bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impacts of Unilateral Economic Sanctions
Authors: Halawani Fatima Abdulatef
Published: May 2023

Background: The term unilateral economic sanctions is defined as “economic measures taken by one State imposing it on another State, examples of such measures include trade sanctions.” Economic sanctions are criticised for failing to accomplish their goal and for having destructive effects that cause poverty, human rights violations, healthcare inefficiency, and deprivation of essential living standards. These subjects and their definitions will be thoroughly covered in this article, along with their connections to the effects of unilateral economic sanctions and their political and economic effects on the countries they are imposed against.

Methods: The approaches that have been used are the qualitative and analytical methods. The article gathered data regarding the impacts of unilateral economic sanctions on different levels, such as the effects on human rights and the economy, and international trade and diplomacy.

Results and Conclusions: The effects of the imposed unilateral economic sanctions have shown that they were a failure and had a disastrous impact on a variety of areas, including human rights, the right to adequate healthcare and education, and the decline in the economy that increased unemployment rates.
Pembelajaran Berbasis Budaya Lokal Dama Nyili-Nyili Dalam Membentuk Karakter Toleransi Pada Kelompok B TK Manuring Kota Tidore Kepulauan
Authors: Manaf Ilna Ningsi , Taib Bahran , Achmad Fatoni
Published: May 2023

Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk mendeskripsikan karakter toleransi yang terbentuk dalam pembelajaran berbasis budaya lokal Dama Nyili – Nyili pada anak kelompok B di TK Manurung Kota Tidore Kepulauan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kualitatif deskriptif dan teknik pengumpulan data observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Adapun teknik analisis data yang di lapangan dengan cara pengumpulan data, reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa pelaksanaan pembelajaran berbasis budaya lokal dama nyili – nyili dalam membentuk karakter toleransi anak telah di terapkan di sekolah TK Manurung Kota Tidore Kepulauan, dengan baik berdasarkan hasil penelitian dengan kualitifikasi 12 anak memiliki karakter toleransi yang terbentuk setelah pembelajaran berbasis budaya lokal dama nyili – nyili. Dengan demikian pembelajaran berbasis budaya lokal dama nyili – nyili dapat membentuk karakter toleransi anak.
Day-Ahead Wind Power Forecasting Using Numerical Weather Prediction
Authors: Huseyin Cevik Hasan , Çunkaş Mehmet
Published: May 2023

New power plants are included in the grid continuously to meet the increasing need for electrical energy. More than half of the power plants that have been newly added to the grid since 2015 are renewable energy power plants. As of 2022, the total installed renewable energy power increased by 11% compared to the previous year and reached 3146 GW. This increase will likely accelerate with the widespread use of electric vehicles. Wind energy is one of the renewable energy types with the highest installed capacity among renewable energy sources. Due to the nature of the wind, fluctuations in production cause adverse effects on the management of the electricity grid. Therefore, the forecast of renewable energy generation is very important for managing the electricity grid. This paper presents a wind energy forecast for the next 24 hours using data from a wind farm in Turkey. The forecast model consists of two stages. In the first stage, numerical weather predictions (NWP) have improved by using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) methods. In the second stage, estimation is carried out by the ANFIS method. Improving the NWP using past NWP data and actual wind speed data increases the power forecast accuracy. The forecast results are compared with the forecasts made by the wind power plant (WPP). The proposed model has forecasted wind power with NRMSE 16.73%, and it has given more successful results than the forecast made by the power plant.
PERAN GURU DALAM MEMBANGUN KARAKTER ENTREPRENEURSHIP ANAK MELALUI KEGIATAN MARKET DAY DI RA HARAPAN KITA
Authors: Munawarah  , Ikhsan  , Santika  , Ghafur Muhammad
Published: May 2023

Pembinaan karakter pada anak harus dilaksanakan sejak dini. Termasuk membangun karakter wirausaha pada anak. Membangun karakter wirausaha pada anak membutuhkan stimulasi yang sesuai dengan perkembangan anak. Oleh karena itu dibutuhkan beberapa upaya untuk mengimplementasikannya. Penelitian ini dilakukan di RA Harapan Kita, Kec. Lut Tawar, Kab. Aceh Tengahuntuk guru dan anak usia 5-6 tahun, dengan jumlah 15 anak. Metode penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif. Teknik analisis data menggunakan model Milles dan Huberman yaitu melalui observasi, wawancara dan penelitian terkait studi literatur. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa peran guru dalam membangun karakter wirausaha pada anak dapatdilakukan dengan memberikan stimulasi melalui kegiatan market day. Pelaksanaan kegiatan market day dapat dikatakan berjalan dengan baik yang dibuktikan dengan perencanaan hingga tahap evaluasi kegiatan. Manfaat pelaksanaan kegiatan market day dalam membentuk karakter wirausaha memunculkan karakter sebagai berikut. 1) memiliki rasa tanggung jawab. 2) mengenali potensi diri. 3) memiliki rasa tanggung jawab. 4) kreatif. 5) Mampu memecahkan masalah.
White perch health relative to urbanization and habitat degradation in Chesapeake Bay tributaries. I. Biliary neoplasms and hepatic lesions
Authors: Matsche MA , Blazer VS , Pulster EL
Published: May 2023

White perch Morone americana (Gmelin, 1789) from the Chesapeake Bay (USA) watershed have a high incidence of liver disease, including neoplasms of bile duct origin. Fish collected seasonally from spring 2019 to winter 2020 from the urban Severn River and the more rural Choptank River were evaluated for hepatic lesions. Biliary hyperplasia (64.1%), neoplasms (cholangioma and cholangiocarcinoma, 27%), and dysplasia (24.9%) were significantly higher in Severn River fish compared to Choptank River fish (52.9, 16.2, and 15.8%, respectively). Hepatocellular lesions were less common, including foci of hepatocellular alteration (FHA, 13.3%) and hepatocellular neoplasms (1%). There was also a progressive age-related increase in copper-laden granules in hepatocytes, which was a significant risk factor for FHA and could be a source of oxidative stress in the liver. Significant risk factors for biliary neoplasms included age, bile duct fibrosis, and infections by the myxozoan parasite Myxidium murchelanoi, but the prevalence and relative intensity of M. murchelanoi infections did not differ significantly between fish populations. Hepatic disease in this species appears to be chronic and may stem from an age-related accumulation of damage, possibly from parasitic infections and contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and copper. Watershed development and exposures to PCBs and PAHs were generally higher for white perch in the Severn River, but similar suites of chemical contaminants were detected in the Choptank River. A broader survey of white perch within and outside Chesapeake Bay may allow determination of the extent of biliary neoplasia in this species.
Conspecific interactions as drivers of activity and mortality in a prominent sandy beach amphipod
Authors: Lynn KD , Tummon Flynn P , Anguita C , Duarte C , Quijón PA
Published: May 2023

In harsh habitats, community structure is believed to be controlled primarily by physical factors while biological interactions are considered to be of little relevance. However, evidence of avoidance behaviors between the life stages of some species suggests otherwise. A long-standing hypothesis from sandy beaches suggests that avoidance between adults and juveniles dictates some aspects of their ecology, but this has not been explicitly tested. Here, we used a field survey to document the diel activity of adults and juveniles of the talitrid amphipod Americorchestia longicornis. We then used laboratory experiments to assess the influence of adults on the activity of juveniles and to measure juvenile mortality rates in the presence and absence of adults, with and without food. In the field, we found clear differences in the diel activity of adults and juveniles. Adults were active throughout the night but not in daylight, whereas juvenile activity peaked at dusk and dawn. Similar patterns of activity were recorded in laboratory tanks that included both stages. However, when adults were excluded, juveniles shifted towards night activity, suggesting that the pattern of activity observed in the field is a mechanism to avoid larger conspecifics. In separate trials, predation by adults was a significant driver of juvenile mortality, regardless of initial juvenile density and food availability. Altogether, these results suggest that segregation between amphipod life stages is driven by the avoidance of direct interactions, specifically, cannibalism. This likely influences the role played by these amphipods, both as prey and as processors of stranded seaweeds.
Clostridioides difficile Infection: Targeting an Unwelcome and Persistent Threat
Authors: Moir Hann
Published: May 2023

An integrated symposium, with an esteemed panel of experts, discussed the burden and treatment approaches for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The session took place on 17th April 2023 as part of the 33rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The session was co-chaired by Mark Wilcox, Head of Microbiology Research & Development and Infection Lead at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK, and Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Leeds, UK; and Anne Gonzales-Luna, Assistant Professor at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Texas, USA.

Sarah Tschudin-Sutter, Professor and Head Division of Hospital Epidemiology at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, explored the changing landscape for CDI, including the epidemiology and surveillance of infection, and approaches to diagnosis.

John Coia, Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Regional Health Research, University of South Denmark, and Honorary Research Fellow at Glasgow University, UK; and Esther Calbo, Professor and Head of Infectious Disease at the Hospital Universitari Mútua de Terrassa, Spain, gave an overview of the burden of recurrent CDI, dysbiosis in CDI, and the role in recurrent CDI, mortality risk, and the importance of targeting recurrence.

Calbo also presented an interactive case study that allowed audience members to engage and review the patient case presented. The faculty panel explored with the audience how to approach assessment and treatment to achieve the best outcome for the patient case.

Benoît Guery, Associate Professor Infectious Disease at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland, presented data from the EXTEND study, which explored extended-pulse dosing regimens of antibiotics (fidaxomicin) in CDI.
Robo-Advisor: Innovations in Wealth Management
Authors: O.S. Narziev , Z.A. Nabiraeva
Published: May 2023

Recently, online platforms have become a popular way of investing. Robo-advisor is a new way to manage assets. They make investing easier and cheaper to automate investment decisions and increase access to wealth management services. The article is dedicated to a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of robo-advisers.
Health Education of Honey Consumption in Increasing Hemoglobin Levels of Pregnant Women in Trimester III in Tambusa Barat Village
Authors: Andriana Andriana , Laila Ratna
Published: May 2023

During the third trimester of pregnancy, pregnant women are expected to have a good enough hb level to prevent anemia and prepare for birth which aims to prevent postpartum hemorrhage, fetal death, maternal death and low birth weight. Based on the results of data in West Tambusai Village in 2022, there were 36 third trimester pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to find out how the understanding of third trimester pregnant women about anemia prevention with honey consumption in Tambusai Barat Village. The methodology of this research uses descriptive analytic. The population in this study amounted to 36 pregnant women in the third trimester and the sample in the study was 30 pregnant women in the third trimester. Sample selection technique using purposive sampling. The results of research on education in third trimester pregnant women in Tambusai Barat Village, in the elementary school group as many as 0 people (0%), junior high school as many as 9 people (30.0%), high school as many as 16 people (53.4%), PT as many as 5 people (16.6%). BMI of pregnant women in the third trimester In Tambusai Barat Village, there is no thin group (0%), ideal body weight is 12 people (40.0%), overweight is 10 people (33.3%), overweight is about 8 people (26.7%). From the research data shows that the knowledge of third trimester pregnant women before being given health education about the benefits of honey has an average of 10.12 and after being given health education has knowledge about the benefits of honey in increasing Hb which is 13.80. It is known that the results of the statistical test of health education have a significant effect on mother's knowledge with p value < 0.05. The conclusions and suggestions that can be given are that the administration of honey is effective in increasing the hemoglobin levels of pregnant women in the third trimester, so after this research it is hoped that the third trimester pregnant women can suggest and implement it to increase hemoglobin levels while preventing anemia in third trimester pregnant women.       

Keywords: Haemoglobin, Third Trimester Pregnant Women, Health Education, Honey, West Tambusai Village
Farm Road Infrastructure Development and Change Social Community Economy in the Village
Authors: Darwis M Ihsan
Published: May 2023

The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of the development of Jalan Tani infrastructure on the socio-economic changes of the community in Mombi Village, Alu Subdistrict, Polewali Mandar Regency, how is the role of the government in developing Farmer Road infrastructure in Mombi Village, Alu Subdistrict, Polewali Mandar Regency. The results of the study show the effect of infrastructure development on socio-economic changes in society in general. The livelihoods of the people in Mombi Village, Alu District, Polewali Mandar Regency before and after the construction of Jalan Tani, do not highlight significant changes,It is understood that the government has an important role in the development process. Apart from being a distributor of development funds, the government also has a role as an agent who provides direction on the development of farm road infrastructure and provides solutions to the community if there are obstacles in development. The level of community education prior to the existence of Jalan Tani in Mombi Village is better educational facilities after the construction of Jalan Tani, educational services are more fulfilled.
Fiqh Rules About Belief and Doubt
Authors: Azis Ishan
Published: May 2023

Confidence can be interpreted as a certainty or a strong prejudice against something that is done, and doubts are merely doubts about whether the prejudice is as strong or is there something stronger. Basic Principles about اليَقِيْنُ لاَ يُزَالُ بِالِشَّكِّ . As we know, the fiqh rules have different scopes and scopes, from the broad scope and the most coverage to the fiqh rules which have a narrow scope and little coverage. In addition, Allah SWT does not want to make His people feel difficult, even Allah SWT wants convenience. As in the hadith it is said that الدِيْنُ يُسْرٌ means that the religion of Islam is easy, so with this basic rule it has included how Allah sent down Islamic law for all human beings without any burdensome elements in its implementation.
The role of Islamic organizations in Development and Enforcement of Islamic Law in Indonesia
Authors: Miranto Agus , Kurniati Kurniati , Rahman Abd
Published: May 2023

Before the 1945 Constitution came into force , law marriage and inheritance already applied for Indonesian Muslims . Condition Islamic society in Indonesia which is the majority is very possible enforcement and enforcement Islamic law . With application expected Islamic law crisis multidimensional happening _ could handled by the State. order values Islamic law applies in a manner intact in society , then values that Islamic law must poured in form law . History records that presence Islamic organizations such as Sarekat Islam (SI), Muhammadiyah, Nahdhatul Ulama (NU) and MUI are very influential to birth sharia rules that have there is moment this . So this post discuss how role internal Islamic organizations implementation and development Islamic law in order to be able to enforced by the national Islamic society .
Teachers Readiness in Implementing The Independent Curriculum at SD Xaverius 1 Palembang
Authors: Endang Theresia , Triayomi Ria , Modestha Modestha
Published: May 2023

The research aims to find out how the teacher's readiness is in implementing the Independent Curriculum at SD Xaverius 1 Palembang. The teacher's readiness to implement the independent curriculum consists of four indicators of teacher readiness, namely pedagogic competence, personal competence, social competence and professional competence. This study used a qualitative research method with a descriptive approach. The research subjects consisted of class I and IV teachers. Data collection techniques used in this study consisted of interviews, questionnaires and documentation which were carried out in depth and systematically. The interview instrument used was 12 questions. The results of the study can be concluded that teacher readiness has been carried out well. This can be proven by looking at the implementation of pedagogic, personality, social and professional competencies to be able to meet and understand teacher competency indicator standards. Furthermore, there is good collaboration between related parties, namely the Office of Education, Principals and infrastructure to support Teachers in implementing the Independent Curriculum.

Keywords: Teacher Readiness, Independent Curriculum, Implementing Independent Curriculum
Effectiveness of Pitfall Trap Colors in Monitoring Adults of Blister Beetle Meloe proscarabaeus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Meloidae) in Faba Bean Fields at El-Farafra Oasis Egypt
Authors: El-Sheikh Wael E.A. , Kenway Ahmed H. El
Published: May 2023

The blister beetles Meloe proscarabaeus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Meloidae), is a dangerous pest that threatens the agriculture of faba bean fields in El-Farafra Oasis, New Valley Governorate. In this study, an evaluation of the efficiency of different pit-fall trap colors for capturing adults of the blister beetles has been performed in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) fields. The experiment revealed that the green and red traps showed the highest number of captured beetles during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, which was highly significant to other traps’ colors. On the other hand, black, blue, gray, white, and yellow traps showed insignificant differences in the number of captured beetles. Concerning the sex of trapped beetles; it could be highlighted that the green trap attracted more female beetles than males with significant differences. Inversely, the red color trap attracted more males than females with significant differences. Approximately 40% of the captured beetle population was recorded in March, while only 11% were trapped in April. A Green pit-fall trap could be deemed a new estimating assay to suppress M. proscarabaeus adults in faba bean fields since the color trap variation affected the number of captured beetles. Therefore, color traps can be relied upon as an effective method in controlling beetles without the number of beetles reaching the limit of economic damage and in a manner that is safe for the environment
READINESS FACTOR FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PERMENDAGRI NUMBER 77 OF 2020
Authors: Sianturi Tiomin Olivianti , Nasir Azwir , Azlina Nur
Published: May 2023

This study aims to analyze organizational commitment, supporting facilities, competence of human resources and information technology towards the readiness implementation of Permendagri Number 77 of 2020. The objects of this research are the all OPD at Rokan Hulu Government. The data were analyzed by linear regression method and SPSS program version version 17. The variable under study is the readiness implementation of Permendagri Number 77 of 2020 as dependent variables and organizational commitment, supporting facilities, competence of human resources and information technology towards as independent variables. The results of the study show that organizational commitment has an influence affect on the readiness implementation of Permendagri Number 77 of 2020 with a significance value of 0.000, supporting facilities has not an influence affect on the readiness implementation of Permendagri Number 77 of 2020 with significance value of 0.127, competence of human resources has an influence affect on the readiness implementation of Permendagri Number 77 of 2020 with a significance value of 0.022 and informationtechnology towards has an influence affect on the readiness implementation of Permendagri Number 77 of 2020 with a significance value of 0.011. The results of this study also show that the coefficient of R square is 42.5%. Each independent variable, giving a strong influence on the dependent variable, meaning that the independent variable can explain the dependent variable well. While the rest is influenced by other variables not included in the regression model is not included in this study.
The role of the respiratory microbiome in asthma
Authors: Campbell Christina D. , Gleeson Margaret , Sulaiman Imran
Published: May 2023

Asthma is a common airways disease and the human microbiome plays an increasingly recognised role in asthma pathogenesis. Furthermore, the respiratory microbiome varies with asthma phenotype, endotype and disease severity. Consequently, asthma therapies have a direct effect on the respiratory microbiome. Newer biological therapies have led to a significant paradigm shift in how we treat refractory Type 2 high asthma. While airway inflammation is the generally accepted mechanism of action of all asthma therapies, including both inhaled and systemic therapies, there is evidence to suggest that they may also alter the microbiome to create a more functionally balanced airway microenvironment while also influencing airway inflammation directly. This downregulated inflammatory cascade seen biochemically, and reflected in improved clinical outcomes, supports the hypothesis that biological therapies may in fact affect the microbiome-host immune system dynamic and thus represent a therapeutic target for exacerbations and disease control.
A natural product noraucupatin against multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium: an inhibition mechanism study
Authors: Yu Fan , Han Xiao-Le , Zhu Jiahua , Dai Le , Liu Shuzhi , Liu Qing-Pei , Yang Jian , Sun Yue , Guo Lan-Ping , Yang Xiao-Long
Published: May 2023

Background: This work elucidates the antimicrobial activity and mechanism of action of the natural product noraucupatin against MDR Enterococcus faecium. E. faecium has become a major opportunistic pathogen with the worldwide spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, especially vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), belongs to “ESKAPE” organisms causing significant problems widely. Hence, there is a pressing need to discover new promising drugs or alternative therapies. Fortunately, we found a natural product noraucupatin (C13H12O3, a biphenyl compound) with “extremely encouraging” anti-clinical drug-resistant bacterial activity isolated from yeast-induced Rowan suspension cells. A comprehensive and in-depth exploration of antimicrobial mechanisms will bring fresh insights for researchers to develop novel antimicrobial strategies against MDR bacteria.

Methods: The antibacterial effect of noraucupatin against MDR E. faecium is investigated from a microbial metabolism perspective using microcalorimetry. The antibacterial effect is determined based on the thermodynamic parameters. Based on spectroscopic techniques, microscopy techniques and confocal scanning laser microscopy with membrane probes, the antibacterial mechanism is elucidated definitely.

Results: Comparing with the IC50 of noraucupatin against MDR Enterococcus faecalis, MRSA, CRPA, the IC50 of noraucupatin against MDR E. faecium was just 67.54 μM. The growth rate of MDR E. faecium decreases with the increase of concentration of noraucupatin. The bacterial intracellular structure entirely collapses and the slurries flow out under the influence of high levels of noraucupatin by TEM. The changes of membrane potential, permeability and evidences of nucleic acid leakage was obtained by CSLM and UV, the mechanism of noraucupatin against MDR E. faecium we explored.

Conclusion: The present study highlights the excellent antibacterial activity of noraucupatin against MDR E. faecium by altering the permeability of the membrane and disrupting the membrane potential leading to electrolyte permeation. In addition, noraucupatin has excellent biocompatibility through its haemolytic activity in rabbit erythrocyte. These findings suggest that noraucupatin could be used in infectious diseases caused by MDR E. faecium.
Sympathoinhibitory electroacupuncture (EA) interacts positively with anti-inflammatory EA alleviating blood pressure in hypertensive rats
Authors: Fu Liang-Wu , Gong Yiwei D. , Nguyen Anh T. , Guo Zhi-Ling , Tjen-A-Looi Stephanie C. , Malik Shaista
Published: May 2023

Elevated sympathetic activity and chronic inflammation are known contributory factors observed in hypertension. We have observed that sympathoinhibitory electroacupuncture (SI-EA) at acupoints ST36-37 alleviates sympathetic activity and hypertension. Additionally, EA at acupoints SP6-7 exerts anti-inflammatory (AI-EA) effects. However, it is not known whether simultaneous stimulation of this combination of acupoints attenuates or enhances individual effects. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to test the hypothesis that combining SI-EA and AI-EA (cEA) leads to greater reduction of hypertension by decreasing sympathetic activity and inflammation in hypertensive rats than either set of acupoints alone. Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive (DSSH) rats were treated with four EA regimens including cEA, SI-EA, AI-EA, and sham-EA twice weekly for five weeks. A group of normotensive (NTN) rats served as control. Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured non-invasively by tail-cuff. Plasma norepinephrine (NE), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations were determined with ELISA at the completion of treatments. DSSH rats on high salt diet progressively developed moderate hypertension within five weeks. DSSH rats treated with sham-EA showed continuous increase in SBP and DBP and elevations in plasma NE, hs-CRP, and IL-6 levels relative to NTN control. Both SI-EA and cEA decreased SBP and DBP, and had corresponding changes in biomarkers (NE, hs-CRP, and IL-6) compared with sham-EA. AI-EA prevented SBP and DBP elevation and decreased IL-6 and hs-CRP relative to sham-EA. Importantly in DSSH rats that received repetitive cEA treatment, SI-EA interacted positively with AI-EA leading to greater reduction of SBP, DBP, NE, hs-CRP, and IL-6 than SI-EA or AI-EA alone. These data suggest that by targeting both elevated sympathetic activity and chronic inflammation, cEA regimen results in a greater reduction of BP effects in treating hypertension compared to using individual SI-EA or AI-EA alone.
Effect of the number of unhealthy lifestyles in middle-aged and elderly people on hypertension and the first occurrence of ischemic stroke after the disease
Authors: Zhu Xiaopeng , Zhang Fang , Luo Zhongyan , Liu He , Lai Xia , Hu Xiaotong , Xie Qian , Gao Xia , Long Yan
Published: May 2023

Background

To determine the relationship between the number of controllable unhealthy lifestyles on the risk of the first occurrence of ischemic stroke after the disease in middle-aged and elderly people in the community, and to provide data support and basis for community physicians to guide hypertensive patients to control modifiable risk factors to prevent the first occurrence of ischemic stroke.

Methods

The relationship between the number of unhealthy lifestyles and the risk of hypertension was analyzed by binary logistic regression in 584 subjects using a medical record control study. A retrospective cohort study of 629 hypertensive patients was used to analyze the relationship between the number of unhealthy lifestyles and the risk of the first occurrence of ischemic stroke within 5 years of developing hypertensive disease using Cox proportional risk regression models.

Results

Logistic regression model analysis showed that taking an unhealthy lifestyle as a reference, the OR (95% CI) values of, 2, 3, 4 and 5 unhealthy lifestyle were 4.050 (2.595–6.324), 4 (2.251–7.108), 9.297 (3.81–22.686), and 16.806 (4.388–64.365), respectively. Cox Proportional risk regression model analysis showed that the risk of ischemic stroke within 5 years after developing hypertension was referenced to 5 unhealthy lifestyles, and the HR (95% CI) for 3, 2, and 1 unhealthy lifestyle were 0.134 (0.023–0.793), 0.118 (0.025–0.564), and 0.046 (0.008–0.256), respectively.

Conclusion

The number of controllable unhealthy lifestyles in middle-aged and elderly people was positively associated with the risk of hypertension and first ischemic stroke after hypertension, and there was a dose-effect relationship between them. The risk of hypertension and first ischemic stroke within 5 years after hypertension onset increased with the number of unhealthy lifestyles.
Do radioiodine-avid lymph nodes from differentiated thyroid cancer on the initial posttherapy scan need repeated 131I therapy?
Authors: Jiang Yongji , Liu Simin , Qiu Xiaotong , Huo Yanlei , Zhang Xiaoying , Cai Haidong , Lv Zhongwei , Ma Chao
Published: May 2023

Background

Residual/recurrent lymph node metastase (LNM) is often found after differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) surgery. This study aimed to investigate whether patients complicated with radioiodine-avid (131I+) lymph nodes from DTC on the initial posttherapy scan (PTS) need repeated 131I therapy.

Methods

From June 2013 to August 2022, DTC patients with 131I+ lymph nodes on the initial PTS who received at least two cycles of 131I therapy were retrospectively enrolled. They were divided into a complete response (CR) group and an incomplete response (IR) group according to their response to the initial 131I therapy based on the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines.

Results

A total of 170 DTC patients with 131I+ lymph nodes on the initial PTS were included; 42/170 (24.7%) patients were classified into the CR group and 128/170 (75.9%) were classified into the IR group according to their response to the initial 131I therapy. None of the 42 CR patients had disease progression at the subsequent follow-up, and 37/170 (21.8%) IR patients improved after repeated therapy. Univariate analysis showed that N stage (P=0.002), stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) level before initial 131I therapy (P<0.001), LNM size (P<0.001), number of total residual/recurrent LNM (P=0.021), radioiodine-nonavid (131I-) LNM (P=0.002) and ultrasound features (P<0.001) were related to the initial treatment response. On multivariate analysis, sTg level (OR=1.186, P<0.001) and LNM size (OR=1.533, P=0.004) were independent risk factors for IR after initial 131I therapy. The optimal sTg level and LNM size cutoff value for predicting the treatment response after initial 131I therapy were 18.2 µg/l and 5mm.

Conclusion

This study suggested that approximately one-quarter of patients with 131I+ lymph nodes on initial PTS, especially those with N0 or N1a stage, lower sTg level, smaller LNM size, ≤2 residual/recurrent LNMs, negative ultrasound features and no 131I- LNM, remain stable after one cycle of 131I therapy and do not need repeated therapy.
Ferroptosis-mediated immune responses in cancer
Authors: Qi Desheng , Peng Milin
Published: May 2023

Cell death is a universal biological process in almost every physiological and pathological condition, including development, degeneration, inflammation, and cancer. In addition to apoptosis, increasing numbers of cell death types have been discovered in recent years. The biological significance of cell death has long been a subject of interest and exploration and meaningful discoveries continue to be made. Ferroptosis is a newfound form of programmed cell death and has been implicated intensively in various pathological conditions and cancer therapy. A few studies show that ferroptosis has the direct capacity to kill cancer cells and has a potential antitumor effect. As the rising role of immune cells function in the tumor microenvironment (TME), ferroptosis may have additional impact on the immune cells, though this remains unclear. In this study we focus on the ferroptosis molecular network and the ferroptosis-mediated immune response, mainly in the TME, and put forward novel insights and directions for cancer research in the near future.
Inhibition of the lectin pathway of complement activation reduces LPS-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome in mice
Authors: Ali Youssif M. , Lynch Nicholas J. , Shaaban Ahmed A. , Rizk Dina E. , Abdel-Rahman Shaymaa H. , Khatri Priyanka , Yabuki Munehisa , Yaseen Sadam , Dudler Thomas , Demopulos Gregory , Schwaeble Wilhelm J.
Published: May 2023

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening disorder with a high rate of mortality. Complement activation in ARDS initiates a robust inflammatory reaction that can cause progressive endothelial injury in the lung. Here, we tested whether inhibition of the lectin pathway of complement could reduce the pathology and improve the outcomes in a murine model of LPS-induced lung injury that closely mimics ARDS in human. In vitro, LPS binds to murine and human collectin 11, human MBL and murine MBL-A, but not to C1q, the recognition subcomponent of the classical pathway. This binding initiates deposition of the complement activation products C3b, C4b and C5b-9 on LPS via the lectin pathway. HG-4, a monoclonal antibody that targets MASP-2, a key enzyme in the lectin pathway, inhibited lectin pathway functional activity in vitro, with an IC50 of circa 10nM. Administration of HG4 (5mg/kg) in mice led to almost complete inhibition of the lectin pathway activation for 48hrs, and 50% inhibition at 60hrs post administration. Inhibition of the lectin pathway in mice prior to LPS-induced lung injury improved all pathological markers tested. HG4 reduces the protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (p<0.0001) and levels of myeloid peroxide (p<0.0001), LDH (p<0.0001), TNFα and IL6 (both p<0.0001). Lung injury was significantly reduced (p<0.001) and the survival time of the mice increased (p<0.01). From the previous findings we concluded that inhibition of the lectin pathway has the potential to prevent ARDS pathology.
Axial spondyloarthritis in patients with recurrent fever attacks: data from the AIDA network registry for undifferentiated autoInflammatory diseases (USAIDs)
Authors: Vitale Antonio , Caggiano Valeria , Silva Isabel , Oliveira Daniel G. , Ruscitti Piero , Ciccia Francesco , Vasi Ibrahim , Tufan Abdurrahman , Lopalco Giuseppe , AlMaghlouth Ibrahim A. , Sota Jurgen , Wiesik-Szewczyk Ewa , Gaggiano Carla , Giardini Henrique Ayres Mayrink , Spedicato Veronica , Ragab Gaafar , Iannone Florenzo , Balistreri Alberto , Frassi Micol , Hernández-Rodríguez José , Fabiani Claudia , Falsetti Paolo , Di Meglio Nunzia , Frediani Bruno , Mazzei Maria Antonietta , Rigante Donato , Faria Raquel , Cantarini Luca
Published: May 2023

Beckground

Despite the recent advances in the field of autoinflammatory diseases, most patients with recurrent fever episodes do not have any defined diagnosis. The present study aims at describing a cohort of patients suffering from apparently unexplained recurrent fever, in whom non-radiographic axial spondylarthritis (SpA) represented the unique diagnosis identified after a complete clinical and radiologic assessment.

Materials and methods

Patients’ data were obtained from the international registry on Undifferentiated Systemic AutoInflammatory Diseases (USAIDs) developed by the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) network.

Results

A total of 54 patients with recurrent fever episodes were also affected by non-radiographic axial SpA according to the international classification criteria. SpA was diagnosed after the start of fever episodes in all cases; the mean age at the diagnosis of axial SpA was 39.9 ± 14.8 years with a diagnostic delay of 9.3 years. The highest body temperature reached during flares was 42°C, with a mean temperature of 38.8 ± 1.1°C. The most frequent manifestations associated to fever were: arthralgia in 33 (61.1%) cases, myalgia in 24 (44.4%) cases, arthritis in 22 (40.7%) cases, headache in 15 (27.8%) cases, diarrhea in 14 (25.9%) cases, abdominal pain in 13 (24.1%) cases, and skin rash in 12 (22.1%) cases. Twenty-four (44.4%) patients have taken daily or on-demand non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and 31 (57.4%) patients have been treated with daily or on demand oral glucocorticoids. Colchicine was used in 28 (51.8%) patients, while other conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) were employed in 28 (51.8%) patients. Forty (74.1%) patients underwent anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents and 11 (20.4%) were treated with interleukin (IL)-1 inhibitors. The response to TNF inhibitors on recurrent fever episodes appeared more effective than that observed with anti-IL-1 agents; colchicine and other cDMARDs were more useful when combined with biotechnological agents.

Conclusion

Signs and symptoms referring to axial SpA should be inquired in patients with apparently unexplained recurrent fever episodes. The specific treatment for axial SpA may lead to a remarkable improvement in the severity and/or frequency of fever episodes in patients with unexplained fevers and concomitant axial SpA.
Enhanced external counter pulsation therapy in patients with symptomatic and severe intracranial steno-occlusive disease: a randomized clinical trial protocol
Authors: Sharma Vijay K. , Gopinathan Anil , Tan Benjamin Y. Q. , Loh Poay Huan , Hung Jennifer , Tang David , Chua Christopher , Chan Amanda C. Y. , Ong Jonathan J. Y. , Chin Amanda , Jing Mingxue , Goh Yihui , Sunny Sibi , Keat Chin Howe , Ka Zhang , Pandya Shivani , Wong Lily Y. H. , Chen Jin Tao , Yeo Leonard L. L. , Chan Bernard P. L. , Teoh Hock Luen , Sinha Arvind K.
Published: May 2023

Intracranial stenosis is prevalent among Asians and constitutes a common cause of cerebral ischemia. While the best medical therapy carries stroke recurrence rates in excess of 10% per year, trials with intracranial stenting have been associated with unacceptable peri-procedural ischemic events. Cerebral ischemic events are strongly related to the severity of intracranial stenosis, which is high in patients with severe intracranial stenosis with poor vasodilatory reserve. Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) therapy is known to improve myocardial perfusion by facilitating the development of collateral blood vessels in the heart. In this randomized clinical trial, we evaluate whether EECP therapy may be useful in patients with severe stenosis of intracranial internal carotid (ICA) or middle cerebral artery (MCA). The review of literature, methods of evaluation, status of currently used therapeutic approaches, and trial protocol have been presented.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03921827.
Intraganglionic reactive oxygen species mediate inflammatory pain and hyperalgesia through TRPA1 in the rat
Authors: Zhang Youping , Asgar Jamila , Shou Huizhong , Pak Joshua , Da Silva Joyce Teixeira , Ro Jin Y.
Published: May 2023

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated in nociceptive pathways in response to inflammation and injury. ROS are accumulated within the sensory ganglia following peripheral inflammation, but the functional role of intraganlionic ROS in inflammatory pain is not clearly understood. The aims of this study were to investigate whether peripheral inflammation leads to prolonged ROS accumulation within the trigeminal ganglia (TG), whether intraganglionic ROS mediate pain hypersensitivity via activation of TRPA1, and whether TRPA1 expression is upregulated in TG during inflammatory conditions by ROS. We demonstrated that peripheral inflammation causes excess ROS production within TG during the period when inflammatory mechanical hyperalgesia is most prominent. Additionally, scavenging intraganglionic ROS attenuated inflammatory mechanical hyperalgesia and a pharmacological blockade of TRPA1 localized within TG also mitigated inflammatory mechanical hyperalgesia. Interestingly, exogenous administration of ROS into TG elicited mechanical hyperalgesia and spontaneous pain-like responses via TRPA1, and intraganglionic ROS induced TRPA1 upregulation in TG. These results collectively suggest that ROS accumulation in TG during peripheral inflammation contributes to pain and hyperalgesia in a TRPA1 dependent manner, and that ROS further exacerbate pathological pain responses by upregulating TRPA1 expression. Therefore, any conditions that exacerbate ROS accumulation within somatic sensory ganglia can aggravate pain responses and treatments reducing ganglionic ROS may help alleviate inflammatory pain.
Effects of sugarcane variety and nitrogen application level on the quality and aerobic stability of sugarcane tops silage
Authors: Gu Qichao , Zhang Lu , Zhou Xiaokang , Lin Bo , Zou Caixia
Published: May 2023

To better understand the effects of sugarcane variety and nitrogen application level on silage, we analyzed the fermentation quality, microbial community dynamics, and aerobic exposure of sugarcane tops silage from three sugarcane varieties (B9, C22, and T11) treated with three levels of nitrogen (0, 150, and 300 kg/ha urea). After 132 days of silage, the sugarcane tops silage produced from variety B9, with strong nitrogen fixation ability, treated with nitrogen had the highest crude protein (CP) contents, pH, and yeast counts (P < 0.05), as well as the lowest Clostridium counts (P < 0.05), and the CP increased with increasing N application level (P < 0.05). In contrast, the sugarcane tops silage produced from variety C22, with poor nitrogen fixation ability, treated with 150 kg/ha nitrogen had the highest lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts, dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and lactic acid (LA) contents (P < 0.05), as well as the lowest acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents (P < 0.05). However, these results were not present in the sugarcane tops silage produced from variety T11, with no nitrogen fixation ability, whether it was treated with nitrogen or not; although the silage was treated with 300 kg/ha nitrogen, the ammonia-N (AN) content was the lowest (P < 0.05). After 14 days of aerobic exposure, Bacillus abundance increased in the sugarcane tops silage produced from variety C22 treated with 150 kg/ha nitrogen and from varieties C22 and B9 treated with 300 kg/ha nitrogen, while Monascus abundance increased in the sugarcane tops silage produced from varieties B9 and C22 treated with 300 kg/ha nitrogen and from variety B9 treated with 150 kg/ha nitrogen. However, correlation analysis showed that Monascus was positively correlated with Bacillus irrespective of nitrogen level and sugarcane variety. Our results indicated that sugarcane variety C22, with poor nitrogen fixation ability, treated with 150 kg/ha nitrogen produced the highest sugarcane tops silage quality and inhibited the proliferation of harmful microorganisms during spoilage.
Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of B3 transcription factor genes in Populus alba × Populus glandulosa
Authors: Wei Mingke , Li Hui , Wang Qiao , Liu Rui , Yang Linxi , Li Quanzi
Published: May 2023

B3-domain containing transcription factors (TFs) are well known to play important roles in various developmental processes, including embryogenesis, seed germination, etc. Characterizations and functional studies of the B3 TF superfamily in poplar are still limited, especially on their roles in wood formation. In this study, we conducted comprehensive bioinformatics and expression analysis of B3 TF genes in Populus alba × Populus glandulosa. A total of 160 B3 TF genes were identified in the genome of this hybrid poplar, and their chromosomal locations, syntenic relationships, gene structures, and promoter cis-acting elements were analyzed. Through domain structure and phylogenetic relationship analyses, these proteins were classified into four families LAV, RAV, ARF, and REM. Domain and conservation analyses revealed different gene numbers and different DNA-binding domains among families. Syntenic relationship analysis suggested that approximately 87% of the genes resulted from genome duplication (segmental or tandem), contributing to the expansion of the B3 family in P. alba × P. glandulosa. Phylogeny in seven species revealed the evolutionary relationship of B3 TF genes across different species. B3 domains among the eighteen proteins that were highly expressed in differentiating xylem had a high synteny, suggesting a common ancestor for these seven species. We performed co-expression analysis on the representative genes in two different ages of poplar, followed by pathways analysis. Among those genes co-expressed with four B3 genes, 14 were involved in lignin synthases and secondary cell walls biosynthesis, including PagCOMT2, PagCAD1, PagCCR2, PagCAD1, PagCCoAOMT1, PagSND2, and PagNST1. Our results provide valuable information for the B3 TF family in poplar and show the potential of B3 TF genes in engineering to improve wood properties.
Repeatability and comparison of 2D and 4D flow MRI measurement of intracranial blood flow and pulsatility in healthy individuals and patients with cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Morgan Alasdair G. , Thrippleton Michael J. , Stringer Michael , Jin Ning , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Marshall Ian
Published: May 2023

Introduction

While 2D phase-contrast MRI is often used to examine intracranial vessels in neurovascular disease contexts, the ability of 4D flow to assess many vessels at once makes it an attractive alternative. We aimed to assess the repeatability, reliability, and conformity of 2D and 4D flow across intracranial vessels.

Methods

Using correlation analyses and paired t-tests, test-retest repeatability, intra-rater reliability, and inter-method conformity for measurements of pulsatility index (PI) and mean flow were assessed in the arteries and veins of 11 healthy volunteers. Inter-method conformity was also assessed in 10 patients with small vessel disease.

Results

Repeatability for PI measurements was mostly classed as good using both 2D (median ICC = 0.765) and 4D (0.772) methods, and for mean flow was mostly moderate across both (2D: 0.711, 4D: 0.571). 4D reliability was good for PI (0.877–0.906) and moderate for mean flow (0.459–0.723). Arterial PI measurements were generally higher using the 2D method, while mean flow was mostly higher using 4D flow.

Discussion

These results imply that PI measurement using 4D flow is repeatable and reliable across intracranial arteries and veins, but care should be paid to absolute flow measurements as they are susceptible to variation depending on slice placement, resolution, and lumen segmentation practices.