bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is It Useful to Determine the Temperature of Children for COVID-19 Screening in the Dental Setting?
Authors: García-Mato Eliane , Varela-Aneiros Iván , Abeleira-Pazos Maite , Outumuro-Rial Mercedes , Diz-Dios Pedro , Limeres-Posse Jacobo , Diniz-Freitas Márcio
Published: February 2022

Background: To date, the efficacy of temperature readings of children in the dental setting for COVID-19 screening has not been evaluated. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the usefulness of forehead temperature measurements in a dental clinic for COVID-19 screening in healthy children (without systemic disease) and in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods: Using an infrared thermometer, we recorded the forehead temperature of 200 pediatric patients (100 healthy children and 100 children with neurodevelopmental disorders). We performed temperature measurements “before”, “during”, and “after” the dental procedure. Oropharyngeal swabs were taken of all participants to detect SARS-CoV-2. Results: Sex, age, administration of local anesthesia, and use of rotary instrumentation did not affect the temperature values. In the children with neurodevelopmental disorders with a value of 1 on the Frankl behavior scale, the temperatures were significantly higher than in those with values of 2, 3, and 4 (p = 0.032, p = 0.029, and p = 0.03, respectively). The PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was positive for two patients (one healthy and the other with a neurodevelopmental disorder), whose “before” temperatures were 36.4 °C and 36.5 °C, respectively. Conclusions: Forehead temperatures increase during dental procedures and are conditioned by the patient’s behavior. An isolated temperature reading does not identify children infected by SARS-CoV-2.
Temporal Change in Renoprotective Effect of Tolvaptan on Patients with Heart Failure: AURORA Study
Authors: Nishino Masami , Egami Yasuyuki , Tanaka Akihiro , Kawanami Shodai , Sugae Hiroki , Ukita Kohei , Kawamura Akito , Nakamura Hitoshi , Matsuhiro Yutaka , Yasumoto Koji , Tsuda Masaki , Okamoto Naotaka , Matsunaga-Lee Yasuharu , Yano Masamichi , Tanouchi Jun
Published: February 2022

(1) Background: It has been reported that tolvaptan (TLV) has a renoprotective effect in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients, but whether this effect is continued for a long time is unclear. Thus, we evaluated the time course of the renoprotective effect of TLV, in addition to the prognosis, in ADHF patients. (2) Methods: We investigated 911 ADHF patients from the AURORA (Acute Heart Failure Registry in Osaka Rosai Hospital) registry. After propensity score matching, 58 patients who started to receive TLV at least two days after the hospitalization (TLV group) and 58 who did not (non-TLV group) were examined. We compared the changes in the creatinine (Cr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between baseline and each time point (five days, discharge, and one year) as the index of the renoprotective effect, and rate of rehospitalizations and all-cause mortality for one year between the two groups. (3) Results: The change in Cr and eGFR levels was significantly higher in the TLV group than the non-TLV group five days after admission but the difference between the two groups gradually diminished. A Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the survival and rehospitalization rates in the TLV and non-TLV groups were similar up to one year. (4) TLV revealed a temporal change in the renoprotective effect, which may be correlated with no long-term beneficial effect of TLV.
Standardized Clinical Profiling in Spanish Patients with Chronic Tinnitus
Authors: Haro-Hernandez Elisheba , Perez-Carpena Patricia , Unnikrishnan Vishnu , Spiliopoulou Myra , Lopez-Escamez Jose
Published: February 2022

Background: Tinnitus is a heterogeneous condition. The aim of this study as to compare the online and hospital responses to the Spanish version of European School for Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research screening-questionnaire (ESIT-SQ) in tinnitus individuals by an unsupervised age clustering. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed including 434 white Spanish patients with chronic tinnitus to assess the demographic and clinical profile through the ESIT-SQ, with 204 outpatients and 230 individuals from an online survey; a K-means clustering algorithm was used to classify both responses according to age. Results: Online survey showed a high proportion of Meniere’s disease (MD) patients compared to both the general population and the outpatient cohort. The responses showed statistically significant differences between groups regarding education level, tinnitus-related hearing disorders (MD, hyperacusis), sleep difficulties, dyslipidemia, and other tinnitus characteristics, including duration, type of onset, the report of mitigating factors and the use of treatments. However, these differences were partially confirmed after adjusting for age. Conclusions: Self-reported tinnitus surveys are a low confidence source for tinnitus phenotyping. Additional clinical evaluation is needed for tinnitus research to reach the diagnosis. Age-based cluster analysis might help to better define clinical profiles and to compare responses in ESIT-SQ among subgroups of patients with tinnitus.
Impact of Negative Symptoms on Functioning and Quality of Life in First Psychotic Episodes of Schizophrenia
Authors: García-Fernández Lorena , Romero-Ferreiro Verónica , Sánchez-Pastor Luis , Dompablo Mónica , Martínez-Gras Isabel , Espejo-Saavedra Juan Manuel , Rentero David , Aparicio Ana Isabel , Alvarez-Mon Miguel Angel , Lahera Guillermo , Lee Jimmy , Santos Jose Luis , Rodriguez-Jimenez Roberto
Published: February 2022

Negative symptoms are not considered a unitary construct encompassing two different domains, diminished expression, and avolition-apathy. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between each domain and psychosocial functioning and quality of life in people with a first psychotic episode of schizophrenia. In total, 61 outpatients were assessed with the Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS), The Functioning Assesment Short Test (FAST) and The Quality of Life Scale (QLS). The mean global score for CAINS was 21.5 (SD: 15.6), with a CAINS Avolition-Apathy (MAP) score of 17.0 (SD: 11.8), and CAINS Diminished Expression (EXP) score of 4.5 (SD: 5.0). The mean FAST score was 31.9 (SD: 18.9), and 41.1 (SD: 17.9) for QLS. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant (F(4,53) = 15.65, p < 0.001) relationship between MAP and EXP CAINS’ score and FAST score. CAINS-MAP was more predictive of FAST scores (β = 0.44, p = 0.001) than CAINS-EXP (β = 0.37, p = 0.007). Linear regression analysis for QLS revealed a significant model (F(4,56) = 29.29, p < 0.001). The standardized regression weight for the CAINS-MAP was around three times greater (β = −0.63, p < 0.001) than for CAINS-EXP (β = −0.24, p = 0.024). The two different domains are associated differently with functionality and quality of life.
Security and Independence of Process Safety and Control Systems in the Petroleum Industry
Authors: Onshus Tor , Bodsberg Lars , Hauge Stein , Jaatun Martin Gilje , Lundteigen Mary Ann , Myklebust Thor , Ottermo Maria Vatshaug , Petersen Stig , Wille Egil
Published: February 2022

The developments of reduced manning on offshore facilities and increased information transfer from offshore to land continue and may also be a prerequisite for the future survival of the oil and gas industry. A general requirement from the operators has emerged in that all relevant information from offshore-located systems should be made available so that it can be analysed on land. This represents a challenge to safety in avoiding negative impacts and potential accidents for these facilities. The layered Purdue model, which helps protect OT systems from unwanted influences through network segregation, is undermined by the many new connections arising between the OT systems and the surroundings. Each individual connection is not necessarily a problem; however, in aggregate, they add to the overall complexity and attack surface thereby exposing the OT systems to increased cyber risk. Since the OT systems are critical to controlling physical processes, the added connections represent a challenge not only to security but also to safety.
Present and Future of Seaweed Cultivation and Its Applications in Colombia
Authors: Arias-Echeverri Juan Pablo , Zapata-Ramírez Paula Andrea , Ramírez-Carmona Margarita , Rendón-Castrillón Leidy , Ocampo-López Carlos
Published: February 2022

Colombia has a diverse range of marine ecosystems in the coastal and insular areas of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Seaweed research has focused mainly on the identification and taxonomic distribution of 628 species identified so far, mainly in the Caribbean Sea. Among the most widely cultivated genera of seaweeds in open-sea pilot systems in Colombia are Hydropuntia, Gracilaria, Hypnea, Kappaphycus, and Eucheuma. These genera have shown low yields as a consequence of high tissue fragility, epiphytism, sedimentation, and nitrogen deficiency. In addition, the evaluation of the biological activity of selected seaweed compounds has advanced considerably, focusing on their composition and their use for direct consumption by humans and animals. Despite the diversity of seaweeds, as well as certain technical and scientific advances, Colombia is still lagging behind other countries in seaweed exploitation, both in Latin America and worldwide. This current status raises the need to increase research, technological (agro-tech) appropriation, and the adoption of effective public policies that will boost algal businesses. In addition, seaweed cultivation could support the current blue economy transition in Colombia, which could eventually allow the country to enter the global seaweed market.
Ship Abnormal Behavior Detection Method Based on Optimized GRU Network
Authors: Liu Hongdan , Liu Yan , Li Bing , Qi Zhigang
Published: February 2022

Ship abnormal behavior detection is an essential part of maritime supervision. It can assist maritime departments to conduct real-time supervision on a certain sea area, avoid ship risks, and improve the efficiency of sea area supervision. Given the problems of complex detection methods, poor detection effectiveness, and low detection accuracy, a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) was proposed for ship abnormal behavior detection. Under the premise of introducing the attention mechanism into a GRU, the optimal GRU structure parameters were obtained through the intelligent algorithm to perform deeper feature extraction and train the ship abnormal behavior based on the optimized GRU neural network, so as to realize the detection and recognition of the trajectory data to be measured. Finally, based on the public data set and the trajectory data of the inward and outward ports of ships issued by Nanjing Section, Jiangsu Maritime Bureau, the TensorFlow frame was used to establish an abnormal behavior detection model. The simulation results demonstrated that the abnormal behavior detection model shortened the abnormal detection time. The abnormal behavior detection model used in the detection of ship abnormal behavior enhanced the accuracy and stability of the abnormal behavior identification and verified the validity and superiority of this method.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Are an Influential Factor in Improving the Phytoremediation of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Chromium
Authors: Boorboori Mohammad Reza , Zhang Hai-Yang
Published: February 2022

The increasing expansion of mines, factories, and agricultural lands has caused many changes and pollution in soils and water of several parts of the world. In recent years, metal(loid)s are one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants, which directly and indirectly enters the food cycle of humans and animals, resulting in irreparable damage to their health and even causing their death. One of the most important missions of ecologists and environmental scientists is to find suitable solutions to reduce metal(loid)s pollution and prevent their spread and penetration in soil and groundwater. In recent years, phytoremediation was considered a cheap and effective solution to reducing metal(loid)s pollution in soil and water. Additionally, the effect of soil microorganisms on increasing phytoremediation was given special attention; therefore, this study attempted to investigate the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in the phytoremediation system and in reducing contamination by some metal(loid)s in order to put a straightforward path in front of other researchers.
Traditional versus Minimally Invasive Spinopelvic Fixation for Sacral Fracture Treatment in Vertically Unstable Pelvic Fractures
Authors: Tsai Yao-Tung , Chou Yu-Ching , Wu Chia-Chun , Yeh Tsu-Te
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Numerous different fixation techniques are used to treat vertical shear sacral fractures. We report our experience with spinopelvic fixation using a minimally invasive technique. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with vertical pelvic and sacral fractures were treated with spinopelvic fixation (traditional open method, n = 21; minimally invasive technique, n = 17). Intergroup comparisons and statistical analysis were performed for intraoperative blood loss, operative time, post-operative radiographic grading, post-operative functional score, and complication rates. Results: Patients treated with the minimally invasive technique had a significantly shorter operative time (−52 min, p = 0.022), reduced blood loss volume (−287 mL, p < 0.001), and better cosmetic appearance (p < 0.05) than those in the traditional open group. There were no significant intergroup differences in post-operative radiographic grading (p = 0.489) or post-operative functional scores (p = 0.072). The complication rate was lower in the minimally invasive group (1/17 patients) than in the traditional open group (2/21 patients). Conclusions: Minimally invasive spinopelvic fixation is a viable treatment for sacral fractures and can reduce blood loss and operative time.
Pericardial Fluid Annexin A1 Is a Marker of Atrial Fibrillation in Aortic Stenosis: A Proteomics Analysis
Authors: Fragão-Marques Mariana , Vitorino Rui , Barroso Isaac , Falcão-Pires Inês , Leite-Moreira Adelino , Trindade Fábio
Published: February 2022

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia with adverse clinical outcomes. Pericardial fluid (PF) mirrors the heart’s pathophysiological status due to its proximity. This study aimed to characterise the PF proteome to identify new biomarkers of disease. Eighty-three patients submitted to aortic valve replacement surgery with severe aortic stenosis were selected, and their baseline echocardiographic and clinical variables were documented. Thirteen samples were selected blindly for proteome characterisation following a shotgun (GeLC–MS/MS) and a label-free quantification approach (LFQ). According to previous AF history, a partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was conducted, and the top 15 variables important in projection were identified. To inquire potential biomarkers, ROC curves were designed using LFQ data. Target proteins were further validated by ELISA, in both pericardial fluid and serum. Proteome analysis uncovered nine proteins up- and downregulated ≥2-fold. Annexin A1, annexin A2, and vimentin were among the top 15 most important variables for group discrimination in PLS-DA. Protein—protein interaction and gene ontology enrichment analysis presented functional interaction among identified proteins, which were all part of focal adhesion sites. Annexin A1 was increased in the pericardial fluid of AF patients but not in serum when quantified by ELISA. Annexin A1 is a novel pericardial fluid biomarker of AF in patients with severe aortic stenosis.
African Genomic Medicine Portal: A Web Portal for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Othman Houcemeddine , Zass Lyndon , da Rocha Jorge E. B. , Radouani Fouzia , Samtal Chaimae , Benamri Ichrak , Kumuthini Judit , Fakim Yasmina J. , Hamdi Yosr , Mezzi Nessrine , Boujemaa Maroua , Okeke Chiamaka Jessica , Tendwa Maureen B. , Sanak Kholoud , Chaouch Melek , Panji Sumir , Kefi Rym , Sallam Reem M. , Ghoorah Anisah W. , Romdhane Lilia , Kiran Anmol , Meintjes Ayton P. , Maturure Perceval , Jmel Haifa , Ksouri Ayoub , Azzouzi Maryame , Farahat Mohammed A. , Ahmed Samah , Sibira Rania , Turkson Michael E. E. , Ssekagiri Alfred , Parker Ziyaad , Fadlelmola Faisal M. , Ghedira Kais , Mulder Nicola , Kamal Kassim Samar
Published: February 2022

Genomics data are currently being produced at unprecedented rates, resulting in increased knowledge discovery and submission to public data repositories. Despite these advances, genomic information on African-ancestry populations remains significantly low compared with European- and Asian-ancestry populations. This information is typically segmented across several different biomedical data repositories, which often lack sufficient fine-grained structure and annotation to account for the diversity of African populations, leading to many challenges related to the retrieval, representation and findability of such information. To overcome these challenges, we developed the African Genomic Medicine Portal (AGMP), a database that contains metadata on genomic medicine studies conducted on African-ancestry populations. The metadata is curated from two public databases related to genomic medicine, PharmGKB and DisGeNET. The metadata retrieved from these source databases were limited to genomic variants that were associated with disease aetiology or treatment in the context of African-ancestry populations. Over 2000 variants relevant to populations of African ancestry were retrieved. Subsequently, domain experts curated and annotated additional information associated with the studies that reported the variants, including geographical origin, ethnolinguistic group, level of association significance and other relevant study information, such as study design and sample size, where available. The AGMP functions as a dedicated resource through which to access African-specific information on genomics as applied to health research, through querying variants, genes, diseases and drugs. The portal and its corresponding technical documentation, implementation code and content are publicly available.
Advances and Personalized Approaches in the Frontline Treatment of T-Cell Lymphomas
Authors: Angelos Mathew , Ballard Hatcher , Barta Stefan
Published: February 2022

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a rare and heterogenous subset of non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by an aggressive clinical course. Historically, the treatment of PTCLs have been analogous to that of aggressive B-cell lymphomas; however, it has been well-established that overall responses and complete remission rates are far inferior using near-identical chemotherapy strategies. Recently, there has been a plethora of newer agents designed to target distinguishing cellular and molecular features of specific PTCL subtypes. These agents have been proven to yield superior anti-lymphoma responses and, in some cases, overall survival in the relapsed, refractory, and frontline treatment setting. In this review, we will summarize and highlight the most influential clinical trials leading to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of several novel therapeutic agents against PTCL, with an emphasis on emerging studies and strategies to expand their potential use in the frontline treatment setting.
A Multi-Gene Panel to Identify Lipedema-Predisposing Genetic Variants by a Next-Generation Sequencing Strategy
Authors: Michelini Sandro , Herbst Karen L. , Precone Vincenza , Manara Elena , Marceddu Giuseppe , Dautaj Astrit , Maltese Paolo Enrico , Paolacci Stefano , Ceccarini Maria Rachele , Beccari Tommaso , Sorrentino Elisa , Aquilanti Barbara , Velluti Valeria , Matera Giuseppina , Gagliardi Lucilla , Miggiano Giacinto Abele Donato , Bertelli Matteo
Published: February 2022

Lipedema is a disabling disease characterized by symmetric enlargement of the lower and/or upper limbs due to deposits of subcutaneous fat, that is easily misdiagnosed. Lipedema can be primary or syndromic, and can be the main feature of phenotypically overlapping disorders. The aim of this study was to design a next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel to help in the diagnosis of lipedema by identifying genes specific for lipedema but also genes for overlapping diseases, and targets for tailored treatments. We developed an NGS gene panel consisting of 305 genes potentially associated with lipedema and putative overlapping diseases relevant to lipedema. The genomes of 162 Italian and American patients with lipedema were sequenced. Twenty-one deleterious variants, according to 3 out of 5 predictors, were detected in PLIN1, LIPE, ALDH18A1, PPARG, GHR, INSR, RYR1, NPC1, POMC, NR0B2, GCKR, PPARA in 17 patients. This extended NGS-based approach has identified a number of gene variants that may be important in the diagnosis of lipedema, that may affect the phenotypic presentation of lipedema or that may cause disorders that could be confused with lipedema. This tool may be important for the diagnosis and treatment of people with pathologic subcutaneous fat tissue accumulation.
Lipoprotein(a), Immune Cells and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Premature Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Afanasieva Olga I. , Tyurina Alexandra V. , Klesareva Elena A. , Arefieva Tatiana I. , Ezhov Marat V. , Pokrovsky Sergei N.
Published: February 2022

The detection of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in the artery wall at the stage of lipid-bands formation may indicate that it participates in the atherosclerosis local nonspecific inflammatory process. Innate immune cells are involved in atherogenesis, with monocytes playing a major role in the initiation of atherosclerosis, while neutrophils can contribute to plaque destabilization. This work studies the relationship between Lp(a), immune blood cells and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with the early manifestation of coronary heart disease (CHD). The study included 200 patients with chronic CHD, manifested up to the age of 55 in men and 60 in women. An increased Lp(a) concentration [hyperLp(a)] was shown to predict cardiovascular events in patients with premature CHD with long-term follow-up. According to the logistic regression analysis results, an increase in the monocyte count with OR = 4.58 (95% CI 1.04–20.06) or lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio with OR = 0.82 (0.68–0.99), (p < 0.05 for both) was associated with MACE in patients with early CHD, regardless of gender, age, classical risk factors, atherogenic lipoproteins concentration and statin intake. The combination of an increased monocyte count and hyperLp(a) significantly increased the proportion of patients with early CHD with subsequent development of MACE (p = 0.02, ptrend = 0.003). The odds of cardiovascular events in patients with early CHD manifestation were highest in patients with an elevated lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and an elevated Lp(a) level. A higher neutrophil blood count and an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio determined the faster development of MACE in patients with a high Lp(a) concentration. The data obtained in this study suggest that the high atherothrombogenicity of Lp(a) is associated with the “inflammatory” component and the innate immune cells involvement in this process. Thus, the easily calculated immunological ratios of blood cells and Lp(a) concentrations can be considered simple predictors of future cardiovascular events.
Refractive Changes Following Premature Posterior Capsulotomy Using Neodymium:Yttrium–Aluminum–Garnet Laser
Authors: Lee Chia-Yi , Lu Tsai-Te , Meir Yaa-Jyuhn James , Chen Kuan-Jen , Liu Chun-Fu , Cheng Chao-Min , Chen Hung-Chi
Published: February 2022

We aimed to determine the timing of neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy on corrected-distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and spherical equivalent (SE) in patients with posterior capsular opacification (PCO). There were 59 patients with unilateral PCO and a history of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy enrolled and further divided into the early Nd:YAG group (timing < 12 months, n = 25) and late Nd:YAG group (timing > 12 months, n = 34) depending on the elapsed months from phacoemulsification to Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. The primary outcomes were CDVA, IOP, and SE before (immediately before Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy) and after (weeks one and four after the laser treatment). The independent t test was applied to analyze the difference in CDVA, IOP, and SE between the two groups, while the generalized estimating equation with Bonferroni adjustment was conducted to evaluate the effect of all the parameters on the change in SE with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The CDVA showed significant improvement in both the early Nd:YAG group (p = 0.005) and the late Nd:YAG group (p = 0.001), and hyperopic change occurred in both the early Nd:YAG group (p = 0.003) and the late Nd:YAG group (p = 0.017). The early Nd:YAG group revealed more significant hyperopic change compared with the late Nd:YAG group four weeks after Nd:YAG treatment (p < 0.001), which was still significant after multivariable analysis (aOR: 0.899, 95% CI: 0.868–0.930, p = 0.011). In addition, a deeper ACD (aOR: 0.764, 95% CI: 0.671–0.869, p = 0.019) was significantly correlated with hyperopic change. In conclusion, Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy performed within one year after cataract surgery may lead to significant hyperopic change, in which the ACD alteration affects the hyperopic shift significantly.
Chronic Venous Disease in Pregnant Women Causes an Increase in ILK in the Placental Villi Associated with a Decrease in E-Cadherin
Authors: Ortega Miguel A. , Chaowen Chen , Fraile-Martinez Oscar , García-Montero Cielo , Saez Miguel A. , Cruza Iris , Pereda-Cerquella Claude , Alvarez-Mon Miguel Angel , Guijarro Luis G. , Fatych Yuliia , Menor-Salván César , Alvarez-Mon Melchor , De Leon-Luis Juan , Buján Julia , Garcia-Honduvilla Natalio , Bravo Coral , Asúnsolo-del-Barco Angel
Published: February 2022

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a multifactorial vascular disorder frequently manifested in lower limbs in the form of varicose veins (VVs). Women are a vulnerable population for suffering from CVD, especially during pregnancy, when a plethora of changes occur in their cardiovascular system. Previous studies have indicated a worrisome association between CVD in pregnancy with the placental structure and function. Findings include an altered cellular behavior and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a critical molecule involved in multiple physiological and pathological conditions, and together with cadherins, is essential to mediate cell to ECM and cell to cell interplay, respectively. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the implication of ILK and a set of cadherins (e-cadherin, cadherin-6 and cadherin-17) in placentas of women with CVD in order to unravel the possible pathophysiological role of these components. Gene expression (RT-qPCR) and protein expression (immunohistochemistry) studies were performed. Our results show a significant increase in the gene and protein expression of ILK, cadherin-6 and cadherin-17 and a decrease of e-cadherin in the placenta of women with CVD. Overall, this work shows that an abnormal expression of ILK, e-cadherin, cadherin-6 and cadherin-17 may be implicated in the pathological changes occurring in the placental tissue. Further studies should be conducted to determine the possible associations of these changes with maternal and fetal well-being.
Influence of Urban Agglomeration Expansion on Fragmentation of Green Space: A Case Study of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Chu Mingruo , Lu Jiayi , Sun Dongqi
Published: February 2022

Loss of green space habitats and landscape fragmentation are important reasons for the decline in environmental quality, degradation of ecosystem functions, and decline in biodiversity. Quantifying the spatio-temporal characteristics of landscape fragmentation of green space and its relationship with urban expansion mode is an important basis for improving urban development mode and enhancing urban ecological functions. For this paper, we took the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration as the research object, a typical rapidly urbanizing area. Through multi-scale landscape pattern analysis and statistical analysis, the spatial–temporal evolution characteristics of green space fragmentation in the BTH urban agglomeration from 2000 to 2020 and the influence of urban expansion were analyzed, and the land-use situation in 2030 was predicted by the Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS) model. The main conclusions are as follows: The BTH urban agglomeration has developed rapidly in the last 20 years, showing the characteristics of diffusion and corridor development. The intensity and pattern of urban expansion have significantly affected the pattern of green space, leading to the intensification of domestic green space fragmentation. Among them, urban expansion exerts most severe effects on the fragmentation of farmland, followed by grassland and water. The influence of urban expansion on the scale and fragmentation of forestland is limited. The forecast results in 2030 show that built-up areas may continue to occupy green space. The rate of occupation of farmland will slow down while that of grassland will intensify.
Vernacular Heritage as a Response to Climate: Lessons for Future Climate Resilience from Rize, Turkey
Authors: Aktürk Gül , Fluck Hannah
Published: February 2022

Vernacular heritage is undergoing rapid changes caused by the effects of the changing climate, such as loss of lands, biodiversity, building materials, integrity, traditional knowledge, and maladaptation. However, little is known about the causes of deterioration in vernacular heritage sites under changing climate and landscape conditions from a user perspective. This paper provides insights into the perceptions of local people on climate change and how it has changed the landscape in the Fındıklı district of Rize in the Eastern Black Sea area of Turkey. The study proposed analyzing vernacular architecture as a heritage category for localizing the management of climate change impacts using field survey, on-site observations, and unstructured interviews with local people. The results of the shared concerns regarding the changing climate and landscapes from a local perspective evoke the use of narratives as a tool for local authorities to include local communities in building resilience of cultural heritage to climate change.
Vulnerability to Flood Risk: A Methodological Proposal for Assessing the Isolation of the Population
Authors: Sortino Barrionuevo Juan Francisco , Castro Noblejas Hugo , Cantarero Prados Francisco José
Published: February 2022

There are few studies that have developed estimations of the vulnerability of the population to isolation as a result of flood events. The main objective of this study was to provide a methodological proposal that addresses this matter through a series of cartographic instruments. To this purpose, the method was tested in a study area classified as area with significant potential flood risk (ARPSI) in southern Spain. Three methodological proposals were designed to define: (1) the population likely to be isolated within the flood area; (2) the population liable to be isolated by cuts to access roads outside the flood area; (3) the main workplaces involving concentrations of population likely to be isolated. The results demonstrate that the study area has a high degree of vulnerability to the flood risk. The methodological proposal provides detailed results at local level, which is a highly functional tool for flood risk managers. This research shows that, just as in the case of hazard, a deep and detailed knowledge of vulnerability and its consequent problems leads to a better management of flood risk.
Assessment on Land-Water Resources Carrying Capacity of Countries in Central Asia from the Perspective of Self-Supplied Agricultural Products
Authors: Zhao Yuhan , Zhang Yongxun , Li Xiande , Qian Chen
Published: February 2022

Despite the declining hunger in Central Asia, food insecurity remains an important issue due to the dry climate. Taking Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan as examples, this study assesses their land-water resources carrying capacity in 1999, 2009, and 2018, on the premise that agricultural water and farmland are spatially matched based on the “buckets effect”, using the ecological footprint and water footprint methods. Results show the following: (1) the total farmland area in Central Asia is sufficient to achieve food self-sufficiency; the available farmland area is 2.45 times that of the farmland required for self-sufficiency in 1999, which decreased to 1.71 times in 2009, but slightly increased to 1.92 times in 2018. Specifically, Kazakhstan maintains a surplus of more than 15 × 106 ha in farmland, while the other 4 countries could not achieve self-sufficiency. (2) The water resources pressure rises; the available agricultural water resource (AAWR) in Central Asia is 3.07 times that of the water demand for agricultural irrigation (WDAI), and 3.06 times that of the water demand for irrigation and environmental purification (WDIEP) in 1999, which decreased to 1.69 times of WDAI and to 1.60 times of WDIEP in 2018. Tajikistan has the highest level of water surplus, followed by Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan do not have enough water to sustain agricultural production. (3) The trend of land-water resources carrying capacity declines in Central Asia. In 1999, 2009, and 2018, the land-water resources could support the population’s food demand in this region when only considering farmland matched with WDAI. However, the population carrying capacity deficit would emerge if we considered the matching farmland with WDIEP.
Intangible Heritage and Territorial Identity in the Multifunctional Agrarian Systems of Vineyards in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain)
Authors: Ruiz Pulpón Ángel Raúl , Cañizares Ruiz María del Carmen
Published: February 2022

Vine cultivation has a strong territorial character derived from the environmental, social, cultural and economic interactions with the space in which the vines are grown. In Spain, this activity is clearly representative of Mediterranean agrarian landscapes, where vineyards have a dynamic and multifunctional character, as a consequence of the social and economic processes that they have always incorporated. This character is also complex as it has natural and anthropic components. The links between vineyards and territories drive the configuration of identity-based feelings in local communities, which identify with the work, rituals and symbols that are present in the production and manufacturing processes. Therefore, territorial identity is a strategic key for the necessary revalorisation of endogenous resources, and it is a factor of territorial development, as well as an element that is needed to reaffirm the multifunctional character of the winemaking system. The aim of this paper is to study these kinds of identity-based elements in the vineyards of Castilla-La Mancha, the main wine production region in Spain, emphasising the elements that are related to intangible heritage, and specifically, their roles in festivals and folklore, which reinforce the territorial and multifunctional character of agrarian land use. In other words, not only do these factors promote the education and awareness of local cultures about the values of their territory from a heritage perspective, but they also have potential as tourist attractions, which can promote economic diversification of agricultural activities in the recent debates between productivism and post-productivism.
Albedo-Induced Global Warming Impact at Multiple Temporal Scales within an Upper Midwest USA Watershed
Authors: Sciusco Pietro , Chen Jiquan , Giannico Vincenzo , Abraha Michael , Lei Cheyenne , Shirkey Gabriela , Yuan Jing , Robertson G. Philip
Published: February 2022

Land surface albedo is a significant regulator of climate. Changes in land use worldwide have greatly reshaped landscapes in the recent decades. Deforestation, agricultural development, and urban expansion alter land surface albedo, each with unique influences on shortwave radiative forcing and global warming impact (GWI). Here, we characterize the changes in landscape albedo-induced GWI (GWIΔα) at multiple temporal scales, with a special focus on the seasonal and monthly GWIΔα over a 19-year period for different land cover types in five ecoregions within a watershed in the upper Midwest USA. The results show that land cover changes from the original forest exhibited a net cooling effect, with contributions of annual GWIΔα varying by cover type and ecoregion. Seasonal and monthly variations of the GWIΔα showed unique trends over the 19-year period and contributed differently to the total GWIΔα. Cropland contributed most to cooling the local climate, with seasonal and monthly offsets of 18% and 83%, respectively, of the annual greenhouse gas emissions of maize fields in the same area. Urban areas exhibited both cooling and warming effects. Cropland and urban areas showed significantly different seasonal GWIΔα at some ecoregions. The landscape composition of the five ecoregions could cause different net landscape GWIΔα.
A First Study of Urginea maritima Rings: A Case Study from Southern Jordan
Authors: Yizhaq Hezi , Al-Tawaha Abdel Rahman Mohammad Said , Stavi Ilan
Published: February 2022

Vegetation rings are a common pattern in water-limited environments and mostly occur in clonal plants. This study presents, for the first time, rings of the geophyte species Urginea maritima. The rings, typically 40–90 cm in diameter, are abundant in the sandy environment of Little Petra and Wadi Rum, in the southern Jordanian drylands. Soil properties were studied in the rings’ center, periphery, and matrix. Soil-water volumetric content was significantly higher in the rings’ periphery than in the center and matrix. The soil organic carbon was highest in the periphery, intermediate in the center, and lowest in the matrix. At the same time, the soil texture, hydraulic conductivity, and gravimetric moisture content at the hygroscopic level were similar in the three microenvironments. According to the results, a possible ring formation mechanism is the soil-water uptake mechanism, which results in competition between the plants at the periphery and those in the center and is generally attributed to plants with large lateral root zones. Numerical simulations of a mathematical model implemented in this study support the soil-water uptake mechanism. A second possible mechanism is negative plant-soil feedback due to the accumulation of dead biomass and its consequent decomposition, with the resultant release of autotoxic compounds. It is possible that several mechanisms occur simultaneously and synergistically affect the formation of U. maritima rings.
Forest Ecosystem Fragmentation in Ecuador: Challenges for Sustainable Land Use in the Tropical Andean
Authors: Noh Jin Kyoung , Echeverria Cristian , Gaona Gabriel , Kleemann Janina , Koo Hongmi , Fürst Christine , Cuenca Pablo
Published: February 2022

Natural ecosystems are declining and fragmenting globally at unprecedented rates. Fragmentation of natural ecosystems leads to decline in functions and services with severe impact on people. In Ecuador, despite establishment of the nationwide ecosystem classification, this baseline information has not been fully exploited to generate a monitoring system for ecosystem changes. Forest ecosystems are altered daily in Ecuador by human impact, but the relationship between forest fragmentation and human land use has not been adequately explored. To provide an overview of how recent forest fragmentation at the national and ecosystem level was affected by practices in human land use, we quantified the degree of forest fragmentation using the forest fragmentation index (FFI). The relationship between the degree of forest ecosystem fragmentation and human land use of 64 natural forest ecosystems was analyzed during the time period 1990 to 2014. At the national level, the expansion of pasture and inhabited area significantly increased forest fragmentation. The regression models based on the FFI value indicated that the forest fragmentation was highly correlated to pastures in forest ecosystems with low, moderate, and high fragmentation in 2014 due to a progressive increase in pastures. This study showed the critical gaps between forest conservation strategies and actual practices in human land use.
Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, and Ocular Health in Space
Authors: Ly Victoria , Velichala Suhas Rao , Hargens Alan R.
Published: February 2022

Life on Earth has evolved continuously under Earth’s 1 G force and the protection of the magnetosphere. Thus, astronauts exhibit maladaptive physiological responses during space travel. Exposure to harmful cosmic radiation and weightlessness are unique conditions to the deep-space environment responsible for several spaceflight-associated risks: visual impairment, immune dysfunction, and cancer due to cosmic radiation in astronauts. The evidence thus reviewed indicates that microgravity and cosmic radiation have deleterious effects on the cardiovascular, lymphatic, and vision systems of astronauts on long-duration space missions. The mechanisms responsible for the decline in these systems are potentially due to cytoskeletal filament rearrangement, endothelial dysfunction, and muscular atrophy. These factors may alter fluid hemodynamics within cardiovascular and lymphatic vasculatures such that greater fluid filtration causes facial and intracranial edema. Thus, microgravity induces cephalad fluid shifts contributing to spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). Moreover, visual impairment via retinal ischemia and altered nitric oxide production may alter endothelial function. Based on rodent studies, cosmic radiation may exacerbate the effects of microgravity as observed in impaired endothelium and altered immunity. Relevant findings help understand the extent of these risks associated with spaceflight and suggest relevant countermeasures to protect astronaut health during deep-space missions.
The Multiple Roles of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase in Tumorigenesis and Cancer Chemoresistance
Authors: Song Jiaqi , Sun Huanran , Zhang Shuai , Shan Changliang
Published: February 2022

The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is a branch from glycolysis that begins from glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and ends up with fructose-6-phosphate (F6P) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GADP). Its primary physiological significance is to provide nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and nucleotides for vital activities such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) defense and DNA synthesis. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a housekeeping protein with 514 amino acids that is also the rate-limiting enzyme of PPP, catalyzing G6P into 6-phosphogluconolactone (6PGL) and producing the first NADPH of this pathway. Increasing evidence indicates that G6PD is upregulated in diverse cancers, and this dysfunction influences DNA synthesis, DNA repair, cell cycle regulation and redox homeostasis, which provides advantageous conditions for cancer cell growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance. Thus, targeting G6PD by inhibitors has been shown as a promising strategy in treating cancer and reversing chemotherapeutic resistance. In this review, we will summarize the existing knowledge concerning G6PD and discuss its role, regulation and inhibitors in cancer development and chemotherapy resistance.
Combining Direct PCR Technology and Capillary Electrophoresis for an Easy-to-Operate and Highly Sensitive Infectious Disease Detection System for Shrimp
Authors: Lin Hung-Yun , Yen Shao-Chieh , Tsai Shou-Kuan , Shen Fan , Lin John Han-You , Lin Han-Jia
Published: February 2022

Infectious diseases are considered the greatest threat to the modern high-density shrimp aquaculture industry. Specificity, rapidity, and sensitivity of molecular diagnostic methods for the detection of asymptomatic infected shrimp allows preventive measures to be taken before disease outbreaks. Routine molecular detection of pathogens in infected shrimp can be made easier with the use of a direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this study, four direct PCR reagent brands were tested, and results showed that the detection signal of direct PCR in hepatopancreatic tissue was more severely affected. In addition, portable capillary electrophoresis was applied to improve sensitivity and specificity, resulting in a pathogen detection limit of 25 copies/PCR-reaction. Juvenile shrimp from five different aquaculture ponds were tested for white spot syndrome virus infection, and the results were consistent with the Organization for Animal Health’s certified standard method. Furthermore, this methodology could be used to examine single post larvae shrimp. The overall detection time was reduced by more than 58.2%. Therefore, the combination of direct PCR and capillary electrophoresis for on-site examination is valuable and has potential as a suitable tool for diagnostic, epidemiological, and pathological studies of shrimp aquaculture.
Network Pharmacology Study to Reveal the Potentiality of a Methanol Extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. Wood against Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Adnan Md. , Jeon Byeong-Bae , Chowdhury Md. Helal Uddin , Oh Ki-Kwang , Das Tuhin , Chy Md. Nazim Uddin , Cho Dong-Ha
Published: February 2022

Caesalpinia sappan L. (CS) is widely used to treat diabetic complications in south-east Asia, specifically in traditional Chinese medicine. This study intends to explain the molecular mechanism of how chemical constituents of CS interrelate with different signaling pathways and receptors involved in T2DM. GC-MS was employed to identify the chemical compounds from the methanol extract of CS wood (MECSW). Lipinski’s rule of five was applied, and 33 bioactive constituents have been screened from the CS extract. After that, 124 common targets and 26 compounds associated with T2DM were identified by mining several public databases. Protein–protein interactions and compound-target network were constructed using the STRING database and Cytoscape tool. Protein–protein interactions were identified in 121 interconnected nodes active in T2DM and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) as key target receptors. Furthermore, pathway compound target (PCT) analysis using the merger algorithm plugin of Cytoscape revealed 121 nodes from common T2DM targets, 33 nodes from MECSW compounds and 9 nodes of the KEGG pathway. Moreover, network topology analysis determined “Fisetin tetramethyl ether” as the key chemical compound. The DAVID online tool determined seven signaling receptors, among which PPARG was found most significant in T2DM progression. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analysis implied the involvement of nine pathways, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway was selected as the hub signaling pathway. Finally, molecular docking and quantum chemistry analysis confirmed the strong binding affinity and reactive chemical nature of fisetin tetramethyl ether with target receptors exceeding that of the conventional drug (metformin), PPARs agonist (rosiglitazone) and co-crystallized ligands, indicating that fisetin could be a potential drug of choice in T2DM management. This study depicts the interrelationship of the bioactive compounds of MECSW with the T2DM-associated signaling pathways and target receptors. It also proposes a more pharmaceutically effective substance, fisetin tetramethyl ether, over the standard drug that activates PPARG protein in the PPAR signaling pathway of T2DM.