bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Use and Application of Systematic Tailored Assessment for Responding to Suicidality (STARS) Protocol Following Original Training
Authors: Hawgood Jacinta , Kõlves Kairi , Spence Susan H. , Arensman Ella , Krysinska Karolina , De Leo Diego , Ownsworth Tamara
Published: September 2022

Background: Understanding the use of Systematic Tailored Assessment for Responding to Suicidality protocol (STARS-p) in practice by trained mental health practitioners over the longer- term is critical to informing further developments. The study aim was to examine practitioners’ experiences of STARS-p and factors associated with its use in practice over a 12–24-month period after training. Method: Practitioners who undertook the STARS-p training completed an online survey 12–24 months post training. The survey focused on the frequency of use of STARS-p (in full and each section) as well as perceptions about STARS-p applied in practice. Analyses included correlations, logistic regression and content analysis. Results: 67 participants (81% female, Mage = 43.2, SD = 10.3) were included in the analyses. A total of 80.6% of participants had used the entire STARS-p at some time-point in their practice and less than half (44.7%) frequently used the entire STARS-p (all components in one administration). Parts A, B and C were used frequently in suicide risk assessment (SRA) by 84%, 71% and 82% of participants, respectively. Use of the entire protocol and different sections was most related to male gender, perceived ease of administration and confidence in the use of the protocol. Qualitative results revealed three main themes. Conclusions: STARS-p as a whole or its parts, is frequently used. Advantages of, and barriers to, using STARS-p in practice can inform further developments of STARS-p and STARS training.
Consumers in the Circular Economy: A Path Analysis of the Underlying Factors of Purchasing Behaviour
Authors: Szilagyi Andrea , Cioca Lucian-Ionel , Bacali Laura , Lakatos Elena-Simina , Birgovan Andreea-Loredana
Published: September 2022

One of the major obstacles to the adoption of the circular economy is the lack of consumer interest and awareness. Despite this, the unique role of consumers in the circular economy is an understudied topic, as the literature tends to focus rather on the application of circular practices in the organizational and industrial sectors. This paper aims to examine the individual-level factors that have an influence over circular purchasing behavior. Specifically, this paper elaborates an explicative path model of purchasing circular products that takes into account environmental concern, climate skepticism, and the attitudinal factor towards circular products. The final sample consisted of 566 respondents from Romania. Our findings showed that environmental concern has a positive significant impact on circular purchase behaviour and this relationship is mediated by the attitude towards circular products. Moreover, those with high levels of climate skepticism showed an increased level of perceived greenwashing among organizations.
Effects of Biochar and Manure Co-Application on Aggregate Stability and Pore Size Distribution of Vertisols
Authors: Cai Taiyi , Wang Zhigang , Guo Chengshi , Huang Huijuan , Chai Huabin , Zhang Congzhi
Published: September 2022

Background: The combination of biochar and organic manure has substantial local impacts on soil properties, greenhouse gas emissions, and crop yield. However, the research on soil health or quality is still in its early stages. Four pot experiments were carried out: C (30 g biochar (kg soil)−1), M (10 g manure (kg soil)−1), CM (15 g biochar (kg soil)−1 + 5 g manure (kg soil)−1), and the control (without any amendments). Results: When compared to C and M treatments, the MWD of CM was reduced by 5.5% and increased by 4.9%, respectively, and the micropore volume (5–30 m) was increased by 17.6% and 89.6%. The structural equation model shows that soil structural parameters and physical properties regulate the distribution of micropores (5–30 μm) in amended soil. Conclusion: Our studies discovered that biochar mixed with poultry manure had antagonistic and synergistic effects on soil aggregate stability and micropore volume in vertisol, respectively, and thus enhanced crop yield by 71.1%, which might be used as a technological model for farmers in China’s Huang-Huai-Hai region to improve low- and medium-yielding soil and maintain soil health.
Pharmacotherapy during Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Lactation
Authors: Allegaert Karel
Published: September 2022

Pharmacotherapy is a very powerful approach to truly improve outcomes for pregnant women and their newborns [...]
Students’ Burnout at University: The Role of Gender and Worker Status
Authors: Fiorilli Caterina , Barni Daniela , Russo Claudia , Marchetti Vanessa , Angelini Giacomo , Romano Luciano
Published: September 2022

Students’ burnout has been widely investigated in recent decades, mainly showing a higher risk for female students across academic levels. To our knowledge, few studies have investigated whether employed students experience higher academic burnout risks. In this regard, previous findings have shown mixed results. The current study investigated the differences in burnout experience based on students’ gender and worker status. We expected to find differences among study groups in their burnout levels. The participants were 494 Italian university students (49.6% female students; 49.4% working students) who completed the short version of the Burnout Assessment Tool Core dimensions (BAT-C). Firstly, we investigated the BAT-C measurement invariance across gender and worker status subgroups. Secondly, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed significant gender differences in burnout levels. Specifically, female students showed higher levels of exhaustion, cognitive impairment, and emotional impairment than male students. Nevertheless, no interactive effects between gender and worker status were observed in the current sample. To sum up, gender is a key factor for understanding several BAT symptoms, and it should be considered by academic staff interested in preventing burnout at university and its dropout consequences.
Using the Gaucher Earlier Diagnosis Consensus (GED-C) Delphi Score in a Real-World Dataset
Authors: Revel-Vilk Shoshana , Chodick Gabriel , Shalev Varda , Lotan Roni , Zarakowska Kaja , Gadir Noga
Published: September 2022

Early and accurate diagnosis of Gaucher disease, a rare, autosomal recessive condition characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, and anemia, is essential to facilitate earlier decision-making and prevent unnecessary tests and procedures. However, diagnosis can be challenging for non-specialists, owing to a wide variability in age, severity of disease, and types of clinical manifestation. The Gaucher Earlier Diagnosis Consensus (GED-C) scoring system was developed by a panel of 22 expert physicians using Delphi methodology on the signs and covariables considered important for diagnosing Gaucher disease. This study aimed to use the scoring system in a real-world dataset. We applied the GED-C scoring system to 265 confirmed cases of Gaucher disease identified in the Maccabi Health Services (MHS) database from 1998 to 2022. Overall Delphi scores were calculated using features applicable to type 1 Gaucher disease. Based on all available patient data up to one year after diagnosis, the median (interquartile range (IQR)) Delphi score was 8.0 (5.5–11.5), with patients reporting up to 15 variables each. A score of 9.5 (6.5–12.5) was determined for 205 patients diagnosed from 2000 to 2022. The overall GED-C score was highly dependent on the extraction of all relevant data. The number of features collected in the MHS database was fewer than those required to achieve a high score on the GED-C score.
Usability Evaluation of an Adaptive Serious Game Prototype Based on Affective Feedback
Authors: Karavidas Lampros , Apostolidis Hippokratis , Tsiatsos Thrasyvoulos
Published: September 2022

Difficulty in video games is an essential factor for a game to be considered engaging and is directly linked to losing in a game. However, for the user to not feel bored or frustrated, it is necessary for the difficulty of the game to be balanced and ideally tailored to the user. This paper presents the design and development of a serious game that adjusts its difficulty based on the user’s bio signals, so that it is demanding enough to match his/her skills, in order to enter the flow state. The serious game is accompanied by a server that uses machine learning algorithms to analyze the user’s bio signals and classify them into different affective states. These states are later used to adjust the difficulty of the serious game in real-time, without interfering with the user’s game experience. Finally, a heuristic evaluation was conducted in order to measure its usability and highlight the good practices and to draw attention to some elements of the game that should be changed in a future version.
How Does Orthodontic Mini-Implant Thread Minidesign Influence the Stability?—Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jedliński Maciej , Janiszewska-Olszowska Joanna , Mazur Marta , Grocholewicz Katarzyna , Suárez Suquía Pedro , Suárez Quintanilla David
Published: September 2022

Background: Clinical guidelines are lacking for the use of orthodontic mini-implants (OMIs) in terms of scientific evidence referring to the choice of proper mini-design. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate to what extent orthodontic mini-implant thread design influences its stability. Methods: Search was conducted in five search engines on 10 May. Quality assessment was performed using study type specific scales. Whenever possible, meta-analysis was performed. Results: The search strategy identified 118 potential articles. Twenty papers were subjected to qualitative analysis and data from 8 papers—to meta-analysis. Studies included were characterized by high or medium quality. Four studies were considered as low quality. No clinical studies considering the number of threads, threads depth, or TSF have been found in the literature. Conclusions: Minidesign of OMIs seems to influence their stability in the bone. Thread pitch seems to be of special importance for OMIs retention—the more dense thread—the better stability. Thread depth seems to be of low importance for OMIs stability. There is no clear scientific evidence for optimal thread shape factor. Studies present in the literature vary greatly in study design and results reporting. Research received no external funding. Study protocol number in PROSPERO database: CRD42022340970.
Special Issue “The Prevention, Treatment, and Complications of Diabetes Mellitus”
Authors: Arroba Ana I. , Aguilar-Diosdado Manuel
Published: September 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a world health problem of global repercussion [...]
Benefits of Patient-Specific Reconstruction Plates in Mandibular Reconstruction Surgical Simulation and Resident Education
Authors: Tran Khanh Linh , Mong Matthew Lee , Durham James Scott , Prisman Eitan
Published: September 2022

Poorly contoured mandibular reconstruction plates are associated with postoperative complications. Recently, a technique emerged whereby preoperative patient-specific reconstructive plates (PSRP) are developed in the hopes of eliminating errors in the plate-bending process. This study’s objective is to determine if reconstructions performed with PSRP are more accurate than manually contoured plates. Ten Otolaryngology residents each performed two ex vivo mandibular reconstructions, first using a PSRP followed by a manually contoured plate. Reconstruction time, CT scans, and accuracy measurements were collected. Paired Student’s t-test was performed. There was a significant difference between reconstructions with PSRP and manually contoured plates in: plate-mandible distance (0.39 ± 0.21 vs. 0.75 ± 0.31 mm, p = 0.0128), inter-fibular segment gap (0.90 ± 0.32 vs. 2.24 ± 1.03 mm, p = 0.0095), mandible-fibula gap (1.02 ± 0.39 vs. 2.87 ± 2.38 mm, p = 0.0260), average reconstruction deviation (1.11 ± 0.32 vs. 1.67 ± 0.47 mm, p = 0.0228), mandibular angle width difference (5.13 ± 4.32 vs. 11.79 ± 4.27 mm, p = 0.0221), and reconstruction time (16.67 ± 4.18 vs. 33.78 ± 8.45 min, p = 0.0006). Lower plate-mandible distance has been demonstrated to correlate with decreased plate extrusion rates. Similarly, improved bony apposition promotes bony union. PSRP appears to provide a more accurate scaffold to guide the surgeons in assembling donor bone segments, which could potentially improve patient outcome and reduce surgical time. Additionally, in-house PSRP can serve as a low-cost surgical simulation tool for resident education.
Intraoperative Flow Measurement as a Quality Control during Carotid Endarterectomy in a Teaching Hospital Setting
Authors: Cyrek Anna E. , Bernheim Johannes , Juntermanns Benjamin , Burzec Wieslaw , Husen Peri , Radunz Sonia , Pacha Arkadius , Weimar Christian , Treckmann Jürgen , Hoffmann Johannes N.
Published: September 2022

Background: To evaluate the technical results of an arterial repair, a variety of intraoperative imaging and assessment techniques can be used during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of intraoperative ultrasound flow measurement as a quality control after primary CEA in a teaching hospital setting. Methods: Over 36 months, 107 consecutive CEAs were performed at our institution. Retrospectively acquired demographics, intraoperative flow measurements, duplex results, revisions, and surgical outcomes were reviewed. Postoperative 30-day transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, and death rates were analyzed. Results were compared with ultrasound flow measurement and duplex ultrasonography. Results: From March 2012 to March 2015, 107 primary consecutive CEAs were performed in 107 patients (71% male, 29% female), whose age ranged from 51 to 81 years with a mean age of 68 ± 4 years. Associated risk factors included diabetes for 89 (83%), smoking for 92 (86%), hypertension for 94 (87.8%), chronic renal insufficiency for 71 (66%), and coronary artery disease for 57 (53%) of the patients. Early postoperative duplex scans in all 107 patients showed no significant changes from intraoperative findings. The ipsilateral stroke and death rate in this study was 0 (0/107) and the 30-day death and stroke rate was also 0 (0/107), with no significant difference between trainees and senior surgeons. Three patients (2.8%) had flow < 100 mL/Min and two of them were revised after completion of contrast angiography. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that the intraoperative flow measurement is an alternative method for detecting technical errors and a tool for quality-control imaging. Especially for trainees, it makes sense to ensure effectiveness of the procedure upon its completion and to assess the technical adequacy of CEA.
Regionalization Research of Mountain-Hazards Developing Environments for the Eurasian Continent
Authors: Cheng Deqiang , Gao Chunliu
Published: September 2022

Carrying out mountain-hazards developing environment research is helpful for understanding the spatial characteristics of the mountain hazards so as to contribute to mountain-hazards prevention and mitigation and the safety of infrastructures and major projects. In this study, the Eurasian continent was selected as the research area to conduct regionalization research on mountain-hazards developing environments. Using peak ground acceleration (PGA), the annual average precipitation and topographic relief as root factors of mountain-hazards developing environments (known as PPR factors) to represent the characteristics of geological structures, climatic impacts and geomorphology, the regionalization of mountain-hazards developing environments of the Eurasian continent was conducted through the combination of computer automatic classification and later artificial cartographic generalization. Finally, 15 subregions were obtained. A preliminary judgment of the mountain-hazards susceptibility for each region according to the characteristics of PPR factors was made, and nine subregions were identified as the overall high-susceptibility areas of mountain hazards. Based on the analysis of the characteristics of PPR factors and the mountain-hazards susceptibility characteristics in different mountain-hazards developing environment subregions, the high susceptibility regions of mountain hazards could be divided into three types: arid and active-geologic regions, humid and active-geologic regions, and humid and inactive-geologic regions. We hope that our research provides support for subsequent works of more specific and reasonable mountain-hazards susceptibility, hazard and risk models construction for different types of mountain-hazards developing environments.
Ordered Domain (Raft) Formation in Asymmetric Vesicles and Its Induction upon Loss of Lipid Asymmetry in Artificial and Natural Membranes
Authors: London Erwin
Published: September 2022

Lipid asymmetry, the difference in the lipid composition in the inner and outer lipid monolayers (leaflets) of a membrane, is an important feature of eukaryotic plasma membranes. Investigation of the biophysical consequences of lipid asymmetry has been aided by advances in the ability to prepare artificial asymmetric membranes, especially by use of cyclodextrin-catalyzed lipid exchange. This review summarizes recent studies with artificial asymmetric membranes which have identified conditions in which asymmetry can induce or suppress the ability of membranes to form ordered domains (rafts). A consequence of the latter effect is that, under some conditions, a loss of asymmetry can induce ordered domain formation. An analogous study in plasma membrane vesicles has demonstrated that asymmetry can also suppress domain formation in natural membranes. Thus, it is possible that a loss of asymmetry can induce domain formation in vivo.
Hydraulic Jump Behavior during Filling Process of Cast Start I
Authors: Chen Jin , Zhang Lei , Zhang Jiageng , Cui Pan , Luan Guowei , Wang Fei
Published: September 2022

This paper presents a 0.25 scale quasi-three-dimensional hydraulic model experiment of transient fluid flow phenomena during continuous casting of steel. The relationship between the continuous casting process and the hydraulic jump phenomenon is established. The casting process in the mold is divided into four stages (I–IV) from the beginning to the end of continuous casting. The filling process involves stages I–II and is investigated by high-speed camera. The filling process is part of the cast start. In this paper, the hydraulic jump behavior varies and is controlled by different spring and iron chips arrangement on the dummy bar during the filling process. A filling coefficient is proposed to judge the best filling conditions and apply them to the whole filling process. There is an optimal spring and iron chip arrangement, which can adjust the hydraulic jump to optimize the initial flow field during the filling process, even the whole continuous casting process.
Myogenetic Oligodeoxynucleotide Restores Differentiation and Reverses Inflammation of Myoblasts Aggravated by Cancer-Conditioned Medium
Authors: Nihashi Yuma , Yamamoto Machi , Shimosato Takeshi , Takaya Tomohide
Published: September 2022

Cancer cachexia is characterized by irreversible muscle loss which is a critical factor in the prognosis of cancer patients. Myoblasts are myogenic precursor cells that are required to maintain skeletal muscle tissue. Previous studies reported that cancer-released factors deteriorate myoblast differentiation, which is one of the causes of cachexia-associated muscle wasting. We recently identified the myogenetic oligodeoxynucleotide, iSN04, which serves as an anti-nucleolin aptamer and promotes myogenesis. The present study investigated the effects of iSN04 on human myoblasts exposed to a conditioned medium (CM) of cancer cells. CM of colon cancer cell lines LoVo and HCT-116 significantly impaired myogenic differentiation and the myotube formation of human myoblasts by inducing the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); however, the CM of the colon fibroblast cell line CCD-18Co did not. Intriguingly, iSN04 completely reversed the deterioration of myoblast differentiation by LoVo-CM by upregulating MyoD and myogenin, and downregulating myostatin, IL-1β, and TNF-α. TNF-α, of which a high level was produced in LoVo, alone inhibited myogenic differentiation and induced IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 transcriptions of myoblasts; however, pre-treatment with iSN04 reversed TNF-α-induced cachectic phenotypic features. The results indicate that iSN04 protects myoblasts against the effects of cancer-released factors and maintains their myogenic activity. This study provides a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent muscle loss associated with cancer cachexia.
Chlorogenic Acid and Quercetin in a Diet with Fermentable Fiber Influence Multiple Processes Involved in DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis but Do Not Reduce Injury
Authors: Maslin Leigh Ann , Weeks Bradley R. , Carroll Raymond J. , Byrne David H. , Turner Nancy D.
Published: September 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients often avoid foods containing fermentable fibers as some can promote symptoms during active disease. Pectin has been identified as a more protective fermentable fiber, but little has been done to determine the interaction between pectin and bioactive compounds present in foods containing that fiber type. Quercetin and chlorogenic acid, two bioactives in stone fruits, may have anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. We hypothesized that quercetin and chlorogenic acid, in the presence of the fermentable fiber pectin, may suppress the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, alter the luminal environment, and alter colonocyte proliferation, thereby protecting against recurring bouts of UC. Rats (n = 63) received one of three purified diets (control, 0.45% quercetin, 0.05% chlorogenic acid) containing 6% pectin for 3 weeks before exposure to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS, 3% for 48 h, 3x, 2 wk separation, n = 11/diet) in drinking water to initiate UC, or control (no DSS, n = 10/diet) treatments prior to termination at 9 weeks. DSS increased the fecal moisture content (p < 0.05) and SCFA concentrations (acetate, p < 0.05; butyrate, p < 0.05). Quercetin and chlorogenic acid diets maintained SLC5A8 (SCFA transporter) mRNA levels in DSS-treated rats at levels similar to those not exposed to DSS. DSS increased injury (p < 0.0001) and inflammation (p < 0.01) scores, with no differences noted due to diet. Compared to the control diet, chlorogenic acid decreased NF-κB activity in DSS-treated rats (p < 0.05). Quercetin and chlorogenic acid may contribute to the healthy regulation of NF-κB activation (via mRNA expression of IκΒα, Tollip, and IL-1). Quercetin enhanced injury-repair molecule FGF-2 expression (p < 0.01), but neither diet nor DSS treatment altered proliferation. Although quercetin and chlorogenic acid did not protect against overt indicators of injury and inflammation, or fecal SCFA concentrations, compared to the control diet, their influence on the expression of injury repair molecules, pro-inflammatory cytokines, SCFA transport proteins, and NF-κB inhibitory molecules suggests beneficial influences on major pathways involved in DSS-induced UC. Therefore, in healthy individuals or during periods of remission, quercetin and chlorogenic acid may promote a healthier colon, and may suppress some of the signaling involved in inflammation promotion during active disease.
Effect of Bacillus coagulans SNZ 1969 on the Improvement of Bowel Movement in Loperamide-Treated SD Rats
Authors: Jung Soo-Min , Ha Ae-Wha , Choi Su-Jin , Kim Se-Young , Kim Woo-Kyoung
Published: September 2022

Bacillus coagulans SNZ 1969 (B. coagulans SNZ 1969) is a spore-forming bacterium reported to be effective in attenuating constipation. However, there is no study on whether B. coagulans SNZ 1969 could improve constipation through mucin secretion and changes in intestinal hormones. To address this knowledge gap, rats were orally administrated with various treatments for four weeks. The normal control (NOR) group received saline only. There were four constipation-induced groups. The LOP group received only loperamide (LOP), a constipation-inducing agent. The BIS group received both LOP and Bisacodyl (BIS, a constipation treatment agent). The SNZ-L group received both LOP and B. coagulans SNZ 1969 at 1 × 108 CFU/day. The SNZ-H group received LOP and B.coagulans SNZ 1969 at 1 × 1010 CFU/day. As indicators of constipation improvement, fecal pellet weight, fecal water content, gastrointestinal transit time, and intestinal motility were measured. Mucus secretion in the colon was determined by histological colon analysis and mucin-related gene expressions. Gastrointestinal (GI) hormones were also measured. SNZ-L and SNZ-H groups showed significantly increased fecal weights, fecal water contents, and intestinal motility than the LOP group. SNZ-L and SNZ-H groups also showed higher secretion of mucin in the colon and mRNA expression levels of Mucin 2 and Aquaporin 8 than the LOP group. The SNZ-H group showed significantly increased substance P but significantly decreased somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal peptide than the LOP group. The results of this study suggest that B. coagulans SNZ 1969 intake could attenuate constipation through mucin secretion and alteration of GI hormones.
Effect of Consuming Beef with Varying Fatty Acid Compositions as a Major Source of Protein in Volunteers under a Personalized Nutritional Program
Authors: Vela-Vásquez Diana A. , Sifuentes-Rincón Ana M. , Delgado-Enciso Iván , Ordaz-Pichardo Cynthia , Arellano-Vera Williams , Treviño-Alvarado Víctor
Published: September 2022

Beef is an excellent source of nutrients; unfortunately, most nutritional recommendations suggest limiting or even avoiding it. Studies have shown that the fatty acid composition of meat influences weight loss. This randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated the anthropometric and serum lipid changes after a food intervention that included frequent beef consumption (120 g consumed four days/week for four weeks). Volunteers were randomly assigned to the commercial or Wagyu-Cross beef groups, with the latter beef possessing higher fat and MUFA contents. Both groups exhibited reductions in body measurements and lipid profiles; however, the Wagyu-Cross group exhibited greater changes in weight (−3.75 vs. −2.90 kg) and BMI (−1.49 vs. −1.03) than the commercial group, without a significant difference between them. No significant group differences in lipid profiles were observed; however, the Wagyu-Cross group exhibited a more favorable change in decreasing the TC concentration (−7.00 mg/dL) and LDL-C concentration (−12.5 mg/dL). We suggest that high MUFA beef could be included in weight-loss programs since it does not affect weight loss and hasn’t a negative influence on lipid metabolism.
Antigenic Characterization of Neuraminidase of Influenza A/H7N9 Viruses Isolated in Different Years
Authors: Desheva Yulia , Losev Igor , Petkova Nadezhda , Kudar Polina , Donina Svetlana , Mamontov Andrey , Tsai Chih-Hsuan , Chao Yu-Chan
Published: September 2022

Influenza outbreaks caused by A/H7N9 viruses have occurred since 2013. After 2016, A/H7N9 influenza viruses underwent evolutionary changes. In this study, we examined the antigenic properties of influenza neuraminidase (NA) of A/H7N9 viruses as part of a live influenza vaccine (LAIV). It was shown that neuraminidase inhibiting (NI) antibodies obtained after A/Anhui/1/2013(H7N9)-based LAIV vaccination did not inhibit A/Hong Kong/125/2017(H7N9) NA and vice versa. The A/Hong Kong/125/2017(H7N9)-based LAIV elicited higher levels of NI antibodies compared to the A/Anhui/1/2013(H7N9)-based LAIV after two doses. Thelow degree of coincidence of the antibody response to hemagglutinin (HA) and NA after LAIV vaccination allows us to consider an enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) as an additional measure for assessing the immunogenicity of influenza vaccines. In mice, N9-reactive monoclonal antibodies (mABs) for the A/environment/Shanghai/RL01/2013(H7N9) influenza virus partially protected against lung infection from the A/Guangdong/17SF003/2016 IDCDC-RG56N(H7N9) virus, thus showing the cross-protective properties of monoclonal antibodies against the drift variant.
The TH1902 Docetaxel Peptide-Drug Conjugate Inhibits Xenografts Growth of Human SORT1-Positive Ovarian and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Stem-like Cells
Authors: Demeule Michel , Charfi Cyndia , Currie Jean-Christophe , Zgheib Alain , Danalache Bogdan Alexandru , Béliveau Richard , Marsolais Christian , Annabi Borhane
Published: September 2022

Background: Breast and ovarian cancer stem cells (CSC) can contribute to the invasive and chemoresistance phenotype of tumors. TH1902, a newly developed sortilin (SORT1)-targeted peptide-docetaxel conjugate is currently in phase-1 clinical trial. Whether TH1902 impacts the chemoresistance phenotype of human triple-negative breast CSC (hTNBCSC) and ovarian CSC (hOvCSC) is unknown. Methods and Results: Immunophenotyping of hTNBCSC and hOvCSC was performed by flow cytometry and confirmed the expression of SORT1, and of CSC markers CD133, NANOG, and SOX2. Western blotting demonstrated the expression of the drug efflux pumps from the P-gp family members, ABCB1 and ABCB5. The cellular uptake of the fluorescent Alexa488-peptide from TH1902 was inhibited upon siRNA-mediated repression of SORT1 or upon competition with SORT1 ligands. In contrast to docetaxel, TH1902 inhibited in vitro migration, induced cell apoptosis and lead to G2/M cell cycle arrest of the hTNBCSC. These events were unaffected by the presence of the P-gp inhibitors cyclosporine A or PSC-833. In vivo, using immunosuppressed nude mice xenografts, TH1902 significantly inhibited the growth of hTNBCSC and hOvCSC xenografts (~80% vs. ~35% for docetaxel) when administered weekly as intravenous bolus for three cycles at 15 mg/kg, a dose equivalent to the maximal tolerated dose of docetaxel. Therapeutic efficacy was further observed when carboplatin was combined to TH1902. Conclusions: Overall, TH1902 exerts a superior anticancer activity than the unconjugated docetaxel, in part, by circumventing the CSC drug resistance phenotype that could potentially reduce cancer recurrence attributable to CSC.
Quantitative Proteomics and Functional Characterization Reveal That Glutathione Peroxidases Act as Important Antioxidant Regulators in Mulberry Response to Drought Stress
Authors: Zhang Minjuan , Li Wenqiang , Li Shuaijun , Gao Junru , Gan Tiantian , Li Qinying , Bao Lijun , Jiao Feng , Su Chao , Qian Yonghua
Published: September 2022

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) has been an economically important food crop for the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, in China for more than 5000 years. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying mulberry response to environmental stress. In this study, quantitative proteomics was applied to elucidate the molecular mechanism of drought response in mulberry. A total of 604 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified via LC-MS/MS. The proteomic profiles associated with antioxidant enzymes, especially five glutathione peroxidase (GPX) isoforms, as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS), were systematically increased in the drought-stressed mulberry. This was further confirmed by gene expression and enzymatic activity. Furthermore, overexpression of the GPX isoforms led to enhancements in both antioxidant system and ROS-scavenging capacity, and greater tolerance to drought stress in transgenic plants. Taken together, these results indicated that GPX-based antioxidant enzymes play an important role in modulating mulberry response to drought stress, and higher levels of GPX can improve drought tolerance through enhancing the capacity of the antioxidant system for ROS scavenging.
Compressive Mechanical Properties of Larch Wood in Different Grain Orientations
Authors: Sun Jingcheng , Zhao Rongjun , Zhong Yong , Chen Yongping
Published: September 2022

As a green and low-carbon natural polymer material, wood has always been popular in engineering applications owing to its excellent physical and mechanical properties. In this study, compression tests in conjunction with in situ test methods (DIC method) were used to investigate the compression mechanism of wood samples in the longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions. The macroscopic failure modes, energy dissipation results, and variations in the strain field were analyzed. The results showed that the load–displacement curve in each grain orientation included three stages: an elasticity stage, yield stage, and strengthening stage. Both the compressive strength and elastic modulus in the longitudinal direction were significantly higher than those in the radial and tangential directions, but there was no significant difference between the radial and tangential directions. Specimens in the longitudinal direction mainly presented fiber buckling, fiber shear slippage, and fiber fracture failure; in radial directions mainly presented compression compaction of the fiber cells; and in the tangential directions presented buckling and shear failure of the laminar layers. The energy absorption in the longitudinal direction was better than in the other directions. The strain changed significantly in the loading direction in the elastic stage while the shear strain changed remarkably in the yield stage in each grain orientation. In this paper, the compression mechanical properties of larch wood in different grain orientations were studied to provide a reference for its safe application in engineering.
Polymer-Based Hydrogels Enriched with Essential Oils: A Promising Approach for the Treatment of Infected Wounds
Authors: Alven Sibusiso , Peter Sijongesonke , Aderibigbe Blessing Atim
Published: September 2022

Among the factors that delay the wound healing process in chronic wounds, bacterial infections are a common cause of acute wounds becoming chronic. Various therapeutic agents, such as antibiotics, metallic nanoparticles, and essential oils have been employed to treat infected wounds and also prevent the wounds from bacterial invasion. Essential oils are promising therapeutic agents with excellent wound healing, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, and good soothing effects. Some essential oils become chemically unstable when exposed to light, heat, oxygen, and moisture. The stability and biological activity of essential oil can be preserved via loading into hydrogels. The polymer-based hydrogels loaded with bioactive agents are regarded as ideal wound dressings with unique features, such as controlled and sustained drug release mechanisms, good antibacterial activity, non-toxicity, excellent cytocompatibility, good porosity, moderate water vapour transmission rate, etc. This review addresses the pre-clinical outcomes of hydrogels loaded with essential oils in the treatment of infected wounds.
Tripping to Cope: Coping Strategies and Use of Hallucinogens during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Three Cultural Contexts
Authors: Ona Genís , Révész Dóra , Kohek Maja , Rossi Giordano N. , Rocha Juliana M. , dos Santos Rafael G. , Hallak Jaime E. C. , Alcázar-Córcoles Miguel Ángel , Bouso José Carlos
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has made evident the need to develop effective strategies to cushion the psychological consequences of social catastrophes. Preliminary evidence suggests that the use of hallucinogens is a protective factor that mitigates against such stressors. However, the underlying mechanisms must be further explored. This study specifically focused on the potential role of coping strategies in this regard, analyzing them through an online survey completed by a total of 2971 subjects who were followed up with from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic until six months after baseline. The survey was published in three different cultures (English, Spanish, and Portuguese), allowing for the collection of data from three different cultural contexts. The results show that coping strategies were generally more related to psychological well-being and psychopathology than to hallucinogenic drug use. However, regarding the latter, users of hallucinogens had higher scores on problem-focused engagement and disengagement and lower scores on wishful thinking than non-users. Longitudinally, while most baseline coping scores were associated with psychological distress and the severity of psychological symptoms, some coping strategies were related to the use of hallucinogens. These results show an adaptive pattern of coping strategies among hallucinogen users. Further research should take into account that coping strategies are only marginally associated with hallucinogenic drug use. Other underlying mechanisms explaining the better adjustment of users of hallucinogens to pandemics should be explored.
Parental Perceptions of the Efficacy of Methylphenidate on Health-Related Quality of Life in Survivors of Paediatric Brain Tumour
Authors: Smith Lauren , Verity Sarah J.
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Survivors of pediatric brain tumor experience substantial post-treatment challenges, facing greater cognitive impairment and lower Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) compared to survivors of other childhood cancers. Early studies report methylphenidate to benefit cognition and HRQoL in paediatric survivors of cancer via improved processing speed and attention. Parental opinion is an important element of treatment decision making, however parents’ views on methylphenidate treatment have not been reported. This study explored parental perceptions of their child’s treatment with methylphenidate. Materials and methods: An evaluation of 10 parents of children with previous brain tumour receiving methylphenidate was performed. Data were gathered by qualitative parental-report HRQoL questionnaire (PedsQL parent form) and by a questionnaire developed for use in this population. Results: Preliminary data suggest that parents are positive about the use of methylphenidate as an interventional measure, and believed this to have a beneficial impact on their child’s HRQoL. Conclusion: Early data from a small sample of parents suggest that methylphenidate may be effective in supporting HRQoL within this population. Parental information supports an increasing evidence base for the benefits of methylphenidate as an intervention for the management of long-term difficulties associated with paediatric cancer.
An Overview of Basis Set Effects for Diatomic Boron Nitride Compounds (B2N(∓,0)): A Quantum Symmetry Breaking
Authors: Monajjemi Majid , Mollaamin Fatemeh , Samiei Soofi Neda
Published: September 2022

The symmetry breaking (SB) of B2 not only exhibits an energy barrier for ionic or neutral forms dependent on various basis sets but it also exhibits a few SBs due to the asymmetry stretching and bending mode interactions. SB obeys the mechanical quantum theorem among discrete symmetries and their connection to the spin statistics in physical sciences. In this investigation, the unusual amount of energy barrier of SBs appeared upon the orbit–orbit coupling of BNB (both radical and ions) between transition states and the ground state. Our goal in this study is to understand the difference among the electromagnetic structures of the (B2N(∓,0)) variants due to effects of various basis sets and methods and also the quantum symmetry breaking phenomenon. In the D∞h point group of (B2N(∓,0)) variants, the unpaired electron is delocalized, while in the asymmetric C∞v point group, it is localized on either one of the B atoms. Structures with broken symmetry, C∞v, can be stable by interacting with the D∞h point group. In viewpoints of quantum chemistry, the second-order Jahn–Teller effect permits the unpaired electron to localize on boron atom, rather than being delocalized. In this study, we observed that the energy barrier of SB for BNB increases by post HF methods.
Immunopathology of Behcet’s Disease: An Overview of the Metagenomic Approaches
Authors: Shimizu Jun , Murayama Masanori A. , Miyabe Yoshishige , Suzuki Noboru
Published: September 2022

The impact of the microbiota residing in the body on local and systemic immune responses has been increasingly recognized. The major gut microbe metabolites’ short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are suggested to regulate the balance between regulatory (Treg) cells and helper T 17 (Th17) cells in physiological and pathological conditions by enhancing regulatory T (Treg) cell function through epigenetic modifications. Patients with Behcet’s disease (BD) exhibited enhanced Th17 cell-mediated immune responses and decreased intestinal relative abundances of SCFA-producing bacteria. Causal correlations between aberrant immune responses and gut microbial composition in patients with BD have been reported in Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, China, and Japan. We reported that the gut and oral microbiota profiles of patients with BD shared some common features. Immune responses against both commensal and pathogenic microbes may play a crucial role in BD development. This review summarizes the current literature, which was retrieved from public databases, such as PubMed and MEDLINE using search terms, including Behcet’s disease, helper T cells, and microbiota, during 1970–2022, on the potential functional correlation between immune cells and microbiota in patients with BD.
Dim and Small Target Detection Based on Improved Hessian Matrix and F-Norm Collaborative Filtering
Authors: Fan Xiangsuo , Li Juliu , Chen Huajin , Min Lei , Li Feng
Published: September 2022

In order to effectively improve the dim and small target detection ability of photoelectric detection system to solve the high false rate issue under complex clouds scene in background modeling, a novelty Hessian matrix and F-norm collaborative filtering is proposed in this paper. Considering the influence of edge noise, we propose an improved Hessian matrix background modeling (IHMM) algorithm, where a local saliency function for adaptive representation of the local gradient difference between the target and background region is constructed to suppress the background and preserve the target. Because the target energy is still weak after the background modeling, a new local multi-scale gradient maximum (LMGM) energy-enhancement model is constructed to enhance the target signal, and with the help of LMGM, the target’s energy significant growth and the target’s recognition are clearer. Thus, based on the above preprocessing, using the motion correlation of the target between frames, this paper proposes an innovative collaborative filtering model combining F-norm and Pasteur coefficient (FNPC) to obtain the real target in sequence images. In this paper, we selected six scenes of the target size of 2 × 2 to 3 × 3 and with complex clouds and ground edge contour to finish experimental verification. By comparing with 10 algorithms, the background modeling indicators SSIM, SNR, and IC of the IHMM model are greater than 0.9999, 47.4750 dB, and 12.1008 dB, respectively. In addition, the target energy-enhancement effect of LMGM model reaches 17.9850 dB in six scenes, and when the false alarm rate is 0.01%, the detection rate of the FNPC model reaches 100% in all scenes. It shows that the algorithm proposed in this paper has excellent performance in dim and small target detection.
Monitoring Long-Term Spatiotemporal Changes in Iran Surface Waters Using Landsat Imagery
Authors: Taheri Dehkordi Alireza , Valadan Zoej Mohammad Javad , Ghasemi Hani , Jafari Mohsen , Mehran Ali
Published: September 2022

Within water resources management, surface water area (SWA) variation plays a vital role in hydrological processes as well as in agriculture, environmental ecosystems, and ecological processes. The monitoring of long-term spatiotemporal SWA changes is even more critical within highly populated regions that have an arid or semi-arid climate, such as Iran. This paper examined variations in SWA in Iran from 1990 to 2021 using about 18,000 Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite images through the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud processing platform. To this end, the performance of twelve water mapping rules (WMRs) within remotely-sensed imagery was also evaluated. Our findings revealed that (1) methods which provide a higher separation (derived from transformed divergence (TD) and Jefferies–Matusita (JM) distances) between the two target classes (water and non-water) result in higher classification accuracy (overall accuracy (OA) and user accuracy (UA) of each class). (2) Near-infrared (NIR)-based WMRs are more accurate than short-wave infrared (SWIR)-based methods for arid regions. (3) The SWA in Iran has an overall downward trend (observed by linear regression (LR) and sequential Mann–Kendall (SQMK) tests). (4) Of the five major water basins, only the Persian Gulf Basin had an upward trend. (5) While temperature has trended upward, the precipitation and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a measure of the country’s greenness, have experienced a downward trend. (6) Precipitation showed the highest correlation with changes in SWA (r = 0.69). (7) Long-term changes in SWA were highly correlated (r = 0.98) with variations in the JRC world water map.
Mitigating Effect of Urban Green Spaces on Surface Urban Heat Island during Summer Period on an Example of a Medium Size Town of Zvolen, Slovakia
Authors: Murtinová Veronika , Gallay Igor , Olah Branislav
Published: September 2022

Climate change affects the urban population’s health and quality of life. Urban green spaces (UGS) underpin several essential ecosystem services, amongst them climate regulation. Urban vegetation mitigates high temperatures and, thus, reduces the heat stress for urban residents. The study aimed to verify whether the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) effect manifests itself even in a medium size town (Zvolen, Slovakia) surrounded by agricultural and forested landscape and to quantify the temperature mitigating effect of urban green spaces. Land surface temperature (LST) and SUHI distribution were derived from the Landsat data during the summer months of 2010–2021. To statistically prove the cooling effect of the urban vegetation, we tested (by one-way ANOVA) LST within three urban zones of the Zvolen municipality defined by the Copernicus imperviousness density data: (a) dense urban area (31–100% impervious surfaces), (b) discontinuous urban area (1–30% impervious surfaces), (c) urban green spaces (0% impervious surfaces), and the open land surrounding the town (0% impervious surfaces). The results showed a statistical difference in temperatures between all urban areas (all zones) and the open land. Moreover, the UGS temperature was statistically different compared to the other urban zones. The mean temperature difference through the years 2010–2021 between urban green spaces and the dense urban area was 3.5 °C, with a maximum of 4.9 °C and a minimum 1.7 °C in favor of the urban spaces. Moreover, the temperature of urban green spaces and open land varied during the studied summer period. The warmer the weather, the higher the difference, while at the end of August, on a notably colder day, there was no significant difference between them. The results confirmed that UGS are significantly cooler during hot days, and they can mitigate the local climate.