bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EKSISTENSI BADAN PENGAWAS PEMILU KABUPATEN POLEWALI MANDAR DALAM MENGAWASI PROSES KAMPANYE PADA PILKADA SERENTAK 2018 DI POLEWALI MANDAR
Authors: Awalia Fitri , Riwanto Agus
Published: November 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji eksistensi Badan Pengawas Pemilu dalam mengawasi proses kampanye pada Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Serentak pemilihan Bupati dan Wakil Bupati Polewali Mandar tahun 2018  serta mengkaji hambatan yang dialami  Badan Pengawas Pemilu Kabupaten Polewali Mandar dalam menjalankan tugas pengawasan proses kampanye. Jenis penelitian dalam penulisan artikel ini adalah empiris dan bersifat dekriptif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Eksistensi Badan Pengawas Pemilu Kabupaten Polewali Mandar pada pelaksanaan proses kampanye pilkada serentak pemilihan Bupati dan Wakil Bupati Polewali Mandar tahun 2018 dilakukan dengan maksimal melalui beberapa tahapan yakni persiapan pengawasan dan tahapan pelaksanaan pengawasan yang terdiri dari pencegahan dan aktivitas pengawasan. Kemudian, dalam melaksanakan proses pengawasan masa kampanye, Badan Pengawas Pemilu Kabupaten Polewali Mandar menemui beberapa hambatan yakni kekuatan eksekutorial yang lemah dalam menertibkan alat peraga kampanye, waktu yang terbatas, kesenjangan persepsi penanganan pelanggaran pilkada oleh Badan Pengawas Pemilu dan penegak hukum lainnya, dan budaya hukum masyarakat yang cenderung apatis terhadap pengawasan masa kampanye pilkada.
ANALISIS PELAKSANAAN LAYANAN ONLINE ADMINDUK SAPIDUKCAPIL BERDASARKAN PERATURAN MENTERI DALAM NEGERI NOMOR 7 TAHUN 2019 TENTANG PELAYANAN ADMINISTRASI KEPENDUDUKAN SECARA DARING DITINJAU DARI ASAS PELAYANAN YANG BAIK
Authors: Sasono Wasis Singgih , Firdausy Adriana Grahani
Published: November 2023

This study aims to determine the implementation of the public service bureaucracy of the online service administration of the Population and Civil Registration Information and Service Administration System (Sapidukcapil) organized by the Boyolali Regency Government, especially the Population and Civil Registration Service based on the Minister of Home Affairs Regulation Number 7 of 2019 concerning Population Administration Services. Online which is viewed from the principle of Good Service. This research is a non-doctrinal legal research (non-doctrinal research). Types and sources of research data using primary and secondary data. Primary legal materials are in the form of Minister of Home Affairs Regulation Number 7 of 2019 concerning Online Population Administration Services, while secondary legal materials are treaties or doctrines, law reviews, and legal encyclopedias. Deductive qualitative data analysis technique. The results of this study in terms of the principle of Good Service are closer to the community, simplify, speed up, and free of charge, so that it is considered effective and efficient, however, this principle is not fully implemented and there are still discrepancies, namely still using old blanks, there is no data collection feature for adminduk vulnerable residents, and foreign applicants are not served in the Sapidukcapil online service.
ANALISIS IMPLEMENTASI ANGGARAN PENDAPATAN DAN BELANJA NEGARA (APBN) SEBAGAI SUMBER KEUANGAN UTAMA DALAM PENDANAAN KAMPANYE PARTAI POLITIK PESERTA PEMILIHAN UMUM
Authors: Haruna Hardiansa , Madalina Maria
Published: November 2023

Penulisan hukum ini mendiskripsikan dan mengkaji sistem pemilu
khususnya mengenai pendanaan kampanye parpol peserta pemilu yang masih
memiliki banyak kekurangan baik dalam pengaturan maupun pelaksanaannya,
serta menawarkan konstruksi hukum melalui rencana pemaksimalan APBN
sebagai sumber keuangan utama pendanaan kampanye parpol peserta pemilu di
Indonesia. Penelitian ini termasuk ke dalam jenis penelitian hukum normatif.
Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yakni pendekatan perundang-undangan, pendekatan kasus, dan pendekatan konseptual. Sumber hukum yang
digunakan terdiri dari bahan hukum primer dan bahan hukum sekunder. Teknik
pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan studi dokumen (studi kepustakaan). Teknik
analis baha hukum adalah menganalisis hasil penelitian dan pembahasan dengan menggunakan teori-teori yang terdapat dalam tinjauan pustaka. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pengaturan pendanaan kampanye di Indonesia masih jauh dari kata ideal. Yang mana dalam pelaksanannya, beberapa penyimpangan politik seperti praktek korupsi, politik uang, dan ketidakpatuhan terhadap laporan dana kampanye masih terus terjadi pada penyelenggaraan pemilu di Indonesia. Sehingga sudah seharusnya pengaturan pendanaan kampanye tersebut dilakukan perubahan dengan mengakomodir pemaksimalan APBN sebagai sumber keuangan utama pendanaan kampanye parpol peserta pemilu.
EKSISTENSI KEDUDUKAN SERTA PERAN MAHKAMAH KONSTITUSI DALAM PEMAKZULAN (IMPEACHMENT) PRESIDEN DAN/ATAU WAKIL PRESIDEN PASCA AMANDEMEN UUD NRI 1945
Authors: Islami Nisa Nur , Riwanto Agus
Published: November 2023

Kedudukan Presiden sebagai lembaga eksekutif dalam sistem pemerintahan presidensial memiliki tanggung jawab penuh sebagai kepala negara serta sebagai kepala pemerintahan.  Hal  ini  tidak menutup  kemungkinan  bahwa  Presiden  maupun  Wakil Presiden dapat melakukan pelanggaran hukum sehingga bisa diberhentikan pada masa jabatannya. Indonesia merupakan negara hukum. Konsekuensi sebagai negara hukum ialah harus ditegakkannya mekanisme checks and balances. Hal tersebut dapat ditunjukkan dengan adanya Mahkamah Konstitusi dalam proses pemakzulan (impeachment). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji eksistensi kedudukan serta peran Mahkamah  Konstitusi  dalam  konteks  pemakzulan  (impeachment) Presiden  dan/atau Wakil Presiden pasca amandemen UUD NRI 1945 baik secara filosofis, sosiologis, maupun yuridis. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian hukum normative yang bersifat preskriptif dengan pendekatan konseptual. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa eksistensi Mahkamah Konstitusi dalam proses pemakzulan (impeachment) di dalam UUD NRI 1945 pasca amandemen terdapat pada Pasal 7B ayat (4) dan Pasal 24C ayat (2).
ANALISIS DAMPAK RENCANA PEMEKARAN KELURAHAN JEBRES KOTA SURAKARTA TERHADAP PELAYANAN PUBLIK DAN APARATUR PEMERINTAHAN
Authors: Utami Ayu Tri , Achmad .
Published: November 2023

Pembentukan, pengahapusan, dan penggabungan kelurahan terkait dengan rencana pemekaran Kelurahan Jebres Kota Surakarta yang sedang berjalan. Selanjutnya mengkaji tentang dampak positif dan negatif yang akan terjadi atas rencana pemekaran Kelurahan Jebres Kota Surakarta pada aspek pelayanan publik dan aparatur pemerintahan.Penelitian hukum ini menggunakan penelitian normatif yang bersifat preskriptif, Sumber bahan hukum terdiri dari bahan hukum primer dan bahan hukum sekunder, Teknik  pengumpulan bahan hukum yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah studi kepustakaan dengan cara mempelajari literatur dari buku, jurnal, artikel, dan bahan kepustakaan lainnya yang berkitan dengan masalah yang diteliti serta peraturan yang berhubungan dengan penelitian ini. Berdasarkan penelitian dan pembahasan, maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa rencana pemekaran Kelurahan Jebres Kota Surakarta ditinjau dengan pengaturan pembentukan kelurahan baru yang terdapat dalam Permendagri Nomor 31 Tahun 2006 tentang pembentukan, penghapusan, dan penggabungan kelurahan, belum memenuhi salah satu persyaratan pemekaran kelurahan yaitu syarat minimal luas wilayah dari kelurahan yang dimekarkan yaitu minimal 3 km2 dimana Kelurahan Jebres memiliki wilayah seluas 3,17 km2  yang akan dimekarkan menjadi 2 (dua) wilayah  kelurahan  yakni  Kelurahan  Jebres  dan  Kelurahan  Kentingan  dimana ketika pemekaran terjadi luas wilayah masing-masing kelurahan tersebut adalah kurang dari 3 km2. Dampak positif dari rencana pemekaran Kelurahan Jebres Kota Surakarta terhadap pelayanan publik dan aparatur pemerintahan antara lain;. Pertama, pelayanan publik menjadi lebih berkualitas dan memuaskan masyarakat; Kedua, meningkatnya efektifitas pelayanan kepada masyarakat; Ketiga, meningkatkan pengelolaan potensi daerah; Keempat, Penambahan sumber daya manusia aparatur pemerintah kelurahan yang berkualitas. Dampak negatif dari rencana pemekaran Kelurahan Jebres  antara lain;  Pertama, besarnya anggaran biaya pengadaan personel aparatur pemerintah dan sarana prasarana baru; Kedua, perubahan data administrasi kependudukan dan administrasi lainnya yang rumit; Ketiga, aparatur pemerintah yang baru cenderung belum terlalu menguasai dapat kewalahan untuk melayani masyarakat.
UPAYA PEMERINTAH DAERAH KOTA SURAKARTA DALAM PEMENUHAN HAK ANAK KORBAN KEKERASAN SEKSUAL
Authors: Aufa Sinarizqi Bidari , Anom Husodo Jadmiko
Published: November 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pelaksanaan peran Pemerintah Daerah Kota Surakarta dalam memenuhi hak anak korban kekerasan seksual. Penelitian sosiolegal digunakan dalam penelitian ini, sehingga jenis dan sumber data terdiri dari primer dan sekunder. Teknik pengumpulan data primer didapat melalui studi lapangan dan wawancara, sementara data sekunder didapat dari peraturan perundang-undangan, teori hukum, dan jurnal. Teknik analisis menggunakan analisis data kualitatif yang menghasilkan data deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Pemerintah Daerah Kota Surakarta telah berupaya dalam menyelenggarakan pemenuhan hak anak korban kekerasan seksual dengan tersedianya suatu unit pelaksana teknis untuk memberi pelayanan terpadu. Namun dalam pelaksanaannya, Pemerintah Daerah Kota Surakarta belum sepenuhnya sesuai dengan prinsip-prinsip penyelenggaraan perlindungan anak yang terdapat pada Undang-Undang Nomor 23 Tahun 2002 sebagaimana diubah dengan Undang- Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2014 dan Undang-Undang Nomor 17 Tahun 2016 tentang Perlindungan Anak. Beberapa sebab di antaranya adalah sumber daya manusia yang terbatas, kurangnya koordinasi dengan jejaring lembaga swadaya masyarakat, belum adanya pelembagaan yang kuat untuk pengawasan perlindungan anak, dan ketidakjelasan peraturan pelaksana untuk pemenuhan hak anak korban kekerasan seksual di Kota Surakarta.
PELAKSANAAN PERAN PARTISIPASI DALAM PENGELOLAAN ALOKASI DANA DESA DI DESA NGAGLIK KECAMATAN SAMBI KABUPATEN BOYOLALI
Authors: Farhan Iqbal , Achmad .
Published: November 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana pelaksanaan dan hambatan peran partisipasi masyarakat dalam pengelolaan Alokasi Dana Desa di Desa Ngaglik Kecamatan Sambi Kabupaten Boyolali. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian hukum empiris yang bersifat deskriptif dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Jenis dan sumber data penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah data primer dan data sekunder dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara dan pengambilan informasi studi tekstual untuk mengkaji data sekunder. Kemudian dianalisis menggunakan teknik analisis data dengan model analisis kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan Peran partisipasi masyarakat dalam pengelolaan Alokasi Dana Desa berjalan dengan baik dan maksimal, dilihat dari (1) Voice (suara/aspirasi) masyarakat dalam pengelolaan ADD, (2) Acces (akses) masyarakat dalam pengelolaan ADD, dan (3) Control (kontrol/pengawasan) masyarakat dalam pengelolaan ADD, dimana mulai dari tahapan perencanaan dibuat secara musyawarah antara  pemerintah desa dengan masyarakat mengenai besaran  penetapan  anggaran  hingga pelaksanaan hingga pelaporan  sehinggan masyarakat dengan baik dan maksimal berperan dalam setiap tahapan  ADD. Lalu, Hambatan Peran Partisipasi masyarakat dalam Pengelolaan ADD di Desa Ngaglik Kecamatan Sambi Kabupaten  Boyolali  meliputi  berbagai  hal.  Pertama,  Hambatan  Internal  (1)  Tingkat Pendidikan Sumber Daya Manusia (SDM) (2) Minimnya rasa saling percaya diantara para pelaku. (3) Perbedaan kepentingan yang tidak dapat dikompromikan setiap pelaku. Kedua, Hambatan Eksternal (1) Faktor Pekerjaan (2) Masalah Ekonomi Masyarakat.
Mild Internet Use Induces Epigenetic Alterations of Key Neurotransmission Genes in Salivary DNA of Young University Students
Authors: Annunzi Eugenia , Cannito Loreta , Bellia Fabio , Mercante Francesca , Vismara Matteo , Benatti Beatrice , Domenico Alberto Di , Palumbo Riccardo , Adriani Walter , Dell'Osso Bernardo , D'Addario Claudio
Published: November 2023

The potentially problematic use of the Internet is a growing concern worldwide, which causes and consequences are not completely understood yet. The neurobiology of Internet addiction (IA) has attracted much attention in scientific research, which is now focusing on identifying measurable biological markers. Aim of this study was to investigate epigenetic and genetic regulation of oxytocin receptor (OXTR), dopamine transporter (DAT1) and serotonin transporter (SERT) genes using DNA obtained from saliva samples of young university students: the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was administered to evaluate the potential existence and intensity of IA. Significant changes in DNA methylation levels at OXTR, DAT1 and SERT genes were observed in the 30<29 subjects (complete control of internet use) and IAT>50 subjects (considered as moderately addicted). Moreover, epigenetic markers were significantly correlated, either directly (for OXTR and DAT1) or inversely (OXTR and DAT1 versus SERT), to the psychometric properties. Our data confirmed the involvement of OXTR, DAT1 and SERT genes in processes related to behavioural addictions and might be of relevance to suggest possible biological predictors of altered behaviours and the eventual vulnerability to develop an IA. Different other genetic pathways have been suggested to play a role in IA and research is ongoing to better define them, in order to help in the early diagnosis as well as in the development of new potential treatments.
Selenium in the treatment of mild-to-moderate Graves’ orbitopathy: A 5-year Prospective Controlled Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Chuyuan , Qiao Jing , Liu Shanshan , Piao Sichen , Zhou Yun , Hu Yuedong , Wan Chao , Sun Yizhou , Ning Hong , Chen Lei , Zhang He , Hu Ruolin , Wang Haoyu , Wang Weiwei , Zhao Lei , Mao Jinyuan , Li Min , Teng Weiping , Shan Zhongyan , Li Yushu
Published: November 2023

Purpose
Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is the main extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease. However, limited studies have investigated the actual efficacy of selenium in GO therapy. This longitudinal study explored the effect of selenium on QOL and prognosis of patients with mild-to-moderate GO.
Methods
We conducted a 5-year prospective controlled cohort clinical trial to determine the effect of selenium on 74 patients with mild-to-moderate GO. Patients received selenium yeast or placebo orally for 6 months and were followed up at 6 months and at 5 years by biochemical examination, ophthalmologist evaluation and QOL questionnaire to assess oculopathy and QOL.
Results
(1) During a follow-up period of 3–6 months, in the selenium group, the symptoms of tearing, grittiness and conjunctival congestion improved (P < 0.01); clinical activity scores and total GO-QOL scores increased relative to baseline (P < 0.01); TRAb was decreased at the 6-month evaluation (P = 0.003); and patients treated with selenium had a higher rate of improvement and a lower rate of worsening than patients treated with placebo (P < 0.05). (2) Exploratory evaluations at 6 months after drug withdrawal confirmed the earlier results; further changes included alleviation of blurred vision and diplopia symptoms in the selenium group (P < 0.01). (3) At the 5-year follow-up, compared with baseline, ocular symptoms and signs, proptosis, clinical activity scores, TRAb level and total GO-QOL scores in both the selenium and placebo groups were significantly improved (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
Six months of selenium supplementation may effectively change the early course of mild-to-moderate GO, but this regimen makes no difference in long-term outcomes.
The overall decomposition of the spring-detached litter is faster than the autumn-detached litter in a steppe ecosystem
Authors: Wang Yanan , Xing Pengfei , Cheng Jianwei , Wang Ning , Wang Yadong , Wu Lin , Suri Guga , Li Frank Yonghong
Published: November 2023

In the grasslands, a large proportion of plant shoots senesces into standing dead materials in autumn and stays over the winter period instead of becoming detached litter immediately. However, the information on the decomposition of plant standing dead materials during the winter period and its impacts on their subsequent decomposition after littering in coming spring remain unavailable. We conducted a two-year experiment in Inner Mongolia to compare the decomposition process of the litters detached in autumn versus that detached in spring of two dominant plant Leymus chinensis and Stipa grandis. Throughout the whole decomposition period, the autumn litter was directly positioned upon the soil surface, while the spring litter suspended as standing dead for the first 7 months of winter before being detached. We found that the overall decomposition rate of spring litter was faster than the autumn litter over the experimental period. The decomposition rate was correlated positively with the N content, but negatively with the C/N ratio, lignin concentration and lignin/N ratio in litters. The spring litter showed a sharp decrease in lignin remaining during the standing-dead stage, while the autumn litter did not, which suggests an important role of photodegradation in the breakdown of lignin over the winter period that facilitates the litter decomposition in subsequent stages. These findings highlight the difference in the decomposition rates of the litters detached in autumn versus in spring, and suggest to incorporate the effects of the standing-dead stage in calculating or modeling the nutrient turnover rates in semi-arid steppe ecosystems.
Phenotypic and yield responses of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris l.) varieties to different soil moisture levels
Authors: Geleta Refisa Jebessa , Roro Amsalu Gobena , Terfa Meseret Tesema
Published: November 2023

Background:Morphologicalplasticity is one of the capacities of plants to modify their morphological appearance in response to external stimuli. However, such phenotypic expression varies among different varieties based on their levels of particular environmental stress conditions. However, the morphological and yield responses of common bean varieties to different environmental conditions are not well known.
Methods: A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of different moisture levels on the phenotypic and yield responses of common bean varieties. A factorial combination of five common bean varieties (Hirna, kufanzik, Awash-1, Ado, and Chercher) and three moisture levels (control, waterlogging stress, and moisture deficit stress) was used in three replications. Moisture stress treatments were started 20 days after planting, at the trifoliate growth stage. To evaluate the response of each variety, morphological and yield data were collected at week intervals.
Main Results:The resultsindicated that moisture levels and varieties had a significant influence on all growth parameters. Crop phenology was significantly influenced by the interaction effect of moisture level and variety. Exposing Hirna variety to moisture stress led to extended flowering and pod setting by 23 and 24 days, respectively, compared to the other treatments. The results showed that the phenotypic responses to moisture deficit and waterlogging stress varied between varieties. Waterlogging stress had a stronger reduction effect on the fresh weight, dry weight and leaf area of common bean varieties than moisture deficit andthe control. Pods per plant, seeds per plant, grain yield per plant, and harvest index were significantly influenced by the varieties, moisture stress levels and their interaction. Except for Chercher and Hirna. However, varieties Ado, kufanzik and Awasha-1 did not show significant differences onthe time of flower initiation due to moisture level. Biomass and growth in leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, leaf area, leaf number and plant height were significantly influenced by moisture level. When moisture deficit and waterlogging stress occurred, Ado and Awash-1 were more responsive to moisture stress than Hirna, Chercher, and Kufanzik.
Conclusion: Hence, Hirna and Kufanzik varieties were found to be tolerant because they produced higher yields than the Chercher, Awash-1, and Ado varieties.
Impacts of cattle management and agricultural practices on water quality through different approaches: physicochemical and ecotoxicological parameters
Authors: Peluso Julieta , Chehda Agostina Martínez , Olivelli Melisa S , Ivanic Federico M , Butler Matías , Aparicio Virginia , De Geronimo Eduardo , Gonzalez Florencia , Valenzuela Lautaro , Candal Roberto J , Aronzon Carolina M
Published: November 2023

The intensification of livestock farming can pose risks to the environment due to the increased use of veterinary products and the generation of waste in confined areas. The quality of water bodies near livestock establishments (Areco river (A) and Doblado stream (D), San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires, Argentina) was studied by physicochemical parameters, metals, pesticides, emerging contaminants, and lethal and sublethal toxicity (neurotoxicity and oxidative stress) in larvae of the native amphibian Rhinella arenarum. Six sites were selected: upstream (S1A and S1D), at the level of (S2A and S2D), and downstream (S3A and S3D) from the establishments. A low concentration of dissolved oxygen was observed in Doblado stream (<2.34 mg/L). Cu, Mn, V, and Zn exceeded the limits for the protection of aquatic life at various sites. Between 24 and 34 pesticides were detected in all sites, with 2,4-D, atrazine, and metolachlor being the most recurrent. In water and sediment, the concentrations of ivermectin (S2A: 1.32 μg/L and 58.18 μg/kg; S2D: 0.8 μg/L and 85.22 μg/kg) and oxytetracycline (S2A: <1 mg/L and <1 mg/kg; S2D: 11.8 mg/L and 39 mg/kg) were higher at sites near the establishments. All sites caused between 30 and 38.3% of lethality and produced neurotoxicity and alterations in the reduced glutathione content. Also, larvae exposed to samples from all sites incorporated ivermectin. These results demonstrate the degradation of the studied sites in relation to the agricultural activities of the area, highlighting the need to take measures to protect and preserve aquatic ecosystems.
Effect of two types of wall matrix on viability of lactobacillus plantarum under simulated gastrointestinal fluids
Authors: Kareem R. A. , Razavi Seyed Hadi , Mousavi ZE.
Published: November 2023

The viability of probiotic cells decreases during passage through the gastrointestinal tract and storage. Thus, to protect probiotics strains against harsh conditions, it is necessary to encapsulate them. Lactobacillus plantarum was entrapped in Sodium Alginate/Chitosan (SA/Chi) and Sodium Alginate/ Nano-Chitosan (SA/NChi) wall materials. SA/Chi and SA/NChi beads under FE-SEM were spherical and morphologically compact with the appearance of a crack for the SA/NChi beads. The survival rate of free cells rapidly reduced during 240 min in simulated gastrointestinal fluids and reached 29%, furthermore, the survival of bacterial cells in SA/Chi and SA/NChi beads after exposure to Simulated Stomach Fluid (SSF) and Simulated Intestinal Fluid (SIF) for 240 min was 81.61% and 87.04% respectively. Coating bacteria cells in encapsulants improved the survivability of the cells under adverse environmental conditions. At the same time, the hydrogel beads were characterized by FT-IR and DSC. The vigorous electrostatic interaction between sodium alginate and nanochitosan as well as, the high melting point for nano-chitosan resulted in a higher melting point for SA/NChi beads. The distinctive properties possessed by the SA/NChi coating make it an excellent candidate for use in food processing and as polymeric carrier in probiotics delivery system.
Discrepancies in Obesity-Related Medical Problems Between Indian and Greek Bariatric Candidates – An Observational Study.
Authors: Pantelis Athanasios G. , Kosta Susmit , Sinha Nirupam , Mathur Winnie , Lapatsanis Dimitris P. , Bhandari Mohit
Published: November 2023

Introduction
Obesity has been characterized as a pandemic, nevertheless, it demonstrates phenotypical and epidemiological heterogeneity across different ethnic populations.
Methods
We compared Indian and Greek patients living with obesity who presented for metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) from 1/1/2022–31/12/2022, based on their preoperative workup. The items examined were age, sex, smoking status, preoperative body mass index (BMI), and common obesity-related medical problems (ORMPs), including hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Categorical data are presented as frequencies (%), and continuous data as means ± SD (range). The groups were compared with Fisher’s exact test (categorical) and unpaired t-test (continuous).
Results
The Indian cohort comprised 2,093 patients (44.3% females) and the Greek 143 patients (61.5% females). Indian candidates for MBS were older (44.1 vs. 39.5 years, 95%CI 2.77–6.83, p < 0.0001) and featured lower preoperative BMI [42.1 vs. 46.7 kg/m2, 95%CI (-6.16)–(-3.04), p = 0.0001]. Smoking was more prevalent in Greeks (37.1% vs. 5.9%, 95%CI 23.2–39.1, p < 0.0001]. No significant difference was observed regarding hypertension [39.7% vs. 35.0%, 95%CI (-3.4)–12.8, p = 0.2888]. The rest of ORMPs were more prevalent in the Indian cohort (T2DM: 33.2% vs. 13.3%, 95%CI 14.0–25.8, p < 0.0001; dyslipidemia 25.4% vs. 14.7%, 95%CI 4.6–16.8, p = 0.0035; OSA: 64.0% vs. 18.9%, 95%CI 38.4–51.9, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions
Indian candidates for MBS were more likely to suffer from ORMPs compared to Greek candidates. Conversely, it could be postulated that Indian bariatric candidates had a stronger metabolic component as the indication for surgery, whereas Greek presented primarily for weight loss.
FBP1 orchestrates keratinocyte proliferation/differentiation and suppresses psoriasis through metabolic control of histone acetylation
Authors: Gao Yue , Zhou Wei , Zhang Pengfei , Yang Ju , Liu Xiong , Huang Congshu , Tao Yuandong , Shen Pan , Xiao Chengrong , Zhou Lei , Li Gaofu , Zhang Li
Published: November 2023

Keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation in epidermis are well controlled and essential for reacting to stimuli such as ultraviolet light. Imbalance between proliferation and differentiation is a characteristic feature of major human skin diseases such as psoriasis and squamous cell carcinoma. However, the effect of keratinocyte metabolism on proliferation and differentiation remains largely elusive. We show here that the gluconeogenic enzyme fructose 1, 6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1) promotes differentiation while inhibits proliferation of keratinocyte and suppresses psoriasis development. FBP1 is identified among the most upregulated genes induced by UVB using transcriptome sequencing and is elevated especially in upper epidermis. FBP1 heterozygous mice exhibit aberrant epidermis phenotypes with local hyperplasia and dedifferentiation. Loss of FBP1 promotes proliferation and inhibits differentiation of keratinocytes in vitro. Mechanistically, FBP1 loss facilitates glycolysis-mediated acetyl-CoA production, which increases histone H3 acetylation at lysine 9, resulting in enhanced transcription of proliferation genes. We further find that the expression of FBP1 is dramatically reduced in human psoriatic lesions and in skin of mouse imiquimod psoriasis model. FBP1 deficiency in mice facilitates psoriasis development through glycolysis and acetyl-CoA production. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously unrecognized role of FBP1 in epidermal homeostasis and provide evidence for FBP1 as a metabolic psoriasis suppressor.
Perceived Stigma of Hereditary Chronic Diseases in Oman
Authors: Alkalbani Ali , Alharrasi Maryam , Natarajan Jansi , Aldiabat Khaldoun , Badi Ammar Al , Alrumhi Amjad , Alqassabi Khalid , Alamr Nawal Alamri , Alomari Omar
Published: November 2023

Background: Stigma is an experienced or anticipated social practice or negative labeling described as the blame or rejection of a person or group of people. Chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS could result in stigma and contribute to negative health outcomes. An individual with chronic disease may experience public stigma from family members, coworkers, friends, or healthcare staff, which can lead to group separations. This study aims to describe the anticipated stigma of hereditary chronic diseases among university students. Stigma is negative labeling described as the blame or rejection of a person or group of people.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on university students aged 18-30 years via a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 407 students completed the survey. The majority (93.9%) of respondents were male, and 42.5% were 21 to 24 years of age.
Results: We found that the majority (63.1%) of participants anticipated stigma with hereditary chronic diseases. Those who do not suffer from genetic diseases have a higher anticipated stigma than those who do suffer from genetic diseases. The highest mean scores were in the category of coworkers and employers (M=9.55±2.994), followed by the health care providers (M=9.15±3.433). The lowest scores were for family and friends (M=8.46±2.935). Students who did not suffer from genetic diseases (F (1,404) =4.328, p=.038), students who were unaware of the premarital screening (PMS) (F (2,402) =3.385, p=.035), and those who were unwilling to undergo PMS (F (1,405) =9.342, p=.002) showed higher stigma scores.
Conclusions: Providing supportive help for individuals with hereditary chronic illnesses is imperative and needs to be incorporated within their plan of care. Further studies are needed to investigate all these factors and how they are related to the stigma of chronic diseases.
MSTN-edited born calves obtained by precision breeding, using CRISPR/Cas9 and SCNT
Authors: Suvá Mariana , Baston Juan Ignacio , Wiedenmann Elisabet , Arnold Victoria , de Rozas Belen Pose Ortiz , Jordan Roberto , Ghetti Alberto , Moro Lucia Natalia , Vichera Gabriel
Published: November 2023

Gene editing in cattle offers great potential in the livestock industry. To enhance beef productivity, the aim of this study was to obtain MSTN-edited calves by combining CRISPR/Cas9 edition in cell culture with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technology. In the first experiment (E1), gene editing efficiency was evaluated using plasmid-based CRISPR/Cas9 edition in fetal fibroblasts (BFF-E1 cells). The bioinformatic predicted edition rate (BPE) in BFF-E1 was 96%, and all cloned blastocysts generated using these cells as nuclear donors presented bi-allelic edition. In a second experiment (E2), Cas9 protein and trac:crRNA oligoribonucleotide (RNP) were used for MSTN gene editing of one fetal fibroblast (BFF-E2-male) and two mesenchymal stem cell lines (MSC-E2-male and MSC-E2-fem) from price-winning animals. The BPEs were 58.8%, 31% and 59% in cells, and 64%, 73.3% and 66.6% in SCNT embryos, respectively. Heterozygous and wild-type embryos were obtained in all E2 groups. One MSTN-edited calf was born from MSC-E2-femed group. Sequencing analysis revealed heterozygous biallelic edition in exon 2, consisting of an insertion of a thymine (T) base, and a deletion of 18 nucleotides (MSTNKO/-6). A second generation MSTNKO/-6 cloned calf was obtained. In conclusion, high rates of edited blastocysts with valuable genetic background and the birth of two edited calves for the MSTN gene were achieved through RNP-based editing. The protocol described in this work establishes the basis to induce gene editions with productive or biomedical relevance.
Quantifying Travel Time, Mapping and Validating Health Facility Catchment Areas in Blantyre, Malawi
Authors: Kalonde Patrick , Tsoka Owen , Chiepa Blessings , Baluwa Chifuniro , Nkolokosa Clinton , Mategula Donnie , Muthukrishnan Suresh , Feasey Nicholas , Henrion Marc , Stanton Michelle , Ray Nicolas , Terlouw Dianne , Longbottom Joshua , Chirombo James
Published: November 2023

Mapping health facility catchment areas is important for estimating the population that uses the health facility, as a denominator for capturing spatial patterns of disease burden across space. Mapping activities to generate catchment areas are expensive exercises and are often not repeated on a regular basis. In this work, we demonstrated the generation of facility catchment areas in Blantyre, Malawi using crowdsourced road data and open-source mapping tools. We also observed travel speeds associated with different means of transportation were made in five randomly selected residential communities within Blantyre city. AccessMod version 5.8 was used to process the generated data to quantify travel time and catchment areas of health facilities in Blantyre city. When these catchments were compared with georeferenced patients originating, an average of 94.2 percent of the patients came from communities within the generated catchments. The study suggests that crowdsourced data resources can be used for the delineation of catchment areas and this information can confidently be used in efforts to stratify the burden of diseases such as malaria.
Comprehensive study on influence of maturity duration and position of boll formation on seed quality in Asiatic Cotton (Gossypium arboreum)
Authors: Paul Debashis , Santhy V. , Chandra Subhash , Singh Amarpreet , Kumar Rishi
Published: November 2023

Asiatic/Desi cotton (G. arboreum) is in demand in the North zone due to its higher price, tolerance to major sucking insects and better suitability under Cotton-Mustard Cropping system. The production of vigorous seeds in desi cotton is still a major challenge and, the present study was formulated to address this issue. An experiment with nine varieties in RBD was conducted for two years (2020-21 and 2021-22) to ascertain the influence of maturity duration and boll position on seed quality parameters in cotton. The tagged bolls for each genotype were harvested seperately from bottom (up-to 40 cm), middle (41–80 cm) and top position (more than 80 cm of plant height) at 140 days after sowing (DAS), 150 DAS, 160 DAS and 170 DAS respectively, and the seeds obtained after ginning were used for conducting experiments. Genotype, picking time, plant stratum and their interaction influenced the seed physiological parameters significantly. The highest mean germination (%) was observed in the seeds picked at 140 DAS (83.72%) followed by 150 DAS (83.14%) after which a significant decline in germination (%) was noticed. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher Seed vigour index-I (SV-I) & SV-II was noted in the seeds harvested during 140 DAS (2027.77 & 1435.44) to 150 DAS (2158.11 & 1254.21). A gradual decrease in terms of seed vigour parameters after 150 DAS suggested picking of matured bolls during 140 to 150 (DAS) for obtaining seeds with better quality in desi cotton.
CS-6-Induced p62 Accumulation Exacerbates DNA Damage: A Mechanistic Insight into Colorectal Cancer Suppression
Authors: Gong Yitong , Cui Xuehui , Dong Menghan , Wang Liushuyue , Li Defang , Shi Zhen , Bi Sixue
Published: November 2023

Gamabufotalin (CS-6), a bufadienolide derived from Chansu, its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unexplored. CS-6 treatment significantly inhibited CRC SW620 and DLD1 cell viability and colony formation in vitro. Furthermore, CS-6 treatment-induced DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in SW620 and DLD1 cells. Proteomics analysis and the western blot assay revealed that CS-6 treatment upregulated p62 expression, an autophagic substrate involved in the regulation of DNA double-strand damage repair. Knockdown of p62 in this study significantly alleviated CS-6-induced DNA damage and the downregulation of cyclin expression in SW620 and DLD1 cells. Additionally, the results indicated increased expression of microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) and reduced binding between B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl2) and beclin-1, suggesting that CS-6 treatment activated early-stage autophagy in CRC cells. However, inhibition of late-stage autophagy and autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) with chloroquine and si-ATG5, respectively, further indicated that CS-6-induced autophagy defects led to p62 accumulation, exacerbated cell proliferation inhibition, and aggravated DNA damage. In conclusion, this study suggests that CS-6 may exert its anti-tumor effects in CRC by inducing autophagy defects, resulting in p62 accumulation and DNA damage.
Rapid improvement in pulmonary hypertension related with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia by iloprost inhalation in a postpartum patient, a case report
Authors: Hao Shengyu , Muhetaer Yaxiaerjiang , Zheng Xin , Long Yuliang , Song Jieqiong , Zhong Ming
Published: November 2023

Background
Postpartum pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) complicated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare condition. Diagnosing and treating PAH in patients with HHT can be challenging. To the best of our knowledge, no previous reports have investigated the efficacy of pulmonary vasodilators in improving hemodynamics in postpartum patients with this disease.
Case presentation
In this paper, we report a postpartum case of HHT combined with PAH, which presented with aggravation of dyspnea. Genetic testing revealed that the patient carried a heterozygous variant of activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ACVRL1).
Conclusions
The patient received virous treatments, including diuretics, anticoagulants, disidenafil, macitentan, inhalation of nitric oxide (iNO), and iloprost. Changes in PaO2/FiO2, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and NT-proBNP suggested that, with the exception of iloprost inhalation, the other treatments appeared to have limited efficacy.
IRGM/Irgm1 Increases Autophagy to Inhibit Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Inflammatory Injury Induced Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Wang Yadong , Zhang Xing , Hu Yangyang , Wang Wei , Ji Ru , Li Ziyue , Yu Weiyan , Wu Zhinian , Xiao Ying , Guo Tingyu , Qi Zeqiang , Zhao Caiyan
Published: November 2023

Immune-related GTPase M (IRGM) induces autophagy and suppresses inflammation, but its putative role and signaling mechanism remain undefined in the pathogenesis of liver failure. This study aimed to address how IRGM attenuates inflammatory injury by regulating autophagy in liver failure. In this study, a total of 10 patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) and 10 healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Intrahepatic expression of IRGM/Irgm1, NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1), autophagy-related proteins (LC3II, P62), and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) were measured. Autophagy was activated by rapamycin (4 mg/kg) in an acute liver failure (ALF) mouse model, which was used to further study the expression of Irgm1, NLRP3 inflammasome, autophagy-related proteins, and inflammatory cytokines using both qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Irgm1 expression was knocked down using Irgm1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AML12 cells to investigate the effects of Irgm1 deletion on autophagy and inflammation. We found that expression of IRGM and autophagy-related proteins was significantly downregulated while the NLRP3 inflammasome was significantly upregulated in the livers of HBV-ACLF patients and the ALF mouse model (all P<0.05). Rapamycin-induced autophagy ameliorated intrahepatic NLRP3 inflammasome activation and decreased inflammation and necrosis in the ALF mice. Irgm1 knockdown decreased autophagy and significantly upregulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in AML12 cells (all P<0.05). Rapamycin-induced autophagy also protected against hepatocyte injury following LPS stimulation in vitro by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Thus, IRGM/Irgm1 alleviates inflammation-mediated hepatocyte injury by regulating autophagy. This study provides new insight into potential molecular targets to treat liver failure.
Multiomics and machine learning-based analysis of pseudouridine modifications in pan-cancer
Authors: Zhang Jiheng , Xu Lei , Yan Xiuwei , Hu Jiahe , Gao Xin , Zhao Hongtao , Geng Mo , Wang Nan , Hu Shaoshan
Published: November 2023

Pseudouridine widely affects the stability and function of different types of RNA. However, our knowledge of pseudouridine properties in tumors is incomplete. We systematically analyzed pseudouridine synthases (PUSs) expression, genomic aberrations and prognostic features in 10907 samples from 33 tumors. We found that the pseudouridine-associated pathway showed significant abnormalities in tumors and affected patient prognosis. Dysregulation of the expression pattern of PUSs may arise from CNV mutations and aberrant DNA methylation. Functional enrichment analyses determined that the expression of PUSs was closely associated with the MYC, E2F and MTORC1 signaling pathways. In addition, PUSs are involved in the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in solid tumors, such as kidney and lung cancers. Particularly in lung cancer, increased expression of PUSs is accompanied by increased immune checkpoint expression and Treg infiltration. The best signature model based on more than 10 random 112 machine learning combinations has good predictive prognostic ability in ACC, DLBC, GBM, KICH, MESO, THYM, TGCT, and PRAD, and is expected to guide immunotherapy for 19 tumors. In addition, the model was effective in identifying patients with tumors amenable to treatment with etoposide, camptothecin, cisplatin, and bexarotene. In conclusion, our work highlights the dysregulated features of PUSs, and their role in TME and prognosis, providing an initial molecular basis for future exploration of pseudouridine. Studies targeting pseudouridine are expected to develop potential diagnostic strategies, evaluate and improve antitumor therapies.
A highly accurate nanopore-based sequencing workflow for culture and PCR-free microbial metagenomic profiling of biological samples
Authors: Ferneyhough Ben , Roddis Matthew , Millington Sam , Clements Chrysolin , West Sean , Parkinson Nick , Quirk Jess , Schilizzi Rosalind , Fischer Michael
Published: November 2023

Background
Current clinical methods for microbial detection in urine are largely culture based and, due to bias and limitations of accuracy and sensitivity, hamper efforts to adequately diagnose and treat urogenital infections. This leads to frequent instances of prolonged and recurrent suffering for women. We report a new method that utilises 3rd generation long-read nanopore sequencing to produce fast, accurate and fully quantitated microbiome profiles appropriate for clinical use that can be immediately utilised to aid diagnosis and focus treatments in cases of recurrent or chronic urinary tract infection, rUTI, cUTI and persistent bacterial vaginosis, BV. Here, as proof of principle, we apply this methodology to reassess the healthy urogenital microbiomes of asymptomatic female and male samples.
Results
We show that our method is able to accurately and reproducibly detect the levels of a mixture of ten species comprising known amounts of hard to lyse gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and yeast. Furthermore, we show that, in accordance with previous studies, the female asymptomatic urinary microbiome is largely composed of uromes dominated by Gardnerella vaginitis or one of several Lactobacillus species, L. crispatus, L. iners or L. jensenii. We also confirm the tight relationship between vaginal and urinary populations of the same individual at species and strain levels and provide more evidence for the previously observed dynamic nature of these microbiomes over a menstrual cycle.
Conclusions
We set out to develop a cost-effective, rapid, unbiased and fully-quantitative microbiome profiling tool appropriate to inform the clinical diagnosis and treatment of common infections.
We feel the workflow outlined here can be applied directly to help the numerous women debilitated with urogenital infection, especially chronic or recurrent UTIs and persistent BV, that are served poorly by the current diagnostic systems.
Type 2 diabetes, obesity and their relation to the risks of thyroid cancer
Authors: Grimmichova Tereza , Kuklikova Vlasta , Bulanova Barbora , Pacesova Petra , Vaclavikova Eliska , Moravcova Jitka , Novak Zdenek , Mastnikova Karolina , Vankova Marketa
Published: November 2023

Purpose
Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity are generally known to have increased risk of various types of cancer, though studies addressing associations between T2DM/obesity and thyroid cancer are inconclusive. The aim of our study was to evaluate patients in a euthyroid status with histological results.
Methods
A retrospective study in 184 patients was performed. Three cohorts were established according to tumour histology; malignant (M), benign (B) and low-risk carcinoma (MB). Patient histories were taken, and biochemical testing and fine needle biopsy with molecular testing were performed. Fisher’s exact test and Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA of ranks were used for statistical analysis.
Results
The M (39.1%), B (57.6%) and MB (3.3%) cohorts had comparable age (p = 0.4), BMI (p = 0.452), glycaemia (p = 0.834), Hb1AC (p = 0.157) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.235). T2DM patients had larger thyroid gland volumes (28.8 vs 17.6 mL; p = 0.001) compared to the cohort with normal glucose tolerance. Compared to women, men had more frequently present distal metastases (p = 0.017), minimally invasive disease (p = 0.027), more advanced staging (p = 0.01) and positive pathogenic mutations in the TERT gene (p = 0.009); these results were also significant for the diabetic male cohort (p = 0.026).
Conclusion
Type 2 diabetes and obesity are not risk factors for thyroid cancer, but a subgroup of males seem to have thyroid cancers of poorer prognosis. In general, diabetic patients with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are also prone to have a goitre.
Serendipitous Detection of a Concurrent Asymptomatic Pericardial Cyst during Evaluation of a Hepatic Hydatid Cyst: A Unique Case Report
Authors: AlNajjar Rami Hassoun , Kseibi Hala , Asaad Rama , Mansour Marah , Al-Droubi Tarek
Published: November 2023

Introduction
Hydatid disease, caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, is a prevalent parasitic infection found in various regions worldwide, including the Middle East, southern Europe, and Africa. Although hepatic and pulmonary involvements are well-documented, atypical presentations of the disease remain significant.
Case Presentation
This case report discusses a 32-year-old female patient who sought medical attention due to right hypochondrial pain, and pallor. Initial imaging revealed a hepatic cyst, but an incidental finding of a pericardial cyst further complicated the diagnosis. Subsequent evaluations confirmed the presence of a pericardial hydatid cyst, which is an uncommon manifestation of the disease. The patient presented with a multi-organ infection, which included a cardiac cyst—an unusual occurrence in hydatid disease. Additionally, the pericardial cyst was situated in the pericardium, a rare location, accounting for 2–10% of all cardiac cysts. Importantly, this cyst lacked myocardial involvement, adding to its uniqueness.
Conclusion
This case underscores the importance of considering hydatid disease in patients with non-specific symptoms, particularly in endemic regions, as timely diagnosis is crucial in preventing severe complications.