bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spot Urine Uric Acid to Creatinine Ratio used in the Estimation of Hyperuricosuria in the Young Korean Population
Authors: Choi Hyowon , Namgoong Meekyung
Published: January 2022

Background: Uric acid levels in urine are measured using urine specimens 24 hours or by uric acid glomerular filtration rate (UAGFR) with spot urine, which additionally requires a blood sample. This study aimed to investigate whether urinary uric acid creatinine ratio (UUACr) obtained by spot urine alone could be recognized as a substitute for UAGFR value, and hyperuricosuria can be screened by UUACr. UUACr is known to vary with age and regional differences. This study focused on the reference value of each value in Korean young populations.Method: We enrolled Korean subjects 1–20 years with normal kidney function, from a single hospital, classified into 5 age groups, 1–5 years, 6–8 years, 9–12 years, 13–15 years, and 16–20 years. We checked spot urine uric acid, creatinine and serum uric acid, creatinine levels on the same day from February 2014 to December 2018. We measured the average of UAGFR and UUACr in each groups. The UUACr cut-off value of the upper 2 standard deviation (SD) of UAGFR were taken.Results: The upper 2 SD of UUACr (mg/mg) and UAGFR (mg/dL) were determined in all age groups. UUACr decreased with grown up (P=0.000), but UAGFR were not statistically different among the groups. UUACr and UAGFR were not significantly different by gender. UUACr and UAGFR were positively correlated; UUACr cut-off value of upper 2 SD UAGFR (0.54 mg/dL) was 0.65 mg/mg in total age.Conclusions: UUACr could potentially be used to screen for hyperuricosuria.
A AUTOEXPOSIÇÃO DE PRATICANTES DE EXERCÍCIOS FÍSICOS COMUNICADA EM REDES SOCIAIS E SUA RELAÇÃO COM O CONSUMO
Authors:   Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Bezerra de Oliveira Emanuel , de Sousa Pereira Nathália ,   Universidade Estácio do Ceará, Chagas de Lima Lia ,   Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Arruda Gomes Danielle Miranda de Oliveira ,   Universidade Estadual do Ceará
Published: January 2022

This research proposes to understand the relationship between the self-exposure of physical exercise practitioners on social media communication and consumption. To this end, we sought to identify the motivations for selfexposure of physical exercise practitioners on social media; identify the types of products consumed that are related to self-exposure on social media and verify the influence between self-exposure of physical exercise practitioners on social media and consumption. Qualitative research was applied, aided by semistructured interviews and by the projective autodriving technique. Twelve men who practice physical exercises in gyms were interviewed. Three categories emerged from the results: exhibitionism, encouraging healthy living and personal fulfillment as antecedents for the self-exposure of physical activity practitioners on social media, and the consumption of food, electronic, sports clothing, applications, and software products was identified, as a way to help the best image that will be exposed. Through the development of a framework, it was found that the self-exposure of the image influences both self-consumption and the consumption of followers. In addition, the concept of conspicuous consumption was broadened by relating the exposure of the conquest of the fitness body as an acquired good that provides social status.
Unión Europea en la serie 'Parlement' (2020). Entre la ficción y el realismo
Authors: Gil-Torres Alicia , San José-de la Rosa Cristina
Published: January 2022

El interés de esta investigación radica en el análisis de la única serie de ficción que versa sobre el funcionamiento de la Unión Europea: la producción franco-belga-alemana Parlement (Émilie Noblet y Jérémie Sein, 2020). A través de una metodología cualitativa se busca responder a un triple objetivo de investigación: (1) analizar los personajes principales y sus elementos característicos; (2) identificar la relación espacio-tiempo y las acciones políticas planteadas en la ficción para dotar de realismo a su desarrollo a través de los escenarios y argumentos planteados; y (3) detectar la existencia de paralelismos entre la Unión Europea subyacente en el imaginario social y la presentada en la serie al amparo de la teoría de las representaciones sociales, el efecto de realidad y las encuestas del Eurobarómetro. Los resultados revelan que Parlement trabaja con estereotipos y percepciones sociales sobre la Unión Europea desde la sátira, pero ofrece elementos pedagógicos en todos sus episodios. De esta manera logra ser un catalizador popular para acercar la política europea a la ciudadanía proyectando una imagen más humana y desenfadada.
Política pop online: nuevas estrategias y liderazgos para nuevos públicos
Authors: Berrocal Salomé , Quevedo Redondo Raquel , García Beaudoux Virginia
Published: January 2022

En la sociedad del entretenimiento, generada a finales del siglo XX, se desarrolla la política pop, una fórmula de comunicación utilizada por los líderes políticos para hacer llegar su imagen y mensaje a la ciudadanía utilizando ingredientes del espectáculo o de celebritización. En un sentido parecido actúan los medios de comunicación tradicionales, que incluyen formatos de infoentretenimiento político, para trasladar la información política a los ciudadanos en un formato frívolo, superficial o satírico, con el fin de ganar audiencia. Esta situación de dominio del politainment se ha transferido a Internet, donde el fenómeno multiplica su expansión a través de las redes sociales. Allí, partidos políticos, medios de comunicación y prosumidores encuentran un espacio para captar el voto, ganar audiencia u obtener algún beneficio. El monográfico incluido en index.comunicación presenta investigaciones en politainment, con el objeto de examinar su presencia en medios convencionales y en redes sociales. Las nuevas fórmulas que adopta la información política espectacularizada, el tipo de emisores que la producen y las consecuencias entre quienes la consumen son objeto de análisis en los trabajos publicados en este número temático.
Коррупция и государство в Сахеле
Authors: Блундо Джорджо
Published: January 2022

Начиная с 2000 гг. новые инструменты оценки борьбы с коррупцией создают нелестный образ госу-дарств Сахеля. Согласно наиболее известному из них – Списку стран по восприятию коррупции (Corruption Perception Index, CPI), составляемому международной неправительственной организацией Transparency International, в 2016 г. практически все страны региона попали в группу государств с эндемической коррупцией. Однако восприятие коррупции внутри группы варьирует: Сенегал и Буркина Фасо считаются менее коррумпированными, чем Мали и Нигер, которые, в свою очередь, вы-глядят лучше Мавритании и особенно Чада, входящего в список 20 наиболее коррумпированных стран мира – вместе с Бурунди, Гаити, Центральноафриканской Республикой и Демократической Республи-кой Конго. Однако эти чисто количественные и вырванные из контекста измерения проливают мало света на социальное и культурное обрамление повседневной коррупции. Настоящая статья опирается на качественные эмпирические полевые исследования, ведущиеся автором в Нигере, Сенегале и Мавритании.
Starting in the early 2000s, new means of measurement produced by the international anticorruption indus-try cast a rather unflattering light on the Sahelian countries, stigmatizing them for their lack of public integ-rity. In 2016 the best known of these tools, Transparency International’s “Corruption Perception Index” ranked all Sahelian countries, excepting (barely) Senegal, as states with systemic corruption (a score lower than 43). Perceptions vary from country to country: Senegal and Burkina Faso are reputedly less corrupt than Mali and Niger; these two are, in turn, more virtuous than Mauritania, and even more so than Chad. These approaches, purely quantitative and decontextualized, shed little light on how corruption is socially and culturally embedded in everyday life. In contrast, this article is based on qualitative empirical studies and on the author’s own research in Niger, Senegal, and Mauritania.
Low Temperature Delays Metabolism of Quizalofop in Resistant Winter Wheat and Three Annual Grass Weed Species
Authors: Bough Raven A. , Gaines Todd A. , Dayan Franck E.
Published: January 2022

Quizalofop-resistant wheat is the core component of the recently commercialized CoAXium™ Wheat Production System. As with other herbicides, quizalofop provides better weed control at early growth stages and under optimum temperature. However, in regions with winter wheat production, quizalofop application may be affected by unpredictable, rapid temperature decreases. Temperature shifts can cause crop injury or impact weed control efficacy. In the following study, we examine the effect of reduced temperature on quizalofop content and metabolism in CoAXium™ winter wheat and three winter weed species: downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.), feral rye (Secale cereale L.), and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host). Temperature conditions include either 19 or 4.5°C daytime temperatures with tissue sampling over 5 timepoints (1–16 or 18 days after treatment, DAT). Analysis features liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry detection of the active form of quizalofop, quizalofop acid. Quizalofop content trends reveal delayed metabolism under cooler conditions for wheat and weeds. Quizalofop content peaks within 1–2 DAT in the warmer temperatures for all species and decreases thereafter. In contrast, content peaks between 8 and 9 DAT at cooler temperatures except for downy brome. Minimal decreases in content over time generally follow cooler temperature peaks. Further, the absence of differences in maximum quizalofop content in all species suggests absorption and/or de-esterification of quizalofop proherbicide to the active form is not reduced at cooler temperatures. Final dry shoot tissue biomass does not necessarily correspond to differences in metabolism, as biomass of wheat treated with a field rate of quizalofop does not differ between temperatures. Weeds were treated with sublethal doses of quizalofop in order to monitor herbicide metabolism without causing plant death. Under this condition, weed biomass only differs for jointed goatgrass, which has a greater biomass in the cooler temperature.
Composite Bioinks With Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses—A Critical Evaluation of Results Obtained by In Vitro Experiments
Authors: Guduric Vera , Wieckhusen Johannes , Bernhardt Anne , Ahlfeld Tilman , Lode Anja , Wu Chengtie , Gelinsky Michael
Published: January 2022

Besides osteoconductivity and a high degradation rate, mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) are specific for their highly ordered channel structure and high specific surface area, making them suitable as drug and/or growth factor delivery systems. On the other hand, the mesoporous channel structure and MBG composition can have an effect on common cell evaluation assays, leading to inconclusive results. This effect is especially important when MBG is mixed in composite bioinks, together with cells. Additionally, the hydrogel component of the ink can influence the degradation of MBG, leading to different ion releases, which can additionally affect the analyses. Hence, our aim here was to show how the MBG structure and composition influence common cell viability and differentiation assays when calcium (Ca)- or magnesium (Mg)-containing glass is part of an alginate-based composite bioink. We suggested pre-labeling of cells with DiI prior to bioprinting and staining with calcein-AM to allow identification of metabolically active cells expressing signals in both green and red channels, allowing the use of fluorescence imaging for cell viability evaluations in the presence of high amounts (7 wt %) of MBGs. The release and uptake of ions during degradation of CaMBG and MgMBG were significantly changed by alginate in the composite bioinks, as confirmed by higher release and uptake from bulk glasses. Additionally, we detected a burst release of Mg2+ from composites only after 24 h of incubation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that released ions and the mesoporous channel structure affect the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) in bioprinted composite scaffolds. Measured LDH activity was significantly decreased in the presence of CaMBG. On the other hand, the presence of MgMBG induced increased signal measured for the ALP. Taken together, our findings show how composite bioinks containing MBGs can interfere with common analyses, obtaining misleading results.
Characterization of Monoclonal Antibody Glycan Heterogeneity Using Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Singh Sumit K. , Lee Kelvin H.
Published: January 2022

Glycosylation is a critical quality attribute of monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutics. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS) is an invaluable technology for the characterization of protein glycosylation. HILIC/MS-based glycan analysis relies on the library search using Glucose Units (GU) and accurate mass (AM) as the primary search parameters for identification. However, GU-based identifications are gradient-dependent and are not suitable for applications where separation gradients need to be optimized to analyze complex samples or achieve higher throughput. Additionally, the workflow requires calibration curves (using dextran ladder) to be generated for each analysis campaign, which in turn, are used to derive the GU values of the separated glycan species. To overcome this limitation, we employed a two-step strategy for targeted glycan analysis of a mAb expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. The first step is to create a custom library of the glycans of interest independent of GU values (thereby eliminating the need for a calibration curve) and instead uses AM and retention time (RT) as the primary search variables. The second step is to perform targeted glycan screening using the custom-built library. The developed workflow was applied for targeted glycan analysis of a mAb expressed in CHO for 1) cell line selection 2) characterizing the day-wise glycan evolution in a model mAb during a fed-batch culture, 3) assessing the impact of different media conditions on glycosylation, and 4) evaluating the impact of two different process conditions on glycosylation changes in a model mAb grown in a bioreactor. Taken together, the data presented in this study provides insights into the sources of glycan heterogeneity in a model mAb that are seen during its commercial manufacturing.
GLIS Family Zinc Finger 1 was First Linked With Preaxial Polydactyly I in Humans by Stepwise Genetic Analysis
Authors: Jin Jie-Yuan , Wu Pan-Feng , Luo Fang-Mei , Guo Bing-Bing , Zeng Lei , Fan Liang-Liang , Tang Ju-Yu , Xiang Rong
Published: January 2022

Background: Preaxial polydactyly (PPD) is one of the most common developmental malformations, with a prevalence of 0.8–1.4% in Asians. PPD is divided into four types, PPD I–IV, and PPD I is the most frequent type. Only six loci (GLI1, GLI3, STKLD1, ZRS, pre-ZRS, and a deletion located 240 kb from SHH) have been identified in non-syndromic PPD cases. However, pathogenesis of most PPD patients has never been investigated. This study aimed to understand the genetic mechanisms involved in the etiology of PPD I in a family with multiple affected members.

Methods: We recruited a PPD I family (PPD001) and used stepwise genetic analysis to determine the genetic etiology. In addition, for functional validation of the identified GLIS1 variant, in vitro studies were conducted. GLIS1 variants were further screened in additional 155 PPD cases.

Results: We identified a GLIS1 variant (NM_147193: c.1061G > A, p.R354H) in the PPD001 family. In vitro studies showed that this variant decreased the nuclear translocation of GLIS1 and resulted in increased cell viability and migration. RNA sequencing revealed abnormal TBX4 and SFRP2 expression in 293T cells transfected with mutant GLIS1. Additionally, we identified a GLIS1 variant (c.664G > A, p.D222N) in another PPD case.

Conclusion: We identified two GLIS1 variants in PPD I patients and first linked GLIS1 with PPD I. Our findings contributed to future molecular and clinical diagnosis of PPD and deepened our knowledge of this disease.
A Single Cisterna Magna Injection of AAV Leads to Binaural Transduction in Mice
Authors: Blanc Fabian , Bemelmans Alexis-Pierre , Affortit Corentin , Joséphine Charlène , Puel Jean-Luc , Mondain Michel , Wang Jing
Published: January 2022

Viral-mediated gene augmentation, silencing, or editing offers tremendous promise for the treatment of inherited and acquired deafness. Inner-ear gene therapies often require a safe, clinically useable and effective route of administration to target both ears, while avoiding damage to the delicate structures of the inner ear. Here, we examined the possibility of using a cisterna magna injection as a new cochlear local route for initiating binaural transduction by different serotypes of the adeno-associated virus (AAV2/8, AAV2/9, AAV2/Anc80L65). The results were compared with those following canalostomy injection, one of the existing standard inner ear local delivery routes. Our results demonstrated that a single injection of AAVs enables high-efficiency binaural transduction of almost all inner hair cells with a basal-apical pattern and of large numbers of spiral ganglion neurons of the basal portion of the cochlea, without affecting auditory function and cochlear structures. Taken together, these results reveal the potential for using a cisterna magna injection as a local route for binaural gene therapy applications, but extensive testing will be required before translation beyond mouse models.
The Novel Methylation Biomarker NPY5R Sensitizes Breast Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy
Authors: Liu Jiazhou , Wang Xiaoyu , Sun Jiazheng , Chen Yuru , Li Jie , Huang Jing , Du Huimin , Gan Lu , Qiu Zhu , Li Hongzhong , Ren Guosheng , Wei Yuxian
Published: January 2022

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common tumor in women, and the molecular mechanism underlying its pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate gene modules related to the phenotypes of BC, and identify representative candidate biomarkers for clinical prognosis of BC patients. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we here identified NPY5R as a hub gene in BC. We further found that NPY5R was frequently downregulated in BC tissues compared with adjacent tumor-matched control tissues, due to its aberrant promoter CpG methylation which was confirmed by methylation analysis and treatment with demethylation agent. Higher expression of NPY5R was closely associated with better prognosis for BC patients. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that transcriptome signatures concerning apoptosis and cell cycle were critically enriched in specimens with elevated NPY5R. Ectopic expression of NPY5R significantly curbed breast tumor cell growth, induced cell apoptosis and G2/M arrest. Moreover, NPY5R also promoted the sensitivity of BC cells to doxorubicin. Mechanistically, we found that NPY5R restricted STAT3 signaling pathway activation through interacting with IL6, which may be responsible for the antitumor activity of NPY5R. Collectively, our findings indicate that NPY5R functions as a tumor suppressor but was frequently downregulated in BC.
Individual Brain Metabolic Connectome Indicator Based on Jensen-Shannon Divergence Similarity Estimation Predicts Seizure Outcomes of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Zhu Zehua , Zhang Zhimin , Gao Xin , Feng Li , Chen Dengming , Yang Zhiquan , Hu Shuo
Published: January 2022

Objective: We aimed to use an individual metabolic connectome method, the Jensen-Shannon Divergence Similarity Estimation (JSSE), to characterize the aberrant connectivity patterns and topological alterations of the individual-level brain metabolic connectome and predict the long-term surgical outcomes in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods: A total of 128 patients with TLE (63 females, 65 males; 25.07 ± 12.01 years) who underwent Positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) imaging were enrolled. Patients were classified either as experiencing seizure recurrence (SZR) or seizure free (SZF) at least 1 year after surgery. Each individual’s metabolic brain network was ascertained using the proposed JSSE method. We compared the similarity and difference in the JSSE network and its topological measurements between the two groups. The two groups were then classified by combining the information from connection and topological metrics, which was conducted by the multiple kernel support vector machine. The validation was performed using the nested leave-one-out cross-validation strategy to confirm the performance of the methods.

Results: With a median follow-up of 33 months, 50% of patients achieved SZF. No relevant differences in clinical features were found between the two groups except age at onset. The proposed JSSE method showed marked degree reductions in IFGoperc.R, ROL. R, IPL. R, and SMG. R; and betweenness reductions in ORBsup.R and IOG. R; meanwhile, it found increases in the degree analysis of CAL. L and PCL. L, and in the betweenness analysis of PreCG.R, IOG. R, PoCG.R, PCL. L and PCL.R. Exploring consensus significant metabolic connections, we observed that the most involved metabolic motor networks were the INS-TPOmid.L, MTG. R-SMG. R, and MTG. R-IPL.R pathways between the two groups, and yielded another detailed individual pathological connectivity in the PHG. R-CAU.L, PHG. R-HIP.L, TPOmid.L-LING.R, TPOmid.L-DCG.R, MOG. R-MTG.R, MOG. R-ANG.R, and IPL. R-IFGoperc.L pathways. These aberrant functional network measures exhibited ideal classification performance in predicting SZF individuals from SZR ones at a sensitivity of 75.00%, a specificity of 92.79%, and an accuracy of 83.59%.

Conclusion: The JSSE method indicator can identify abnormal brain networks in predicting an individual’s long-term surgical outcome of TLE, thus potentially constituting a clinically applicable imaging biomarker. The results highlight the biological meaning of the estimated individual brain metabolic connectome.
Social Repercussion of Translocating a Jaguar in Brazil
Authors: Martins Cláudia S. G. , Engel Mônica T. , Guimarães Maria Augusta , Paolino Roberta M. , Schulz Francine , Esteves Carolina Franco
Published: January 2022

The translocation of “problem-animals” is a common non-lethal strategy to deal with human-wildlife conflict. While processes of wildlife translocation have been widely documented, little is known about the social repercussions that take place once the capture and the return of a problem-animal to its natural habitat fail and it has to be permanently placed in captivity. We investigated how the public, an important stakeholder in wildlife conservation, perceived the translocation of a female jaguar to a wildlife captivity center. The objectives were to (1) assess the public's perceptions (e.g., attitudes, emotions, awareness) toward the jaguar and its translocation process, and (2) how these psychological constructs are related. We used the social media profiles of the three institutions involved in the process (one responsible for the jaguar rescues, one that supported its recovery, and the one responsible for the jaguar's final destination) and analyzed the comments left by their followers on posts related to the jaguar and the translocation itself during 25 days. A total of 287 comments were analyzed through coding, a categorizing strategy of qualitative analysis; 33 codes were identified. Results showed high admiration for the work done, positive attitudes and emotions, and concern toward the animal. Lack of awareness about the translocation process was high, with comments of curiosity toward the situation being one of the most commonly found. To a lesser extent, people felt sad for the jaguar not being able to return to the wild and criticized the need for translocation. Admiration for the work had a strong relation with gratitude and broader positive perceptions toward the jaguar's story. Criticism related to concern, which was also related to a need for more information and curiosity. Our findings suggest that the public who engaged with those institutions through their Instagram accounts were grateful for seeing the jaguar safe, but were not aware of the complexity of the operation nor about the nature of the conflict with farmers. The public can either reinforce a particular action or jeopardize an entire operation, depending on their perceptions of the matter. In the case of this jaguar, the public held a positive view; however, we acknowledge the limitations of our sample and recommend further analyses of social repercussions among people who are not followers of these organizations. Furthermore, we recommend engaging other stakeholders to fully understand the human dimensions of translocating this jaguar. Finally, for social acceptance, we highlight the importance of transparency and reliability of the organizations operating the translocation.
The “Obesity Paradox” in Patients With HFpEF With or Without Comorbid Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Guo Linjuan , Liu Xiao , Yu Peng , Zhu Wengen
Published: January 2022

Background: Overweight and mildly obese individuals have a lower risk of death than their normal-weight counterparts; this phenomenon is termed “obesity paradox.” Whether this “obesity paradox” exists in patients with heart failure (HF) or can be modified by comorbidities is still controversial. Our current study aimed to determine the association of body mass index (BMI) with outcomes with patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) with or without coexisting atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Patients with HFpEF from the Americas in the TOPCAT trial were categorized into the 3 groups: normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), and obesity (≥30 kg/m2). The Cox proportional-hazards models were used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and CIs.

Results: We identified 1,749 patients with HFpEF, 42.1% of which had baseline AF. In the total population of HFpEF, both overweight (HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42–0.83) and obesity (HR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.35–0.69) were associated with a reduced risk of all-cause death. Among patients with HFpEF without AF, overweight (HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.27–0.95) and obesity (HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43–0.98) were associated with a lower risk of all-cause death. In those with AF, obesity (HR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.40–0.95) but not overweight (HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.54–1.21) was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause death.

Conclusions: The “obesity paradox” assessed by BMI exists in patients with HFpEF regardless of comorbid AF.

Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT00094302.
Genetic Variants Associated With Sudden Cardiac Death in Victims With Single Vessel Coronary Artery Disease and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy With or Without Fibrosis
Authors: Vähätalo Juha H. , Holmström Lauri T. A. , Pylkäs Katri , Skarp Sini , Porvari Katja , Pakanen Lasse , Kaikkonen Kari S. , Perkiömäki Juha S. , Kerkelä Risto , Huikuri Heikki V. , Myerburg Robert J. , Junttila M. Juhani
Published: January 2022

Objective: Cardiac hypertrophy with varying degrees of myocardial fibrosis is commonly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) related sudden cardiac death (SCD), especially in young victims among whom patterns of coronary artery lesions do not entirely appear to explain the cause of SCD. Our aim was to study the genetic background of hypertrophy, with or without fibrosis, among ischemic SCD victims with single vessel CAD.

Methods: The study population was derived from the Fingesture study, consisting of all autopsy-verified SCDs in Northern Finland between the years 1998 and 2017 (n = 5,869). We carried out targeted next-generation sequencing using a panel of 174 genes associated with myocardial structure and ion channel function in 95 ischemic-SCD victims (mean age 63.6 ± 10.3 years; 88.4% males) with single-vessel CAD in the absence of previously diagnosed CAD and cardiac hypertrophy with or without myocardial fibrosis at autopsy.

Results: A total of 42 rare variants were detected in 43 subjects (45.3% of the study subjects). Five variants in eight subjects (8.4%) were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. We observed 37 variants of uncertain significance in 39 subjects (40.6%). Variants were detected in myocardial structure protein coding genes, associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular, dilated, hypertrophic and left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathies. Also, variants were detected in ryanodine receptor 2 (RYR2), a gene associated with both cardiomyopathies and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardias.

Conclusions: Rare variants associated with cardiomyopathies, in the absence of anatomic evidence of the specific inherited cardiomyopathies, were common findings among CAD-related SCD victims with single vessel disease and myocardial hypertrophy found at autopsies, suggesting that these variants may modulate the risk for fatal arrhythmias and SCD in ischemic disease.
Comparison of Using Second-Generation Cryoballoon and Radiofrequency Catheter for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Patients With the Common Ostium of Inferior Pulmonary Veins
Authors: Li Jia-hui , Xie Hai-yang , Sun Qi , Guo Xiao-gang , Chen Yan-qiao , Cao Zhong-jing , Ma Jian
Published: January 2022

Aims: To compare the procedural outcomes of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with the common ostium of inferior pulmonary veins (COIPV) and to explore the effect of COIPV on CBA performance through the assessment of anatomical factors.

Methods: A total of 18 AF patients with COIPV were included. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed with second-generation CBA or RFA. The anatomical characteristics of COIPV and procedural outcomes were collected.

Results: The prevalence of COIPV was 0.82% in the enrolled population. PVI was achieved in all pulmonary veins (PVs) without any complications. The “tricircle” strategy was applied for RFA, and the segmental freeze strategy was performed for CBA. Compared with RFA, CBA had shorter procedural time (median: 53.0 vs. 78.0 min, p < 0.001) and longer fluoroscopy time (median: 13.5 vs. 6.0 min, p < 0.001). Higher ovality index of the ostium was seen in patients with ≥4 freezes in inferior PVs [IPVs; 0.95 (0.78–1.05) vs. 0.49 (0.21–0.83), p = 0.047]. During a median of 23.5 months of follow-up, the atrial arrhythmias-free survival after the procedure was comparable between CBA and RFA (p = 0.729).

Conclusion: The second-generation CBA is an efficient and safe alternative for RFA in AF patients with COIPV. Anatomical characteristics of COIPV bring the challenge to the procedure performance of RFA and CBA.
Where the Action Is—Leukocyte Recruitment in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Mauersberger Carina , Hinterdobler Julia , Schunkert Heribert , Kessler Thorsten , Sager Hendrik B.
Published: January 2022

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death worldwide and leukocyte recruitment is a key element of this phenomenon, thus allowing immune cells to enter the arterial wall. There, in concert with accumulating lipids, the invading leukocytes trigger a plethora of inflammatory responses which promote the influx of additional leukocytes and lead to the continued growth of atherosclerotic plaques. The recruitment process follows a precise scheme of tethering, rolling, firm arrest, crawling and transmigration and involves multiple cellular and subcellular players. This review aims to provide a comprehensive up-to-date insight into the process of leukocyte recruitment relevant to atherosclerosis, each from the perspective of endothelial cells, monocytes and macrophages, neutrophils, T lymphocytes and platelets. In addition, therapeutic options targeting leukocyte recruitment into atherosclerotic lesions—or potentially arising from the growing body of insights into its precise mechanisms—are highlighted.
Distribution and Effects of Estrogen Receptors in Prostate Cancer: Associated Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Ramírez-de-Arellano Adrián , Pereira-Suárez Ana Laura , Rico-Fuentes Cecilia , López-Pulido Edgar Iván , Villegas-Pineda Julio César , Sierra-Diaz Erick
Published: January 2022

Estrogens are hormones that have been extensively presented in many types of cancer such as breast, uterus, colorectal, prostate, and others, due to dynamically integrated signaling cascades that coordinate cellular growth, differentiation, and death which can be potentially new therapeutic targets. Despite the historical use of estrogens in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa), their biological effect is not well known, nor their role in carcinogenesis or the mechanisms used to carry their therapeutic effects of neoplastic in prostate transformation. The expression and regulation of the estrogen receptors (ERs) ERα, ERβ, and GPER stimulated by agonists and antagonists, and related to prostate cancer cells are herein reviewed. Subsequently, the structures of the ERs and their splice variants, the binding of ligands to ERs, and the effect on PCa are provided. Finally, we also assessed the contribution of molecular simulation which can help us to search and predict potential estrogenic activities.
Analysis of Tangential Combustion Instability Modes in a LOX/Kerosene Liquid Rocket Engine Based on OpenFOAM
Authors: Guo Kangkang , Xu Boqi , Ren Yongjie , Tong Yiheng , Nie Wansheng
Published: January 2022

Self-excited high frequency combustion instability (HFCI) of first-order tangential (1T) mode was observed in a staged-combustion LOX/Kerosene liquid rocket engine numerically. Two different kinds of 1T patterns, standing wave mode and traveling wave mode, were captured in the present work. In the nominal operation condition, the ratio of oxygen-to-fuel (O/F) was 2.5. Propellant was evenly distributed in all injectors and no HFCI occurred. The chamber pressure obtained from the numerical simulation and experiment showed a good agreement, which validated the numerical model. When the mass flow of fuel for two injectors was modified, severe HFCI occurred. The pressure wave node was located at a fixed diameter, showing a 1T standing wave mode. As the O/F was set 4.4 and the propellant distribution was completely uniform, the numerical result yielded a 1T wave node featured a spinning behavior, which was a traveling 1T wave mode. Once the HFCI arose, no matter what standing mode or spinning mode, the pressure and heat release oscillated totally in phase temporally and coupled spatially. The heat release from combustion was fed into the resonant acoustic mode. This was the thermoacoustic coupling process that maintained the HFCI.
The Impacts of FDI Inflows on Carbon Emissions: Economic Development and Regulatory Quality as Moderators
Authors: Huang Yanyan , Chen Fuzhong , Wei Huini , Xiang Jian , Xu Zhexiao , Akram Rabia
Published: January 2022

With the accelerated development of the global economy, environmental issues have gradually become prominent, which in turn hinders further high-quality economic development. As one of the important driving factors, cross-border flowing foreign direct investment (FDI) has played a vital role in promoting economic development, but has also caused environmental degradation in most host countries. Utilizing panel data for the G20 economies from 1996 to 2018, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of FDI inflows on carbon emissions, and further explore the influence channels through the moderating effects of economic development and regulatory quality. To produce more robust and accurate results in this study, the approach of the feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) is utilized. Meanwhile, this study also specifies the heteroscedasticity and correlated errors due to the large differences and serial correlations among the G20 economies. The results indicate that FDI inflows are positively associated with carbon emissions, as well as both economic development and regulatory quality negatively contribute to the impacts of FDI inflows on carbon emissions. It implies that although FDI inflows tend to increase the emissions of carbon dioxide, they are more likely to mitigate carbon emissions in countries with higher levels of economic development and regulatory quality. Therefore, the findings are informative for policymakers to formulate effective policies to help mitigate carbon emissions and eliminate environmental degradation.
Parasitoid Wasp Community Dynamics in Vineyards Following Insecticide Application
Authors: Schindler Bracha , Gavish-Regev Efrat , Keasar Tamar
Published: January 2022

In order to integrate parasitoid wasps in agroecosystems as biological control agents, we need to understand how insecticides affect the parasitoids in the crops and their surroundings. We investigated the non-target effect of Indoxacarb, an insecticide commonly used against European grapevine moth, on parasitoid wasp communities in vineyards. We focused on characterizing: 1. The dynamics of common wasp species, and 2. Wasp abundance and species richness in the vineyard center, edge, and nearby natural area. Seven vineyards, with neighboring natural areas, were sampled before, and up to 2 weeks after, Indoxacarb applications over 2 years. We expected initial negative effects of spraying in the vineyard with some effect of Indoxacarb drift into the natural habitat, followed by wasp recovery, first in natural areas, then at the vineyard edge and finally in the center. Sticky traps were hung at the vineyard edge and center to evaluate migration into and out of the vineyard. Vacuum sampling was used to obtain parasitoid total abundance and species richness, and the abundances of four common species (43% of the wasps collected). From the vacuum samples we found that total wasp abundance and richness declined after spraying in the vineyards’ margins and center but rose over time in the natural area. Vineyard wasp abundance was restored to pre-spraying levels within 2 weeks. Among the abundant species, Trichogramma sp. and Telenomus sp., which parasitize lepidopteran hosts, declined after spraying, and Trichogramma sp. recovered more quickly than Telenomus sp. Two other abundant species, Lymaenon litoralis and Oligosita sp., did not decline after spraying. In the sticky traps, wasp abundance increased at the vineyard edge but not center after spraying, suggesting that there was migration of wasps at the vineyard edge, into or out of the crop. The results indicate an effect of Indoxacarb on the parasitoid wasp community, particularly on parasitoids of lepidopterans, the target group of Indoxacarb. The results also indicate a potential for recovery of the parasitoid community through migration from neighboring natural vegetation.
Inferring Size-Based Functional Responses From the Physical Properties of the Medium
Authors: Portalier Sébastien M. J. , Fussmann Gregor F. , Loreau Michel , Cherif Mehdi
Published: January 2022

First derivations of the functional response were mechanistic, but subsequent uses of these functions tended to be phenomenological. Further understanding of the mechanisms underpinning predator-prey relationships might lead to novel insights into functional response in natural systems. Because recent consideration of the physical properties of the environment has improved our understanding of predator-prey interactions, we advocate the use of physics-based approaches for the derivation of the functional response from first principles. These physical factors affect the functional response by constraining the ability of both predators and prey to move according to their size. A physics-based derivation of the functional response should thus consider the movement of organisms in relation to their physical environment. One recent article presents a model along these criteria. As an initial validation of our claim, we use a slightly modified version of this model to derive the classical parameters of the functional response (i.e., attack rate and handling time) of aquatic organisms, as affected by body size, buoyancy, water density and viscosity. We compared the predictions to relevant data. Our model provided good fit for most parameters, but failed to predict handling time. Remarkably, this is the only parameter whose derivation did not rely on physical principles. Parameters in the model were not estimated from observational data. Hence, systematic discrepancies between predictions and real data point immediately to errors in the model. An added benefit to functional response derivation from physical principles is thus to provide easy ways to validate or falsify hypotheses about predator-prey relationships.
Find New RoadsTM? A Systematic Review on the Impacts of Off-Road Vehicle Activity on Soil, Vegetation, and Wildlife
Authors: Ploughe Laura W. , Fraser Lauchlan H.
Published: January 2022

The global use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) in natural environments has accelerated rapidly over the last few decades, resulting in significant social and environmental consequences. As the demand, use, and promotion of light-duty ORVs like all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, four-wheel drive trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) increases in remote wilderness, the landscape is becoming fragmented into disorganized and destructive networks of trails and roads. Substantial ecological impacts to a wide range of ecosystem structures and functions will likely result from ORV activity. Applying a global systematic review, we examine 105 publications about plant, soil, and wildlife responses to ORV traffic in different habitats to help guide the direction of future research, monitoring programs, and mitigation efforts. Most studies investigated impacts to animals, followed by soils, then vegetative responses. Soil studies primarily focused on physical impacts to the soil (i.e., compaction, erosion, rut depth), but some studies suggest that soil chemical and biological properties may also be impacted by ORV traffic. The literature on plant responses to ORV activities primarily explored vegetation loss, although impacts on the plant community were also investigated. Animal studies investigated impacts of ORV use on invertebrates, mammals, birds, and to a lesser extent reptiles/amphibians, including population-level, community-level, and behavioral responses. Overall, research on environmental impacts of ORV traffic is biased to coastal and desert ecosystems in the northern hemisphere (primarily in the US), often does not address mechanisms that may produce ecological impacts (e.g., intensity of vehicular disturbance and ecosystem- or species-specific sensitivity to ORV activities), and frequently focused on short-term responses. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms that cause the different responses of soil, plant, and animals to ORVs over the long-term in a broad range of ecosystems to support real-time management and conservation efforts.
Factors Determining Long-Term Antitumor Responses to Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy in Melanoma
Authors: Loo Kimberly , Smithy James W. , Postow Michael A. , Betof Warner Allison
Published: January 2022

With the increasing promise of long-term survival with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies, particularly for patients with advanced melanoma, clinicians and investigators are driven to identify prognostic and predictive factors that may help to identify individuals who are likely to experience durable benefit. Several ICB combinations are being actively developed to expand the armamentarium of treatments for patients who may not achieve long-term responses to ICB single therapies alone. Thus, negative predictive markers are also of great interest. This review seeks to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the durability of ICB treatments. We will discuss the currently available long-term data from the ICB clinical trials and real-world studies describing the survivorship of ICB-treated melanoma patients. Additionally, we explore the current treatment outcomes in patients rechallenged with ICB and the patterns of ICB resistance based on sites of disease, namely, liver or CNS metastases. Lastly, we discuss the landscape in melanoma in the context of prognostic or predictive factors as markers of long-term response to ICB.
The Photophysiological Response of Nitrogen-Limited Phytoplankton to Episodic Nitrogen Supply Associated With Tropical Instability Waves in the Equatorial Atlantic
Authors: Sherman Jonathan , Subramaniam Ajit , Gorbunov Maxim Y. , Fernández-Carrera Ana , Kiko Rainer , Brandt Peter , Falkowski Paul G.
Published: January 2022

In the Equatorial Atlantic nitrogen availability is assumed to control phytoplankton dynamics. However, in situ measurements of phytoplankton physiology and productivity are surprisingly sparse in comparison with the North Atlantic. In addition to the formation of the Equatorial cold tongue in the boreal summer, tropical instability waves (TIWs) and related short-term processes may locally cause episodic events of enhanced nutrient supply to the euphotic layer. Here, we assess changes in phytoplankton photophysiology in response to such episodic events as well as short-term nutrient addition experiments using a pair of custom-built fluorometers that measure chlorophyll a (Chl a) variable fluorescence and fluorescence lifetimes. The fluorometers were deployed during a transatlantic cruise along the Equator in the fall of 2019. We hypothesized that the Equatorial Atlantic is nitrogen-limited, with an increasing degree of limitation to the west where the cold tongue is not prominent, and that infrequent nitrate injection by TIW related processes are the primary source alleviating this limitation. We further hypothesized phytoplankton are well acclimated to the low levels of nitrogen, and once nitrogen is supplied, they can rapidly utilize it to stimulate growth and productivity. Across three TIW events encountered, we observed increased productivity and chlorophyll a concentration concurrent with a decreased photochemical conversion efficiency and overall photophysiological competency. Moreover, the observed decrease in photosynthetic turnover rates toward the western section suggested a 70% decrease in growth rates compared to their maximum values under nutrient-replete conditions. This decrease aligned with the increased growth rates observed following 24 h incubation with added nitrate in the western section. These results support our hypotheses that nitrogen is the limiting factor in the region and that phytoplankton are in a state of balanced growth, waiting to “body surf” waves of nutrients which fuel growth and productivity.
An Update in Epigenetics in Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Rodríguez-Sanabria J. Samael , Escutia-Gutiérrez Rebeca , Rosas-Campos Rebeca , Armendáriz-Borunda Juan S. , Sandoval-Rodríguez Ana
Published: January 2022

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is characterized by hepatic steatosis accompanied by one of three features: overweight or obesity, T2DM, or lean or normal weight with evidence of metabolic dysregulation. It is distinguished by excessive fat accumulation in hepatocytes, and a decrease in the liver's ability to oxidize fats, the accumulation of ectopic fat, and the activation of proinflammatory pathways. Chronic damage will keep this pathophysiologic cycle active causing progression from hepatic steatosis to cirrhosis and eventually, hepatocarcinoma. Epigenetics affecting gene expression without altering DNA sequence allows us to study MAFLD pathophysiology from a different perspective, in which DNA methylation processes, histone modifications, and miRNAs expression have been closely associated with MAFLD progression. However, these considerations also faced us with the circumstance that modifying those epigenetics patterns might lead to MAFLD regression. Currently, epigenetics is an area of great interest because it could provide new insights in therapeutic targets and non-invasive biomarkers. This review comprises an update on the role of epigenetic patterns, as well as innovative therapeutic targets and biomarkers in MAFLD.