bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bloody interaction: plasma proteomics reveals gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) impairment caused by Sparicotyle chrysophrii
Authors: Riera-Ferrer Enrique , Piazzon M. Carla , Del Pozo Raquel , Palenzuela Oswaldo , Estensoro Itziar , Sitjà-Bobadilla Ariadna
Published: September 2022

Background

Sparicotylosis is an enzootic parasitic disease that is well established across the Mediterranean Sea. It is caused by the polyopisthocotylean monogenean Sparicotyle chrysophrii and affects the gills of gilthead sea bream (GSB; Sparus aurata). Current disease management, mitigation and treatment strategies are limited against sparicotylosis. To successfully develop more efficient therapeutic strategies against this disease, understanding which molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways are altered in the host is critical. This study aims to elucidate how S. chrysophrii infection modulates the plasma proteome of GSB and to identify the main altered biological processes involved.

Methods

Experimental infections were conducted in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) in which naïve recipient GSB ([R]; 70 g; n = 50) were exposed to effluent water from S. chrysophrii-infected GSB (98 g; n = 50). An additional tank containing unexposed naïve fish (control [C]; 70 g; n = 50) was maintained in parallel, but with the open water flow disconnected from the RAS. Haematological and infection parameters from sampled C and R fish were recorded for 10 weeks. Plasma samples from R fish were categorised into three different groups according to their infection intensity, which was based on the number of worms fish−1: low (L: 1–50), medium (51–100) and high (H: > 100). Five plasma samples from each category and five C samples were selected and subjected to a SWATH-MS proteome analysis. Additional assays on haemoglobin, cholesterol and the lytic activity of the alternative complement pathway were performed to validate the proteome analysis findings.

Results

The discriminant analysis of plasma protein abundance revealed a clear separation into three groups (H, M/L and C). A pathway analysis was performed with the differentially quantified proteins, indicating that the parasitic infection mainly affected pathways related to haemostasis, the immune system and lipid metabolism and transport. Twenty-two proteins were significantly correlated with infection intensity, highlighting the importance of apolipoproteins, globins and complement component 3. Validation assays of blood and plasma (haemoglobin, cholesterol and lytic activity of alternative complement pathway) confirmed these correlations.

Conclusions

Sparicotylosis profoundly alters the haemostasis, the innate immune system and the lipid metabolism and transport in GSB. This study gives a crucial global overview of the pathogenesis of sparicotylosis and highlights new targets for further research.

Graphical Abstract
Synoviocytes and skin fibroblasts show opposite effects on IL-23 production and IL-23 receptor expression during cell interactions with immune cells
Authors: Noack Mélissa , Miossec Pierre
Published: September 2022

Background

The IL-23/IL-17 axis is involved in inflammatory diseases including arthritis and psoriasis. However, the response to IL-23 or IL-17 inhibitors is different depending on the disease. The aim was to compare the effects of interactions between immune and stromal cells on the IL-23 axis to understand these differences.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were co-cultured with RA synoviocytes or Pso skin fibroblasts, with or without phytohemagglutinin, IL-23, or anti-IL-23 antibody. Production of IL-6, IL-1β, IL-23, IL-17, IL-12, and IFNγ was measured by ELISA. IL-23 and cytokine receptor gene expression (IL-17RA, IL-17RC, IL-12Rβ1, IL-12Rβ2, and IL-23R) was analyzed by RT-qPCR. IL-12Rβ1 and IL-23R subunits were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

The production of IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-12, and IFNγ with synoviocytes or skin fibroblasts was rather similar, and cell interactions with immune cells increased their production, specifically that of IL-17. A major difference was observed for IL-23. Interactions with synoviocytes but not with skin fibroblasts decreased IL-23 secretion while mRNA level was increased, mainly with synoviocytes, reflecting a major consumption difference. IL-23 addition had only one effect, the increase of IL-17 secretion. Cell activation induced similar effects on cytokine receptor gene expression in co-cultures with synoviocytes or skin fibroblasts. The key difference was the cell interaction effects depending on the stromal cell origin. Interactions with synoviocytes increased the expression of both IL-23 receptor subunits at mRNA levels and IL-23R at the surface expression level while interactions with skin fibroblasts decreased their expression at the mRNA level and had no effect at the surface expression level.

Conclusion

Interactions between immune and stromal cells are crucial in cytokine production and their receptor expression. The origin of stromal cells had a major influence on the production of IL-23 and its receptor expression. Such differences may explain part of the heterogeneity in treatment response.
Bacterial and archaeal communities within the alkaline soda Langaco Lake in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wang Mingxiang , Zhang Xin , Shu Zhiwan , Wang Zhibo , Tao Yujie , Lv Chuanbo , Zhu Derui , Shen Guoping
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Langaco Lake (LGL) is a soda lake located at an altitude of 4548 m in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. LGL exhibits unique hydrochemical characteristics among soda lakes, but little is known about the microbial diversity of LGL and the microbial interactions with environmental factors.

Methods

The water samples were filtered using chemical-grade cellulose acetate membrane (pore size of 0.45 μm), and the hydrochemical characteristics were analyzed. Community DNA was extracted, and then high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was conducted to evaluate the composition of the microbial community.

Results

The high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed that the bacterial diversity in LGL consisted of 327 genera in 24 phyla (4871 operational taxonomic units (OTUs); Shannon index values of 5.20–6.07), with a significantly higher diversity than that of the Archaea (eight phyla and 29 genera comprising 1008 OTUs; Shannon index values of 2.98–3.30). The bacterial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria (relative abundances of 42.79–53.70%), followed by Bacteroidetes (11.13–15.18%), Planctomycetes (4.20–12.82%), Acidobacteria (5.91–9.50%), Actinobacteria (2.60–5.80%), and Verrucomicrobia (2.11–4.08%). Furthermore, the archaeal communities were dominated by Crenarchaeota (35.97–58.29%), Euryarchaeota (33.02–39.89%), and Woesearchaeota (6.50–21.57%). The dominant bacterial genus was Thiobacillus (8.92–16.78%), and its abundances were most strongly correlated with the total phosphorus (TP) content, pH value, CO32− concentration, and temperature. The most abundant archaeal genus was Methanoregula (21.40–28.29%), and its abundances were the most highly correlated with the total organic carbon (TOC) content, total salinity (TS), and K+ and Na+ concentrations.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide valuable insights for developing a more comprehensive understanding of microbial diversity in these unique carbonate alkaline environments, as well as a better understanding of the microbial resources on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Delineating transcriptional crosstalk between Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and human THP-1 cells at the early stage of infection via dual RNA-seq analysis
Authors: Park Hong-Tae , Lee Sang-Mok , Ko Seyoung , Kim Suji , Park Hyun-Eui , Shin Min-Kyoung , Kim Donghyuk , Yoo Han Sang
Published: September 2022

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of Johne’s disease, a chronic debilitating disease in ruminants. To control this disease, it is crucial to understand immune evasion and the mechanism of persistence by analyzing the early phase interplays of the intracellular pathogens and their hosts. In the present study, host–pathogen interactions at the transcriptomic level were investigated in an in vitro macrophage infection model. When differentiated human THP-1 cells were infected with MAP, the expression of various genes associated with stress responses and metabolism was altered in both host and MAP at 3 h post-infection. MAP upregulates stress-responsive global gene regulators, such as two-component systems and sigma factors, in response to oxidative and cell wall stress. Downstream genes involved in type VII secretion systems, cell wall synthesis (polyketide biosynthesis proteins), and iron uptake were changed in response to the intracellular environment of macrophages. On the host side, upregulation of inflammatory cytokine genes was observed along with pattern recognition receptor genes. Notably, alterations in gene sets involved in arginine metabolism were observed in both the host and MAP, along with significant downregulation of NOS2 expression. These observations suggest that the utilization of metabolites such as arginine by intracellular MAP might affect host NO production. Our dual RNA-seq data can provide novel insights by capturing the global transcriptome with higher resolution, especially in MAP, thus enabling a more systematic understanding of host–pathogen interactions.
QKI degradation in macrophage by RNF6 protects mice from MRSA infection via enhancing PI3K p110β dependent autophagy
Authors: Zhai Dongsheng , Wang Wenwen , Ye Zichen , Xue Ke , Chen Guo , Hu Sijun , Yan Zhao , Guo Yanhai , Wang Fang , Li Xubo , Xiang An , Li Xia , Lu Zifan , Wang Li
Published: September 2022

Background

Sepsis is a fatal condition commonly caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with a high death rate. Macrophages can protect the host from various microbial pathogens by recognizing and eliminating them. Earlier we found that Quaking (QKI), an RNA binding protein (RBP), was involved in differentiation and polarization of macrophages. However, the role of QKI in sepsis caused by pathogenic microbes, specifically MRSA, is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of QKI in regulation of host–pathogen interaction in MRSA-induced sepsis and explored the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Transmission electron microscope and immunofluorescence were used to observe the autophagy level in macrophages. Real-time PCR and western blot were used to analyzed the expression of mRNA and protein respectively. The potential protein interaction was analyzed by iTRAQ mass spectrometry and Immunoprecipitation. RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to explore the mechanism of QKI regulating mRNA of PI3K-p110β.

Results

The mRNA level of QKI was aberrantly decreased in monocytes and PBMCs of septic patients with the increasing level of plasma procalcitonin (PCT). Then the mice with myeloid specific knockout of QKI was challenged with MRSA or Cecal Ligation and Puncture (CLP). Mice in these two models displayed higher survival rates and lower bacterial loads. Mechanistically, QKI deletion promoted phagocytosis and autophagic degradation of MRSA via activating p110β (a member of Class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinases) mediated autophagic response. QKI expression in macrophages led to the sequestration of p110β in mRNA processing (P) bodies and translational repression. Upon infection, the direct interaction of RNF6, a RING-type E3 ligase, mediated QKI ubiquitination degradation and facilitated PI3K-p110β related autophagic removal of pathogen. The administration of nanoparticles with QKI specific siRNA significantly protected mice from MRSA infection.

Conclusions

This study disclosed the novel function of QKI in the P body mRNA regulation during infection. QKI degradation in macrophage by RNF6 protects mice from MRSA infection via enhancing PI3K-p110β dependent autophagy. It suggested that QKI may serve as a potential theranostic marker in MRSA-induced sepsis.

Graphical Abstract
Identification of a novel de novo pathogenic variant in GFAP in an Iranian family with Alexander disease by whole-exome sequencing
Authors: Heshmatzad Katayoun , Naderi Niloofar , Masoumi Tannaz , Pouraliakbar Hamidreza , Kalayinia Samira
Published: September 2022

Background

Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare leukodystrophy with an autosomal dominant inheritance mode. Variants in GFAP lead to this disorder and it is classified into three distinguishable subgroups: infantile, juvenile, and adult-onset types.

Objective

The aim of this study is to report a novel variant causing AxD and collect all the associated variants with juvenile and adult-onset as well.

Methods

We report a 2-year-old female with infantile AxD. All relevant clinical and genetic data were evaluated. Search strategy for all AxD types was performed on PubMed. The extracted data include total recruited patients, number of patients carrying a GFAP variant, nucleotide and protein change, zygosity and all the clinical symptoms.

Results

A novel de novo variant c.217A > G: p. Met73Val was found in our case by whole-exome sequencing. In silico analysis categorized this variant as pathogenic. Totally 377 patients clinically diagnosed with juvenile or adult-onset forms were recruited in these articles, among them 212 patients were affected with juvenile or adult-onset form carrier of an alteration in GFAP. A total of 98 variants were collected. Among these variants c.262C > T 11/212 (5.18%), c.1246C > T 9/212 (4.24%), c.827G > T 8/212 (3.77%), c.232G > A 6/212 (2.83%) account for the majority of reported variants.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the role of genetic in AxD diagnosing. It also helps to provide more information in order to expand the genetic spectrum of Iranian patients with AxD. Our literature review is beneficial in defining a better genotype–phenotype correlation of AxD disorder.
Impacts of a home garden intervention in Bangladesh after one, three and six years
Authors: Baliki Ghassan , Schreinemachers Pepijn , Brück Tilman , Uddin Nasir Md.
Published: September 2022

Background

Training women in home gardening and nutrition has been shown to increase household production and consumption of nutritious food and contribute to women’s empowerment, but evidence is limited to short-term effects. Here, we investigate whether home garden support leads to long-term improvements in household nutrition and women’s empowerment. To do this we use four waves of household-level survey data collected over a 7-year period (2013–2019) from an intervention (n = 395) and a control (n = 224) group in four rural districts of Bangladesh. We estimate the intent-to-treat effect using a difference-in-difference estimator.

Results

We find an immediate increase in the quantity of vegetables harvested from home gardens (+ 29.6 kg/year; p = 0.01) and this effect is sustained in years three (+ 42.3 kg; p < 0.01) and six (+ 37.0 kg; p < 0.01). The nutrient yield from the gardens also remained positive and significant, but the effect declined due to changes in the composition of vegetables. The effect on per capita vegetable intake, significant in years one and three, turned not significant in year six. Effects on nutrition knowledge, food preparation practices, and women’s empowerment all remained significant in year six.

Conclusions

Home garden interventions in Bangladesh create sustained impact on a range of social, economic and nutritional outcomes. Refresher training after 5 or 6 years may help to maintain the full range of impacts observed.
Development and validation of Foreign Language Teacher Support Scale (FLTSS)
Authors: Sadoughi Majid , Hejazi S. Yahya
Published: September 2022

Teacher support, as an essential type of social support and an important antecedent of many key outcomes in L2 learning, can significantly contribute to foreign language achievement. Although teacher support has received considerable attention in education and educational psychology, it has drawn scanty attention in foreign language and applied linguistics research. Therefore, the present study aimed to fill in this research gap by developing and validating a domain-specific scale to measure the types of teacher support perceived by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. An initial item pool was constructed based on some generic measures of teacher support and semi-structured interviews with EFL learners. Then, the items were submitted to a panel of experts and their content validity was checked using the content validity index. After a series of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the final version of the Foreign Language Teacher Support Scale (FLTSS) measuring four types of perceived teacher support, namely, emotional, instrumental, appraisal, and informational, was prepared. The results of examining different types of validity and reliability indicated that the scale is suitable for measuring different types of perceived teacher support. Some suggestions for further research are presented.
Formative vs. summative assessment: impacts on academic motivation, attitude toward learning, test anxiety, and self-regulation skill
Authors: Ismail Seyed M. , Rahul D. R. , Patra Indrajit , Rezvani Ehsan
Published: September 2022

As assessment plays an important role in the process of teaching and learning, this research explored the impacts of formative and summative assessments on academic motivation, attitude toward learning, test anxiety, and self-regulation skill of EFL students in Iran. To fulfill the objectives of this research, 72 Iranian EFL learners were chosen based on the convenience sampling method assigned to two experimental groups (summative group and formative group) and a control group. Then, the groups took the pre-tests of test anxiety, motivation, and self-regulation skill. Then, one experimental group was trained by following the rules of the formative assessment and the other experimental group was taught according to the summative assessment. The control group was instructed without using any preplanned assessment. After a 15-session treatment, the post-tests of the test anxiety, motivation, and self-regulation skill were administered to all groups to assess the impacts of the instruction on their language achievement. Lastly, a questionnaire of attitude was administered to both experimental groups to examine their attitudes towards the impacts of formative and summative assessment on their English learning improvement. The outcomes of one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests revealed that both summative and formative assessments were effective but the formative one was more effective on academic motivation, test anxiety, and self-regulation skill. The findings of one sample t-test indicated that the participants had positive attitudes towards summative and formative assessments. Based on the results, it can be concluded that formative assessment is an essential part of teaching that should be used in EFL instructional contexts. The implications of this study can help students to detect their own weaknesses and target areas that need more effort and work.
Assessing the evidence for the comparability of socioeconomic status between students with and without immigrant background in Norway and Sweden
Authors: Mittal Oleksandra , Scherer Ronny , Nilsen Trude
Published: September 2022

The prerequisite for meaningful comparisons of educational inequality indicators across immigration status is the comparability of socioeconomic status (SES) measures. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) uses its index of economic, social, and cultural status (ESCS) to provide insights into the problems of inequality across students’ socioeconomic and immigration statuses. However, missing evidence regarding the comparability of the ESCS index or its components across students with and without immigrant background challenges the accuracy of empirical inferences. Our study sheds light on the comparability of the index of household possessions (HOMEPOS) across immigration status in Norway and Sweden—two countries that continue to be two largest recipients of immigration flows among their Nordic neighbours. We tested the PISA 2018 HOMEPOS scale for the overall measurement invariance and possible differential item functioning (DIF) across three student groups with first-generation, second-generation, or no immigrant background. Several HOMEPOS items exhibited DIF within these countries. Moreover, we examined how four strategies to deal with DIF items may affect the inferences regarding educational inequalities across immigration status. The strength of the HOMEPOS–achievement association was sensitive to the choice of approach for 15-year-old immigrant students, while it remained stable and moderate for native students. Our findings encourage researchers using the HOMEPOS scale to consider the invariance testing to avoid measurement bias and provide robust evidence characterizing immigrant achievement gaps.
Michigan Model for HealthTM Learning to Enhance and Adapt for Prevention (Mi-LEAP): protocol of a pilot randomized trial comparing Enhanced Replicating Effective Programs versus standard implementation to deliver an evidence-based drug use prevention curriculum
Authors: Eisman Andria B. , Palinkas Lawrence A. , Koffkey Christine , Herrenkohl Todd I. , Abbasi Umaima , Fridline Judy , Lundahl Leslie , Kilbourne Amy M.
Published: September 2022

Background

School-based drug use prevention programs have demonstrated notable potential to reduce the onset and escalation of drug use, including among youth at risk of poor outcomes such as those exposed to trauma. Researchers have found a robust relationship between intervention fidelity and participant (i.e., student) outcomes. Effective implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as the Michigan Model for HealthTM (MMH), is critical to achieving desired public health objectives. Yet, a persistent gap remains in what we know works and how to effectively translate these findings into routine practice. The objective of this study is to design and test a multi-component implementation strategy to tailor MMH to meet population needs (i.e., students exposed to trauma), and improve the population-context fit to enhance fidelity and effectiveness.

Methods

Using a 2-group, mixed-method randomized controlled trial design, this study will compare standard implementation versus Enhanced Replicating Effective Programs (REP) to deliver MMH. REP is a theoretically based implementation strategy that promotes evidence-based intervention (EBI) fidelity through a combination of EBI curriculum packaging, training, and as-needed technical assistance and is consistent with standard MMH implementation. Enhanced REP will tailor the intervention and training to integrate trauma-informed approaches and deploy customized implementation support (i.e., facilitation). The research will address the following specific aims: (1) design and test an implementation strategy (Enhanced REP) to deliver the MMH versus standard implementation and evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness using mixed methods, (2) estimate the costs and cost-effectiveness of Enhanced REP to deliver MMH versus standard implementation.

Discussion

This research will design and test a multi-component implementation strategy focused on enhancing the fit between the intervention and population needs while maintaining fidelity to MMH core functions. We focus on the feasibility of deploying the implementation strategy bundle and costing methods and preliminary information on cost input distributions. The substantive focus on youth at heightened risk of drug use and its consequences due to trauma exposure is significant because of the public health impact of prevention. Pilot studies of implementation strategies are underutilized and can provide vital information on designing and testing effective strategies by addressing potential design and methods uncertainties and the effects of the implementation strategy on implementation and student outcomes.

Trial registration

NCT04752189—registered on 8 February 2021 on ClinicalTrials.gov PRS
Malnutrition and inflammatory parameters in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3–5 from northern India
Authors: Sheikh Rayees Yousuf , Samoon Hamad Jeelani , Bhat Nucksheeba Aziz , Wani Imtiyaz
Published: September 2022

Background

Malnutrition is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study is conducted to find out the prevalence of malnutrition and its association with inflammation in patients with CKD stages 3–5.

Method

This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted at the Sri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Science, Uttar Pradesh, India. CKD stages 3–5 patients were included. The nutritional status was assessed by subjective global assessment (SGA). Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were also checked at the time of enrollment.

Results

A total of 213/354 (60.2%) of patients were malnourished. The triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT) was 8.2 ± 1.2 mm and 10.9 ± 1.2 mm in the malnourished and well-nourished groups, respectively; p < 0.001. TSFT was ≤ 10 mm in 91.1% of patients with malnutrition. Mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) was 21.3 ± 2.2 cm and 24 ± 2.9 cm, and the body mass index (BMI) was 19.8 ± 1.5 and 22.5 ± 1.4 kg/m2 in the malnourished and well-nourished group, respectively; p < 0.001. A significant direct correlation between BMI, TSFT, MAMC, and eGFR was noted. Median eGFR was 11.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 in the malnourished compared to 24.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 in the well-nourished group; p < 0.001. Serum ferritin level was 246.77 ± 18.24 mg/L in the malnourished group, higher than the well-nourished group at 237.23 ± 16.13 mg/L; p < 0.001. CRP was elevated (> 0.6 mg/dl) in 53.5% patients with malnutrition; p 0.003.

Conclusions

Malnutrition is highly prevalent in the CKD population. The incidence increases as the eGFR decrease. TSFT ≤ 10 mm compares favorably with SGA in detecting malnutrition (sensitivity > 90%), and BMI > 20 kg/m2 compares favorably with SGA in ruling out malnutrition (specificity 97%). Malnutrition and inflammation often coexist. Early detection and appropriate management are crucial.
Egyptian evidence-based consensus on clinical practice recommendations for the management of lupus nephritis
Authors: El Miedany Yasser , Kamel Nadia Salah , Abu-Zaid Mohammed Hassan , El Hadidi Khaled , Mahmoud Geilan Abdelmoneim , Sarhan Eman , El Gaafary Maha , Abdel-Nasser Ahmed , Abualfadl Esam M. , Azim Atef Abdel , Fathi Nihal Ahmed , Mokbel Abir , Hassan Waleed , Tabra Samar Abd Alhamed , Eissa Mervat , Mortada Mohamed , Fouad Nermeen Ahmed , Elnemr Rehab , Mansour Ahmed Ezzat , Elaraby Ismail , Medhat Basma M. , Mohamed Sally S. , Abdelradi Eman Ragab , Ibrahim Rehab Ali , Saber Sally
Published: September 2022

Background

Lupus nephritis (LN) affects a substantial number of the patients living with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), representing a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Patients with lupus nephritis should be referred to a lupus nephritis expert who can confirm the diagnosis, assess the level of disease activity, and offer guidance on treatment and monitoring of the disease, as well as its consequences and side effects. The aim of this guideline was to develop recommendations for the management of adult lupus patients, including lupus nephritis diagnosis, assessment, and monitoring.

Nineteen key clinical questions were identified by scientific committee according to the Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes and Timing (PICOT) approach. Literature review team performed a systematic review to summarize evidence advocating the benefits and harms of available pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies for LN. Subsequently, recommendations were formulated. The level of evidence was determined for each section using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine (CEBM) system. A 2-round Delphi process was conducted with 24 experts. All rounds were conducted online. A consensus was achieved on the direction and the strength of the recommendations.

Results

An online questionnaire was sent to an expert panel who participated in the two rounds (response rate 100%). At the end of round 2, a total of 19 recommendation items, categorized into 11 sections to address the main LN categories, were obtained. The percentage of those who agreed with the recommendations (ranks 7–9) ranged from 90.5 to 100%. The phrasing of all 19 clinical standards identified by the scientific committee was agreed upon (i.e., 75% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed).

Conclusion

These recommendations provide an updated consensus on the pharmacological treatment of lupus nephritis and strategies to reach optimal treat to target outcomes in common clinical scenarios, based on a combination of evidence and expert opinion. Best treatment decisions should be tailored to each individual patient situation.
Necroptosis at a glance
Authors: Kang Kidong , Park Christa , Chan Francis Ka-Ming
Published: September 2022

Necroptosis, or programmed necrosis, is an inflammatory form of cell death with important functions in host defense against pathogens and tissue homeostasis. The four cytosolic receptor-interacting protein kinase homotypic interaction motif (RHIM)-containing adaptor proteins RIPK1, RIPK3, TRIF (also known as TICAM1) and ZBP1 mediate necroptosis induction in response to infection and cytokine or innate immune receptor activation. Activation of the RHIM adaptors leads to phosphorylation, oligomerization and membrane targeting of the necroptosis effector protein mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). Active MLKL induces lesions on the plasma membrane, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Thus, activities of the RHIM adaptors and MLKL are tightly regulated by posttranslational modifications to prevent inadvertent release of immunogenic contents. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we provide an overview of the regulatory mechanisms of necroptosis and its biological functions in tissue homeostasis, pathogen infection and other inflammatory diseases.
Effectiveness of stretching exercises in conservative therapy of plantar fasciitis (PF)
Authors: Kowal Alicja , Spozowski Karol
Published: September 2022

Introduction and objective: Plantar fasciitis affects both young active patients and older people leading a sedentary lifestyle. It is result from chronic overload of the plantar fascia. About 80% of patients with plantar fasciitis improve within 12 months with non-surgical treatment. Nonsurgical management includes e.g. activity modification, cooling, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, stretching and strengthening exercises and manual therapy.
 
Materials and methods: PubMed database was searched. The criteria for qualifying the articles for the review were the following keywords: plantar fasciitis, muscle stretching, exercise, manual therapy, heel spur. 11 articles from 2017 to 2022 were analyzed.
 
Description of the state of knowledge: Calf stretching is one of the treatments for plantar fasciitis with the best results in the long run. In turn, strengthening exercises turn out to be more effective in a short time. One should also not forget about influence other methods of conservative treatment, such as cooling, orthoses or physical therapy, that support and accelerate the treatment process.
 
Summary: Strengthening exercises of the plantar fascia are more effective than stretching in terms of reducing pain and improving function in the short term, while stretching exercises show better results in the long term. The best results are obtained by combining stretching of the triceps calf muscle with other methods of conservative treatment. There are no studies supporting the hypothesis that stretching alone is more effective in the treatment process than other methods and placebo.
Von Meyenburg complexes in a patient with chronic gastritis - a case report
Authors: Brodowski Wojciech , Pawłowski Piotr , Borowik Joanna , Basta-Arciszewska Katarzyna , Swora Aleksandra , Bróż Sebastian , Żelazny Przemysław , Sygacz Oliwer , Dankiewicz Sara , Filipczak Joanna
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Bile ducts hamartoma (von Meyenburg complexes) is a common but unknown pathology of the liver. It can lead to the widening of the bile ducts. It is usually detected incidentally in asymptomatic patients. There are indications of transformation into bile duct cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma.Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to draw attention to a little known, but common pathology - von Meyenburg complexes and to sensitize medical professionals to the implications it may cause during the diagnostic process.Material and methods: We conducted a case study. The research material was the patient's medical history.Case report: A 60-year-old man came to the Gastrology Clinic due to chronic epigastric pain and tenderness in the navel area. Colonoscopy ruled out pathology in the large intestine. After six months, the pain worsened. The result of the gastroscopy allowed the diagnosis of chronic gastritis, which was probably the cause of the problem. The abdominal ultrasound showed a suspicion of renal cell carcinoma of the right kidney, but the neoplastic process was excluded on the basis of the abdominal computed tomography. In the same study, for the first time, numerous minor hypodense lesions in the liver were detected. The final diagnosis was made on the basis of magnetic resonance cholangiography, where the disseminated, T2 hyperintense cystic areas were described. This suggested a biliary scythe.Conclusions: Despite the asymptomatic occurrence of biliary hamartoma, it is important to remember about the possible transformation into a malignant neoplasm. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of disseminated liver lesions. Patients should be treated symptomatically.
The use of the KTP 532 nm vascular laser in the treatment of erythema and telangiectasia caused by low temperature exposure - case report
Authors: Kozińska Urszula , Gras-Ozimek Jordi , Gras-Ozimek Aleksander , Skwira Sylwia , Oleszczuk Rafał
Published: September 2022

The use of the KTP 532 nm vascular laser in the treatment of erythema and telangiectasia caused by low temperature exposure - case report.
A case report. The paper presents a case of effective treatment of frostbite vascular lesions in the face with the use of a 532nm KTP laser in a 55-year-old man with a long history of skin exposure to low temperatures.
Aim. The aim of this study is to draw attention to the possibility of using laser therapy in the treatment of skin disorders that are a complication of exposure to low temperatures. In the article below, we present the reduction of vascular lesions of the facial skin during a series of laser treatments with the use of the 532nm laser, meeting the growing interest of patients and doctors in the use of laser therapy in the treatment of skin vascular lesions.
Conclusions. The use of laser therapy with the KTP 532nm laser can be an important and effective element in the treatment of skin vascular lesions.
Fear of COVID-19 among employees of large companies and vaccination against COVID-19 - a cross-sectional study (Silesia, Poland)
Authors: Grajek Mateusz , Krupa-Kotara Karolina , Sobczyk Karolina
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Objective. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the functioning of the entire globe. By the end of December 2020, the disease had been diagnosed in more than 82 million people worldwide, and nearly 2 million people had died. The main preventive measure was to develop an effective vaccine as soon as possible, which Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Gamaleya Center managed to do in late 2020. The first vaccines arrived in Poland after the end of December 2020, but their appearance was not without controversy. The aim of this study was to compare respondents' opinions on COVID-19 vaccination with the results of the assessment of fear of infection. Material and methods. The opinions of 300 employees of large companies on COVID-19 vaccination and fear of SARS-CoV-2 (FCV-19S) infection according to Ahorsu were checked. Results. It was shown that 54% of the respondents express a willingness to vaccinate whenever possible, while 42% are not interested in vaccinating. In favor of the willingness to vaccinate is the option to return to the standard of living before the COVID-19 pandemic - 72%, and the desire to protect those around them from possible infection - 46%. Among opponents of vaccination, the predominant opinion is that the vaccine has not undergone enough testing and is not safe for health - 68%. Discussion. COVID-19 vaccination is one of the major medical successes of recent years and a safe way to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is worrying that those who opt out of vaccination indicate that they do not have enough information about vaccination (44%), and this is an issue that needs to be changed quickly. Conclusions. Those who express a willingness to vaccinate are more likely to have a higher level of fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection than those who have not expressed a willingness to vaccinate. Nearly half of non-vaccinators indicate that there is too little information about vaccination.
Falls 2: how age-related changes increase the risk of falls
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: September 2022

In adults, falls become more common as age increases ( Blain et al, 2016 ). Falls and fear of falling can affect the older person's quality of life. If we are to reduce the risk of falls and improve quality of life, we need to understand why falls occur and what can be done to reduce the risk of falls and improve quality of life. Falls occur because of interactions between the person, the environment and the quality of care the person receives. This article, the second in a series, examines the risk factors relating to the ageing process and how to reduce the impact of these changes.
Strong cospectrality and twin vertices in weighted graphs
Authors: Monterde Hermie
Published: September 2022

We explore algebraic and spectral properties of weighted graphs containing twin vertices that are useful in quantum state transfer. We extend the notion of adjacency strong cospectrality to Hermitian matrices, with focus on the generalized adjacency matrix and the generalized normalized adjacency matrix. We then determine necessary and sufficient conditions such that a pair of twin vertices in a weighted graph exhibits strong cospectrality with respect to the above-mentioned matrices. We also determine when strong cospectrality is preserved under Cartesian and direct products of graphs. Moreover, we generalize known results about equitable and almost equitable partitions and use these to determine which joins of the form $X\vee H$, where $X$ is either the complete or empty graph, exhibit strong cospectrality.
Community philanthropy in South Africa: a case study of grant distribution in the Western Cape
Authors: Meyer Seth J. , Pena Rebecca
Published: September 2022

How funding is distributed is an important question in philanthropy. But limited work has asked this question about philanthropy originating on the continent of Africa. This article explores the effective distribution of grants by a community-based South African non-profit organisation through the lens of transaction cost economics. Instead of needs-based indicators, this study finds that internet access is the main indicator of funding, with areas with lower internet access receiving fewer funds than those with higher internet access. This indicates that funding by community-based non-profits may not always be reaching the areas with the highest amount of need, but areas with lower search costs. Overall, community-based organisations may deal with issues similar to international organisations in reaching local non-profit organisations and disenfranchised communities. Targeted outreach, specifically to areas with lower access to the internet, can help to ameliorate these differences.
Characterization of Optical Aberrations with Scanning Pentaprism for Large Collimators
Authors: Mohammadi Kimia , Lee Youn Seok , Jennewein Thomas
Published: September 2022

We present a systematic study and practical implementation of characterizing optical aberrations of large collimators using scanning pentaprism technique and reconstructing the transmitted wavefront. Quantitative agreement between measurement results and theoretical predictions validates our methodology.
GaP-OI Resonator Design for Octave-spanning Kerr Soliton Frequency Comb Generation
Authors: Zhao Qiancheng , Geng Zhaoting , Ji Houling , Li Yi
Published: September 2022

We propose a thin SiO2-passivated GaP-OI resonator design for octave-spanning Kerr soliton frequency comb generation with a tooth spacing of 100 GHz and 24 mW threshold power. These results underpin the potentials of experimental soliton demonstration.
Third-order nonlinear optical manifestations in an intramolecular proton transfer fluorophore due to Tamm-plasmon based broadband optical absorbers
Authors: Kumari Anupa , Nayak Prakash , Patra Bikash , Venkatasubbaiah Krishnan , Das Ritwick
Published: September 2022

The imidazole ring has proven to be a very promising candidate for realizing molecular systems that facilitate efficient generation of broadband optical radiation using an excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) mechanism. To obtain a targeted RGB-color composition, the conventional route is to create optimum mixtures of dyads and triads of non-interacting ESIPT molecules that cover the entire visible spectral band as well as restrict any energy transfer between wide bandgap donors and narrow bandgap acceptors. However, there is a need for alternate routes that can facilitate dynamic control over color composition during operation. The nonlinear optical (NLO) response of ESIPT fluorophores and configurations derived out of them could be explored from this perspective. In the present work, we design a

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based distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) configuration with a terminating layer consisting of a film of an ESIPT fluorophore, namely, 2-(4,5-diphenyl-1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2yl)phenol (DTIP). In the presence of thin Ag-film, the DTIP-DBR multilayer geometry supports a Tamm-plasmon-polariton (TPP) mode within the photonic bandgap of DBR, which exhibits an unusual spectral bandwidth greater than 50 nm. The open-aperture and closed-aperture Z-scan measurements reveal the strong TPP based broadband absorption that leads to reversal of third-order NLO characteristics, i.e., the multilayer geometry exhibits saturation absorption behavior at wavelengths where the bare DTIP fluorophore (in solution and film) shows a two-photon absorption signature.
Optical modelling of an accommodative light field display system and prediction of human eye responses
Authors: Miyanishi Yuta , Sahin Erdem , Gotchev Atanas
Published: September 2022

The spatio-angular resolution of a light field (LF) display is a crucial factor for delivering adequate spatial image quality and eliciting an accommodation response. Previous studies have modelled retinal image formation with an LF display and evaluated whether accommodation would be evoked correctly. The models were mostly based on ray-tracing and a schematic eye model, which pose computational complexity and inaccurately represent the human eye population’s behaviour. We propose an efficient wave-optics-based framework to model the human eye and a general LF display. With the model, we simulated the retinal point spread function (PSF) of a point rendered by an LF display at various depths to characterise the retinal image quality. Additionally, accommodation responses to the rendered point were estimated by computing the visual Strehl ratio based on the optical transfer function (VSOTF) from the PSFs. We assumed an ideal LF display that had an infinite spatial resolution and was free from optical aberrations in the simulation. We tested points rendered at 0–4 dioptres of depths having angular resolutions of up to 4x4 viewpoints within a pupil. The simulation predicted small and constant accommodation errors, which contradict the findings of previous studies. An evaluation of the optical resolution on the retina suggested a trade-off between the maximum achievable resolution and the depth range of a rendered point where in-focus resolution is kept high. The proposed framework can be used to evaluate the upper bound of the optical performance of an LF display for realistically aberrated eyes, which may help to find an optimal spatio-angular resolution required to render a high quality 3D scene.
Pixel-wise structured light calibration method with a color calibration target
Authors: Zhang Song
Published: September 2022

We propose to use a calibration target with a narrow spectral color range for the background (e.g., from blue) and broader spectral color range for the feature points (e.g., blue + red circles), and fringe patterns matching the background color for accurate phase extraction. Since the captured fringe patterns are not affected by the high contrast of the calibration target, phase information can be accurately extracted without edging artifacts. Those feature points can be clearly “seen” by the camera if the ambient light matches the feature color or without the background color. We extract each calibration pose for three-dimensional coordinate determination for each pixel, and then establish pixel-wise relationship between each coordinate and phase. Comparing with our previously published method, this method significantly fundamentally simplifies and improves the algorithm by eliminating the computational framework estimate smooth phase near high-contrast feature edges. Experimental results demonstrated the success of our proposed calibration method.
30 W-average-power femtosecond NIR laser operating in a flexible GHz-burst-regime
Authors: Bartulevicius Tadas , Lipnickas Mykolas , Petrauskiene Virginija , Madeikis Karolis , Michailovas Andrejus
Published: September 2022

Laser sources which produce GHz bursts of ultrashort pulses attract a lot of attention by demonstrating superior performance in material processing. Flexibility of the laser source in a selection of parameters for custom application is highly preferable. In this work, we demonstrate a very versatile method for burst formation using the active fiber loop (AFL). It allows forming GHz bursts containing from 2 up to approximately 2200 pulses in a burst (1000 ns burst width) with identical pulse separation and any predefined intra-burst pulse repetition rate (PRR). The burst pre-shaping by the amplification conditions in the AFL and by the modulation of transmission of the acousto-optic modulator was demonstrated. Industrial-grade ultrafast laser system was able to operate in the single-pulse and GHz-burst regimes. The laser system delivered high-quality 368 fs duration (FWHM) pulses of 15.3 µJ pulse energy and 30.6 W average output power at 2 MHz PRR in the single-pulse regime. In the GHz-burst operation regime, bursts of 2.2 GHz intra-burst repetition rate were formed and amplified to more than 30 W average output power with a burst energy up to 135 µJ at a burst repetition rate of 200 kHz. The sub-picosecond duration of pulses was obtained in the GHz-burst regime at different burst widths.