bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of parechovirus A in respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological clinical samples of pediatric patients from Panama (2014–2015)
Authors: Gutierrez Lizette , Sáenz Viridiana , Franco Danilo , Moreno Brechla , Fuentes-Campos Ediner , Capitan-Barrios Zeuz , Rivera Luis Felipe , Carrera Jean-Paul , Castillo Juan , Castillo Marlene , Pascale Juan Miguel , López-Vergès Sandra , Sosa Néstor , Ábrego Leyda
Published: December 2023

Parechovirus A (PeV-A, Parechovirus, Picornaviridae) are human pathogens associated with mild to severe gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in young children. While several studies have investigated the association of PeV-A with human disease, little is known about its epidemiology or detection in Latin America. Between the years 2014 and 2015, a total of 200 samples were collected from Panamanian pediatric patients aged < 16 years old exhibiting symptoms associated with respiratory (n = 64), gastrointestinal (n = 68), or neurological (n = 68) diseases. These samples were gathered from patients who had previously received negative diagnoses for the main respiratory viruses, rotavirus, and neurological viruses like herpes virus, enterovirus, and cytomegalovirus. The presence of PeV-A was analyzed by real time RT-PCR.

Eight positive PeV-A infections (4.0%, 95% CI: 1.7 to 7.7) were detected: two in respiratory samples (3.0%, 95% CI: 0.3 to 10.8), five in gastrointestinal samples (7.3%, 95% CI: 2.4 to 16.3), and one in cerebrospinal fluid (1.5%, 95% CI: 1.4 to 7.9). The study provides evidence of PeV-A circulation in Panama and the data collectively, remarked on the importance of considering PeV-A in the Panamanian pediatric diagnostic landscape, especially when conventional testing for more common viruses yields negative results.
Statistical recommendations for count, binary, and ordinal data in rare disease cross-over trials
Authors: Geroldinger Martin , Verbeeck Johan , Hooker Andrew C. , Thiel Konstantin E. , Molenberghs Geert , Nyberg Joakim , Bauer Johann , Laimer Martin , Wally Verena , Bathke Arne C. , Zimmermann Georg
Published: December 2023

Background

Recommendations for statistical methods in rare disease trials are scarce, especially for cross-over designs. As a result various state-of-the-art methodologies were compared as neutrally as possible using an illustrative data set from epidermolysis bullosa research to build recommendations for count, binary, and ordinal outcome variables. For this purpose, parametric (model averaging), semiparametric (generalized estimating equations type [GEE-like]) and nonparametric (generalized pairwise comparisons [GPC] and a marginal model implemented in the R package nparLD) methods were chosen by an international consortium of statisticians.

Results

It was found that there is no uniformly best method for the aforementioned types of outcome variables, but in particular situations, there are methods that perform better than others. Especially if maximizing power is the primary goal, the prioritized unmatched GPC method was able to achieve particularly good results, besides being appropriate for prioritizing clinically relevant time points. Model averaging led to favorable results in some scenarios especially within the binary outcome setting and, like the GEE-like semiparametric method, also allows for considering period and carry-over effects properly. Inference based on the nonparametric marginal model was able to achieve high power, especially in the ordinal outcome scenario, despite small sample sizes due to separate testing of treatment periods, and is suitable when longitudinal and interaction effects have to be considered.

Conclusion

Overall, a balance has to be found between achieving high power, accounting for cross-over, period, or carry-over effects, and prioritizing clinically relevant time points.
The impact of family alexithymia on the severity of restrictive eating disorders in adolescent patients
Authors: Marazzi Francesca , Orlandi Marika , De Giorgis Valentina , Borgatti Renato , Mensi Martina Maria
Published: December 2023

Background

Alexithymia is the inability to identify and describe one’s own emotions. Adolescents who suffer from Restrictive Eating Disorders (REDs) show a higher prevalence of alexithymia than the general population.

Methods

The study explored the correlation between levels of alexithymia in mothers, fathers, and adolescents affected by REDs and patients’ ability to recognize their emotions. The study also aimed to evaluate if patients’ emotional distress can significantly impact the severity of their disorder and functioning measured by the Clinical Global Impression Scale - Severity (CGI-S) and the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). We enrolled 67 families of adolescents affected by REDs. Parents and patients’ levels of alexithymia were assessed through the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Spearman’s correlation shows a statistically significant correlation between mothers and patients’ levels of alexithymia.

Results

Our findings also suggest that fathers and mothers’ TAS scores correlate with each other. However, there is no statistically significant relationship between the influence of the TAS scores of fathers and sons/daughters.

Conclusions

In conclusion, mothers’ level of alexithymia could influence both fathers and patients’ difficulty in identifying and describing their own emotions. This relationship can be investigated further when considering externally oriented thinking. However, the severity of the disease and overall functioning do not appear to be affected by patients’ levels of alexithymia.
Bubonic plague: can the size of buboes be accurately and consistently measured with a digital calliper?
Authors: Bourner Josephine , Randriamparany Ravaka , Rasoanaivo Tsinjo Fehizoro , Denis Emmanuelle , Randremanana Rindra Vatosoa , Vaillant Michel , Salam Alex Paddy , Gonçalves Bronner P. , Olliaro Piero
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Conducting clinical research on treatments for emerging infectious diseases is often complicated by methodological challenges, such as the identification of appropriate outcome measures to assess treatment response and the lack of validated instruments available to measure patient outcomes. In bubonic plague, some studies have assessed bubo size as an indicator of treatment success, a measure widely assumed to be indicative of recovery. Evaluating this outcome however is challenging as there is no validated method for measuring bubo size. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy and inter- and intra-rater agreement of artificial bubo measurements using a digital calliper to understand whether a calliper is an appropriate measurement instrument to assess this outcome.

Methods

Study technicians measured 14 artificial buboes made from silicone overlaid with artificial silicone skin sheets over the course of two training sessions. Each artificial bubo was measured by each study technician once per training session, following a Standard Operating Procedure. The objectives of this study are to (i) evaluate the accuracy of individual measurements against the true size of the artificial bubo when using a digital calliper, (ii) understand whether the characteristics of the artificial bubo influence measurement accuracy and (iii) evaluate inter- and intra-rater measurement agreement.

Results

In total, 14 artificial buboes ranging from 52.7 to 121.6 mm in size were measured by 57 raters, generating 698 measurements recorded across two training sessions. Raters generally over-estimated the size of the artificial bubo. The median percentage difference between the measured and actual bubo size was 13%. Measurement accuracy and intra-rater agreement decreased as the size of the bubo decreased. Three quarters of all measurements had a maximum of 25% difference from another measurement of the same artificial bubo. Inter-rater agreement did not vary with density, size or presence of oedema of the artificial bubo.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate the challenges for both individual and multiple raters to repeatedly generate consistent and accurate measurements of the same artificial buboes with a digital calliper.
Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in South America: occurrence, immunity, and fate of infection
Authors: Brito Ramayana Morais de Medeiros , de Lima Bessa Gabriella , Bastilho Alexandre Lazoski , Dantas-Torres Filipe , de Andrade-Neto Valter Ferreira , Bueno Lilian Lacerda , Fujiwara Ricardo Toshio , Magalhães Luisa M. D.
Published: December 2023

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite with a worldwide distribution. Toxoplasma gondii infections are of great concern for public health, and their impact is usually most severe in pregnant women and their foetuses, and in immunocompromised individuals. Displaying considerable genetic diversity, T. gondii strains differ widely according to geographical location, with archetypal strains predominantly found in the Northern Hemisphere and non-archetypal (atypical) strains, with highly diverse genotypes, found mainly in South America. In this review, we present an overview of the identification and distribution of non-archetypal strains of T. gondii. Special attention is paid to the strains that have been isolated in Brazil, their interaction with the host immunological response, and their impact on disease outcomes. The genetic differences among the strains are pivotal to the distinct immunological responses that they elicit. These differences arise from polymorphisms of key proteins released by the parasite, which represent important virulence factors. Infection with divergent non-archetypal strains can lead to unusual manifestations of the disease, even in immunocompetent individuals.

Graphical Abstract
A workflow for deriving chemical entities from crystallographic data and its application to the Crystallography Open Database
Authors: Vaitkus Antanas , Merkys Andrius , Sander Thomas , Quirós Miguel , Thiessen Paul A. , Bolton Evan E. , Gražulis Saulius
Published: December 2023

Knowledge about the 3-dimensional structure, orientation and interaction of chemical compounds is important in many areas of science and technology. X-ray crystallography is one of the experimental techniques capable of providing a large amount of structural information for a given compound, and it is widely used for characterisation of organic and metal-organic molecules. The method provides precise 3D coordinates of atoms inside crystals, however, it does not directly deliver information about certain chemical characteristics such as bond orders, delocalization, charges, lone electron pairs or lone electrons. These aspects of a molecular model have to be derived from crystallographic data using refined information about interatomic distances and atom types as well as employing general chemical knowledge. This publication describes a curated automatic pipeline for the derivation of chemical attributes of molecules from crystallographic models. The method is applied to build a catalogue of chemical entities in an open-access crystallographic database, the Crystallography Open Database (COD). The catalogue of such chemical entities is provided openly as a derived database. The content of this catalogue and the problems arising in the fully automated pipeline are discussed, along with the possibilities to introduce manual data curation into the process.
Eldecalcitol prevents muscle loss and osteoporosis in disuse muscle atrophy via NF-κB signaling in mice
Authors: Zhang Haichao , Du Yanping , Tang Wenjing , Chen Minmin , Yu Weijia , Ke Zheng , Dong Shuangshuang , Cheng Qun
Published: December 2023

We investigated the effect of eldecalcitol on disuse muscle atrophy. C57BL/6J male mice aged 6 weeks were randomly assigned to control, tail suspension (TS), and TS-eldecalcitol–treated groups and were injected intraperitoneally twice a week with either vehicle (control and TS) or eldecalcitol at 3.5 or 5 ng for 3 weeks. Grip strength and muscle weights of the gastrocnemius (GAS), tibialis anterior (TA), and soleus (SOL) were determined. Oxidative stress was evaluated by malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Bone microarchitecture was analyzed using microcomputed tomography. The effect of eldecalcitol on C2C12 myoblasts was analyzed by measuring myofibrillar protein MHC and the atrophy markers Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 using immunofluorescence. The influence of eldecalcitol on NF-κB signaling pathway and vitamin D receptor (VDR) was assessed through immunofluorescence, (co)-immunoprecipitation, and VDR knockdown studies. Eldecalcitol increased grip strength (P < 0.01) and restored muscle loss in GAS, TA, and SOL (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) induced by TS. An improvement was noted in bone mineral density and bone architecture in the eldecalcitol group. The impaired oxidative defense system was restored by eldecalcitol (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01 vs. TS). Eldecalcitol (10 nM) significantly inhibited the expression of MuRF-1 (P < 0.001) and Atrogin-1 (P < 0.01), increased the diameter of myotubes (P < 0.05), inhibited the expression of P65 and P52 components of NF-κB and P65 nuclear location, thereby inhibiting NF-κB signaling. Eldecalcitol promoted VDR binding to P65 and P52. VDR signaling is required for eldecalcitol-mediated anti-atrophy effects. In conclusion, eldecalcitol exerted its beneficial effects on disuse-induced muscle atrophy via NF-κB inhibition.
Characterization of genotypes and antimicrobial resistance profiles of clinical isolates of Shigella from patients in the southern region of Iran
Authors: Shoja Saeed , Ghasemi Saba , Dastranj Mahsa , Shamseddin Jebreil , Ebrahimi Nasim , Alizade Hesam , Farahani Abbas
Published: December 2023

Background

Shigella spp., which are facultative anaerobic bacilli within the Enterobacteriaceae family, present a significant public health burden due to their role as prominent contributors to diarrheal diseases worldwide. A molecular analysis can facilitate the identification and assessment of outbreaks involving this bacterium. So, we aimed to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern and clonal relatedness of clinical Shigella spp. isolates obtained from patients with diarrhea in Hormozgan province, South of Iran.

Methods

From 2019 to 2021, a cross-sectional investigation was conducted on 448 stool samples obtained from patients who were experiencing diarrhea, in the southern region of Iran. Shigella spp. isolates were identified based on biochemical and serological tests. All Shigella species were verified using species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by susceptibility testing to antimicrobial agents. Subsequently, genotyping of all Shigella species was conducted using ERIC-PCR.

Results

Out of a total of 448 stool samples, the presence of Shigella was detected in 62 cases, accounting for a prevalence rate of 13.84%. Among the identified isolates, the majority were attributed to S. flexneri, representing 53.23% of the cases. This was followed by S. sonnei at 24.19% and S. boydii at 22.58%. Notably, no instances of S. dysenteriae were found. The highest prevalence of Shigella isolates was observed in infants and children under the age of five. A significant proportion of the identified isolates demonstrated resistance to various antibiotics. Specifically, high resistance rates were noted for ampicillin (90.78%), piperacillin–tazobactam (87.1%), cefixime (83.87%), trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (83.87%), cefotaxime (82.26%), and ceftriaxone (80.65%). In addition, a substantial number (87.1%) of the isolates exhibited a multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype. Using the ERIC-PCR method, a total of 11 clusters and 6 distinct single types were identified among all the Shigella isolates.

Conclusion

A notable occurrence of antibiotic-resistant Shigella species has been noted, with multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains presenting an increasing challenge for treating shigellosis worldwide, and this includes Iran. Techniques such as ERIC-PCR are useful for assessing the genetic variation and connections between Shigella strains, which indirectly contributes to understanding antimicrobial resistance patterns. Further research is needed to explore the specific correlation between resistance genes and ERIC genotyping patterns in Shigella strains.
Operationalizing deployment time in police calls for service
Authors: Langton Samuel , Verlaan Tim , Ruiter Stijn
Published: December 2023

Analyses of emergency calls for service data in the United States suggest that around 50% of dispatched police deployment time is spent on crime-related incidents. The remainder of time is spent in a social service capacity: attending well-being checks and resolving disturbances, for instance. These findings have made a considerable contribution to the discourse around public perceptions of the police and the distribution of public funds towards (or away) from law enforcement. Yet, an outstanding issue remains. No investigation has been undertaken into whether findings are robust to the different ways in which ‘time spent’ is operationalized in these studies. Using dispatch data for Amsterdam during 2019, this study compares three operationalizations of ‘time spent’. Additionally, in order to provide some context on the potential mechanisms through which these different operationalizations might yield different results, we report on dispatch numbers per incident category and provide an initial exploration into ‘multi-dispatch’ incident types. We find that general proportional breakdowns are fairly robust to the time measure used. However, for some incident categories (e.g. Health) and incident types (e.g. Shootings), analyzed in isolation, the results are not robust to the different operationalizations. We propose that the mechanism explaining this lack of robustness can be traced to the high dispatch numbers for specific incident categories and types, particularly those with an imminent threat to life.

Preregistration: This study has been preregistered under the title: Scale and composition of emergency reactive police demand in Amsterdam, Netherlands (https://osf.io/qgwv6/).
Apoptosis-resistant megakaryocytes produce large and hyperreactive platelets in response to radiation injury
Authors: Du Chang-Hong , Wu Yi-Ding , Yang Ke , Liao Wei-Nian , Ran Li , Liu Chao-Nan , Zhang Shu-Zhen , Yu Kuan , Chen Jun , Quan Yong , Chen Mo , Shen Ming-Qiang , Tang Hong , Chen Shi-Lei , Wang Song , Zhao Jing-Hong , Cheng Tian-Min , Wang Jun-Ping
Published: December 2023

Background

The essential roles of platelets in thrombosis have been well recognized. Unexpectedly, thrombosis is prevalent during thrombocytopenia induced by cytotoxicity of biological, physical and chemical origins, which could be suffered by military personnel and civilians during chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear events. Especially, thrombosis is considered a major cause of mortality from radiation injury-induced thrombocytopenia, while the underlying pathogenic mechanism remains elusive.

Methods

A mouse model of radiation injury-induced thrombocytopenia was built by exposing mice to a sublethal dose of ionizing radiation (IR). The phenotypic and functional changes of platelets and megakaryocytes (MKs) were determined by a comprehensive set of in vitro and in vivo assays, including flow cytometry, flow chamber, histopathology, Western blotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation, in combination with transcriptomic analysis. The molecular mechanism was investigated both in vitro and in vivo, and was consolidated using MK-specific knockout mice. The translational potential was evaluated using a human MK cell line and several pharmacological inhibitors.

Results

In contrast to primitive MKs, mature MKs (mMKs) are intrinsically programmed to be apoptosis-resistant through reprogramming the Bcl-xL-BAX/BAK axis. Interestingly, mMKs undergo minority mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) post IR, resulting in the activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of IFN genes (cGAS-STING) pathway via the release of mitochondrial DNA. The subsequent interferon-β (IFN-β) response in mMKs upregulates a GTPase guanylate-binding protein 2 (GBP2) to produce large and hyperreactive platelets that favor thrombosis. Further, we unmask that autophagy restrains minority MOMP in mMKs post IR.

Conclusions

Our study identifies that megakaryocytic mitochondria-cGAS/STING-IFN-β-GBP2 axis serves as a fundamental checkpoint that instructs the size and function of platelets upon radiation injury and can be harnessed to treat platelet pathologies.
The applied principles of EEG analysis methods in neuroscience and clinical neurology
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zhou Qing-Qi , Chen He , Hu Xiao-Qing , Li Wei-Guang , Bai Yang , Han Jun-Xia , Wang Yao , Liang Zhen-Hu , Chen Dan , Cong Feng-Yu , Yan Jia-Qing , Li Xiao-Li
Published: December 2023

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive measurement method for brain activity. Due to its safety, high resolution, and hypersensitivity to dynamic changes in brain neural signals, EEG has aroused much interest in scientific research and medical fields. This article reviews the types of EEG signals, multiple EEG signal analysis methods, and the application of relevant methods in the neuroscience field and for diagnosing neurological diseases. First, three types of EEG signals, including time-invariant EEG, accurate event-related EEG, and random event-related EEG, are introduced. Second, five main directions for the methods of EEG analysis, including power spectrum analysis, time–frequency analysis, connectivity analysis, source localization methods, and machine learning methods, are described in the main section, along with different sub-methods and effect evaluations for solving the same problem. Finally, the application scenarios of different EEG analysis methods are emphasized, and the advantages and disadvantages of similar methods are distinguished. This article is expected to assist researchers in selecting suitable EEG analysis methods based on their research objectives, provide references for subsequent research, and summarize current issues and prospects for the future.
Engineering TGF-β inhibitor-encapsulated macrophage-inspired multi-functional nanoparticles for combination cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Kim Jaehyun , Kim Minjeong , Yong Seok-Beom , Han Heesoo , Kang Seyoung , Lahiji Shayan Fakhraei , Kim Sangjin , Hong Juhyeong , Seo Yuha , Kim Yong-Hee
Published: December 2023

Background

The emergence of cancer immunotherapies, notably immune checkpoint inhibitors, has revolutionized anti-cancer treatments. These treatments, however, have been reported to be effective in a limited range of cancers and cause immune-related adverse effects. Thus, for a broader applicability and enhanced responsiveness to solid tumor immunotherapy, immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment is crucial. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been implicated in reducing immunotherapy responsiveness by promoting M2-type differentiation of macrophages and facilitating cancer cell metastasis.

Methods

In this study, we developed macrophage membrane-coated nanoparticles loaded with a TGF-βR1 kinase inhibitor, SD-208 (M

ϕ

-SDNP). Inhibitions of M2 macrophage polarization and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells were comprehensively evaluated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Bio-distribution study and in vivo therapeutic effects of M

ϕ

-SDNP were investigated in orthotopic breast cancer model and intraveneously injected metastasis model.

Results

M

ϕ

-SDNPs effectively inhibited cancer metastasis and converted the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (cold tumor) into an immunostimulatory tumor microenvironment (hot tumor), through specific tumor targeting and blockade of M2-type macrophage differentiation. Administration of M

ϕ

-SDNPs considerably augmented the population of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in the tumor tissue, thereby significantly enhancing responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors, which demonstrates a robust anti-cancer effect in conjunction with anti-PD-1 antibodies.

Conclusion

Collectively, responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors was considerably enhanced and a robust anti-cancer effect was demonstrated with the combination treatment of M

ϕ

-SDNPs and anti-PD-1 antibody. This suggests a promising direction for future therapeutic strategies, utilizing bio-inspired nanotechnology to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.

Graphical Abstract
3D printing for an anterolateral thigh phalloplasty
Authors: Walker Maxwell W. , Kaoutzanis Christodoulos , Jacobson Nicholas M.
Published: December 2023

Background

Phalloplasty procedures are performed to create a phallus, typically as a gender-affirming surgery for treating gender dysphoria. Due to the controversial nature of this specific procedure, more innovation is needed to directly assist surgical teams in this field. As a result, surgeons are left to improvise and adapt tools created for other procedures to improve surgical outcomes. This study developed a patient-specific 3D printed model from segmented computed tomography (CT) scans to accurately represent the relevant vasculature necessary for anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap phalloplasty. The surgical procedure seeks to maintain intact vessels that derive from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, typically found traveling within the intermuscular septum between the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis.

Methods

In this study, we created and printed 3D models of the leg and vasculature using two techniques: (1) a standard segmentation technique with the addition of a reference grid and (2) a bitmap method in which the total CT volume is colorized and printed.

Results

The results gathered included the physician’s view on the model’s accuracy and visualization of relevant anatomy. Bitmap-printed models resulted in a high amount of detail, eliciting surgeons’ undesirable reactions due to the excess of information. The hybrid method produced favorable results, indicating positive feasibility.

Conclusions

This study tested the ability to accurately print a patient-specific 3D model that could represent the vasculature necessary for ALT flap procedures and potentially be used in surgical reference and planning in the future. A surgeon performing phalloplasty procedures discussed their approval of both models and their preference for grid creation and application.
Canine panosteitis and preventive veterinary measures: insights from a case series
Authors: Moreira Luciano de Paulo , Zocatelli Taís Fracalossi , Amaral Camila Barbosa
Published: December 2023

Background

Canine panosteitis is a self-limiting developmental orthopedic disease that, despite its name, causes bone marrow adipocyte degeneration and replacement by fibrous tissue. Pain-related lameness is the main clinical sign in young dogs from predisposed breeds such as German Shepherd. Etiology is unknown, and characteristic radiographic sign is increased medullary opacity of affected bone. This case series describes clinical course, radiographic findings, therapy and vaccination schemes adopted in four non-related German Shepherd dogs affected by panosteitis and attended sequentially at a private veterinary diagnostic center.

Case presentation

Lameness was the unanimous clinical sign, accompanied by increased medullary radiopacity of the affected bone. Prescription medication included analgesic drugs and in two cases, nutraceuticals. Calcium supplement was prescribed for one of the dogs, but it was not administered by the owner. All dogs had full recovery from 2 to 14 days followed drug administration. Despite commonly described features, a high number of vaccine doses per patient, in the first months of age, were an intriguing observation, raising question about vaccination and the immune system influence in triggering such diseases in predisposed dogs.

Conclusions

Although a common disease, panosteitis etiology remains undefined. Under this scenario and the presented cases, further research in order to revise vaccination protocols is advised for panosteitis predisposed breeds such as German Shepherd. Besides, local veterinary clinicians’ unawareness of the disease was evident in many aspects and affected therapeutic prescription although not compromising patient recovery.
Mepiquat chloride priming confers the ability of cotton seed to tolerate salt by promoting ABA-operated GABA signaling control of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle
Authors: Qi Qian , Wang Ning , Ruan Sijia , Muhammad Noor , Zhang Hengheng , Shi Jianbin , Dong Qiang , Xu Qinghua , Song Meizhen , Yan Gentu , Zhang Xiling , Wang Xiangru
Published: December 2023

Background

Ensuring that seeds germinate and emerge normally is a prerequisite for cotton production, esp. in areas with salinized soil. Priming with mepiquat chloride (MC) can promote seed germination and root growth under salt stress, but its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, physiological and biochemical experiments revealed that MC-priming promotes the tolerance of cotton seeds to salt stress by increasing the ability of antioxidant enzymes related to the ascorbate–glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Results

Results revealed that treatment with inhibitors of abscisic acid (ABA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) biosynthesis reduced the positive effects of MC-priming. Similarly, MC-priming increased the contents of ABA and GABA under salt stress by stimulating the expression levels of GhNCED2 and GhGAD4 and the activity of calmodulin-binding (CML) glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). Further analysis showed that an inhibitor of ABA synthesis reduced the positive impacts of MC-priming on the content of GABA under salt stress, but the content of ABA was not affected by the GABA synthesis inhibitor. Furthermore, a multi-omics analysis revealed that MC-priming increased the abundance and phosphorylation levels of the proteins related to ABA signaling, CML, and Ca2+ channels/transporters in the MC-primed treatments, which resulted in increased oscillations in Ca2+ in the MC-primed cotton seeds under salt stress.

Conclusion

In summary, these results demonstrate that MC-mediated ABA signaling operates upstream of the GABA synthesis generated by GAD by activating the oscillations of Ca2+ and then enhancing activity of the AsA-GSH cycle, which ensures that cotton seeds are tolerant to salt stress.
Some examples of quasiperiodic tilings obtained with a simple grid method
Authors: Sadoc Jean-François , Impéror-Clerc Marianne
Published: December 2023

A grid method using tiling by fundamental domain of simple bi-dimensional lattices is presented. It refers to a previous work done by Stampfli in 1986 using two grids by regular hexagons, one rotated by

relatively to the other. This leads to a quasiperiodic structure with a twelvefold symmetry made of regular triangles, squares and rhombuses. The tessellation of the plane by the overlap domains of two hexagons, each belonging to one of the two grids is considered. Vertices of the quasiperiodic tiling are the mid-point of the centers of the two overlapping hexagons. Edges of the quasiperiodic tiling are obtained by a Delaunay triangulation of the set of reference points. This method is extended to two other types of quasiperiodic tilings with other fundamental domains. A first example uses two square grids leading to the octagonal Ammann-Beenker quasiperiodic tiling. The second example is also based on the hexagonal lattice, but with grids defined by the lattice fundamental rhombic cell.
Purity
Authors: Derry Margaret
Published: December 2023

This article uses the concept of purity to explore the thinking of purebred animal breeders and that of eugenicists in Britain and North America between 1880 and 1920. It begins with an explanation of why such a study is important and continues with the historical background of purity's role in animal breeding over the nineteenth century and an assessment of the theoretical foundations of Francis Galton's eugenics. The article argues that the shared concern with pedigree keeping, which characterized both purebred breeding and eugenics, made it easy for historians to assume that the two fields were more connected than they actually were. In fact, the basis for purity in animal breeding—namely, inbreeding and marketability—could not migrate to eugenics. Pedigree use in animal breeding (inbreeding, consistency, and marketability) actually had little in common with pedigree use in eugenics (evidence of inheritance via statistical quantification). Unpacking this historic connection between animal breeding and eugenics has significance today for such disciplines as animal breeding itself, genetics, politics, and ethics.
Afterword
Authors: Alvarez Daniela , Webb Elizabeth M.
Published: December 2023

The afterword expresses gratitude to the history, work, and people who helped shape the anthology, both within the pages and beyond. Acknowledging the role of next-generation leadership and the work that continues, the anthology closes in artistic practice, a poem to ground us into the future.
Development and Evaluation of an MRI Artifact-Free Aneurysm Clip
Authors: Senger Sebastian , Fischer Gerrit , Mühl-Benninghaus Ruben , Backens Martin , Reisel Jan René , Fritz Tobias , Brack Alexander , Reith Wolfgang , Oertel Joachim
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The digital subtraction angiography is still the gold standard in the follow-up after aneurysm surgery, although it remains a repeating invasive technique with accumulating X-ray exposure. An alternative magnetic resonance angiography has the disadvantage of metal-related artifacts. A metal-free aneurysm clip could overcome this problem. Recent advances in manufacturing technologies of fiber-reinforced plastics might allow developing a prototype of a metal-free clip.

METHODS:

The prototype was formed out of carbon fiber–reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF-PEEK) in accordance with the standard clip design. In vivo and in vitro studies were performed to analyze the central nervous system biocompatibility. The prototype was tested in a phantom in a 3 T MRI scanner and microtomography scanner. For in vivo assessment, the left renal artery of rats was either ligated with a suture, clipped with a regular titanium clip or with the CF-PEEK prototype clip. The animals underwent standard MRI sequences and magnetic resonance angiography and assessment by a blinded neuroradiologist.

RESULTS:

Phantom studies showed no signs of artifacts. The prototype showed a reliable clamping and reopening after clip application, although the clamping force was reduced. In vivo studies showed a successful occlusion of the renal artery in all cases in the magnetic resonance angiography. Clip artifacts were statistically significant reduced in the prototype group (P < .01). CF-PEEK showed no signs of impaired biocompatibility compared with the titanium samples in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION:

Former attempts of metal-free aneurysm clips did not meet the criteria of the standard clip design. In this study, the practicability of this new CF-PEEK artifact-free aneurysm clip has been proven. The further fabrication developments should overcome the problem of a reduced clamping force in the future. After clinical approval, it will improve the magnetic resonance image quality and might help to reduce the amount of digital subtraction angiography in the follow-up.
Η αιρεσιμότητα δαπανών (spending conditionality) ως μέσο προστασίας των οικονομικών συμφερόντων και του προϋπολογισμού της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης
Authors: Χουρδάκης Εμμανουήλ
Published: December 2023

Η Διδακτορική Διατριβή επιχειρεί να προσεγγίσει διεξοδικά την εφαρμογή στην έννομη τάξη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης της αιρεσιμότητας δαπανών ως ενός καινοτόμου εργαλείου διακυβέρνησης με πολλαπλές στοχεύσεις και λειτουργείες. Αρχικά, επιδιώκεται η εννοιολογική οριοθέτηση της αιρεσιμότητας γενικά και της αιρεσιμότητας δαπανών ειδικά, μέσω μιας συγκριτικής ανάλυσης της εφαρμογής της αιρεσιμότητας δαπανών σε εθνικό, διεθνές και ενωσιακό επίπεδο, ενώ παρουσιάζονται οι τύποι και οι λειτουργείες της αιρεσιμότητα δαπανών και οι λειτουργείες της. Κατόπιν εξετάζεται αναλυτικά η κατά κύματα πύκνωση της αιρεσιμότητας δαπανών που παρουσιάστηκε στην ΕΕ μετά το 2013. Έτσι, αναλύονται οι αιρεσιμότητες δαπανών του πρώτου κύματος (2013) και συγκεκριμένα η εκ των προτέρων αιρεσιμότητα, η μακροοικονομική αιρεσιμότητα και εκ των υστέρων αιρεσιμότητα και λόγοι που τις επέβαλαν. Κατόπιν αναλύονται οι αιρεσιμότητες δαπανών του δευτέρου κύματος (2021), δηλαδή η αιρεσιμότητα Κράτους Δικαίου και οι αιρεσιμότητα δαπανών στο NGEU. Τέλος, διερευνώνται οι δυνατότητες «συνταγματικής» κατοχύρωσης της αιρεσιμότητας δαπανών στην ενωσιακή έννομη τάξη αλλά και τα «συνταγματικά» της όρια. Η Διδακτορική Διατριβή ολοκληρώνεται με τα συμπεράσματα και ορισμένες προτάσεις πολιτικής.
Συσχέτιση των καρδιακών δεικτών του υπερηχοκαρδιογραφήματος με τους διαλυτούς υποδοχείς των προοδευτικά μη-ενζυματικώς γλυκοζυλιωμένων τελικών προϊόντων (soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products_sRAGE) σε ασθενείς με φλεγμονώδη νόσο του αναπνευστικού
Authors: Γκαβογιαννάκης Νικόλαος
Published: December 2023

Υπάρχουσα γνώση και σκοπός: Το άσθμα είναι μια ετερογενής νόσος, που χαρακτηρίζεται από χρόνια φλεγμονή και οξειδωτικό στρες των αεραγωγών. Στην πορεία της νόσου έχουν περιγραφεί αρκετές φλεγμονώδεις οδοί, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της ενεργοποίησης του υποδοχέα για τα μη-ενζυματικώς τελικά προϊόντα προοδευτικής γλυκοζυλίωσης (RAGE). Η DJ-1 είναι ένα πρωτεϊνικό μόριο, ευαίσθητη στην οξειδοαναγωγή, με πολύπλευρους ρόλους στην ομοιοστασία των μαστοκυττάρων και έναν αναδυόμενο ρόλο στην παθογένεση του άσθματος. Βιβλιογραφικά, περιορισμένες είναι οι μελέτες που έχουν διερευνήσει διαταραχές καρδιακής λειτουργίας σε ασθενείς με άσθμα μέσω υπερηχοκαρδιογραφήματος. Ο κύριος στόχος αυτής της μελέτης ήταν η διερεύνηση των επιπέδων του sRAGE στο πλάσμα, των μορίων προσκόλλησης στο RAGE,της IL1-b, της IL-6 και της DJ-1 σε ασθματικούς ασθενείς πριν και μετά τη θεραπεία σε συνδυασμό με υπερηχοκαρδιογραφικούς δείκτες. Μέθοδοι και αποτελέσματα: Ο πληθυσμός της μελέτης χωρίστηκε σε δύο ομάδες. Η ομάδα Α περιελάμβανε 13 ασθενείς με νέο-διαγνωσθέν βρογχικό άσθμα που δεν ελάμβανε θεραπεία τουλάχιστον για 4 εβδομάδες και η ομάδα Β που περιελάμβανε 12 ασθενείς χωρίς άσθμα. Όλος ο πληθυσμός της μελέτης υποβλήθηκε σε κλινική εξέταση, βασικό εργαστηριακό έλεγχο, έλεγχο του εκπνεόμενου μονοξειδίου του αζώτου, σπιρομέτρηση, δερματικές δοκιμασίες δια νυγμού και υπερηχοκαρδιογραφική μελέτη. Μετρήθηκαν τα επίπεδα πλάσματος του sRAGE, των συνδετών του (AGEs, S100A12, S100B, S100A8/A9), των ιντερλευκινών (IL-6, IL-1 β) και DJ-1. Δεν σημειώθηκαν διαφορές μεταξύ των δύο ομάδων για τα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά και τους υπερηχοκαρδιογραφικούς δείκτες καρδιακής λειτουργίας. Στην ομάδα Α, το 31% έπασχε από ήπιο άσθμα, το 54% από μέτριο άσθμα και το 15% από σοβαρό άσθμα και το 92% των ασθενών είχε Τ2high φλεγμονή. Διαπιστώθηκε ότι τα επίπεδα πλάσματος των ασθματικών της IL-6, των AGEs και της αναλογίας AGE/sRAGE ήταν αυξημένα σε σχέση με τους μάρτυρες, ενώ αυτά των S100A12 και DJ-1 ήταν μειωμένα αντίστοιχα. Επιπροσθέτως, οι ασθενείς που έλαβαν θεραπεία για 12 εβδομάδες εμφάνισαν μετά τον έλεγχο, 68% αύξηση της DJ1 και μείωση 36% και 50% των IL6 και AGEs αντιστοίχως με σύστοιχη κλινική ανταπόκριση και θετικές συσχετίσεις μεταξύ της IL6, του S100A8/A9, του sRAGE και της DJ1 με σπιρομετρικές παραμέτρους. Συμπέρασμα: Η μέτρηση στο πλάσμα της IL-6, του λόγου AGE/sRAGE, του S100A12 και της DJ-1 παρέχει μια πολλά υποσχόμενη και μη επεμβατική μέθοδο που διευκολύνει την ανεύρεση της φλεγμονής και την καλύτερη παρακολούθηση/θεραπεία των ασθματικών χωρίς οργανική καρδιαγγειακή νόσο. Περαιτέρω μελέτες απαιτούνται για να αποσαφηνιστεί ο ρόλος τους στο άσθμα και να διερευνηθεί εάν η τροποποίηση των κυκλοφορούντων επιπέδων των προφλεγμονωδών/αντιοξειδωτικών πρωτεϊνών μπορεί να τροποποιήσει τη σοβαρότητα της νόσου.
Η ερημοδικία στην πολιτική δίκη
Authors: Χατζημανωλάκη Σοφία
Published: December 2023

Οι ερήμην δίκες αποτελούν καθημερινότητα στα δικαστήρια όλων των κλάδων της δικαιοσύνης και όλων των βαθμών δικαιοδοσίας. Η απουσία του διαδίκου ηθελημένη ή μη μπορεί να οδηγήσει στη διεξαγωγή της δίκης χωρίς να ακουστούν όλες οι πλευρές. Δικηγόροι και δικαστές έρχονται συνέχεια αντιμέτωποι με τα πρακτικά ζητήματα που ανακύπτουν στις ερήμην δίκες ενώ εξαιρετικό ενδιαφέρον παρουσιάζει και το θεωρητικό υπόβαθρο των ζητημάτων αυτών. Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή, έχει ως αντικείμενο την ερημοδικία στην πολιτική δίκη. Εξετάζεται η ερημοδικία και η ερήμην απόφαση στην εσωτερική έννομη τάξη και κυρίως στον ΚΠολΔ, στον πρώτο, δεύτερο βαθμό και στην αναιρετική δίκη, στο πλαίσιο του θεμελιώδους συνταγματικού δικαιώματος της εκατέρωθεν ακρόασης και των συστημάτων ερημοδικίας που έχουν διαμορφωθεί. Ερευνάται επίσης ο τρόπος που η ευρωπαϊκή έννομη τάξη διαχειρίζεται τις ερήμην αποφάσεις υπό το πρίσμα της ελεύθερης κυκλοφορίας των αποφάσεων στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, ενώ γίνεται και συγκριτική αναφορά στο ημεδαπό ποινικό και διοικητικό δίκαιο όπως και στην ερημοδικία σε αλλοδαπές έννομες τάξεις. Η διδακτορική διατριβή ολοκληρώνεται με τα συμπεράσματα και τον καθοριστικό ρόλο που μπορούν να παίξουν τα συστήματα ερημοδικίας στην ταχεία απονομή της δικαιοσύνης.
Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Nematode Isolates against Subterranean Termites under Laboratory and Field Conditions
Authors: Abate Gutema Belay , Melisie Achlehum Dawit , Tesfaye Edosa Tariku , Feyisa Belay , Yimer Fikremariam , Daba Dinka Teshale
Published: December 2023

Background Termites are a major insect pest affecting agricultural production and woody materials. They cause severe devastation in the ecosystem, and lead to bare soil. This phenomenon causes the soil to become difficult to plow, which in turn leads to a reduction in the productivity of crops. It can cause 100 % yield losses based on crop types, level of the damage, and size of its populations. To manage this pest, different management options have been evaluated in Ethiopia. While insecticide usage is the dominant option, less attention has been given to Entomopathogenic Nematode (EPN) based management options. Therefore, this research was initiated to screen locally collected EPN isolates and evaluate promising isolates under field conditions on maize crop. Methods 37 EPN isolates were screened under laboratory condition, while two isolates were evaluated at field condition. The screening of EPN isolates was laid out in a completely randomized design, and the field evaluation used a completely randomized block design, and treatments were replicated thrice. Mortality of insect, damaged root, stem, cob, damage severity, foraging termites, and yield of the crop data were collected. Results The study indicated that all screened EPN isolates caused mortality on termites under laboratory conditions. The isolates achieved complete mortality of the insect pest within 12 days of exposure. The finding indicated that AEH and S#50 were the more pathogenic and virulent isolates on termites under laboratory conditions and taken to field study. The S#50 isolate was most pathogenic and reduced the infestation and severity of the insect pest on the maize crop under field conditions. Conclusions This result showed that the entomopathogenic nematode isolates have the potential to manage subterranean termites in the maize field. Future studies should be based on collection of local isolates and develop a full package for the virulent isolates.
CAREER ATTITUDES AND PROACTIVE BEHAVIOR OF EMPLOYEE
Authors: Gurieva Svetlana D. , Yumkina Ekaterina A. , Timofeeva Alena S.
Published: December 2023

Proactivity today is one of the concepts actively developed in applied psychology and is considered as a key feature of job crafting or constructive design by a person of his work.

The purpose of this article is to study personal proactivity in mediating the career orientations of working professionals. The study involved 40 sales managers. Data collection methods: questionnaire “Career Anchors” by E. Shane and “PVQ self-rating” (author’s development). The construct of proactivity was presented in the self-assessment methodology through the qualities of initiative, independence, perseverance, responsibility.

Conclusions. Initiative, as the central link of proactivity, is associated with a whole range of properties that are responsible both for the general self-confidence of the individual and with specific skills to express and implement their goals. Factor analysis showed that initiative and responsibility are different aspects of personal proactivity. Proactive personal qualities indirectly mediate success in the implementation of career strategies and subjective satisfaction with professional self-realization.
Przodkowie Janusza Korczaka a obraz rodziny w utworze Sam na sam z Bogiem. Modlitwy tych, którzy się nie modlą
Authors: Sieradzka-Baziur Bożena
Published: December 2023

W artykule przedstawiona została struktura i semantyka tekstu religijnego Sam na sam z Bogiem. Modlitwy tych, którzy się nie modlą, którego autorem jest znany pedagog Janusz Korczak. W tym tekście uwidoczniły się żywe zainteresowania Korczaka tematem ludzkiej duchowości. W Dedykacji zamieszczonej w części końcowej zbioru modlitw autor pisze, że są one wypowiedziami przodków, dyktowanymi przez rodziców, w czym wyraża się jego przekonanie o przemożnym znaczeniu dziedzictwa przeszłości dla rozwoju duchowego człowieka. Artykuł zawiera także opis przodków Korczaka i obraz rodziny utrwalony w analizowanym tekście.
PONTO CINE
Authors: Medeiros Adailton
Published: December 2023

Discurso proferido em 29 de novembro de 2022, na Assembleia Legislativa do Rio, por ocasião do recebimento do Diploma Heloneida Studart.
PRODUTORAS AUDIOVISUAIS DE PEQUENO PORTE E A DIFICULDADE AO ACESSO A RECURSOS VIA LEIS DE INCENTIVO
Authors: Menezes Godinho Luiz Felipe
Published: December 2023

O presente estudo visa investigar os gargalos financeiros e logísticos aos quais estão submetidas as pequenas produtoras independentes brasileiras, onde as empresas de pequeno porte precisam enfrentar grandes dificuldades para conseguir os recursos para financiar seus projetos audiovisuais. Esta desigualdade na integração das empresas ao mercado resulta em uma situação excludente em que os mecanismos de fomento direto e indireto, presentes na constituição de 1988, se tornam ferramentas para uma triagem não oficial de empresas que terão sucesso e aquelas que não conseguirão se manter ativas devido ao difícil acesso às políticas de incentivo. O presente artigo parte da hipótese de que existe uma grande desvantagem competitiva entre empresas de pequeno e de grande porte que, direta ou indiretamente, competem pelas mesmas fontes de recursos, gerando uma situação de concorrência desleal onde se perpetuam parcialidades e decisões tendenciosas, desvirtuando este mecanismo que busca, originalmente, sanar justamente esta inequidade de acesso para inserir empresas menores em um mercado dominado por grandes empresas. Para realização desta investigação foram realizadas análises de fontes bibliográficas, além de entrevistas com produtores e autoridades especialistas em mecanismos de fomento. Tanto os entrevistados quanto os autores dos estudos aqui investigados relataram a existência de um ciclo vicioso em que produtoras de maior desempenho comercial são contempladas com mais acesso aos recursos incentivados, conseguindo, por causa disso, produzir mais sucessos comerciais, enquanto as produtoras pequenas que não possuem essa chancela comercial não conseguem financiar os seus projetos. Com base na revisão bibliográfica e no material coletado, torna-se evidente que existe uma grande concentração de recursos, priorizando poucas produtoras da Região Sudeste, enquanto uma grande parcela de empresas de pequeno porte têm pouco acesso a tais recursos.