bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renal activity of Akt kinase in experimental Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Ždychová J , Veselá J , Kazdová L , Komers R
Published: May 2021

Akt kinase regulates numerous cell functions including glucose
metabolism, cell growth, survival, protein synthesis, and control
of local hemodynamics. mTOR is one of down-stream effectors of
Akt involved in the initiation of protein translation. However,
renal Akt signaling in Type 1 diabetes (DM) in vivo, in particular
under the conditions reflecting differences in metabolic control,
has received less attention. Renal cortical activity and expression
of Akt and mTOR (kinase assay, western blotting) were
determined in streptozotocin-diabetic rats (D) with different
levels of glycemic control (blood glucose 22.0±1.0, 13.4±1.5,
8.1±0.4 mmol/l, p<0.05 between the groups), achieved by
varying insulin treatment (0, 4 and 12 IU/day), and in control
rats with (C4) or without (C) chronic insulin administration. Renal
Akt activity was reduced in D rats without insulin treatment and
severe hyperglycemia (D-0, -62 %, p<0.01 vs. C), partially
restored in moderately hyperglycemic rats (D-4, -30 %, p<0.05
vs. C), and normalized in D rats with intensive insulin and tight
metabolic control (D-12). Expression of active mTOR paralleled
Akt activity in D-0 (-51 %, p<0.01 vs. C), but not in D-4 and D12 that demonstrated increases in active mTOR (+55 %, +80 %
resp., p<0.05) as compared to C. Moreover, insulin activated
renal Akt (+82 %, p<0.01), but not mTOR in C4. In conclusion,
glycemic control and intensity of insulin treatment are important
modulators of renal Akt and mTOR activity in diabetes. While Akt
activity is reversible by tight metabolic control, combination of
hyperglycemia and insulin treatment resulted in enhancement of
mTOR activity. In addition to Akt, other signaling pathways likely
contribute to regulation of renal mTOR activity in diabetes.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the relevance ofDùthchasinGàidhealtachdEnvironmental Futures
Authors: Ní Mhathúna Déirdre
Published: May 2021

This short article focusses on an exploratory enquiry into the relevance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in relationship with different cultural, social and environmental actors in the Scottish Gàidhealtachd. For many Gaels this relationship can be expressed through the indigenous cultural concept of dùthchas, representing an expanded place-based way of knowing and, potentially a ‘human ecology’ that is reconciled with externally determined environmental objectives. The article integrates some brief reflections from written interview discussions during the author's recent postgraduate studies, which engaged with selected communities from the Gaelic heartlands. The need for more community research exploring in-depth and contemporary articulations of these cultural and ecological relationships is emphasised.
Depresión Infanto-Juvenil y exposición temprana a la violencia
Authors: Orozco Henao Eliana Andrea , Marín Díaz Bibiana Andrea , Zuluaga Valencia Juan Bernardo
Published: May 2021

Este artículo de revisión bibliográfica  tiene como objetivo conocer las aproximaciones teóricas de la depresión en el curso de vida infanto juvenil, a partir de la exposición temprana a situaciones de violencia, en tanto los procesos de mielinización se obstruyen, en la medida en que en los primeros años de vida, se es  víctima de violencia, influyendo esto directamente en alteraciones, cognitivas, comportamentales y emocionales. Resulta del interés en conocer los avances de  las disciplinas, las metodologías, las categorías y las preguntas que están motivando a los investigadores sobre el la depresión como síntoma arraigado en la violencia, hoy.  El análisis de la información fue desarrollada a través del estado del arte que constaba de 8 (ocho) ítems y 50 (cincuenta) filas, con el fin de ordenar y categorizar la información a partir de  conceptos relacionales. Las perspectivas disciplinares indagadas en esta revisión son la Psicología, la psiquiatría, la neuropsicología y las ciencias sociales. Las principales categorías indagadas por los autores son: mielinización, violencia infantil, depresión, consecuencias Neuropsicológicas y emocionales de la violencia. Las preguntas que formulan los investigadores se  ubican en cuatro campos: procesos neurobiológicos, violencia y maltrato infantil, pautas de crianza, depresión infanto juvenil, y  trastornos comportamentales, emocionales y cognitivos. Por los resultados obtenidos, se identificó que los problemas cardinales abordados en las investigaciones son, la violencia intrafamiliar, las pautas de crianza como uno de los ejes articuladores, y la depresión infanto juvenil.
AFM Force Relaxation Curve Reveals That the Decrease of Membrane Tension Is the Essential Reason for the Softening of Cancer Cells
Authors: Ren Keli , Gao Jingwei , Han Dong
Published: May 2021

Differences in stiffness constitute an extremely important aspect of the mechanical differences between cancer cells and normal cells, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) is the most commonly used tool to characterize the difference in stiffness. However, the process of mechanical characterization using AFM has been controversial and the influence of the membrane tension on AFM measurement results was often ignored. Here, a physical model involving a simultaneous consideration of the effects of the cell membrane, cytoskeleton network and cytosol was proposed. We carried out a theoretical analysis of AFM force relaxation curves, and as a result solved many of the remaining controversial issues regarding AFM-based mechanical characterization of cells, and provided a quantitative solution for the membrane tension measured using AFM indentation experiments for the first time. From the results of experiments on cells with different adherent shapes and different pairs of normal cells and cancer cells, we found additional force provided by membrane tension to be the main component of the force applied to the AFM probe, with decreased cell membrane tension being the essential reason for the greater softness of cancer cells than of normal cells. Hence, regulating membrane tension may become an important method for regulating the behavior of cancer cells.
Global-Scale Metabolomic Profiling of Human Hair for Simultaneous Monitoring of Endogenous Metabolome, Short- and Long-Term Exposome
Authors: Chen Ying , Guo Jian , Xing Shipei , Yu Huaxu , Huan Tao
Published: May 2021

Hair is a unique biological matrix that adsorbs short-term exposures (e. g., environmental contaminants and personal care products) on its surface and also embeds endogenous metabolites and long-term exposures in its matrix. In this work, we developed an untargeted metabolomics workflow to profile both temporal exposure chemicals and endogenous metabolites in the same hair sample. This analytical workflow begins with the extraction of short-term exposures from hair surfaces through washing. Further development of mechanical homogenization extracts endogenous metabolites and long-term exposures from the cleaned hair. Both solutions of hair wash and hair extract were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS)-based metabolomics for global-scale metabolic profiling. After analysis, raw data were processed using bioinformatic programs recently developed specifically for exposome research. Using optimized experimental conditions, we detected a total of 10,005 and 9,584 metabolic features from hair wash and extraction samples, respectively. Among them, 274 and 276 features can be definitively confirmed by MS2 spectral matching against spectral library, and an additional 3,356 and 3,079 features were tentatively confirmed as biotransformation metabolites. To demonstrate the performance of our hair metabolomics, we collected hair samples from three female volunteers and tested their hair metabolic changes before and after a 2-day exposure exercise. Our results show that 645 features from wash and 89 features from extract were significantly changed from the 2-day exposure. Altogether, this work provides a novel analytical approach to study the hair metabolome and exposome at a global scale, which can be implemented in a wide range of biological applications for a deeper understanding of the impact of environmental and genetic factors on human health.
Quantification of Lithological Heterogeneity Within Opalinus Clay: Toward a Uniform Subfacies Classification Scheme Using a Novel Automated Core Image Recognition Tool
Authors: Lauper Bruno , Zimmerli Géraldine N. , Jaeggi David , Deplazes Gaudenz , Wohlwend Stephan , Rempfer Johannes , Foubert Anneleen
Published: May 2021

The Opalinus Clay is notable in Switzerland as being the selected host rock for deep geological disposal of radioactive waste. Since the early 1990’s, this argillaceous mudstone formation of Jurassic age has been intensively studied within the framework of national and international projects to characterize its geological, hydrological, mechanical, thermal, chemical, and biological properties. While there is no formal stratigraphic subdivision, the Opalinus Clay lithology is classically divided into several, dam- to m-scale sub-units (or facies), depending on location. Recent multi-proxy studies (combining petrographic, petrophysical, geochemical, and mineralogical analyses) have however demonstrated that high, intra-facies, lithological heterogeneity occurs at the dm- to cm-scale. To constrain this small-scale heterogeneity into distinct lithological units (subfacies), the present study aims at defining and presenting a convenient subfacies classification scheme covering the overall Opalinus Clay lithology across northern Switzerland. Petrographic (macro- and microfacies), mineralogical (X-ray diffraction) and textural (image analysis, machine learning and 3D X-ray computed tomography) analyses are performed on diverse drill cores from the Mont Terri rock laboratory (northwestern Switzerland), and results are extended further to the east (Riniken, Weiach, and Benken). Most of the investigated Opalinus Clay can be described by the use of five distinctive subfacies types (SF1 to SF5), which are visually and quantitatively distinguishable by texture (grain size, bedding, fabric, and color) and composition (nature and mineralogy of components). The five subfacies types can be further refined by additional attributes and sedimentary characteristics (biogenic, diagenetic, and structural). Eventually, the widespread and consistent use of standardized Opalinus Clay subfacies types provides the means to harmonize petrographic descriptions within multidisciplinary research projects, enhance reproducibility of in situ experiments, and further evidence the tight relations between lithology and various rock properties.
Different Effects of Leucine Supplementation and/or Exercise on Systemic Insulin Sensitivity in Mice
Authors: Jiang Xiaofan , Zhang Yuwei , Hu Weichao , Liang Yuxiu , Zheng Liang , Zheng Juan , Wang Baozhen , Guo Xin
Published: May 2021

Objective

Obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases have increased due to the obesity epidemic. Early intervention for obesity through lifestyle and nutrition plays an important role in preventing obesity-related diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the role of leucine and exercise in adiposity, systemic insulin resistance, and inflammation to provide theoretical and guiding basis for the early prevention and treatment of obesity.

Methods

C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into HFD or LFD-fed mice group. After 9 weeks, glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed to detect their systemic insulin sensitivity. Starting from week 10, mice were divided into eight groups and treated with moderate exercise or/and 1.5% leucine. At week 13, systemic insulin sensitivity was detected by GTT. At week 14, mice were dissected to analyze adiposity and inflammation.

Results

In LFD mice, exercise significantly increased systemic insulin sensitivity by increasing GLUT4 expression in the muscle and decreasing adiposity through increasing AMPK phosphorylation in adipose tissue. In HFD mice, the simultaneous intervention of exercise and leucine increases systemic insulin sensitivity by reducing liver and adipose tissue inflammation via decreasing NF-κB p65 phosphorylation, and increasing the expression of adiponectin in adipose tissue.

Conclusion

There are different mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise and leucine on insulin resistance and inflammation in LFD-fed mice or HFD-fed mice.
Efficient Targeted Mutagenesis Mediated by CRISPR-Cas12a Ribonucleoprotein Complexes in Maize
Authors: Dong Shujie , Qin Yinping Lucy , Vakulskas Christopher A. , Collingwood Michael A. , Marand Mariam , Rigoulot Stephen , Zhu Ling , Jiang Yaping , Gu Weining , Fan Chunyang , Mangum Anna , Chen Zhongying , Yarnall Michele , Zhong Heng , Elumalai Sivamani , Shi Liang , Que Qiudeng
Published: May 2021

Recent advances in the development of CRISPR-Cas genome editing technologies have made it possible to perform targeted mutagenesis and precise gene replacement in crop plants. CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas12a are two main types of widely used genome editing systems. However, when CRISPR-Cas12a editing machinery is expressed from a transgene, some chromosomal targets encountered low editing frequency in important crops like maize and soybean. Here, we report efficient methods to directly generate genome edited lines by delivering Cas12a-gRNA ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) to immature maize embryos through particle bombardment in an elite maize variety. Genome edited lines were obtained at ~7% frequency without any selection during regeneration via biolistic delivery of Cas12a RNP into immature embryos. Strikingly, the gene editing rate was increased to 60% on average and up to 100% in some experiments when the Cas12a RNP was co-delivered with a PMI selectable marker gene cassette and the induced callus cultures were selected with mannose. We also show that use of higher activity Cas12a mutants resulted in improved editing efficiency in more recalcitrant target sequence. The advances described here provide useful tools for genetic improvement of maize.
The Making of Calibration Sausage Exemplified by Recalibrating the Transcriptomic Timetree of Jawed Vertebrates
Authors: Marjanović David
Published: May 2021

Molecular divergence dating has the potential to overcome the incompleteness of the fossil record in inferring when cladogenetic events (splits, divergences) happened, but needs to be calibrated by the fossil record. Ideally but unrealistically, this would require practitioners to be specialists in molecular evolution, in the phylogeny and the fossil record of all sampled taxa, and in the chronostratigraphy of the sites the fossils were found in. Paleontologists have therefore tried to help by publishing compendia of recommended calibrations, and molecular biologists unfamiliar with the fossil record have made heavy use of such works (in addition to using scattered primary sources and copying from each other). Using a recent example of a large node-dated timetree inferred from molecular data, I reevaluate all 30 calibrations in detail, present the current state of knowledge on them with its various uncertainties, rerun the dating analysis, and conclude that calibration dates cannot be taken from published compendia or other secondary or tertiary sources without risking strong distortions to the results, because all such sources become outdated faster than they are published: 50 of the (primary) sources I cite to constrain calibrations were published in 2019, half of the total of 280 after mid-2016, and 90% after mid-2005. It follows that the present work cannot serve as such a compendium either; in the slightly longer term, it can only highlight known and overlooked problems. Future authors will need to solve each of these problems anew through a thorough search of the primary paleobiological and chronostratigraphic literature on each calibration date every time they infer a new timetree, and that literature is not optimized for that task, but largely has other objectives.
Dielectric Properties of BaZr0.2[Ti(1-x)Mgx/3Ta2x/3]0.8O3 Solid Solution
Authors: Kavil Jithesh , Varghese Jobin , Kovummal Govind Raj
Published: May 2021

BaZr0.2[Ti(1-x)Mgx/3Ta2x/3]0.8O3 (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) (BZTMT) ceramics were prepared through conventional solid state ceramic route. The crystal structure and microstructure of the compounds were investigated respectively using XRD and SEM. The dielectric properties were measured in the frequency range of 100 Hz–1 MHz. The ferroelectric Curie temperature of BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 (x = 0) shifted from 21°C to -10°C with the addition of minute amount of dopant (x = 0.025) and the paraelectric transition temperature is diffusive in nature. The relative permittivity and dielectric loss of BZTMT at 1 MHz varies from 5205 to 24 and 1.8 × 10–2 to 2.0 × 10–5 respectively, as the value of x increases from 0 to 1.
Pyogenic Liver Abscess Risk in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Tzu-Yuan , Lai Hsueh-Chou , Chen Hsin-Hung , Wang Mei-Lin , Hsieh Ming-Chia , Chang Chwen-Tzuei , Chen Rong-Hsing , Ho Chun-Wei , Hung Yi-Chin , Tseng Juei-Yu , Lin Cheng-Li , Kao Chia-Hung
Published: May 2021

Background: To date, no comprehensive epidemiological study exists on pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) risk in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) worldwide.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study by using data from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to examine the association between newly diagnosed T2DM and PLA. The T2DM cohort included patients newly diagnosed as having T2DM (ICD-9-CM:250) from 2000 to 2009, with follow-up until December 31, 2011. The comparison cohort was then recruited through 1:4 random frequency matching with the T2DM cohort. Finally, the adjusted hazard ratios for PLA were compared between the T2DM and comparison cohorts, which included 44,728 patients with T2DM and 178,912 patients without DM respectively.

Results: In T2DM cohort, 166 patients were diagnosed as having PLA (incidence rate = 5.87 per 10,000 person-years) and in comparison cohort, 238 patients were diagnosed as having PLA (incidence rate = 2.06 per 10,000 person-years). The T2DM cohort exhibited higher PLA risk than did the comparison cohort (hazard ratio = 2.83, 95% confidence interval = 2.32–3.46). Furthermore, the adjusted hazard ratio for PLA risk in T2DM cohort was the highest in those who were younger, man and with duration of DM <2 years. In the T2DM cohort, the most common PLA causative agent was Klebsiella pneumonia (KP). In addition, PLA risk was high in T2DM patients with gallstone and cholecystitis. Compared with comparison cohort, patients with T2DM prescribed acarbose has a lower PLA risk, however glyburide significantly increased PLA risk in T2DM cohort.

Conclusion: In patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, PLA risk was high and acarbose might reduce PLA risk.
Application of Tarkhineh Fermented Product to Produce Potato Chips With Strong Probiotic Properties, High Shelf-Life, and Desirable Sensory Characteristics
Authors: Kiani Amir , Nami Yousef , Hedayati Shahab , Elieh Ali Komi Daniel , Goudarzi Farjam , Haghshenas Babak
Published: May 2021

The application of Tarkhineh texture to protect probiotics in potato chips has been investigated as the main goal in this paper. In this study, the probiotic assessments, morphological characteristics, sensory evaluation, and survival rates of the covered probiotic cells with Tarkhineh in potato chips during storage time were assessed. Based on results, T34 isolated from traditional Tarkhineh as a safe strain had a high tolerance to low pH and bile salt conditions, displayed acceptable anti-pathogenic activities, and also showed desirable antibiotic susceptibility. Two types of Tarkhineh formulations (plain Tarkhineh and turmeric Tarkhineh) were applied using a simple spraying method for covering T34 cells in potato chips. All formulations showed elliptical to spherical (480-770 μm) shape probiotic drops. Storage stability results revealed that T34 cells mixed with turmeric and plain Tarkhineh during 4 months of storage at 4°C displayed excellent protection abilities with about 3.70 and 2.85 log decreases in CFU/g respectively. Additionally, probiotic potato chips compared to non-probiotic and commercial potato chips, exhibited probiotic product criteria such as excellent quality and superior sensory properties during storage time. In conclusion, Tarkhineh showed high potential as a protective matrix for probiotic cells in potato chips.
Traumatic Brain Injury Exposure Lowers Age of Cognitive Decline in AD and Non-AD Conditions
Authors: Iacono Diego , Raiciulescu Sorana , Olsen Cara , Perl Daniel P.
Published: May 2021

We aimed to detect the possible accelerating role of previous traumatic brain injury (TBI) exposures on the onset of later cognitive decline assessed across different brain diseases. We analyzed data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC), which provide information on history of TBI and longitudinal data on cognitive and non-cognitive domains for each available subject. At the time of this investigation, a total of 609 NACC subjects resulted to have a documented history of TBI. We compared subjects with and without a history of previous TBI (of any type) at the time of their first cognitive decline assessment, and termed them, respectively, TBI+ and TBI– subjects. Three hundred and sixty-one TBI+ subjects (229 male/132 female) and 248 TBI– subjects (156 male/92 female) were available. The analyses included TBI+ and TBI– subjects with a clinical diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Dementia with Lewy bodies, Progressive supranuclear palsy, Corticobasal degeneration, Frontotemporal dementia, Vascular dementia, non-AD Impairment, and Parkinson's disease. The data showed that the mean age of TBI+ subjects was lower than TBI– subjects at the time of their first cognitive decline assessment (71.6 ± 11.2 vs. 74.8 ± 9.5 year; p < 0.001). Moreover, the earlier onset of cognitive decline in TBI+ vs. TBI– subjects was independent of sex, race, attained education, APOE genotype, and importantly, clinical diagnoses. As for specific cognitive aspects, MMSE, Trail Making Test part B and WAIS-R scores did not differ between TBI+ and TBI– subjects, whereas Trail Making Test part A (p = 0.013) and Boston Naming test (p = 0.008) did. In addition, data showed that neuropsychiatric symptoms [based on Neuropsychiatry Inventory (NPI)] were much more frequent in TBI+ vs. TBI– subjects, including AD and non-AD neurodegenerative conditions such as PD. These cross-sectional analyses outcomes from longitudinally-assessed cohorts of TBI+ subjects that is, subjects with TBI exposure before the onset of cognitive decline in the contest of different neurodegenerative disorders and associated pathogenetic mechanisms, are novel, and indicate that a previous TBI exposure may act as a significant “age-lowering” factor on the onset of cognitive decline in either AD and non-AD conditions independently of demographic factors, education, APOE genotype, and current or upcoming clinical conditions.
Mouth Rinsing With a Pink Non-caloric, Artificially-Sweetened Solution Improves Self-Paced Running Performance and Feelings of Pleasure in Habitually Active Individuals
Authors: Brown Daniel R. , Cappozzo Francesca , De Roeck Dakota , Zariwala Mohammed Gulrez , Deb Sanjoy K.
Published: May 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether mouth rinsing with a pink non-caloric, artificially sweetened solution can improve self-selected running speed and distance covered during a 30 min running protocol.

Methods: Ten healthy and habitually active individuals (six males, four females) completed two experimental trials in a randomised, single-blind, crossover design. Each experimental trial consisted of a 30 min treadmill run at a self-selected speed equivalent to 15 (hard/heavy) on the rating of perceived exertion scale. During exercise, participants mouth rinsed with either a pink or a clear non-caloric, artificially sweetened solution, with performance, perceptual and physiological measures obtained throughout.

Results: Self-selected running speed (+0.4 ± 0.5 km·h−1, p = 0.024, g = 0.25) and distance covered (+213 ± 247 m, p = 0.023, g = 0.25) during the 30 min running protocol were both improved by 4.4 ± 5.1% when participants mouth rinsed with the pink solution when compared to the clear solution. Feelings of pleasure were also enhanced during the 30 min treadmill run when participants mouth rinsed with the pink solution, with ratings increased from 3.4 ± 0.7 in the clear condition to 3.8 ± 0.6 in the pink condition (+0.4 ± 0.5, p = 0.046, g = 0.54).

Conclusion: Mouth rinsing with a pink non-caloric, artificially sweetened solution improved self-selected running speed, total distance covered, and feelings of pleasure obtained during a 30 min running protocol when compared to an isocaloric and taste-matched clear solution.
Analysis of Clinical Trials on Therapies for Prostate Cancer in Mainland China and Globally from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Chen Kun , Jiang Kehua , Tang Lannan , Chen Xiaolong , Hu Jianxin , Sun Fa
Published: May 2021

The overall aging of the world population has contributed to the continuous upward trend in the incidence of prostate cancer (PC). Trials on PC therapy have been extensively performed, but no study has analyzed the overall trends and characteristics of these trials, especially for those carried out in China. This study aimed to provide insights on the future direction of drug development in PC, thus supplying essential supportive data for stakeholders, including researchers, patients, investors, clinicians, and pharmaceutical industry. The details of the clinical trials of drug therapies for PC during January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2020, were collected from Pharmaprojects. A total of 463 clinical trials on different therapies with 132 different drugs were completed. The long-acting endocrine therapy with few side effects, radiotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, gene-targeted chemotherapeutics, and novel immunotherapeutic products changed the concept of PC treatment. In mainland China, 31 trials with 19 drugs have been completed in the 10 assessment years. China has initiated a few trials investigating a limited number of drug targets, centered in a markedly uneven geographical distribution of leading clinical trial units; hence, the development of PC drugs has a long way to go. Given the large patient pool, China deserves widespread attention for PC drug research and development. These findings might have a significant impact on scientific research and industrial investment.
Methane Inhalation Protects Against Lung Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats by Regulating Pulmonary Surfactant via the Nrf2 Pathway
Authors: Zhang Bing , Tian Xiaojun , Li Guangqi , Zhao Han , Wang Xuan , Yin Yanwei , Yu Junmin , Meng Chao
Published: May 2021

Methane (CH4) exerted protective effects against lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the mechanism remains unclear, especially the role of pulmonary surfactant. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of CH4inhalation on pulmonary surfactant in rat lung I/R injury and to elucidate the mechanism. Rats were randomly divided into three groups (n= 6): the sham, I/R control, and I/R CH4groups. In the sham group, only thoracotomy was performed on the rats. In the I/R control and I/R CH4groups, the rats underwent left hilum occlusion for 90 min, followed by reperfusion for 180 min and ventilation with O2or 2.5% CH4, respectively. Compared with those of the sham group, the levels of large surfactant aggregates (LAs) in pulmonary surfactant, lung compliance, oxygenation decreased, the small surfactant aggregates (SAs), inflammatory response, oxidative stress injury, and cell apoptosis increased in the control group (P< 0.05). Compared to the control treatment, CH4increased LA (0.42 ± 0.06 vs. 0.31 ± 0.09 mg/kg), oxygenation (201 ± 11 vs. 151 ± 14 mmHg), and lung compliance (16.8 ± 1.0 vs. 11.5 ± 1.3 ml/kg), as well as total antioxidant capacity and Nrf2 protein expression and decreased the inflammatory response and number of apoptotic cells (P< 0.05). In conclusion, CH4inhalation decreased oxidative stress injury, inflammatory response, and cell apoptosis, and improved lung function through Nrf2-mediated pulmonary surfactant regulation in rat lung I/R injury.
A Similarity-Weighted Informative Prior Distribution for Bayesian Multiple Regression Models
Authors: König Christoph
Published: May 2021

Specifying accurate informative prior distributions is a question of carefully selecting studies that comprise the body of comparable background knowledge. Psychological research, however, consists of studies that are being conducted under different circumstances, with different samples and varying instruments. Thus, results of previous studies are heterogeneous, and not all available results can and should contribute equally to an informative prior distribution. This implies a necessary weighting of background information based on the similarity of the previous studies to the focal study at hand. Current approaches to account for heterogeneity by weighting informative prior distributions, such as the power prior and the meta-analytic predictive prior are either not easily accessible or incomplete. To complicate matters further, in the context of Bayesian multiple regression models there are no methods available for quantifying the similarity of a given body of background knowledge to the focal study at hand. Consequently, the purpose of this study is threefold. We first present a novel method to combine the aforementioned sources of heterogeneity in the similarity measure ω. This method is based on a combination of a propensity-score approach to assess the similarity of samples with random- and mixed-effects meta-analytic models to quantify the heterogeneity in outcomes and study characteristics. Second, we show how to use the similarity measure ωas a weight for informative prior distributions for the substantial parameters (regression coefficients) in Bayesian multiple regression models. Third, we investigate the performance and the behavior of the similarity-weighted informative prior distribution in a comprehensive simulation study, where it is compared to the normalized power prior and the meta-analytic predictive prior. The similarity measure ω and the similarity-weighted informative prior distribution as the primary results of this study provide applied researchers with means to specify accurate informative prior distributions.
Gender, Race and Parenthood Impact Academic Productivity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Survey to Action
Authors: Staniscuaski Fernanda , Kmetzsch Livia , Soletti Rossana C. , Reichert Fernanda , Zandonà Eugenia , Ludwig Zelia M. C. , Lima Eliade F. , Neumann Adriana , Schwartz Ida V. D. , Mello-Carpes Pamela B. , Tamajusuku Alessandra S. K. , Werneck Fernanda P. , Ricachenevsky Felipe K. , Infanger Camila , Seixas Adriana , Staats Charley C. , de Oliveira Leticia
Published: May 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is altering dynamics in academia, and people juggling remote work and domestic demands – including childcare – have felt impacts on their productivity. Female authors have faced a decrease in paper submission rates since the beginning of the pandemic period. The reasons for this decline in women’s productivity need to be further investigated. Here, we analyzed the influence of gender, parenthood and race on academic productivity during the pandemic period based on a survey answered by 3,345 Brazilian academics from various knowledge areas and research institutions. Productivity was assessed by the ability to submit papers as planned and to meet deadlines during the initial period of social isolation in Brazil. The findings revealed that male academics – especially those without children – are the least affected group, whereas Black women and mothers are the most impacted groups. These impacts are likely a consequence of the well-known unequal division of domestic labor between men and women, which has been exacerbated during the pandemic. Additionally, our results highlight that racism strongly persists in academia, especially against Black women. The pandemic will have long-term effects on the career progression of the most affected groups. The results presented here are crucial for the development of actions and policies that aim to avoid further deepening the gender gap in academia.
Glucocorticoid Receptor Alpha Targets SLC2A4 to Regulate Protein Synthesis and Breakdown in Porcine Skeletal Muscle Cells
Authors: Du Xiao-Li , Xu Wei-Jing , Shi Jia-Li , Guo Kai , Guo Chang-Tong , Zheng Rong , Jiang Si-Wen , Chai Jin
Published: May 2021

In the presence of stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity can be enhanced to promote the secretion of a large amount of glucocorticoids (GCs), which play an important role in the anabolism and catabolism of skeletal muscle. When the endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids are deficient or excessive, the body will produce stress-related resistance and change the protein metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effect of GC receptor GRα on protein breakdown and synthesis in porcine skeletal muscle cells (PSCs). Overexpression of GRα was shown to increase the expression of protein degradation-related genes, while knockdown of GRα decreased the expression of these genes. Additionally, we found a relationship between GRα and solute carrier family 2 member 4 (SLC2A4), SLC2A4 expression level increases when stress occurs, suggesting that increasing SLC2A4 expression can partially alleviate stress-induced damage, and we found that there is a combination between them via luciferase reporter assays, which still needs to be confirmed in further studies.
Genetic and Environmental Contributors to Neurodegeneration: An Exploration of the Effects of Alcohol on Clinical Features of Huntington’s Disease Using the Enroll-HD Global Platform
Authors: Symonds Alexander L. , Macerollo Antonella , Foy Kevin , Alusi Sundus H. , Davies Rhys
Published: May 2021

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative dementia with a well recognised genetic cause. Alcohol misuse is a major environmental factor relevant to numerous neurological presentations, including HD. We explored the effects of alcohol intake on clinical features of HD by means of data from the Enroll-HD, which is a global registry study. A retrospective observational study making use of the Enroll-HD periodic dataset up to 2020 (in accordance with the Enroll-HD guidelines, encompassing 16,120 subjects with the HD gene (CAG expansion > 36), was carried out. This included 180 sites in 21 countries. The study looked at the association of alcohol use with the clinical presentation of HD, specifically looking into the age of first symptoms and HD severity. We also describe a specific case with manifest HD, a participant in the Enroll-HD study, whereby the patient’s obsessionality was central to her pattern of high alcohol intake and to her successful avoidance of alcohol thereafter. A record of past problems with high alcohol intake was more common in the group with manifest HD (9.0%, n = 1121) when compared with the pre-manifest carriers of the HD genetic abnormality (2.3%, n = 339). Age at onset of symptoms was not significantly influenced by current alcohol misuse, or past misuse. The severity of clinical impairments in HD was influenced by alcohol. Patients who reported high alcohol intake in the past had a statistically significant increase in motor impairments, by the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale total motor score (Kruskal–Wallis, post hoc Dunn’s, p < 0.001), and a significantly higher burden of psychiatric symptoms by the Problem Behaviours Assessment score (Kruskal–Wallis, post hoc Dunn’s, p < 0.01) compared with those not reporting high alcohol use. However, the past alcohol group did not have a lower Mini Mental State Examination score (Kruskal–Wallis, post hoc Dunn’s, p > 0.05) The first symptom of HD, as determined by the assessing clinician, was more likely to be psychiatric disturbance in patients currently misusing alcohol or those with prior history of alcohol misuse (55% and 31% respectively) when compared with controls (5%). Individual case experience, such as that presented in this study, shows that HD and alcohol, two major genetic and environmental contributors to neurodegeneration, interact in producing clinical problems. However, the complexities of these interactions are difficult to define, and may require larger studies dedicated to exploring the various factors in this interaction.
Determinants of the Intention to Use Cross-Border Mobile Payments in Korea among Chinese Tourists: An Integrated Perspective of UTAUT2 with TTF and ITM
Authors: Wu Run-Ze , Lee Jong-Ho , Tian Xiu-Fu
Published: May 2021

With the acceleration of global economic integration and digital economy, cross-border mobile payment has gained growing attention. On the other hand, as COVID-19 keeps on spreading, the popularization of cross-border mobile payment can lower the risk of infection caused by cash payment of tourists. However, though previous researchers already examined mobile payment users’ behavioral intention from different perspectives, these research findings tend to concentrate on the non-cross-border section of mobile payment. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to examine factors influencing cross-border mobile payment use intention from the user perspective, and combining three theoretical models, chiefly UTAUT2 (extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology), ITM (initial trust model), and TTF (task technology fit). In this research, 786 Chinese with the experience of using cross-border mobile payment while traveling to South Korea are adopted as respondents, and the structural equation model is used to empirically analyze the data of these research samples. The study found that initial trust, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, price value, task technology fit, and initial trust have significant effects on use intention. Research findings of this paper can deepen people’s understanding of users’ intention to use cross-border mobile payment, and provide theoretical support for the development of cross-border mobile payment.
Selectivity and Food Conduct in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Brief Systematic Review
Authors: Segundo Neto Augusto de Almeida , Diniz Soares Leandro , Ribas Filho Durval
Published: May 2021

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to an alteration in neurological development typified by deficits in social communication, as well as in restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, varying in a continuum demarcated by the severity levels of their symptomatic pictures. It is estimated that about 45 to 90% of children with ASD have deficiencies in their eating habits, which may include atypical eating patterns and persistent practices of food selectivity, thus limiting the diet of these subjects. Given this context, the present study has the central objective of discussing, through the bibliographic review, the implications resulting from selectivity and eating behaviors in children with an autism spectrum disorder. It is, therefore, a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, organized from a natural perspective, emphasizing in a contextualized and judicious way the analyzed theme. Literary findings suggest that the conduct of food selectivity is significant for both family members, through high levels of stress; as, and above all, for children with ASD, since they will be more likely to develop gastrointestinal disorders, low quality of life, reduced levels of nutrients necessary for their proper development and scurvy when compared to those with typical neurodevelopment. In this sense, it appears that recognition of the different clinical and behavioral patterns manifested in children with ASD through food selectivity, is an important issue for family members and professionals in their diverse clinical practices, considering that the recognition of these patterns will be immeasurable utility in the development of adequate and early treatment strategies.
Impacto de la realidad aumentada en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes de educación primaria en la enseñanza de las ciencias naturales
Authors: Domínguez-Gutu Jesús , Gordillo-Espinoza Emmanuel , Trejo-Trejo Gilberto Abelino , Constantino-González Fernando Exiquio
Published: May 2021

Augmented reality is a technology that allows combining realworld life with digital information, through other technologies such as computers, tablets or smartphones. Currently, it is used in diverse areas such as advertising, medicine, arts and education, among others. This research was carried out in the city of Ocosingo, Chiapas, Mexico, in a context where it is difficult to access technology and, above all, connectivity. It focused on using augmented reality in a didactic sequence for the teaching and learning process of the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems in the Natural Sciences subject, in order to demonstrate whether the use of this technology as a didactic tool allows 4th grade students to improve their academic performance. The study was carried out under a quantitative, quasi-experimental and descriptive approach, using data collection tools such as tests designed with dichotomous responses (pre-test and post-test) and surveys with closed-ended questions under the Likert scale. The results show that using augmented reality in the teaching and learning process, within the classroom, significantly increases the academic performance of students compared to the traditional way of teaching these topics in the aforementioned subject.
Relação entre docentes e discentes na Ciência da Informação
Authors: Almeida Alex Serrano de , Savegnago Cristiano Lanza
Published: May 2021

A relação entre os professores imigrantes digitais e os discentes nativos digitais, sob a perspectiva de que os nativos possuem maior proficiência digital/tecnológica prescreve um relevante ponto de discussão, especialmente observando se essa proficiência está realmente ligada às práticas da pesquisa científica. O objetivo do presente estudo é prospectar sobre a relação educacional dos docentes (imigrantes digitais) e os discentes (nativos digitais) sob a percepção das competências tecnológicas em prol do desenvolvimento do ensino e da pesquisa na ciência da informação. Nessa direção, é possível ponderar acerca dos manejos tecnológicos dos docentes que atuam na educação superior, os quais se deparam com a inserção de indivíduos da geração Z nas salas de aula das universidades brasileiras. Esse trabalho científico traz uma abordagem qualitativa, se baseando no tratamento conceitual de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, exploratória e descritiva. Acredita-se, que a inovação pedagógica universitária, competência em informação e metodologias alternativas tornam-se os principais aliados para a compreensão da conjuntura atual da educação superior, sob a intenção de um alinhamento das diferentes gerações, que por vezes se embatem sobre o trato tecnológico e a sua relação com a produção científica. Portanto, é importante que se faça uma reflexão cautelosa com vistas a não reforçar discursos que nem sempre condizem com a realidade educacional das instituições de Educação Superior, mas perceber as possibilidades e potencialidades concernentes à ciência da informação para uma convergência de atuação dos docentes e discentes nas ambiências - educacional e social.
Balansując na marginesach. O strategii intelektualnej Norberta Eliasa
Authors: Bucholc Marta
Published: May 2021

This text is an interpretation of Norbert Elias’s biography, his autobiographical writings, and certain aspects of his work in light of Patrick Baert’s positioning theory. Beginning from a critical analysis of the story of Elias’s life, career, and scholarship, through a reconstruction of the typical properties of his writing style and academic abilities, the author uses Elias to describe an intellectual strategy which she calls ‘balancing on the margins’. She considers it a legitimate strategy for maintaining oneself in the academic ﬁeld—under certain conditions more productive and less risky than a strategy aimed at occupying a central position in the academic ﬁeld.
Norbert Elias o muzyce i społeczeństwie — możliwości aplikacyjne społeczno-muzycznych ﬁguracji
Authors: Jabłońska Barbara
Published: May 2021

The ﬁrst aim of the article is to show the Elias perspective on phenomena connected with the musical life of society and to consider the ﬁguration processes connected with human practices directed at music. The author reﬂects on the dual feedback of the activities of individuals and the structural determinants conditioning those activities. As an example, she discusses Elias’s case study of the socio-cultural and historical-economic background of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s creativity. The second aim of the article is to show the possibility of applying socio-musical ﬁguration to various areas of human life associated with music, beginning with the question of the role of professional musicians and gender questions, through the political factors connected with musical creativity, and ending with the presence of music in the religious sphere and the rules governing the sacral context. Her reﬂections are premised on the idea that socio-musical life based on social norms and rules established during the civilization process is simultaneously undergoing a constant modiﬁcation and transformation on account of the subjective activities of individuals.
Rewolucja konsumpcyjna i kształtowanie się podmiotu emocjonalnego w perspektywie Norberta Eliasa
Authors: Zalewska Joanna
Published: May 2021

The aim of this article is to analyze the interdependence between the processes of forming mass markets and the processes of rationalizing emotion and the shaping of modern hedonism. The author uses the perspective of Norbert Elias’s process sociology, in which the monopolization of resources results in the growth of dependence between all the inhabitants of the territory encompassed by the monopoly, and this is accompanied by a civilizing process, or the rationalization of the behaviours of individuals. The author presents the idea that the integration process at the level of humanity, as survival unit on the platform of the global market and consumption culture, is ongoing. As an example, the author analyzes the ﬁrst stage in the consumer revolution in Poland after the Second World War, where fashion was shaped on one side by the socialist ideology of progress, and on the other by the romantic ethic present in communications from the West. Individual emotion as a factor guiding behaviour corresponds to the logic of the market, and fashion is the process of mediating between the market and the individual.