megoldások által támogatott működésben rejlő előnyökre.

Finanszírozás: A tanulmány az Innovációs és Technológiai Minisztérium ÚNKP-21-3 kódszámú Új Nemzeti Kiválóság Programjának a Nemzeti Kutatási, Fejlesztési és Innovációs Alapból finanszírozott szakmai támogatásával készült.
Molecular, Circuit, and Stress Response Characterization of Ventral Pallidum Npas1-Neurons
Authors: Morais-Silva Gessynger , Campbell Rianne R. , Nam Hyungwoo , Basu Mahashweta , Pagliusi Marco , Fox Megan E. , Chan C. Savio , Iñiguez Sergio D. , Ament Seth , Cramer Nathan , Marin Marcelo Tadeu , Lobo Mary Kay
Published: November 2022

Altered activity of the ventral pallidum (VP) underlies disrupted motivation in stress and drug exposure. The VP is a very heterogeneous structure composed of many neuron types with distinct physiological properties and projections. Neuronal PAS 1-positive (Npas1+) VP neurons are thought to send projections to brain regions critical for motivational behavior. While Npas1+neurons have been characterized in the globus pallidus external, there is limited information on these neurons in the VP. To address this limitation, we evaluated the projection targets of the VP Npas1+neurons and performed RNA-sequencing on ribosome-associated mRNA from VP Npas1+neurons to determine their molecular identity. Finally, we used a chemogenetic approach to manipulate VP Npas1+neurons during social defeat stress (SDS) and behavioral tasks related to anxiety and motivation in Npas1-Cre mice. We used a similar approach in females using the chronic witness defeat stress (CWDS). We identified VP Npas1+projections to the nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, medial and lateral habenula, lateral hypothalamus, thalamus, medial and lateral septum, and periaqueductal gray area. VP Npas1+neurons displayed distinct translatome representing distinct biological processes. Chemogenetic activation of hM3D(Gq) receptors in VP Npas1+neurons increased susceptibility to a subthreshold SDS and anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and open field while the activation of hM4D(Gi) receptors in VP Npas1+neurons enhanced resilience to chronic SDS and CWDS. Thus, the activity of VP Npas1+neurons modulates susceptibility to social stressors and anxiety-like behavior. Our studies provide new information on VP Npas1+neuron circuitry, molecular identity, and their role in stress response.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe ventral pallidum (VP) is a structure connected to both reward-related and aversive brain centers. It is a key brain area that signals the hedonic value of natural rewards. Disruption in the VP underlies altered motivation in stress and substance use disorder. However, VP is a very heterogeneous area with multiple neuron subtypes. This study characterized the projection pattern and molecular signatures of VP Neuronal PAS 1-positive (Npas1+) neurons. We further used tools to alter receptor signaling in VP Npas1+neurons in stress to demonstrate a role for these neurons in stress behavioral outcomes. Our studies have implications for understanding brain cell type identities and their role in brain disorders, such as depression, a serious disorder that is precipitated by stressful events.
Exploring the Impacts of the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Critical Care Physicians and the Delivery of Patient Care in Eight Countries: A Qualitative Interview-Based Study
Authors: FitzGerald Emily A. , Moss Stephana J. , DeGrood Chloe , Dodds Alexandra , Rubulotta Francesca , Mizen Sara J. , Krewulak Karla D. , Stelfox Henry T. , Fiest Kirsten M. , Parsons Leigh Jeanna
Published: November 2022

Purpose: To understand critical care physician experiences across multiple countries with the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future pandemic preparedness planning. Methods: In this qualitative descriptive study, 16 critical care physicians (from eight countries) identified in convenience and purposive sampling took part in individual semi-structured interviews from April 7, 2020 to August 27, 2020 that captured the first wave of the pandemic. Open coding was conducted by two researchers who facilitated inductive thematic analysis. Results: Key themes identified following thematic analysis included the following: (a) sourcing and implementation of trusted information; (b) health systems–level preparedness with accessible supports; (c) institutional adaptations, including changes to patient care; (d) professional safety and occupational well-being; (e) triage and restricted visitation policies; and (f) managing personal familial responsibilities. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic transformed the ways in which critical care physicians cared for their patients and personally coped with challenges. Perspectives of critical care physicians are important for ongoing pandemic planning and should be included in future pandemic policy development.
About the Cover: The Breakfast and Beyond Program: A Trainee's Experience
Authors: Waugh Rachel
Published: November 2022

About the author: Rachel is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a student in the Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition (MScAHN) program at Mount Saint Vincent University. Her graduate thesis is a mixed-form questionnaire exploring Canadian RDs’ experiences, perceptions, and knowledge of weight-related evidence in practice, framed by the Nutrition Care Process. Outside of her studies, Rachel loves to cook, try new foods, spend time with her dog, and visit her family in New Brunswick.