bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photosynthetic pigments of co-occurring Northeast Atlantic Laminaria spp. are unaffected by decomposition
Authors: Wright LS , Foggo A
Published: September 2021

Along Northeast Atlantic coasts, the genus Laminaria dominates kelp forests. Two species, L. digitata and L. hyperborea, are cold temperate whilst the third, L. ochroleuca, is warm temperate. In northern France and the southern British Isles, all 3 species now co-occur, with a gradual rise in predominance of L. ochroleuca evident over recent decades due to climate-driven range shifts. Despite recent focus on the export of photosynthetically viable macroalgal detritus, the effect of decomposition on detrital pigment concentration remains unknown for northern hemisphere kelps. Furthermore, notwithstanding their importance in determining habitat suitability, the photosynthetic pigments of all 3 species have not yet been assessed comparatively within the same forest. Here, we present results of a field experiment aimed to test potential changes in the pigments of decomposing kelp blade fragments. Using spectrophotometry and Gaussian peak spectral deconvolution to quantify pigments, we found that shallow benthic decomposition over 1 mo did not affect major photosynthetic pigment concentrations in any of the examined species. Moreover, the 2 boreal species were similar in their sporophyte pigment stoichiometry and had more chlorophyll a, chlorophyll c, fucoxanthin and minor carotenoids (β,β-carotene and zeaxanthin) than L. ochroleuca. This resulted in total pigment content that was 82 and 74% higher in L. digitata and L. hyperborea than in L. ochroleuca. These differences correspond approximately to each species’ latitudinal distribution and photosynthetic performance. Our results suggest photosynthetic viability of Northeast Atlantic kelp in the initial detrital phase and a potential reduction of forest-scale photosynthetic capacity under continued ocean warming.
Profil Pasien Spondilitis Tuberkulosis (Pott’s Disease) di Rumah Sakit Pusat Angkatan Darat Gatot Soebroto
Authors: Mijaya Irfan Y. , Sahetapy Chyntia M. , Kusmana Dewiyana A.
Published: September 2021

Abstrak

Spondilitis tuberkulosis (TB) atau Pott’s disease adalah infeksi tulang belakang yang disebabkan Mycobacterium tuberculosis akibat TB ekstrapulmoner. Penyakit ini tergantung berbagai faktor seperti usia, status gizi, dan penyakit penyerta. Penelitian deskriptif ini dilakuakn untuk mengetahui Profil pasien spondilitis tuberkulosis di Rumah Sakit Pusat Angkatan Darat (RSPAD) Gatot Soebroto. Data diperoleh dari rekam medis sebanyak 75 sampel. Penelitian ini menunjukkan jenis kelamin laki – laki (50,7%), kelompok usia 21 – 29 tahun (29,3%), dan status gizi normal (33,3%) merupakan kelompok yang terbanyak terkena spondilitis tuberkulosis (TB). Jenis pekerjaan terbanyak merupakan ibu rumah tangga (28,0%). Sebanyak 69 pasien (92%) tidak memiliki riwayat merokok dan semua pasien tidak memiliki riwayat mengonsumsi alkohol. Hanya 1 orang pasien spondilitis TB yang memiliki hasil basil tahan asam (BTA) positif. Sebanyak 41 orang (54,7%) pasien spondilitis TB didiagnosis melalui Magnetic Resonance Imaging/ Computerized Tomographic Scan (MRI/CT SCAN) dengan lesi spondilitis TB terbanyak terdapat pada torakal. Kemampuan MRI mendiagnosis lebih baik dibandingkan PCR dan BTA.

 

Kata kunci: Status Gizi, Torakal, Basil Tahan Asam

 

The Profile of Tuberculosis Spondylitis patients (Pott's Disease) at Rumah Sakit Pusat Angkatan Darat Gatot Soebroto

 

Abstract

Tuberculous spondylitis (TB) or Pott's disease is a spinal infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis due to extrapulmonary TB. This disease depends on various factors such as age, nutritional status, and comorbidities. This descriptive study was conducted to determine the profile of tuberculosis spondylitis patients at the Gatot Soebroto Central Army Hospital (RSPAD). Data obtained from medical records of 75 samples. This study showed that male gender (50.7%), age group 21-29 years (29.3%), and normal nutritional status (33.3%) were the groups most affected by tuberculosis spondylitis (TB). Most types of work were housewives (28.0%). A total of 69 patients (92%) had no history of smoking and all patients had no history of consuming alcohol. Only 1 TB spondylitis patient had positive acid-resistant bacilli (AFB). A total of 41 people (54.7%) TB spondylitis patients were diagnosed through Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Computerized Tomographic Scan (MRI / CT SCAN) with the most TB spondylitis lesions found in the thoracic. The ability of MRI to diagnose is better than PCR and BTA.

 

Key words: Nutritional Status, Thoracic, Acid Resistant Basil
Resusitasi Pengendalian Kerusakan Di Unit Perawatan Intensif
Authors: Arianto Dhanu Pitra , Kestriani Nurita Dian
Published: September 2021

Abstrak

Resusitasi dengan pengendalian kerusakanmenggambarkan suatu pendekatan ke perawatan awal pada pasien dengan cedera berat. Tujuan pendekatan ini untuk menjaga pasien tetap stabil dengan menghindari intervensi dan kondisi yang berisiko kepada keadaan perburukan dengan mengendalikan trias kematian, yaitu hipotermia, koagulopati, dan asidosis. Merupakan hal yang penting bahwa konsep dan kepraktisan pendekatan ini dipahami oleh semua yang terlibat dalam manajemen awal pasien trauma. Pendekatan ini dimulai dengan pemberian produk darah sejak awal, penghentian perdarahan dan pengembalian volume darah yang bertujuan untuk mengembalikan stabilitas fisiologis dengan cepat. Resusitasi dengan pengendalian kerusakan memilikibeberapa tambahan pendekatan dari bidang farmakologis dan laboratorium untuk meningkatkan perawatan pasien yang mengalami perdarahan. Pendekatan ini termasuk trombelastografi sebagai ukuran rinci kaskade pembekuan, asam traneksamat sebagai antifibrinolitik.

 

Kata kunci : hipotermia, koagulopati, asidosis, perdarahan masif

 

 

Damage Control Resuscitation in Intensive Care Unit

 

Abstract

Damage control resuscitation (DCR) describes an approach to the early care of very seriously injured patients. The aim is to keep the patient alive whilst avoiding interventions and situations that risk worsening their situation by driving the lethal triad of hypothermia, coagulopathy and acidosis.It is critical that the concepts and practicalities of this approach are understood by all those involved in the early management of trauma patients. Damage control resuscitation forms part of an overall approach to patient care rather than a specific intervention and has evolved from damage control surgery. It is characterised by early blood product administration, haemorrhage arrest and restoration of blood volume aiming to rapidly restore physiologic stability. The infusion of large volumes of crystalloid is no longer appropriate, instead the aim is to replace lost blood and avoid dilution and coagulopathy. In specific situations, permissive hypotension may also be of benefit, particularly in patients with severe haemorrhage from an arterial source. Damage control resuscitation has been augmented by both pharmacologic and laboratory adjuncts to improve the care of the hemorrhaging patient. These include thrombelastography as a detailed measure of the clotting cascade, tranexamic acid as an antifibrinolytic.

 

Keywords: hypothermia, coagulopathy, acidosis, massive bleeding
Self-management: A comprehensive approach to improve quality of life among people living with HIV in Indonesia
Authors: Fauzi Achmad , Anggraini Nofa , Fatkhurohman Novy
Published: September 2021

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) today have to deal with a chronic condition that requires efficient self-management due to increased longevity. Self-management interventions have been shown to improve physical and psychological symptoms as well as clinical results in chronic diseases. However, few studies have investigated the effect of self-management on quality of life (QOL) among PLWH in Indonesia.
Objective: To examine the effect of a self-management program on QOL among PLWH in Indonesia.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study  with a comparison group in a general hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. Of the 114 recruited PLWH, 57 were assigned to the intervention group and 57 to the comparison group. The self-management group attended a four-week program workshop. The intervention consisted of five sessions: need assessment and goal setting, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, educational participation to increase communication and self-esteem, and evaluation. The comparison group received standard educational material throughout the leaflet regarding HIV prevention. The post-test assessment was conducted immediately after intervention (T1) and two months (T2) after the intervention in both groups. QOL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-HIV brief Bahasa version. The estimations were obtained using fixed-effect regressions. The differences between T0, T1, and T2 for the intervention and comparison groups were evaluated and compared using the DI Differences method (DID).
Results: The self-management program improved outcomes relative to the comparison group at T1: 1) overall QOL score increased 8.7% (95% CI 0.021–0.149), 2) physical domain saw a modest increased 8.8% (95% CI 0.017–0.125), 3) psychological domain increased 23.5 % (95% CI 0.085–0.689), and 4) environmental domain showed a modest increase of 18.7% (95% CI 0.053–0.371). At T2, the total QOL score and the physical, psychological, and environmental dimensions were significantly improved compared to the comparison group.
Conclusion: The self-management program appears to improve the QOL of the life of PLWH. Nurses are advised to provide PLWH with self-management training. Future research on self-management intervention would need to be refined further to ensure that each community achieves consistent intervention outcomes.
Legal regulation of advertising agencies in the context of intellectual property law
Authors: Fedorova Nadiia
Published: September 2021

Keywords: advertising, legal regulation, subjects of advertising activity, consumerrights, advertising legislation, hidden advertising, comparative advertising

The main prerequisite for the rationalization of advertisingactivities in all its scale is the methodological and planned preparation of advertisingmessages and their correct use at all stages of the advertising process. Advertisingagencies play an important role in being qualified coordinators between trade(distribution) and marketing, for the benefit of consumers.The specificity of legal relations arising in connection with the creation and distributionof advertising is associated with the fact that their subjects on the part ofadvertising producers are mainly professional business entities, which concludeagreements on the creation of advertising with their customers. Relationships betweenadvertising creators and advertising agencies are mainly built based onorder agreements for the creation and use of objects of intellectual property rightsor labour contracts. In this case, the author retains non-property intellectual propertyrights, while property rights in most cases pass to the advertising agency oradvertising customer.So, the author retains non-property rights, and, unfortunately, they, as a rule, areunimplemented properly in relations arising from the creation and distribution of advertising.Undoubtedly, we are talking about the right to a name. As a rule, advertisementsdon’t include their creators' name, regardless of how they are distributed.However, this doesn’t mean that the rights of the advertising author. or the rights ofthe advertisement constituent elements author may be violated. The legislation notesthe possibility not to indicate the name of the author with his consent or at his request.According to Law of Ukraine “Copyright and Related Rights”, the author has apersonal non-property right to demand recognition of his authorship by properly indicatingthe author's name on the work and its copies of any public use of the work, certainly,if it’s possible. However, the purpose of advertising is to disseminate informationabout a product or service and not about its author. For the practical aspect ofthis situation, it’s usually indicated that the producer is an advertising agency, notthe individual authors of the content.
Artificial intelligence: economy, intellectual property, threats
Authors: Androshchuk Hennadii
Published: September 2021

Keywords: artificial intelligence, economic impact, intellectual property, regulation,cybersecurity, risks, threats, national security

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, the spread of which is based on thewidespread use of digital information and the rapid growth of computing power, areleaving the realm of purely theoretical research and becoming one of the segmentsof the world market that can have truly revolutionary consequences. The paper provideseconomic and legal analysis of the state and trends of AI, identifies its impacton the economy, the importance of the role of intellectual property (IP), assesses therisks, threats and dangers of criminal use of AI, developed mechanisms to counterthem. The development of AI technologies as an integral part of «Industry 4.0» isconsidered, the main provisions of the «White Paper on Artificial Intelligence» ofthe EU are studied.Over the next decade, the EU plans to spend $20 billion a year on AI development.At the same time, the protection of IP rights in the context of AI development and relatedtechnologies has been unconsidered by the Commission, despite the key importanceof these rights. In legal regulation, AI is seen as a new challenge for the economyand the legal system, a new phenomenon that has a multiplier effect, a legal phenomenonin the structure of legal relations, a new object for legal regulation.

The introduction of AI in the field of IP creates new legal and economic problems.The creation of AI works is an integral area of activity in the modern digital economy.These circumstances bring to the fore the problem of recognition of authorship in thecreation of AI works, the possibility of authors to dispose of their rights and their useof mechanisms for legal protection of IP. The analysis of the cases considered bycourts connected with a problem of legal personality of AI is carried out, legislative activityon this question is studied. Possibilities and dangers of criminal use of AI areshown. They are ranked in order of their level of danger — depending on the harmthey may cause, the potential benefit or the benefit of crime. Prospects for the developmentof AI in Ukraine are shown, the Concept of development of artificial intelligencein Ukraine is analysed. It is concluded that AI should become one of the key driversof digital transformation and overall growth of Ukraine's economy.
Judicial procedural issues of choosing an effective method of legal protection in civil cases
Authors: Shabalin Andrii
Published: September 2021

Keywords: civil procedural protection, court effective way of protection, civilprocess

The article is devoted to the study of Civil Procedureaspects of the court's application of a proper and effective method of protecting aviolated right within the frame of its own judicial discretion. Attention is paid to thestudy of the legal nature of civil protection, existing doctrinal positions, as well as thelegal and regulatory environment. The features of the exercise of discretionary powersby the court regarding the use of an effective method of protecting violated privatelaw have been established. It is indicated that the court is empowered to choose an effectivemethod of legal protection exclusively within the limits of the statement ofclaim — claims are detailed. It is emphasized that when choosing an effective methodof protection, the principle of the rule of law must be observed, in accordance with theprovisions of Article 10 of the Civil Procedural Code of Ukraine (“CPCU”). This meansthat an effective method of legal protection must be correlated with the provisions ofthe Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and thecase law of the European Court of Human Rights. This universal provision applies toall cases of claim proceedings, namely the claim, which are decided by the rules ofcivil procedure. The peculiarity of the court's use of an effective method of protectionin civil cases is that it can choose an effective method of legal protection only in courtcases in which the claim is considered, as well as when the law or agreements do notdetermine the effective method of legal protection. On the basis of the conducted scientificresearch, the author has developed own gradation of legal criteria of choice bycourt of an effective way of legal protection at consideration of civil cases. Such a gradationis universal for all cases considered by the court under the rules of civil procedure.Exceptions to the above regarding the application of a specific method of protectionare cases related to compensation for damage caused to an individual as a resultof withdrawal of an insolvent bank from the market or liquidation of the bank.
Do Green and Energy Indices Outperform BSESENSEX in India? Some evidence on investors’ commitment towards climate change
Authors: MUKHOPADHYAY Debabrata , SARKAR Nityananda
Published: September 2021

This study aims at investigating the performance of Indian stock indices augmenting carbon emissions such as BSE Energy index and BSE Oil & Gas index vis a-vis BSESNSEX, the apex index representing Indian stock market, and also of those indices capturing the commitment of industries towards mitigating risks arising from pollution and climate change, such as BSE Greenex and BSE Carbonex, with reference to investors’ benchmark index viz., BSESENSEX, during the period January 2010 to December 2019. Besides using three risk adjusted return ratios, namely, the Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio, and Jensen’s Alpha, on all the five indices, we have also applied GARCH-in-mean model to find if there is a risk premium involved either for causing emission or for mitigating the ill effects of emission. The results show that BSE Carbonex outperforms BSESENSEX and all the three other indices in terms of the three performance metrics used. Moreover, all green indices and BSESENSEX show significant presence of risk premium in terms of GARCH-in-mean model. Overall, therefore, the study finds that some of the green funds such as those representing BSE Carbonex outperform BSESENSEX compared to traditional funds in India.
New Methodologies to Study DNA Repair Processes in Space and Time Within Living Cells
Authors: Zentout Siham , Smith Rebecca , Jacquier Marine , Huet Sébastien
Published: September 2021

DNA repair requires a coordinated effort from an array of factors that play different roles in the DNA damage response from recognizing and signaling the presence of a break, creating a repair competent environment, and physically repairing the lesion. Due to the rapid nature of many of these events, live-cell microscopy has become an invaluable method to study this process. In this review we outline commonly used tools to induce DNA damage under the microscope and discuss spatio-temporal analysis tools that can bring added information regarding protein dynamics at sites of damage. In particular, we show how to go beyond the classical analysis of protein recruitment curves to be able to assess the dynamic association of the repair factors with the DNA lesions as well as the target-search strategies used to efficiently find these lesions. Finally, we discuss how the use of mathematical models, combined with experimental evidence, can be used to better interpret the complex dynamics of repair proteins at DNA lesions.
Different Concentrations of Lactobacillus acidophilus Cell Free Filtrate Have Differing Anti-Biofilm and Immunomodulatory Effects
Authors: Wilson Rachael M. , Walker Jean M. , Yin Kingsley
Published: September 2021

Probiotics such as various strains of Lactobacillaceae have been shown to have antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity. In vitro studies have shown that Lactobacilli can decrease bacterial biofilm formation. Effects on immune cells have been unclear with most studies showing anti-inflammatory activity. The mechanism of effects has not been clearly elucidated. In these studies, we used different concentrations of live Lactobacillus acidophilus as well as cell free filtrate (CFF) derived from different concentrations of bacteria. Use of CFF is advantageous as a therapeutic because in vivo it can directly contact immune cells and its concentration is fixed. Both live cells and CFF inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation. Importantly, we show that high concentration CFF destroyed mature biofilm. This activity was not due to a lowered pH per se, as pH matched HCl did not remove mature biofilm. High concentration CFF totally inhibited P. aeruginosa growth and was bactericidal (>99.99%), but low concentration CFF was not bactericidal. To examine the immunomodulatory effects of L. acidophilus, we incubated THP-1 monocytes and derived macrophages with CFF and measured TNFα production. CFF did not significantly increase TNFα production in THP-1 monocytes. When cells were prestimulated with LPS, high concentration CFF increased TNFα production even further. In macrophages, high concentration CFF alone increased TNFα production but did not affect LPS prestimulated cells. In contrast, low concentration CFF decreased TNFα production in LPS prestimulated cells. To elucidate the possible mechanisms for these effects, we repeated the experiments using a NF-κB reporter THP-1 cell line. High concentration CFF increased NF-κB activity in monocytes and macrophages. In LPS prestimulated macrophages, only low concentration CFF reduced NF-κB activity. These results suggest that high concentration CFF alone induced NF-κB expression which could account partially for an increase in TNFα production. On the other hand, in macrophages, the lower non-bactericidal concentration of CFF reduced NF-κB expression and decreased TNFα production after LPS prestimulation. Taken together, the results provide evidence that different concentrations of L. acidophilus CFF possess varying bactericidal, anti-biofilm and immunomodulatory effects. This is important in vivo to evaluate the possible use of L. acidophilus CFF in different conditions.
3D Printed PEI Containing Adsorbents Supported by Carbon Nanostructures for Post-combustion Carbon Capture From Biomass Fired Power Plants
Authors: Krishnamurthy Shreenath , Blom Richard , Andreassen Kari Anne , Middelkoop Vesna , Rombouts Marleen , Borras Adolfo Benedito
Published: September 2021

Processes that utilize solid adsorbents to capture CO2 are promising alternatives to state-of-art Amine based technologies for capturing CO2 from large point sources. Although the energy needs of solid sorbent-based processes are low, the process footprint and consequently the capital cost connected to its implementation can be large due to the relatively long cycle times needed to get the required purity and recovery of the CO2 product. To overcome this challenge, processes having structured adsorbents like laminates, monoliths etc. are needed due to their low pressure drop and better mass transfer characteristics. The aim of this multiscale study is to evaluate the process-based performance of a 3D printed sorbent containing polyethyleneimine (PEI) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) for capturing CO2 from a biomass fired power plant flue gas. A 6-step vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) cycle was simulated and optimized using equilibrium and kinetics data obtained from volumetry and breakthrough experiments. The optimization study showed that it was possible to achieve purity values >95% and recovery values >90% from dry CO2 feed streams containing 10 and 15% CO2 respectively. The minimum specific energy values were 0.94 and 0.6 MJ/kg and maximum productivity values were 0.8 and 2.2 mol/m3 ads s, respectively, for the two scenarios.
Validation of SHOEBOX QuickTest Hearing Loss Screening Tool in Individuals With Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Frank Andrew , Goldlist Serena , Mark Fraser Amy E. , Bromwich Matthew
Published: September 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate a novel iPad-based rapid hearing loss screening tool (SHOEBOX QuickTest) in individuals with cognitive impairment.

Design: Cross-sectional validation study.

Setting: Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.

Subjects and Methods: Twenty-five individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia from the Bruyère Memory Program were included in this study. The study consisted of two components: (1) SHOEBOX QuickTest hearing screener and (2) a conventional hearing test (pure tone audiometry).

Measurements: Hearing was assessed at 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 Hz separately for each ear. The agreement between hearing ability groupings (good vs. reduced) from conventional hearing test and SHOEBOX QuickTest was determined. Specifically, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, as well as alignment between conventional thresholds and hearing threshold ranges.

Results: An overall accuracy of 84% was observed for SHOEBOX QuickTest, and a sensitivity and specificity of 100 and 66.7%, respectively. 72% ([95% CI], 60.0–84.1%) of conventional audiometry thresholds were within the pre-established 10 dB SHOEBOX QuickTest.

Conclusion: SHOEBOX QuickTest is a valid hearing loss screening tool for individuals with cognitive impairment. Implementing this iPad-based screening tool in memory clinics could not only aid in the timely diagnosis of hearing loss, but also assist physicians in providing a better assessment of cognitive impairment by ruling out hearing loss as a confounding variable.
Pore Network Modeling of Oil–Water Flow in Jimsar Shale Oil Reservoir
Authors: Wang Xiukun , Zhang Zheng , Gong Rundong , Wang Sen
Published: September 2021

The oil–water two-phase flow mechanism is the critical issue for producing shale oil reservoirs after huge-volume hydraulic fracturing treatment. Due to the extremely low permeability of the shale matrix, the two-phase experimental measurement is impossible for shale samples. In this work, a pore network model is proposed to simulate steady-state oil–water flow with mixed wettability under consideration. The model is first applied in Berea sandstone, and the calculated relative permeabilities are validated with experimental studies for different wettability scenarios. Then, the three-dimensional FIB-SEM imaging of the Jimsar shale sample is used to extract a representative shale pore network with 13,419 pores and 31,393 throats. The mean values of pores and throats are 29.75 and 19.13 nm, and the calculated absolute permeability is 0.005 mD. With our proposed model, the calculated relative permeability curves show a high residual oil saturation for all the wettability conditions. Specifically, the oil-wet and mixed-wet conditions yield lower residual oil compared with the water-wet condition. For 50–50 mixed-wet conditions, the water phase relative permeability is much higher for smaller pores being oil-wet than the larger pores being oil-wet.
Prognostic Value of Leucocyte to High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol Ratios in COVID-19 Patients and the Diabetes Subgroup
Authors: Wang Yuxiu , Zhang Jiaoyue , Li Huiqing , Kong Wen , Zheng Juan , Li Yan , Wei Qi , Li Qin , Yang Li , Xu Ying , Li Li , Wang Hanyu , Sun Hui , Xia Wenfang , Liu Geng , Zhong Xueyu , Qiu Kangli , Wang Han , Liu Hua , Song Xiaoli , Xiong Si , Liu Yumei , Cui Zhenhai , Chen Lulu , Zeng Tianshu
Published: September 2021

Background

Blood parameters, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, have been identified as reliable inflammatory markers with diagnostic and predictive value for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, novel hematological parameters derived from high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) have rarely been studied as indicators for the risk of poor outcomes in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of these novel biomarkers in COVID-19 patients and the diabetes subgroup.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study involving all hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from January to March 2020 in five hospitals in Wuhan, China. Demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, and outcomes were recorded. Neutrophil to HDL-C ratio (NHR), monocyte to HDL-C ratio (MHR), lymphocyte to HDL-C ratio (LHR), and platelet to HDL-C ratio (PHR) were investigated and compared in both the overall population and the subgroup with diabetes. The associations between blood parameters at admission with primary composite end-point events (including mechanical ventilation, admission to the intensive care unit, or death) were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the utility of different blood parameters.

Results

Of 440 patients with COVID-19, 67 (15.2%) were critically ill. On admission, HDL-C concentration was decreased while NHR was high in patients with critical compared with non-critical COVID-19, and were independently associated with poor outcome as continuous variables in the overall population (HR: 0.213, 95% CI 0.090–0.507; HR: 1.066, 95% CI 1.030–1.103, respectively) after adjusting for confounding factors. Additionally, when HDL-C and NHR were examined as categorical variables, the HRs and 95% CIs for tertile 3 vs. tertile 1 were 0.280 (0.128–0.612) and 4.458 (1.817–10.938), respectively. Similar results were observed in the diabetes subgroup. ROC curves showed that the NHR had good performance in predicting worse outcomes. The cutoff point of the NHR was 5.50. However, the data in our present study could not confirm the possible predictive effect of LHR, MHR, and PHR on COVID-19 severity.

Conclusion

Lower HDL-C concentrations and higher NHR at admission were observed in patients with critical COVID-19 than in those with noncritical COVID-19, and were significantly associated with a poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients as well as in the diabetes subgroup.
Subordinate Fish Mediate Aggressiveness Using Recent Contest Information
Authors: Hotta Takashi , Awata Satoshi , Jordan Lyndon A. , Kohda Masanori
Published: September 2021

Memorizing dominance relationships can help animals avoid unwinnable subsequent contests. However, when competitive ability changes over time—for example, as a function of condition—it may be adaptive to “forget” these dominance relationships and for subordinates to once again enter contests with previously dominant individuals. Here, we examined the behavior of pairs of male cichlid fish, Julidochromis transcriptus, in repeated contests separated by different time intervals. We found that the time taken to reach resolution of dominance relationships influenced subsequent aggressive behavior of the subordinate toward the dominant, with longer initial contests leading to higher subsequent aggression. Longer time intervals between contests also increased aggression from the subordinate toward the dominant. These results are consistent with increasing uncertainty due to ambiguous contest outcomes and increasing time intervals. Our results also show that a longer time was necessary to resolve contests between larger pairs, suggesting a self-assessment strategy, but not a mutual assessment strategy. Taken together, larger individuals appear to adaptively lose or ignore previously gathered social information because they have a higher fighting ability and better body condition. Therefore, we conclude that losing or ignoring unreliable information may be an adaptive strategy in the context of dominance relationships.
MNSFβ Regulates TNFα Production by Interacting with RC3H1 in Human Macrophages, and Dysfunction of MNSFβ in Decidual Macrophages Is Associated With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Zhen Xing-Xing , Yang Long , Gu Yan , Yang Qian , Gu Wen-Wen , He Ya-Ping , Wang Yan-Ling , Wang Jian
Published: September 2021

Decidual macrophages (dMϕ) are the second largest population of leukocytes at the maternal–fetal interface and play critical roles in maintaining pregnancy. Our previous studies demonstrated the active involvement of monoclonal nonspecific suppressor factor-β (MNSFβ) in embryonic implantation and pregnancy success. MNSFβ is a ubiquitously expressed ubiquitin-like protein that also exhibits immune regulatory potential, but its function in human dMϕ remains unknown. Here, we observed that the proportion of CD11chigh(CD11cHI) dMϕ was significantly increased in dMϕ derived from patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL dMϕ) compared to those derived from normal pregnant women (Control dMϕ). The production of MNSFβ and TNFα by RPL dMϕ was also significantly increased compared to that by Control dMϕ. Conditioned medium from RPL dMϕ exerted an inhibitory effect on the invasiveness of human trophoblastic HTR8/SVneo cells, and this effect could be partially reversed by a neutralizing antibody against TNFα. Bioinformatics analysis indicated a potential interaction between MNSFβ and RC3H1, a suppressor of TNFα transcription. Immunoprecipitation experiments with human Mϕ differentiated from the human monocyte cell line Thp1 (Thp1-derived Mϕ) proved the binding of MNSFβ to RC3H1. Specific knockdown of MNSFβ in Thp1-derived Mϕ led to a marked decrease in TNFα production, which could be reversed by inhibiting RC3H1 expression. Interestingly, a significant decrease in the protein level of RC3H1 was observed in RPL dMϕ. Together, our findings indicate that aberrantly increased MNSFβ expression in dMϕ may promote TNFα productionviaits interaction with RC3H1, and these phenomena could result in the disruption of the immune balance at the maternal–fetal interface and thus pregnancy loss.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Related Peptides: Candidate Anti-Inflammatory Therapy in Early Stages of Sepsis
Authors: Yoo Sun Koo , Mehdi Syed Faizan , Pusapati Suma , Mathur Nimisha , Anipindi Manasa , Lunenfeld Bruno , Lowell Barbara , Yang Huan , Metz Christine Noel , Khan Sawleha Arshi , Leroith Derek , Roth Jesse
Published: September 2021

Sepsis continues to be a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and post-recovery disability in patients with a wide range of non-infectious and infectious inflammatory disorders, including COVID-19. The clinical onset of sepsis is often marked by the explosive release into the extracellular fluids of a multiplicity of host-derived cytokines and other pro-inflammatory hormone-like messengers from endogenous sources (“cytokine storm”). In patients with sepsis, therapies to counter the pro-inflammatory torrent, even when administered early, typically fall short. The major focus of our proposed essay is to promote pre-clinical studies with hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) as a potential anti-inflammatory therapy for sepsis.
Krueppel-Like Factor 4 Expression in Phagocytes Regulates Early Inflammatory Response and Disease Severity in Pneumococcal Pneumonia
Authors: Herta Toni , Bhattacharyya Aritra , Rosolowski Maciej , Conrad Claudia , Gurtner Corinne , Gruber Achim D. , Ahnert Peter , Gutbier Birgitt , Frey Doris , Suttorp Norbert , Hippenstiel Stefan , Zahlten Janine
Published: September 2021

The transcription factor Krueppel-like factor (KLF) 4 fosters the pro-inflammatory immune response in macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) when stimulated with Streptococcus pneumoniae, the main causative pathogen of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Here, we investigated the impact of KLF4 expression in myeloid cells such as macrophages and PMNs on inflammatory response and disease severity in a pneumococcal pneumonia mouse model and in patients admitted to hospital with CAP. We found that mice with a myeloid-specific knockout of KLF4 mount an insufficient early immune response with reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL) 10 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma and an impaired bacterial clearance from the lungs 24 hours after infection with S. pneumoniae. This results in higher rates of bacteremia, increased lung tissue damage, more severe symptoms of infection and reduced survival. Higher KLF4 gene expression levels in the peripheral blood of patients with CAP at hospital admission correlate with a favourable clinical presentation (lower sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score), lower serum levels of IL-10 at admission, shorter hospital stay and lower mortality or requirement of intensive care unit treatment within 28 days after admission. Thus, KLF4 in myeloid cells such as macrophages and PMNs is an important regulator of the early pro-inflammatory immune response and, therefore, a potentially interesting target for therapeutic interventions in pneumococcal pneumonia.
Ultrafast Broadband Nonlinear Optical Response in Co-Doped Sb2Se3 Nanofilms at Near-Infrared
Authors: Sun Di , Fang Yu , Yan Xiaoyan , Shan Wen , Sun Wenjun , Meng Qingyu
Published: September 2021

Transition metal-doped Sb2Se3 has become a heated topic caused by the strong nonlinear optical response and the ultrafast response time at high laser excitation. In this paper, the Co-doped Sb2Se3 with different doping amount (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 W) nanofilms were prepared by magnetron sputtering technology, and the nonlinear behavior of Co-doped Sb2Se3 nanofilms at near infrared were systematically studied. The results of the femtosecond Z-Scan experiment indicate that the Co-doped Sb2Se3 nanofilms exhibit broadband nonlinear response properties owing to the free carrier absorption, the Kerr refraction, the two-photon absorption, and the free carrier refraction. The nonlinear absorption coefficients of Co-doped Sb2Se3 nanofilms are from 3.0 × 10−9 to 2.03 × 10−8 m/ W under excitation at 800, 980, and 1,030 nm, and the nonlinear refractive index of the Co-doped Sb2Se3 nanofilms is from 4.0 × 10−16 to -3.89 × 10−15 m2/ W at 800, 980, and 1,030 nm. More importantly, Co-doped Sb2Se3 (1.5 W) nanofilm exhibits ultrafast carrier absorption (<1 ps) and a stronger transient absorption intensity of ΔOD > 6.3. The Co-doping content can controllably tune the crystalline degree, the ultrafast carrier absorption, the intensity of the reverse saturation absorption, the broadband nonlinear optical response, and the carrier relaxation time of Co-doped Sb2Se3 nanofilms. These results are sufficient to support their applications in broadband nonlinear photonic devices.
Biaxial Stretching of Polymer Nanocomposites: A Mini-Review
Authors: Chen Xiaoyu , Xiang Dong , Zhou Zuoxin , Wu Yuanpeng , Li Hui , Zhao Chunxia , Li Yuntao
Published: September 2021

Polymer nanocomposites with excellent physical and chemical properties and multifunctional performance have been widely used in various fields. Biaxial stretching is not only an advanced film manufacturing process, but also a deformation mode in other processing methods such as blow film extrusion and thermoforming. In recent research, high-performance polymer nanocomposites have been fabricated via sequential and simultaneous biaxial stretching. This fabrication method enhances the mechanical properties, optical performance, and thermal properties of polymer nanocomposites by changing the structure or orientation of materials during the process of stretching. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for use in optimizing material performance and preparing thin films with excellent properties in the packaging industry. With the emergence of new materials and technologies, polymer nanocomposites prepared by biaxial stretching have demonstrated multifunctional properties and their range of applications has further expanded. In this mini-review, the effect of biaxial stretching on the structure and properties of nanocomposites based on various nanofillers is discussed and applications are summarized. In addition, the challenges and future prospects of this technology are analyzed. The presented work will be beneficial for improving preparation processes and improving future research for the production of high-performance polymer nanocomposites.
Broadband Nonlinear Optical Response of Nitrogen-Doped Diamond
Authors: Xiao Zhengguo , Fang Yu , Song Yinglin , She Yanchao , Tian Changhai , Zhang Jie , Cui Liqin , Li Yong
Published: September 2021

A nitrogen-doped diamond crystal with (111) orientation was synthesized with an NaN3 additive in the FeNi-C system at a pressure of 6.5 GPa and a temperature of 1,310°C, using the temperature gradient growth (TGG) method. Spectroscopic properties such as the absorption spectrum and the Raman spectrum as well as the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum were studied. FTIR spectroscopy of the C-N vibrational modes at 1,344 and 1,130 cm−1 suggested a nitrogen content of 310 ppm. Its nonlinear optical (NLO) response was investigated using the Z-scan technique under the femtosecond regime. Due to the presence of nitrogen defects, the synthesized crystal performed large nonlinear absorption under both 800- and 532-nm wavelength excitations. However, intrinsic diamond only experiences nonlinear refraction under these two wavelength excitations. Its broadband NLO properties indicated that nitrogen-doped diamond crystals were suitable for the application of ultrafast optical devices.
Stimuli-Responsive Nanoplatform-Assisted Photodynamic Therapy Against Bacterial Infections
Authors: Zhou You , Deng Wenmin , Mo Mulan , Luo Dexu , Liu Houhe , Jiang Yuan , Chen Wenjie , Xu Chuanshan
Published: September 2021

Bacterial infections are common diseases causing tremendous deaths in clinical settings. It has been a big challenge to human beings because of the antibiotics abuse and the newly emerging microbes. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a reactive oxygen species-based therapeutic technique through light-activated photosensitizer (PS). Recent studies have highlighted the potential of PDT as an alternative method of antibacterial treatment for its broad applicability and high efficiency. However, there are some shortcomings due to the low selectivity and specificity of PS. Growing evidence has shown that drug delivery nanoplatforms have unique advantages in enhancing therapeutic efficacy of drugs. Particularly, stimuli-responsive nanoplatforms, as a promising delivery system, provide great opportunities for the effective delivery of PS. In the present mini-review, we briefly introduced the unique microenvironment in bacterial infection tissues and the application of PDT on bacterial infections. Then we review the stimuli-responsive nanoplatforms (including pH-, enzymes-, redox-, magnetic-, and electric-) used in PDT against bacterial infections. Lastly, some perspectives have also been proposed to further promote the future developments of antibacterial PDT.
Energy Conservation in Fermentations of Anaerobic Bacteria
Authors: Buckel Wolfgang
Published: September 2021

Anaerobic bacteria ferment carbohydrates and amino acids to obtain energy for growth. Due to the absence of oxygen and other inorganic electron acceptors, the substrate of a fermentation has to serve as electron donor as well as acceptor, which results in low free energies as compared to that of aerobic oxidations. Until about 10 years ago, anaerobes were thought to exclusively use substrate level phosphorylation (SLP), by which only part of the available energy could be conserved. Therefore, anaerobes were regarded as unproductive and inefficient energy conservers. The discovery of electrochemical Na+ gradients generated by biotin-dependent decarboxylations or by reduction of NAD+ with ferredoxin changed this view. Reduced ferredoxin is provided by oxidative decarboxylation of 2-oxoacids and the recently discovered flavin based electron bifurcation (FBEB). In this review, the two different fermentation pathways of glutamate to ammonia, CO2, acetate, butyrate and H2 via 3-methylaspartate or via 2-hydroxyglutarate by members of the Firmicutes are discussed as prototypical examples in which all processes characteristic for fermentations occur. Though the fermentations proceed on two entirely different pathways, the maximum theoretical amount of ATP is conserved in each pathway. The occurrence of the 3-methylaspartate pathway in clostridia from soil and the 2-hydroxyglutarate pathway in the human microbiome of the large intestine is traced back to the oxygen-sensitivity of the radical enzymes. The coenzyme B12-dependent glutamate mutase in the 3-methylaspartate pathway tolerates oxygen, whereas 2-hydroxyglutaryl-CoA dehydratase is extremely oxygen-sensitive and can only survive in the gut, where the combustion of butyrate produced by the microbiome consumes the oxygen and provides a strict anaerobic environment. Examples of coenzyme B12-dependent eliminases are given, which in the gut are replaced by simpler extremely oxygen sensitive glycyl radical enzymes.
Bovine Colostrum Silage: Physicochemical and Microbiological Characteristics at Different Fermentation Times
Authors: Kraus Rosana Basso , dos Santos Pedro Rassier , Krummenauer Amanda , Palhares Kevin Eduardo , Lima Helenice Gonzalez de , Ladeira Sílvia Regina Leal , Pereira Giselda Maria , Dors Giniani Carla , Nascente Patrícia da Silva , Lund Rafael Guerra
Published: September 2021

Bovine colostrum silage (BCS) is a technique used by milk producers for the conservation of bovine colostrum. However, it is necessary to ensure the safety and quality of BCS, as this food will be supplied to the animals. This study aimed to compare the physicochemical and microbiological compositions of colostrum silage at different fermentation times with milk and bovine colostrum (BC) quality parameters. BC samples were obtained from Jersey animals from one dairy farm. The BC samples (n = 21) were placed in 500-mL plastic bottles, stored vertically and anaerobically fermented for periods of 61–437 days. The following parameters of the physicochemical composition of the BCS were evaluated: acidity, protein, total solids and ash, using the methodologies of Adolfo Lutz Institute (2008). The microbiological analysis was developed according to the methodology proposed by Saalfeld et al. (2013), with adaptations. The acidity, total solids and protein over fermentation time (group 1: 61 to 154, group 2: 200 to 273, and group 3: 280 to 437 days) were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The ash content was significantly different (P < 0.05) in groups 1 and 3 and showed a decrease (moderate negative correlation of −0.63) with increasing fermentation time. Positive correlations were observed between total solids and the protein and ash contents. The genus of microorganisms with the highest occurrence was Lactobacillus spp. (95.2% of BCS) and those of lesser occurrence included Escherichia spp., Actinomadura spp., Streptococcus spp. and Leuconostoc spp. (4.8% of BCS). BCS has a physicochemical composition similar to BC and showed changes during the fermentation period; however, the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in BCSs reinforces the need to further explore the quality parameters for BCS to ensure the safety of animals who receive this food.