bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INTEGRATING HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS PRACTICES INTO DESIGN STUDIO COURSES THROUGH ACTION RESEARCH
Authors: ALTIPARMAKOĞULLARI Yener
Published: December 2022

Industrial design is a discipline in which numerous information contents are synthesized. The success of the design outputs depends on the correct planning and management of the process in which a large amount of information that is the subject of the design is processed. While human factors and ergonomics provide theoretical information that can be input to the design, it possess also applied contents. Theoretical information would be sufficient in some design studies, whereas the applied studies within the framework of human factors and ergonomics are performed in some other studies. Being able to correctly give the relevant formation to the designers depends on the fact that the theoretical and practical content of design education is in a structure where they are synthesized in a certain harmony. In addition, although intuitive design behaviors can generate subjective results, it should be aimed that the objective evaluation processes can achieve tangible results that can be held accountable and that the foresight skills of the designer candidates should be developed in this direction. In the light of this information, experimental studies have been carried out within the action research framework towards the use of objective information sources in the design process. As a result of the studies, while the tangible design outputs that can be evaluated from an objective point of view were reached, it was also determined that the applied methods made contributions in the learning motivation.
Non-invasive biomarkers for liver inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: present and
future
Authors: Yip Terry Cheuk-Fung , Lyu Fei , Lin Huapeng , Li Guanlin , Yuen Pong-Chi , Wong Vincent Wai-Sun , Wong Grace Lai-Hung
Published: December 2022

Inflammation is the key driver of liver fibrosis progression in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Unfortunately, it is often challenging to assess inflammation in NAFLD due to its dynamic nature and poor correlation with liver biochemical markers. Liver histology keeps its role as the standard tool, yet it is well-known for substantial sampling, intraobserver, and interobserver variability. Serum proinflammatory cytokines and apoptotic markers, namely cytokeratin-18, are well-studied with reasonable accuracy, whereas serum metabolomics and lipidomics have been adopted in some commercially available diagnostic models. Ultrasound and computed tomography imaging techniques are attractive due to their wide availability; yet their accuracies may not be comparable with magnetic resonance imaging-based tools. Machine learning and deep learning models, be they supervised or unsupervised learning, are promising tools to identify various subtypes of NAFLD, including those with dominating liver inflammation, contributing to sustainable care pathways for NAFLD.
The militarization of conservation: a different perspective
Authors: Corkeron P
Published: December 2022

Is the increased use in wildlife conservation of techniques derived from military and security services appropriate? One aspect of this issue that remains poorly considered is whether all actors engaged in conservation projects that have a security orientation are engaged primarily in conservation. Western intelligence agencies are known to have used non-government aid organizations (NGOs) as cover for clandestine operations. Does this happen in conservation? In one example, a previous US President expressed concern that ivory trafficking represented a national security threat to the USA, following a report claiming that ivory trafficking was funding terrorist networks in Africa. Coincident with this new reason for concern regarding elephant poaching, a US-based conservation NGO employed staff from US military intelligence to develop and run an intelligence fusion center with the Kenya Wildlife Service. After a few years, the head of the operation left the NGO and returned directly to her career in military intelligence. Without access to classified information, it is impossible to determine if this was coincidence. Analytical tools, including some developed by the intelligence community, could be used to better assess whether some conservation programs are cover for clandestine operations. In the meantime, conservation professionals need to consider the possibility that there could be serving officers of intelligence agencies inside conservation NGOs. In order to ensure the security of conservation workers and the acceptance of conservation programs worldwide, all national governments should offer unequivocal guarantees that conservation NGOs are not being used for covert intelligence operations.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: A Rare Cause of Acute Laryngeal Dyspnea
Authors:   Department of ENT, military hospital Med-V, Rabat, Morocco., Imane Ouhbi , Amine Kessab ,   Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Med-V, Rabat, Morocco, El Amri Ghizlane ,   Department of ENT, military hospital Med-V, Rabat, Morocco., Noureddine Errami ,   Department of ENT, military hospital Med-V, Rabat, Morocco., Fouad Benariba ,   Department of ENT, military hospital Med-V, Rabat, Morocco.
Published: December 2022

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease (KFD) is an uncommon benign and self-limited condition characterized mainly by fever and lymphadenopathy
Behçet’s Disease and Neuro-Behçet’s Syndrome
Authors: Uygunoglu Ugur , Saip Sabahattin , Siva Aksel
Published: December 2022

Behçet’s disease is an idiopathic chronic relapsing multisystem vascular-inflammatory disease of unknown origin, which usually presents with orogenital ulceration and uveitis and is identified as the triple-symptom complex. Primary neurological involvement in Behçet’s disease is known as neuro-Behçet’s syndrome (NBS). Clinical findings and neuroimaging demonstrate that there are two major forms of NBS: a central nervous system inflammatory parenchymal disease, and a less common nonparenchymal form that involves the large extraparenchymal vascular structures, mainly the venous dural sinuses. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) typically reveals brainstem lesions with parenchymal involvement and an occluded dural sinus may be seen in the extraparenchymal type. Cerebrospinal fluid studies typically indicate inflammatory changes in the parenchyma and increased pressure with extraparenchymal involvement. Drugs used for the preventive treatment of NBS include azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and anti-TNF agents.
MEDIA PENGENALAN HEWAN LIAR MENGGUNAKAN VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)
Authors: Bragas Antero
Published: December 2022

Pengenalan hewan merupakan salah satu pembelajaran yang harus diajarkan dari zaman ke zaman, banyaknya jenis-jenis hewan membuat orang perlu mengetahui jenis dan perbedaan hewan. saat ini pengenalan jenis-jenis dan pebedaan hewan pada saat ini masih banyak yang menggunakan media gambar dan tulis. Dengan perkembangan teknologi saat ini Virtual Reality (VR) dapat membantu dalam proses belajar mengajar, dimana Virtual Reality (VR) dapat berinteraksi dengan lingkungan yang disimulasikan oleh komputer menjadikan dunia maya menjadi dunia nyata. Adapun tujuan penelitian ini yaitu membuat aplikasi pengenalan hewan liar menggunakan Virtual Reality (VR). Pengguna dapat melihat jenis-jenis hewan liar pada aplikasi yang ditempatkan pada smartphone dan cardboard.
PROTOTIPE VIRTUAL ASSISTANT CHATBOT SEBAGAI PUSAT LAYANAN INFORMASI MAHASISWA
Authors: Maskur Maskur , Afandi Yosi , Waris Abdul , Afirianto Tri
Published: December 2022

Untuk meningkatkan pelayanan kepada mahasiswa Jurusan Adminsitrasi Niaga Politeknik Negeri Malang membuat prototipe virtual assistant chatbot sebagai pusat layanan informasi mahasiswa untuk memudahkan mahasiswa untuk mendapatkan informasi seputar perkuliahan dan informasi dosen. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membangun prototipe chatbot yang mempunyai tujuan sebagai Virtual Assistant yang memberikan informasi kepada mahasiswa melalui data yang tersimpan pada sistem dan penambahan pengetahuan baru apabila data yang tersimpan tidak ditemukan. Prototipe Chatbot dibangun dengan menggunakan mesin ALICE (Artificial Linguistic Internet Computer Entity) sebagai penerjemah AIML (Artifical Intelligence Markup Language). AIML ini menyebabkan Chatbot dapat mengintegrasikan input yang diterima berupa input text. Sehingga akan dihasilkan percakapan antara pengguna dan program. Dengan pemanfaatan chatbot yang telah dilengkapi dengan informasi berupa audio, membuat pengguna dapat lebih mudah mendapatkan informasi yang berasal dari chatbot yang diinformasikan kepada mahasiswa. Dari hasil pengujian fungsionalitas dan presisi yang dilakukan chatbot berjalan dengan baik sesuai dengan perencanaan. Dengan pemanfaatan chatbot yang telah dilengkapi dengan kecerdasan buatan, membuat mahasiswa dapat lebih mudah memperoleh informasi secara cepat dimanapun berada tanpa perlu harus datang ke kampus. Hasil pengujian fungsionalitas jawaban dari pertanyaan hasilnya Sesuai dan pengujian presisi hasilnya 90%  tingkat kesesuaian.
Editorial
Authors: Sbardelotto Denise Kloeckner , Alves Alvaro Marcel Palomo
Published: December 2022

A Revista Contradição - Interdisciplinar de Ciências Humanas e Sociais chega ao final de seu terceiro ano de existência, orgulhando-se de apresentar números periódicos e comprometidos com as mais relevantes discussões científicas e sociais. Com compromisso ético-científico, a revista reafirma seu comprometimento para com os autores que submetem seus trabalhos, tratando com seriedade e competência a avaliação e publicação dos mesmos, sem nenhum custo aos autores. Ao mesmo tempo, prioriza a divulgação em acesso aberto e gratuito de trabalhos de qualidade, buscando atender às necessidades da comunidade científica. Este segundo número publica quatro artigos científicos e dois ensaios.
Racismo e construções discursivas sobre Tony Tornado na imprensa periódica brasileira (1970-1972)
Authors: Alves Amanda Palomo , Giorgi Maria Cristina
Published: December 2022

O presente artigo objetiva, numa perspectiva interdisciplinar, apresentar algumas construções discursivas produzidas sobre o artista brasileiro, Tony Tornado, e como elas contribuem com a produção e reprodução de discursos racistas em nosso país. Para tanto, selecionamos notícias, artigos e reportagens publicados entre os anos 1970 e 1972 em revistas nacionais que abordaram, em suas edições, assuntos relacionados ao que nomeamos “caso Guarapari” e, também, ao relacionamento do artista com a atriz Arlete Salles. Ao adotarmos uma perspectiva teórica e metodológica alinhada à linguagem-intervenção, questionamos os enunciados produzidos sobre Tony Tornado e estivemos atentos às estratégias e marcas discursivas presentes nas revistas consultadas. Na tentativa de construirmos uma abordagem das relações raciais no Brasil, objetivamos, ainda, contribuir para o conjunto de pesquisas científicas atentas aos mecanismos de produção e reprodução do racismo em nossa sociedade.
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of transarterial sevelamer embolization in a rabbit liver cancer model: A challenge on the size rule for vascular occlusion
Authors: Chen Hong , Xie Chuan-Sheng , Li Yan-Shu , Deng Zhi-Qiang , Lv Yang-Feng , Bi Qiu-Chen , Tang Jian-Jun , Luo Rong-Guang , Tang Qun
Published: December 2022

As the most efficient method to treat hepatocellular carcinoma in the immediate or advanced stage, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is coming into the era of microsphere (MP). Drug-eluting beads have shown their huge potential as an embolic agent and drug carrier for chemoembolization, but their sizes are strictly limited to be above 40 μm, which was considered to occlude vessels in a safe mode. microsphere smaller than 40 µm is easy to be washed out and transported to the normal liver lobe or other organs, causing severe adverse events and failed embolization. To determine whether sevelamer ultrafine particle (0.2–0.5 µm) is qualified as a safe and efficient embolic agent, we investigated the safety and therapeutic efficiency of transarterial sevelamer embolization (TASE) in the VX2 rabbit liver cancer model, aiming to challenge the “40 µm” rule on the selection criteria of the MP. In a four-arm study, blank bead (Callisphere, 100–300 µm), luminescent polystyrene microsphere (10, 100 µm), and sevelamer particle were transarterially administered to evaluate the threshold size of the MP size for intrahepatic or extrahepatic permeability. Another four-arm study was designed to clarify the safety and efficiency of preclinical transarterial sevelamer embolizationTASE tests over other techniques. Sham (saline), TASE, C-TACE, and D-TACE (n = 6) were compared in terms of serum chemistry, histopathology, and tumor necrosis ratio. In the first trials, the “40 µm” rule was detectable on the VX2 cancer model, but the regulation has no application to the new embolic agent as sevelamer ultrafine particles have not been found to leak out from the VX2 lesions, only found in the embolized vessels. Pathology proves that less viable tumor residue was found 2 weeks after the procedure, evidencing a better therapeutic outcome. No adverse events were found except for a short stress response. These results indicate that sevelamer is a safe and efficient embolic as an alternative to the current MP-based embolization therapy techniques.
Nanofibrous scaffolds for regenerative endodontics treatment
Authors: Huang Fangting , Cheng Lei , Li Jiyao , Ren Biao
Published: December 2022

Untreated dental caries, tooth trauma and dental anatomical variations such as dens invaginatus can result in pulpitis. However, standard root canal therapy cannot treat immature permanent teeth due to an open apical foramen and thin dentinal walls. Thus, regenerative endodontics treatment (RET) following a disinfection step with pulp regeneration has been developed. Pulp connective-tissue, dentin formation, revascularization and reinnervation can occur in this procedure which should be supplemented with intelligent biomaterials to improve repeatability and support well-coordinated regeneration. Furthermore, nanofibrous scaffolds, as one of the most commonly used materials, show promise. The purpose of this article is to highlight the advantages of nanofibrous scaffolds and discuss the future modification and application of them.
Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on pregnancy outcomes in women with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Fengya , Zhao Bo , Wu Jie , Yin Shao , Ma Tingting , Li Zimeng , Zhu Xinyun , Wang Tianyu , Yang Bin , Che Deya
Published: December 2022

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), in order to provide evidence-based medical support.

Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, SinoMed, and CNKI for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to 31 May 2022, using the search terms “transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation,” “TEAS,” “in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer,” “IVF-ET,” “randomized controlled trial,” and “clinical trials.” The experimental group was treated with TEAS or combined with ovulation-inducing medication, and the control group was treated with mock TEAS (mTEAS), ovulation-inducing medication, or no intervention. The main outcome was the clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes were the embryo implantation rate, live birth rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, and number of oocytes retrieved. Stata15.1 software was used for data summary and analysis.

Results: This review involved 15 RCTs and 4,281 participants. TEAS were superior to the control group for improving the clinical pregnancy rate [RR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.40; p < 0.001; I2 = 23.0%], embryo implantation rate [RR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.69; p < 0.001; I2 = 35.9%], live birth rate [RR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.54; p < 0.001; I2 = 47.3%], and biochemical pregnancy rate [RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.26; p = 0.003; I2 = 49.1%], without significant heterogeneity. TEAS had no statistically significant effect on the number of oocytes retrieved as compared with the control group, and the heterogeneity was high [SMD: 0.34, 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.72; p = 0.081; I2 = 77.6%]. We performed subgroup analysis based on the sample size, interventions and intervention time-point. The results showed that the sample size had no effect on the results. There was no significant difference between TEAS and ovulation-inducing medication in the clinical pregnancy rate or the embryo implantation rate. In addition, TEAS did not significantly increase the embryo implantation rate or the live birth rate, compared with no intervention. In terms of safety, mild allergic symptoms were found in both the experimental group and the control group.

Conclusion: In general, existing evidence supports the potential value of TEAS as an adjunctive treatment for improving pregnancy outcomes. High-quality, large-sample RCTs are needed to further support this conclusion.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=334892, identifier PROSPERO CRD42022334892.
Hypoxia-immune-related microenvironment prognostic signature for osteosarcoma
Authors: Zhang Wenshuo , Lyu Pang , Andreev Darja , Jia Yewei , Zhang Fulin , Bozec Aline
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Increasing evidences have shown that hypoxia and the immune microenvironment play vital roles in the development of osteosarcoma. However, reliable gene signatures based on the combination of hypoxia and the immune status for prognostic prediction of osteosarcoma have so far not been identified.

Methods: The individual hypoxia and immune status of osteosarcoma patients were identified with transcriptomic profiles of a training cohort from the TARGET database using ssGSEA and ESTIMATE algorithms, respectively. Lasso regression and stepwise Cox regression were performed to develop a hypoxia-immune-based gene signature. An independent cohort from the GEO database was used for external validation. Finally, a nomogram was constructed based on the gene signature and clinical features to improve the risk stratification and to quantify the risk assessment for individual patients.

Results: Hypoxia and the immune status were significantly associated with the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. Seven hypoxia- and immune-related genes (BNIP3, SLC38A5, SLC5A3, CKMT2, S100A3, CXCL11 and PGM1) were identified to be involved in our prognostic signature. In the training cohort, the prognostic signature discriminated high-risk patients with osteosarcoma. The hypoxia-immune-based gene signature proved to be a stable and predictive method as determined in different datasets and subgroups of patients. Furthermore, a nomogram based on the prognostic signature was generated to optimize the risk stratification and to quantify the risk assessment. Similar results were validated in an independent GEO cohort, confirming the stability and reliability of the prognostic signature.

Conclusion: The hypoxia-immune-based prognostic signature might contribute to the optimization of risk stratification for survival and personalized management of osteosarcoma patients.
Analysis of research hotspots in COVID-19 genomics based on citespace software: Bibliometric analysis
Authors: Pang Xue meng , Peng Zhao yun , Zheng Xin , Shi Jing jing , Zhou Bao chen
Published: December 2022

Introduction

To analyze the current state, hotspots, and cutting-edge trends of genomics research on the outbreak of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from 2019 to the present (March 2022).

Methods

Statistical and visual analysis of COVID-19 genomics results published in the 2019-2022 Web of Science Core Collection Database (WOSCC) was performed using CiteSpace software, including data on countries, institutions, authors, journals, co-citations, keywords, etc.

Results

A total of 9133 English literature were included. The number of publications has significantly increased in 2021, and it is expected that this upward trend will last into the future. The research hotspots of COVID-19 revolve around quarantine, biological management, angiotensin-converting enzyme-2, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, etc. Research frontiers and trends focus on molecular docking, messenger RNA, functional receptor, etc.

Conclusion

The last two years have seen a significant increase in research interest in the field of novel coronavirus pneumonia genomics.
Serum sphingolipid profiling as a novel biomarker for metabolic syndrome characterization
Authors: Berkowitz Loni , Salazar Cristian , Ryff Carol D. , Coe Christopher L. , Rigotti Attilio
Published: December 2022

Background

Sphingolipids are components of cell membrane structure, but also circulate in serum and are essential mediators of many cellular functions. While ceramides have been proposed previously as a useful biomarker for cardiometabolic disease, the involvement of other sphingolipids is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional association between blood sphingolipidomic profiles and metabolic syndrome (MetS) as well as other atherosclerotic risk factors in a large population-based study in the U.S.

Methods

Clinical data and serum sphingolipidomic profiling from 2,063 subjects who participated in the biomarker project of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study were used.

Results

Consistent with previous reports, we found a positive association between most ceramide levels and obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, impaired glucose metabolism, and MetS prevalence. In contrast, most simple β-glycosphingolipids (i.e., hexosylceramides and lactosylceramides) were inversely associated with dysmetabolic biomarkers. However, this latter sphingolipid class showed a positive link with inflammatory and vascular damage-associated biomarkers in subjects with MetS. Through metabolic network analysis, we found that the relationship between ceramides and simple β-glycosphingolipids differed significantly not only according to MetS status, but also with respect to the participants' C-reactive protein levels.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that a comprehensive sphingolipid profile is more informative about MetS than ceramides alone, and it may reveal new insights into the pathophysiology and further diabetic vs. cardiovascular risk in patients with MetS.
Differences in disease severity and prognosis of exercise-induced right-to-left shunt between idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients
Authors: Wang Shang , Guo Zi-Yan , Sun Xing-Xing , Yuan Ping , Zhao Qin-Hua , Wu Wen-Hui , Qiu Hong-Ling , Luo Ci-Jun , Gong Su-Gang , Li Hui-Ting , Zhang Rui , He Jing , Wang Lan , Liu Jin-Ming , Guo Jian , Jiang Rong
Published: December 2022

Objective

Whether exercise-induced venous-to-systemic shunt (EIS) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has different manifestations or characteristics in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients remains unknown. We explored the differences in hemodynamics, echocardiography, and prognosis between IPAH and CTEPH patients with and without EIS.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study and included 161 PH patients at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital. Demographic, echocardiography, pulmonary hemodynamic, and CPET variables were compared between patients with and without EIS stratified by IPAH and CTEPH. EIS was determined by CPET. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to explore independent influencing factors of EIS. Cox survival analysis was used to quantify the impact of EIS on the prognosis of patients.

Results

Exercise-induced venous-to-systemic shunt was found in approximately 17.4% of 86 IPAH patients and 20% of 75 CTEPH patients. All-cause mortality occurred in 43 (26.7%) patients during a median follow-up of 6.5 years. Compared with those without EIS, patients with EIS had higher peak end-tidal O2 and lower VO2/VE and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Among the IPAH patients, EIS was associated with lower cardiac output, cardiac index, mixed venous oxygen saturation, VO2/VE, and TAPSE and higher VE/VCO2 and right ventricular end-diastolic transverse diameter. Logistic regression analysis indicated that VO2/VE was an independent factor influencing whether IPAH patients developed EIS during CPET. Cox logistic regression indicated that female IPAH patients or IPAH patients with higher VO2/VE and EIS had a better prognosis. Female IPAH patients had better 10-year survival. In IPAH patients without EIS, patients with higher VO2/VE had better 10-year survival. However, compared with CTEPH patients without EIS, those with EIS had similar echocardiographic, hemodynamic, CPET parameter results and 10-year survival.

Conclusion

Exercise-induced venous-to-systemic shunt exhibits different profiles among IPAH and CTEPH patients. Among IPAH patients, those with EIS had worse peak end-tidal O2, VO2/VE, and TAPSE than those without EIS. VO2/VE was an independent factor of EIS among IPAH patients. IPAH patients with EIS, female sex or higher VO2/VE had better survival. However, the association between EIS and PAH severity or prognosis in CTEPH patients needs to be further explored.
Student transition into higher education: Time for a rethink within the subject of sport and exercise science?
Authors: Timmis Matthew A. , Pexton Sharon , Cavallerio Francesca
Published: December 2022

The first year of higher education (HE) marks one of the most significant transitions in a student’s life. Within the U.K., the subject area of Sport and Exercise Science (SES) has a problem with effectively supporting and retaining students as they transition into HE. If students’ capabilities to successfully transition are to be fully understood and resourced, it is necessary for research to foreground students’ lived realities. Utilising letter to self-methodology, 58 s- and third-year undergraduate SES students wrote to their younger self, providing guidance on how to successfully transition into HE. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Six themes and four sub-themes were identified. Following the development of a single composite version of an “Older, wiser self letter” to represent the identified themes, this resource was integrated into the institution’s pastoral care resources and sessions where personal tutors connected with their tutees. Student member reflections were completed to gather feedback regarding the resource’s effectiveness. The composite letter provides an authentic account of how to face obstacles encountered as students transition into HE. Students’ member reflections highlighted that the letter was a valuable resource as a prompt for discussion regarding their experiences of transitioning into HE. When in the student journey the letter was read was particularly important. The value of this composite letter lies in the implementation of tutor-tutee and student peer-peer conversations at key “moments” throughout their journey in HE, helping students understand the challenges and opportunities for success during transition.
Causal associations of hand grip strength with bone mineral density and fracture risk: A mendelian randomization study
Authors: Song Jidong , Liu Tun , Zhao Jiaxin , Wang Siyuan , Dang Xiaoqian , Wang Wei
Published: December 2022

Background

Muscle strength has been shown to exert positive effects on bone health. The causal relationship between hand grip strength and osteoporosis is an important public health issue but is not fully revealed. The goal of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent hand grip strength affects bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk.

Methods

We conducted a state-of-the-art two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. Genomewide significant (P<5×10-8) single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with hand grip strength were obtained. Summary level data of BMD and fractures at different body sites (lumbar spine, heel, forearm and femoral neck) was obtained from a large-scale osteoporosis database. The inverse variance weighted method was the primary method used for analysis, and the weighted-median, MR-Egger were utilized for sensitivity analyses.

Results

The results provided strong evidence that hand grip strength trait was causally and positively associated with lumbar spine BMD (β: 0.288, 95% CI: 0.079 to 0.497; P=0.007), while no causal relationship was found between hand grip strength and BMD at heel (β: -0.081, 95% CI: -0.232 to 0.070; P=0.295), forearm (β: 0.-0.101, 95% CI: -0.451 to 0.248; P=0.571) or femoral neck (β: 0.054, 95% CI: -0.171 to 0.278; P=0.639). In addition, no statistically significant effects were observed for hand grip strength on fracture risks (β: -0.004, 95% CI: -0.019 to 0.012; P=0.662).

Conclusions

This study showed a positive causal relationship between hand grip strength and lumbar BMD, which is the most common site of osteoporotic fracture, but did not find a causal relationship between hand grip strength and BMD of heel, forearm, or femoral neck. No statistically significant effect of hand grip strength on fracture risk was observed. This study indicates variations in the abilities of hand grip strength trait to causally influence BMD at different skeleton sites. These results should be considered in further studies and public health measures on osteoporosis prevention strategies.
Online or offline? The impact of environmental knowledge acquisition on environmental behavior of Chinese farmers based on social capital perspective
Authors: Zhu Jie , Zheng Shiyong , Kaabar Mohammed K. A. , Yue Xiao-Guang
Published: December 2022

With the development of mobile internet, Chinese farmers have started to access diversified information through social media, on one hand, based on breadth of information. On the other hand, as most farmers still live in rural areas, their socio-economic characteristics and lifestyles are in homogeneous acquaintance social network relationships, i.e. interpersonal interactions in offline homogeneous networks are still considered as the way for farmers to access homogeneous information (breadth of information depth). Based on social capital theory, social networks are structural social capital where trust and reciprocity are known as a relational social capital. Further, this study divides structural social capital into connective social capital (social media access to information) and bonding social capital (offline interpersonal interaction access to information) based on the differences in their information sources. The empirical study finds that structural social capital has a positive impact on farmers’ environmental knowledge acquisition which influences their environmental behavior. In addition, relational social capital (trust and reciprocity) plays a mediating role in the influence of structural social capital on farmers’ environmental behavior.
R&D investment, financing constraints and corporate financial performance: Empirical evidence from China
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Fan Min , Fan Yaojun , Li Yue , Tang Xianghua
Published: December 2022

Enterprises are a deeply significant pillar of social and economic development. The excellent economic interests of enterprises play an essential role in promoting social and economic development. Business is a major innovation force in improving a country’s independent innovation capacity, which in turn is a key factor in shaping its core competitiveness. As the fuel of technological innovation for enterprises, Research and development (R&D) can accelerate their development and enhance their competitiveness. By using Chinese A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2019 as a sample, this study attempts to examine the specific impact of R&D investment by Chinese companies on corporate performance. Key to the development of R&D activities, R&D investment is directly related to the source of funding, the quality of financing channels and the extent of financing restrictions. The current study explains why enterprise innovation cannot be separated from the input and support of capital, technology, professional talent and other factors from the perspective of enterprise financing constraints. By using Chinese A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2019 as a sample, the study not only examined the impact of R&D investment on corporate performance, but also considered specific mediating mechanisms and heterogeneity analysis of R&D investment on corporate performance. Finally, the study found a significant positive correlation between R&D investment and the performance of listed companies, and this positive correlation was more pronounced when funding constraints were lower. According to the study, mediation effect analysis shows that R&D investment can improve corporate performance by boosting total factor productivity. Additional research has also shown that higher levels of internal control quality can improve the boosting effect of R&D investment on corporate performance. Moreover, R&D investment by SOEs is more conducive to improving the performance of their enterprises than that of non-SOE enterprises. In addition, this study provides empirical evidence of the knowledge effect and positive externality of R&D investment for firms, examines the impact of R&D investment on corporate performance from the perspective of financing constraints, and enriches the related literature on R&D investment, financing constraints and corporate performance.
Divergent post-breeding spatial habitat use of Laysan and black-footed albatross
Authors: Jordan Fredrick Dallas , Shaffer Scott A. , Conners Melinda G. , Stepanuk Julia E. F. , Gilmour Morgan E. , Clatterbuck Corey A. , Hazen Elliott L. , Palacios Daniel M. , Tremblay Yann , Antolos Michelle , Foley David G. , Bograd Steven J. , Costa Daniel P. , Thorne Lesley H.
Published: December 2022

Understanding the at-sea movements of wide-ranging seabird species throughout their annual cycle is essential for their conservation and management. Habitat use and resource partitioning of Laysan (Phoebastria immutabilis) and black-footed (Phoebastria nigripes) albatross are well-described during the breeding period but are less understood during the post-breeding period, which represents ~40% of their annual cycle. Resource partitioning may be reduced during post-breeding, when birds are not constrained to return to the nest site regularly and can disperse to reduce competitive pressure. We assessed the degree of spatial segregation in the post-breeding distributions of Laysan (n = 82) and black-footed albatrosses (n = 61) using geolocator tags between 2008 and 2012 from two large breeding colonies in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Midway Atoll, and Tern Island. We characterized the species-and colony-specific foraging and focal distributions (represented by the 95 and 50th density contours, respectively) and quantified segregation in at-sea habitat use between species and colonies. Laysan and black-footed albatross showed consistent and significant at-sea segregation in focal areas across colonies, indicating that resource partitioning persists during post-breeding. Within breeding colonies, segregation of foraging areas between the two species was more evident for birds breeding at Tern Island. Spatial segregation decreased as the post-breeding season progressed, when spatial distributions of both species became more dispersed. In contrast to studies conducted on breeding Laysan and black-footed albatross, we found that sea surface temperature distinguished post-breeding habitats of black-footed albatrosses between colonies, with black-footed albatrosses from Midway Atoll occurring in cooler waters (3.6°C cooler on average). Our results reveal marked at-sea segregation between Laysan and black-footed albatross breeding at two colonies during a critical but understudied phase in their annual cycle. The observed variation in species-environment relationships underscores the importance of sampling multiple colonies and temporal periods to more thoroughly understand the spatial distributions of pelagic seabirds.
Exploiting morphobiometric and genomic variability of African indigenous camel populations-A review
Authors: Yakubu Abdulmojeed , Okpeku Moses , Shoyombo Ayoola J. , Onasanya Gbolabo O. , Dahloum Lahouari , Çelik Senol , Oladepo Abolade
Published: December 2022

Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Africa are adapted to arid and the semi-arid environmental conditions, and are valuable for meat, milk and fiber production. On account of the growing demand for camels in this continent, there is a need for knowledge on their phenotypic and genetic diversity. This is fundamental to sustainable herd management and utilization including the design of appropriate breeding and conservation strategies. We reviewed studies on the phenotypic and genetic characterization, breeding objectives, systems of production, productive and reproductive performances, and pathways for the sustainable rearing and use of camels in Africa. The morphological and genetic diversity, productive and reproductive abilities of African camels suggest the existence of genetic variations that can be utilized for breeds/ecotypes’ genetic improvement and conservation. Possible areas of intervention include the establishment of open nucleus and community-based breeding schemes and utilization of modern reproductive technologies for the genetic improvement of milk and meat yields, sustainable management of rangelands, capacity building of the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists, institutional supports, formation of centralized conservation centres and efficient and effective marketing systems.
Machine learning-based predictive and risk analysis using real-world data with blood biomarkers for hepatitis B patients in the malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Nan Yuemin , Zhao Suxian , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Xiao Zhifeng , Guo Ruihan
Published: December 2022

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection may lead to various liver diseases such as cirrhosis, end-stage liver complications, and Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with existing cirrhosis or severe fibrosis have an increased chance of developing HCC. Consequently, lifetime observation is currently advised. This study gathered real-world electronic health record (EHR) data from the China Registry of Hepatitis B (CR-HepB) database. A collection of 396 patients with HBV infection at different stages were obtained, including 1) patients with a sustained virological response (SVR), 2) patients with HBV chronic infection and without further development, 3) patients with cirrhosis, and 4) patients with HCC. Each patient has been monitored periodically, yielding multiple visit records, each is described using forty blood biomarkers. These records can be utilized to train predictive models. Specifically, we develop three machine learning (ML)-based models for three learning tasks, including 1) an SVR risk model for HBV patients via a survival analysis model, 2) a risk model to encode the progression from HBV, cirrhosis and HCC using dimension reduction and clustering techniques, and 3) a classifier to detect HCC using the visit records with high accuracy (over 95%). Our study shows the potential of offering a comprehensive understanding of HBV progression via predictive analysis and identifies the most indicative blood biomarkers, which may serve as biomarkers that can be used for immunotherapy.
Virus-like particles containing a prefusion-stabilized F protein induce a balanced immune response and confer protection against respiratory syncytial virus infection in mice
Authors: Luo Jin , Qin Huan , Lei Lei , Lou Wange , Li Ruitong , Pan Zishu
Published: December 2022

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a serious respiratory pathogen in infants and young children worldwide. Currently, no licensed RSV vaccines are available. In this study, we explored stable prefusion conformation virus-like particles (Pre-F VLPs) as RSV vaccine candidates. RSV fusion (F) protein mutants were constructed to form stabilized Pre-F or postfusion (Post-F) configurations. VLPs containing Pre-F or Post-F protein were generated using a recombinant baculovirus (rBV)-insect cell expression system. The assembly and immunological properties of Pre-F or Post-F VLPs were investigated. Pre-F and Post-F VLPs contained antigenic sites Ø and I of pre- and postfusion conformations, respectively. Compared with Post-F VLPs, immunization with Pre-F VLPs elicited upregulation of IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-10 and downregulation of IL-4 and IL-5 cytokine production in mice. A high percentage of CD25+ Foxp3+ cells or a low percentage of IL-17A-producing cells among CD4+ T cells was observed in the lungs of mice vaccinated with Pre-F VLPs. Importantly, immunization with Pre-F VLPs induced a high level of RSV neutralizing antibody and a balanced immune response, which protected mice against RSV infection without evidence of immunopathology. Our results suggested that Pre-F VLPs generated from rBV-insect cells represent promising RSV vaccine candidates.
Derivation and external validation of dendritic cell-related gene signatures for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy in bladder urothelial carcinoma
Authors: An Bingzheng , Guo Zhaoxin , Wang Junyan , Zhang Chen , Zhang Guanghao , Yan Lei
Published: December 2022

Background

In the regulation of tumor-related immunity, dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial sentinel cells; they are powerful to present antigens and initiate immune responses. Therefore, we concentrated on investigating the DC-related gene profile, prognosis, and gene mutations in bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) patients to identify sensitivity to immunotherapy of patients.

Methods

According to DC infiltration, BLCA patients were divided into two subgroups, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained. Patients were classified by unsupervised clustering into new subgroups. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis and Cox regression were used to develop a DC-related risk model. CIBERSORT, xCell, and GSEA were used to infer immune cells’ relative abundance separately and enriched immune pathways.

Results

A total of 29 prognosis-related DEGs were identified from the unsupervised cluster. Among them, 22 genes were selected for constructing the DC-related risk model. The dendritic cell-related risk score (DCRS) can accurately distinguish patients with different sensitive responses to immunotherapy and overall survival outcomes. Furthermore, patients with ryanodine receptor 2 (RYR2) mutation had a better prognosis.

Conclusions

The DCRS played an essential part in immunity pathway and formation of TME diversity. Our study indicated that RYR2 mutation combined with DCRS is useful for predicting the prognosis and discovering appropriate patients for immunotherapy.
The impact of adaptor selection on genotyping in 2b-RAD studies
Authors: Galià-Camps Carles , Carreras Carlos , Turon Xavier , Pascual Marta
Published: December 2022

Population genomic studies have increased in the last decade, showing great potential to understand the evolutionary patterns in a great variety of organisms, mostly relying on RAD sequencing techniques to obtain reduced representations of the genomes. Among them, 2b-RAD can provide further secondary reduction to adjust experimental costs by using base-selective adaptors, although its impact on genotyping is unknown. Here we provide empirical comparisons on genotyping and genetic differentiation when using fully degenerate or base-selective adaptors and assess the impact of missing data. We built libraries with the two types of adaptors for the same individuals and generated independent and combined datasets with different missingness filters (presence in 100%, 75% and 50% of the libraries). Our approach, by exploring locus-by-locus, found 92% of identical genotypes between the two libraries of the same individual when using loci shared among 100% of the libraries, which decreased to 35% when working with loci present in at least 50% of them. We show that missing data is a major source of individual genetic differentiation. The loci discordant by genotyping were in low frequency (7.67%) in all filtered files. Only 0.96% of them were directly attributable to base-selective adaptors reducing heterozygosity. An underestimation of heterozygosity in 6.44% of genotypes was found in libraries generated with fully degenerated adaptors, of which ca. 70% had <10 reads per locus indicating that sufficient read depth should be ensured for a correct genotyping. Base-selective adaptors reduce the number of loci, increase their coverage, and provide a reliable genotyping with no heterozygosity underestimation at a lower sequencing cost. We demonstrate that missing data is a major concern for a correct identification of genetic differentiation, and should not be neglected in genomic studies. Thus, we conclude that 2b-RAD libraries using base-selective adaptors are a robust tool to use in population genomics regardless the target species genome size, promoting their use in future studies.
From linoleic acid to hexanal and hexanol by whole cell catalysis with a lipoxygenase, hydroperoxide lyase and reductase cascade in Komagataella phaffii
Authors: Hashem Chiam , Hochrinner Julius , Bürgler Moritz B. , Rinnofner Claudia , Pichler Harald , Winkler Margit
Published: December 2022

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) cover a group of mainly C6-and C9-aldehydes, -alcohols and -esters. Their name refers to their characteristic herbal and fruity scent, which is similar to that of freshly cut grass or vegetables. Lipoxygenases (LOXs) catalyze the peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. The resulting hydroperoxy fatty acids are then cleaved into aldehydes and oxo acids by fatty acid hydroperoxide lyases (HPLs). Herein, we equipped the yeast Komagataella phaffii with recombinant genes coding for LOX and HPL, to serve as a biocatalyst for GLV production. We expressed the well-known 13S-specific LOX gene from Pleurotus sapidus and a compatible HPL gene from Medicago truncatula. In bioconversions, glycerol induced strains formed 12.9 mM hexanal using whole cells, and 8 mM hexanol was produced with whole cells induced by methanol. We applied various inducible and constitutive promoters in bidirectional systems to influence the final ratio of LOX and HPL proteins. By implementing these recombinant enzymes in Komagataella phaffii, challenges such as biocatalyst supply and lack of product specificity can finally be overcome.