bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditionally Immortalised Equine Skeletal Muscle Cell Lines for in Vitro Analysis
Authors: Rooney Mary Francis , Neto Nuno , Monaghan Michael , Hill Emmeline , Porter Richard
Published: November 2021

BackgroundThoroughbred racehorse performance is largely influenced by a major quantitative trait locus at the myostatin (MSTN) gene which determines aptitude for certain race distances due to a promoter region insertion mutation influencing functional phenotypes in skeletal muscle. To develop an in vitro system for functional experiments we established three novel equine skeletal muscle cell lines reflecting the variation in phenotype associated with MSTN genotype (CC/II, CT/IN and TT/NN for SNP g.66493737C>T/SINE insertion 227 bp polymorphism). Primary equine skeletal muscle myoblasts, isolated from Thoroughbred horse gluteus medius, were conditionally immortalised and evaluated to determine whether cell phenotype and metabolic function were comparable to functional characteristics previously reported for ex vivo skeletal muscle isolated from Thoroughbred horses with each genotype.ResultsPrimary myoblasts conditionally immortalized with the temperature sensitive SV40TtsA58 lentivirus vector successfully proliferated and could revert to their primary cell phenotype and differentiate into multinucleated myotubes. Skeletal muscle fibre type, MSTN gene expression, mitochondrial abundance, and mitochondrial function of the three MSTN genotype cell lines, were consistent with equivalent characterisation of ex vivo skeletal muscle samples with these genotypes. Furthermore, addition of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to the cell lines improved mitochondrial function, an observation consistent with ex vivo skeletal muscle samples with these genotypes following supplementation with CoQ10 in the diet. ConclusionsThe observation that the phenotypic characteristics and metabolic function of the cells lines are equivalent to ex vivo skeletal muscle indicates that this in vitro system will enable efficient and cost-effective analyses of equine skeletal muscle for a range of different applications including understanding metabolic function, testing of nutritional supplements, drug test development and gene doping test development. In the multi-billion-euro international Thoroughbred horse industry research advances in the biological function of skeletal muscle are likely to have considerable impact. Furthermore, this novel genotype-specific system may be adapted and applied to human biomedicine to improve understanding of the effects of myostatin in human physiology and medicine.
Robust Stability of Discrete-time Singularly Perturbed Systems with Nonlinear Perturbation
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Yanyan , Wang Zhiming
Published: November 2021

This paper is concerned with the robust stability and stabilization problems of discrete-time singularly perturbed systems (DTSPSs) with nonlinear perturbations. A proper sufficient condition via the fixed-point principle is proposed to guarantee that the given system is in a standard form. Then, based on the singular perturbation approach, a linear matrix inequality (LMI) based sufficient condition is presented such that the original system is standard and input-to-state stable (ISS) simultaneously. Thus, it can be easily verified for it only depends on the solution of an LMI. After that, for the case where the nominal system is unstable, the problem of designing a control law to make the resulting closed-loop system ISS is addressed. To achieve this, a sufficient condition is proposed via LMI techniques for the purpose of implementation. The criteria presented in this paper are independent of the small parameter and the stability bound can be derived effectively by solving an optimal problem. Finally, the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results is illustrated by two numerical examples.
Development and Validation of a Competency-Based Education Model Suitable for Undergraduate Human Nutrition and Dietetics Training in Uganda: A Modified Delphi Process
Authors: Kikomeko Peterson Kato , Ochola Sophie , Kaaya Archileo N. , Ogada Irene , Birungi Tracy Lukiya , Nakitto Peace
Published: November 2021

Background: Competency-based education (CBE) equips health professionals with the requisite competencies for health systems performance. This study aimed to develop and validate a CBE model suitable for teaching Human Nutrition/Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HN/HND) at the undergraduate level in Uganda. Methods: The study was undertaken in two main phases, (1) competency needs assessment and (2) model development and content validation. The later had three iterative stages: a needs assessment results validation workshop; an expert focus group discussion to develop a draft CBE model framework; and consensus development-itself undertaken in two modified Delphi rounds to ascertain participant consensus on the relevance and suitability of the competency domains, subdomains, and statements comprised in the developed draft CBE framework for undergraduate HN/HND training in Uganda. In the modified Delphi process, participants indicated the degree to which they agreed or disagreed with each of the given statements on five-point Likert-type items of strongly disagree, disagree, neither agree nor disagree, agree, and strongly agree as well as the level of training they recommended the given competency statement to be learned. The workshop had 31 participants, the focus group eight, while the first and second Delphi rounds had 70 and 55 participants respectively. Results: In total, seven competency domains, 24 subdomains, and 190 competency statements were developed. Content analysis and analysis of percentage responses for each competency statement were done with participant consensus set at ≥80%. All the seven domains (100%); 22 (91.7%) of the 24 subdomains; and 153 (87.9%) of the 174 analysed competency statements were evaluated as both relevant and suitable for undergraduate HN/HND training and hence included in the validated CBE model. Conclusion: This study evaluated the relevancy and suitability of seven competency domains prevention and management of malnutrition; nutrition in the lifecycle; food security, food safety, agriculture, and livelihoods promotion; ethics and professionalism in nutrition and dietetics; research and data analysis; policy, advocacy, and social and behaviour change communication; and nutrition leadership and management for undergraduate HN/HND training in Uganda. The study recommends translating the developed CBE model into a standard curriculum that can be taught and evaluated.
Potential Association of EEF1A Dimethylation at Lysine 55 in the Basal Area of Helicobacter Pylori-Eradicated Gastric Mucosa with the Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Hirashita Yuka , Fukuda Masahide , Kodama Masaaki , Tsukamoto Yoshiyuki , Okimoto Tadayoshi , Mizukami Kazuhiro , Kawahara Yoshinari , Wada Yasuhiro , Togo Kazumi , Fukuda Kensuke , Okamoto Kazuhisa , Ogawa Ryo , Matsunari Osamu , Honda Koichi , Murakami Kazunari
Published: November 2021

Background

Although eradication therapy for chronic Helicobacter pylori reduces the risk of gastric cancer (GC), its effectiveness is incomplete. Therefore, it is critically important to identify those patients who remain at high risk after H. pylori eradication therapy. Accumulation of protein methylation is strongly implicated in cancer, and a recent study showed that dimethylation of eEF1A lysine 55 (eEF1AK55me2) promotes carcinogenesis in vivo. We aimed to investigate the relationship between eEF1A dimethylation and H. pylori status in gastric mucosa and to reveal potential downstream molecules of eEF1A dimethylation in H. pylori-eradicated mucosa.
Methods

Records of 115 patients (11 H. pylori-negative, 29 H. pylori-positive, 75 post-eradication patients) who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were retrospectively reviewed. The eEF1A dimethyl level was evaluated in each functional cell type of gastric mucosa by immunofluorescent staining. We also investigated the relationship between eEF1AK55me2 downregulation by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of Mettl13, which is known as a dimethyltransferase of eEF1AK55me2.
Results

The level of eEF1A dimethylation significantly increased in the surface and basal areas of H. pylori-positive mucosa compared with -negative mucosa (surface, p=0.0031; basal, p<0.0001). The eEF1A dimethyl levels in the surface area were significantly reduced by eradication therapy (p=0.005), but those in the basal area were maintained even after eradication therapy. Multivariate analysis revealed that high dimethylation of eEF1A in the basal area of the mucosa was the independent factor related to GC incidence (odds ratio=3.6611, 95% confidence interval=1.0350–12.949, p=0.0441). We also showed the relationship between eEF1A dimethylation and expressions of reprogramming factors Oct4 and Nanog by immunohistochemistry and in vitro genome editing experiments.
Conclusions

The results indicated that H. pylori infection potently induced eEF1A dimethylation in gastric mucosa. The accumulation of dimethyl-eEF1A in the basal area of the mucosa might contribute to GC risk via regulation of reprograming factors in H. pylori-eradicated gastric mucosa.
Association of Hearing Loss With Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia
Authors: Liu Bin , Zhao Ying , Zhao Guifeng , Jin Ling , Li Wei
Published: November 2021

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are responsible for at least 20 % of diagnosed cases of dementia. It has been established that hearing loss is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. In this study, the association between hearing impairment and AD/VaD was determined in patients, as well as the characteristics of hearing loss in the two types of dementia.Methods: 70 participants comprising 30 subjects in control group, 20 patients in AD group, and 20 patients in VaD group, were recruited and assessed with respect to pure-tone audiometric test for peripheral auditory system. On admission, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking and drinking habits, diabetes, stroke, family history, as well as levels of cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were measured. Hearing loss results and other clinical indexes were analyzed, and their correlations with severity of dementia were determined.Results: Degree of hearing impairment and HbA1c level differed significantly between the AD and control groups. However, only age and degree of hearing impairment were positively correlated with grades of cognitive impairment in AD and control groups. Body mass index (BMI) and smoking history; HbA1c level, grades of cognitive impairment, and degree of hearing impairment, as well as related cognitive impairment, differed significantly between VaD and control groups. Results of logistic regression analysis indicated that the degree of hearing impairment could be a predictor for grades of cognitive impairment in AD and VaD. Moreover, the degree of hearing loss in full band hearing was significantly higher in VaD group than in AD group.Conclusion: Hearing loss may be a potential risk factor for cognitive impairment in AD and VaD, two major types of dementia with different clinical characteristics. The clinical features of hearing loss in the two types dementia might be helpful in their diagnosis and treatment.
Dynamic Nonlinear Algebraic Models With Scale-Similarity Dynamic Procedure For Large-Eddy Simulation of Turbulence
Authors: Yuan Zelong , Wang Yunpeng , Xie Chenyue , Wang Jianchun
Published: November 2021

A dynamic nonlinear algebraic model with scale-similarity dynamic procedure (DNAM-SSD) is proposed for subgrid-scale (SGS) stress in large-eddy simulation of turbulence. The model coefficients of the DNAM-SSD model are adaptively calculated through the scale-similarity relation, which greatly simplifies the conventional Germano-identity based dynamic procedure (GID). The a priori study shows that the DNAM-SSD model predicts the SGS stress considerably better than the conventional velocity gradient model (VGM), dynamic Smagorinsky model (DSM), dynamic mixed model (DMM) and DNAM-GID model at a variety of filter widths ranging from inertial to viscous ranges. The correlation coefficients of the SGS stress predicted by the DNAM-SSD model can be larger than 95% with the relative errors lower than 30%. In the a posteriori testings of LES, the DNAM-SSD model outperforms the implicit LES (ILES), DSM, DMM and DNAM-GID models without increasing computational costs, which only takes up half the time of the DNAM-GID model. The DNAM-SSD model accurately predicts plenty of turbulent statistics and instantaneous spatial structures in reasonable agreement with the filtered DNS data. These results indicate that the current DNAM-SSD model is attractive for the development of highly accurate SGS models for LES of turbulence.
Facile Synthesis of Tomato-Based Carbon Nanodots and Its Utilization in Sensitive Detection of Tartrazine
Authors: Liu Haijian , Li Zhenxiang , Zhang Wei , Liu Ying , Pan Rongkai , Huang Guofu
Published: November 2021

Carbon nanodots (CDs) with superior fluorescence performance were obtained by hydrothermal method using tomatoes as raw materials. When the ultraviolet absorption band of tartrazine and the fluorescence spectrum of CDs have complementary overlaps, the fluorescent internal filter effect (IFE) occurred. Furthermore, the degree of quenching of fluorescence intensity of CDs has an excellent linear correlation with tartrazine concentration. And based on this principle, a method for detecting tartrazine was established. As the decrease of fluorescence intensity, tartrazine can be measured in the linear range of 0.1 μM ~ 40 μM. The detection limit is 39 nM, and the recovery rate is 90.7%~114.5%. The established protocol was also effectively employed to assay tartrazine in beverage samples, indicating that it has great potential for food color analysis.
Caloric Restriction Overcomes Pre-Diabetic and Hypertension Induced by High Fat Diet and Renal Artery Stenosis
Authors: Faria Michelle SSN , Pimentel Vinicius E , Helaehil Júlia l Venturini , Bertolo Mayara Correa , Santos Nathalia Tonus Horas , Silva-Neto Pedro Vieira , Thomazini Bruna Fontana , Oliveira Camila Andrea , Amaral Maria
Published: November 2021

Background: Caloric restriction (CR) is a type of dietary intervention that is essential in weight loss through modulation of critical pathways of metabolic control; however, it is not yet clear what this intervention results to in association with renovascular hypertension.Methods: Rats were divided into three groups: SHAM, and two groups that underwent surgery to clip the left renal artery and induce renovascular hypertension (OH and OHR). The SHAM diet was as follows: 14 weeks normolipidic diet; OH: 2 weeks normolipidic diet + 12 weeks hyperlipidic diet, both ad libitum; OHR, 2 weeks normolipidic diet + 8 weeks ad libitum high-fat diet + 4 weeks 40% calorie-restricted high-fat diet. Results: Rats in the OHR group had decreased blood pressure, body weight, and glucose levels. Reductions in insulinemia and in lipid and islet fibrotic areas in the OHR group were observed, along with increased insulin sensitivity and normalization of insulin-degrading enzyme levels. The expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), insulin receptor (IR), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and complex II proteins were increased in the liver tissue of the OHR group. Strong correlations, whether positive or negative, were evaluated via Spearman’s model between SIRT1, AMPK, NAMPT, PGC-1α, and NNMT expressions with the restoration of normal blood pressure, weight loss, glycemic and lipid panel, and mitochondrial adaptation. Conclusion: CR provided short-term beneficial effects to recover the physiological parameters induced by a high-fat diet and renal artery stenosis in obese and hypertensive animals. These benefits, even in the short term, can provide physiological benefits in the long term.
Land use and land cover change-induced landscape dynamics: a geospatial study of Durgapur Sub-Division, West Bengal (India).
Authors: Patra Sribas , Gavsker Kapil Kumar
Published: November 2021

This article examines the factors and process of change in the land use and land cover change-induced landscape dynamics in the Durgapur Sub-Division region of West Bengal in 1989, 2003, and 2018 by employing the satellite imageries of Landsat 5 (1989 and 2003) and Landsat 8 (2018). The images of the study area were categorized into seven specific land use classes with the help of Google Earth Pro. Based on the supervised classification methodology, the change detection analysis identified a significant increase in built-up land from 11% to 23% between 1989 and 2003 and from 23% to 29% in 2003 and 2018. The areas under fallow land and vegetation cover have mainly decreased, while the areas of industrial activities and urbanization expanded during the study period.
A Mouse Model with Widespread Expression of the C9orf72-Linked Glycine-Arginine Dipeptide Displays Non-Lethal ALS/FTD-Like Phenotypes
Authors: Verdone Brandie Morris , Cicardi Maria Elena , Wen Xinmei , Sriram Sindhu , Russell Katelyn , Markandaiah Shashirekha S , Jensen Brigid K , Krishnamurthy Karthik , Haeusler Aaron , Pasinelli Piera , Trotti Davide
Published: November 2021

Background: Translation of the hexanucleotide G4C2 expansion associated with C9orf72 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia (ALS/FTD) produces five different dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) species that can confer toxicity. Yet, there is much to learn about the contribution of DPRs to disease pathogenesis, as not all DPRs function and localize within cells in the same manner, nor are they all the same repeat length. These phenomena create a heterogeneity that confounds the study of their toxic consequences. Methods: In vitro transfection of different lengths of the toxic DPR glycine-arginine (poly-GR) was used to determine a relevant pathogenic length for in vivo assessment. We then generated a novel transgenic mouse expressing poly-GR under a ubiquitous promoter for histological characterization and assessment of motor and cognitive behaviors. Results: We identify a short repeat length in vitro that, when expressed, correlates with a reduction in cell survival over an extended period. In vivo, we observe sex-specific chronic ALS/FTD-like phenotypes in our transgenic mice expressing the same short-length DPR, including mild motor neuron loss, but no TDP-43 mis-localization, as well as motor and cognitive impairments. Despite the chronic phenotype, survival of these animals is not affected over 12 months. Conclusions: We show that a short repeat length is sufficient for the DPR poly-GR to confer neurotoxicity in vitro, a phenomenon previously unobserved. This toxicity is reported in vivo in our novel knock-in mouse model characterized by widespread central nervous system (CNS) expression of the short-length poly-GR. We conclude that this short length poly-GR induces a chronic, but non-lethal phenotype in our mouse model and suggest that this model can serve as the foundation for phenotypic exacerbation through second-hit forms of stress.
High-entropy Rare-earth Zirconate Ceramics With Low Thermal Conductivity for Advanced Thermal Barrier Coatings
Authors: Xu Baosehng , LIU Debao , SHI Baolu , GENG Liyan , WANG Yiguang , XU Baosheng , Chen Yanfei
Published: November 2021

In this work, we have successfully fabricated a novel high-entropy rare-earth zirconate (La0.2Nd0.2Sm0.2Gd0.2Yb0.2)2Zr2O7 (5RE2Zr2O7) ceramics and its counterparts by using a new high-speed grinding strategy combined with typical solid-state reaction method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated that the as-prepared 5RE2Zr2O7 ceramics performed single-phase defect fluorite-type structures with highly sintering resistant and excellent thermal stability. The possibility of formation of 5RE2Zr2O7 was verified via first-principles calculations. Meanwhile, the phase structure, thermophysical and mechanical properties of the samples were systematically investigated. The results showed that the 5RE2Zr2O7 ceramics demonstrated lower thermal conductivity (0.9-1.72 W·m-1·K-1) and higher thermal expansion coefficients (10.9 × 10-6 K-1 at 1273 K) than its counterparts. Furthermore, the 5RE2Zr2O7 ceramics presented outstanding mechanical properties including large Young’s modulus (186-257 GPa), higher fracture toughness and lower brittleness index than that of YSZ. Therefore, in view of various excellent properties, the as-prepared 5RE2Zr2O7 ceramics possess great potential for applications in the field of thermal barrier coatings.
Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis of Key Genes Controlling Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics by Mrnasi in Colon Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jie , Yin Honghao , Tong Zhongsheng
Published: November 2021

Background: Cancer stem cells are hidden tumor cells with the potential for self-renewal and multi-differentiation, which are the principal cause of tumor heterogeneity, metastasis and drug resistance. However, the key genes that maintain cell stemness of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) are still unknown. Our study was designed to identify key genes associated with the stemness of COAD cell. Methods: RNA sequencing data and clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to recognize key genes based on mRNAsi. Next, the gene expression data downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Oncomine, and Gene Expression Profiling Integrative Analysis (GEPIA) were used to demonstrate the expression of key genes.Results: The mRNAsi score of COAD tissue was obviously superior than that of normal tissue. N stages, M stages and overall survival were highly related to mRNAsi. WGCNA showed that the green module was positively related to mRNAsi. We obtained 27 genes closely related to each other at the transcriptional and protein levels. The main biological functions of key genes were organelle fission, chromosomal region, and protein serine/threonine kinase activity. The enriched signaling pathway were cell cycle, progesterone−mediated oocyte maturation, human T−cell leukemia virus 1 infection, oocyte meiosis, DNA replication, cellular senescence, viral carcinogenesis, and p53 signaling pathway. The key genes were highly expressed in COAD and various cancers, which was validated multiple databases. Conclusions: 27 key genes were well correlated with maintaining stemness of COAD, which were significantly related to cell cycle events. The key genes may be therapeutic targets for inhibiting the properties of COAD stem cells.
Experimental Verification of Analysis Model of Seismic Isolation With High-Static-Low-Dynamic Stiffness
Authors: Miyamoto Kou , Iba Jun , Watanabe Koichi , Ishii Ken , Kikuchi Masaru
Published: November 2021

This paper verifies the model of high-static-low-dynamic stiffness (HSLDS) for seismic isolation based on an experiment. Seismic isolation is widely used in several countries. Moreover, the number of seismically isolated buildings has rapidly increased in these few decades. Seismic isolation extends a natural period of a building and decreases the absolute acceleration to re-duce a seismic force. However, as there is a trade-off between displacement and absolute acceleration, it might result in the maximum displacement be-yond an allowable range. HSLDS is nonlinear, and its restoring force can be approximated cube of a displacement. Thus, HSLDS applies a large restoring force for significant displacement, and the force is small for small perturbation around an equilibrium position. To improve the control performance of seismic isolation for displacement, we apply HSLDS for seismic isolation. This paper conducts an experiment and compares the results with a time-history analysis to verify a numerical model of HSLDS
Manifestations of Alzheimer’s Disease Genetic Risk in the Blood: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Omic Analysis in Healthy Adults Aged 18-90+
Authors: Heath Laura M , Earls John C. , Magis Andrew T. , Kornilov Sergey A. , Lovejoy Jennifer C. , Funk Cory C. , Rappaport Noa , Logsdon Benjamin A. , Mangravite Lara M. , Kunkle Brian W. , Martin Eden R. , Naj Adam C. , Ertekin-Taner Nilüfer , Golde Todd E. , Hood Leroy , Price Nathan D.
Published: November 2021

Background: Genetics play an important role in late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) etiology and dozens of genetic variants have been implicated in AD risk through large-scale GWAS meta-analyses. However, the precise mechanistic effects of most of these variants have yet to be determined. Deeply phenotyped cohort data can reveal physiological changes associated with genetic risk for AD across an age spectrum that may provide clues to the biology of the disease.Methods: We utilized over 2000 high-quality quantitative measurements obtained from blood of 2831 cognitively normal adult clients of a consumer-based scientific wellness company, each with CLIA-certified whole-genome sequencing data. Measurements included: clinical laboratory blood tests, targeted chip-based proteomics, and metabolomics. We performed a phenome-wide association study utilizing this diverse blood marker data and 25 known AD genetic variants, adjusting for sex, age, vendor (for clinical labs), and the first four genetic principal components; sex-SNP interactions were also assessed.Results: We observed statistically significant SNP-analyte associations for five genetic variants after correction for multiple testing (for SNPs in or near NYAP1, ABCA7, INPP5D, and APOE), with effects detectable from early adulthood. The ABCA7 SNP and the APOE2 and APOE4 encoding alleles were associated with lipid variability, as seen in previous studies; in addition, six novel proteins were associated with the e2 allele. The most statistically significant finding was between the NYAP1 variant and PILRA and PILRB protein levels, supporting previous functional genomic studies in the identification of a putative causal variant within the PILRA gene. Sex modified the effects of four genetic variants, with multiple interrelated immune-modulating effects associated with the PICALM variant. In post-hoc analysis, sex-stratified GWAS results from an independent AD case-control meta-analysis supported sex-specific disease effects of the PICALM variant, highlighting the importance of sex as a biological variable.Conclusions: Known AD genetic variation influenced lipid metabolism and immune response systems in a population of non-AD individuals, with associations observed from early adulthood onward. Further research is needed to determine whether and how these effects are implicated in early-stage biological pathways to AD. These analyses aim to complement ongoing work on the functional interpretation of AD-associated genetic variants.
Maternal mental health and child nutritional status in an urban slum community in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Ahad Mahmud
Published: November 2021

Objective: Poor mental health may diminish a mother's capacity to adequately care for her child, resulting in a negative impact on the child’s nutrition. This study aims to determine the association between maternal mental health and child nutritional status in a poor urban population in Bangladesh.Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study among 264 mother-child pairs in an urban slum area of Bangladesh. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20) was used to assess maternal mental health. An SRQ-20 score ≥7 was considered a common mental disorder (CMD). Anthropometric measurements were performed to assess child nutritional status.Results: The prevalence of maternal CMD was 46.2%. Maternal CMD was associated with poorer child feeding practice (p<0.001), poorer hygiene practice (p<0.001), poorer preventive care service use (p=0.016) and suffering from diarrheal disease (p=0.049). The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 44.3%, 18.2% and 33.7%, respectively. Poorer child feeding practice was associated with wasting (p=0.004) and underweight (p<0.001) but not with stunting. Poorer hygiene practice and suffering from diarrheal disease were associated with stunting and underweight but not with wasting. In multivariate analysis, maternal CMD was associated with child wasting (AOR=2.25, 95% CI=1.15-4.43). Association between maternal CMD and child underweight found in bivariate analysis was attenuated and no longer statistically significant after multivariate analysis (AOR=1.77, 95% CI=0.94-3.33). No statistically significant association was observed between maternal CMD and stunting in this study (AOR=1.46, 95% CI=0.84-2.54).Conclusions: Maternal mental health affects child nutritional status through child feeding practice, hygiene practice and preventive care use. Interventions to address the mental health of mothers in child nutrition programs might contribute to improving child nutritional status.
Differential Bumble Bee Gene Expression Associated With Pathogen Infection And Pollen Diet
Authors: Giacomini Jonathan J. , Adler Lynn S. , Reading Benjamin J. , Irwin Rebecca E.
Published: November 2021

Background: Diet and parasitism can have powerful effects on host gene expression. However, how specific dietary components affect host gene expression that could feed back to affect parasitism is relatively unexplored in many wild species. Recently, it was discovered that consumption of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) pollen reduced severity of gut protozoan pathogen Crithidia bombi infection in Bombus impatiens bumble bees. Despite the dramatic and consistent medicinal effect of sunflower pollen, very little is known about the mechanism(s) underlying this effect. However, sunflower pollen extract increases rather than suppresses C. bombi growth in vitro, suggesting that sunflower pollen reduces C. bombi infection indirectly via changes in the host. Here, we analyzed whole transcriptomes of B. impatiens workers to characterize the physiological response to sunflower pollen consumption and C. bombi infection to isolate the mechanisms underlying the medicinal effect. B. impatiens workers were inoculated with either C. bombi cells (infected) or a sham control (un-infected) and fed either sunflower or wildflower pollen ad libitum. Whole abdominal gene expression profiles were then sequenced with Illumina NextSeq 500 technology. Results: Among infected bees, sunflower pollen upregulated immune transcripts, including the anti-microbial peptide hymenoptaecin, Toll receptors and serine proteases. In both infected and un-infected bees, sunflower pollen upregulated putative detoxification transcripts and transcripts associated with the repair and maintenance of gut epithelial cells. Among wildflower-fed bees, infected bees downregulated immune transcripts associated with phagocytosis and the phenoloxidase cascade. Conclusions: Taken together, these results indicate dissimilar immune responses between sunflower- and wildflower-fed bumble bees infected with C. bombi, a response to physical damage to gut epithelial cells caused by sunflower pollen, and a strong detoxification response to sunflower pollen consumption. Identifying host responses that drive the medicinal effect of sunflower pollen in infected bumble bees may broaden our understanding of plant-pollinator interactions and provide opportunities for effective management of bee pathogens.
Methionine controlled impediment of secondary nucleation leading to nonclassical growth within self-assembled de novo gold nanoparticles
Authors: Sahu Jitendra , Lone Shahbaz , Sadhu Kalyan
Published: November 2021

The conventional key steps for seed mediated growth of noble metal nanostructures involve classical and nonclassical nucleation. Furthermore, the surface of the seed catalytically enhances the secondary nucleation involving Au+ to Au0reduction, thus providing in-plane growth of seed. In contrast to this well-established growth mechanism, herein we report the unique case of methionine (Met) controlled seed mediated growth reaction, which rather proceeds via impeding secondary nucleation in presence of citrate stabilized gold nanoparticle (AuNP). The interaction between the freshly generated Au+ and thioether group of Met in the medium restricts the secondary nucleation process of further seed catalyzed Au+ reduction to Au0. This incomplete conversion of Au+, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), results in a significant enhancement of the zeta (z) potential even at low Met concentration. Nucleation of in situgenerated small-sized particles (nAuNPs) takes place on the parent seed surface followed by their segregation from the seed. Self-assembly process of these nAuNPs arises from the aurophilic interaction among the Au+. Furthermore, the time dependent growth of smaller particles to larger sized particles through assembly and merging within the same self-assembly validates the non-classical growth. This strategy has been successfully extended towards the seed mediated growth reaction of AuNP in presence of three bio-inspired decameric peptides having varying number of Met residues. The study confirms the nucleation strategy even in presence of single Met residue in the peptide and also the self-assembly of nucleated particles with increasing Met residues within the peptide.
Russian Historical Studies in the Church-Public Debate about the Orthodox Parish. 1860-1910s
Authors: Беглов А.Л.
Published: November 2021

В статье рассматривается участие представителей отечественной исторической и историко-правовой науки в обсуждении «приходского вопроса» в 1860–1910-е гг. Реформа православного прихода в Российской империи была одной из самых остро дискутируемых тем, затрагивавших Церковь, общество и государство. В трудах ученых – П.В. Знаменского, М.М. Богословского, В.М. Верюжского, С.В. Юшкова – была воссоздана картина состояния и развития древнерусского прихода, описаны его место в земском самоуправлении, отношения с епархиальной и царской властью, положение клира. Книга П.В. Знаменского, созвучная с построениями славянофилов, оказала заметное влияние на общество. В начале ХХ в. научное сообщество не было едино в приходском вопросе, что давало возможность представителям разных общественных сил апеллировать к созвучной им позиции ученого или группы ученых.

The article deals with the participation of representatives of the national historical and legal studies in the discussion of the “parish issue” in the 1860–1910s. The reform of the Orthodox parish in the Russian Empire was one of the most acutely debated topics, which affected the Church, society and the state. The author concludes that scholars were prominent in these discussions. In the works of P.V. Znamensky, M.M. Bogoslovsky, V.M. Veryuzhsky, S.V. Yushkov the picture was re-established of the status and development of the old Russian parish described as well as its place in the zemstvo self-government, the relationship with the diocesan and the Royal power, the situation of the clergy. P.V. Znamensky’s book was in tune with the Slavophiles ideas and had a significant impact on the press. In the early twentieth century, the scholarly community (especially the lawyers and canonists) itself was not united in the question of the parish issue. This gave an opportunity to representatives of different social forces to appeal to the position of a scholar (or a group of scholars), whose views were in tune with their public interests.
"Mongols" and "Jewish capital" Мersus the "White Еsar": Russian Officers Inventing the Program of "Patriotic" Propaganda
Authors: Фомин А.Ю.
Published: November 2021

Рассматриваются идейные поиски историка-любителя полковника Ф.И. Сурина и его единомышленников в контексте идеологического противостояния противникам самодержавия в период Первой русской революции и «думской монархии». Особое внимание уделяется их общим представлениям о роли России в мировом историческом процессе и текущих политических задачах российского государства.

The article deals with the intellectual speculations of an amateur historian colonel F. I. Surin and some of his fellow-thinkers in the context of ideological struggle against the opponents of Russian autocracy during the period of the First Russian Revolution and the “Duma monarchy”. Their perceptions of the Russia’s role in the global historical process and current political goals of Russian state are primarily taken into account.
A.I. Khatisov. “The Russian Revolution and the creation of the Republic of Armenia in the Caucasus region, 1917–1918” (Continuation)
Authors: Амбарцумян К.Р.
Published: November 2021

Публикуемый отрывок из сочинения А.И. Хатисова (ГАРФ Ф. Р5881. Оп. 1. Д. 524) является продолжением уже изданного начала воспоминаний[2]о революции 1917 г. и ее последствиях как для Армении, так и всего Закавказья.

A publication of a fragment from the work by Alexandr Ivanovich Khatisov (1874–1945) is a continuation of the already published beginning of memoirs about the 1917 revolution and its consequences both for Armenia and the entire Transcaucasia.
"Practical Dialectics", or the Laws of History and the Sovereign Power of the Paradox
Authors: Кобылин И.И.
Published: November 2021

Статья посвящена анализу предложенного А.Л. Юргановым генезиса сталинской «практической диалектики». Отталкиваясь от полемики «механистов» и «диалектиков», Юрганов прослеживает становление такой диалектической структуры, где решающее значение имеет суверенная воля модератора. «Борьба на два фронта» – это логическая машина, которая всегда обеспечивает выигрыш тому, кто ее запускает. В статье эта «машина модерации» сопоставляется, с одной стороны, с размышлениями Карла Шмитта и Джорджо Агамбена о суверенитете и чрезвычайном положении, а с другой – с идеей Бориса Гройса о советской власти как о торжестве «медиума языка» над «медиумом денег». В финале намечается дальнейшая перспектива исследования роли этой машины в позднесоветских условиях.

The article is devoted to the analysis of the conception of the genesis of Stalin's "practical dialectics" proposed by A.L. Yurganov. Starting from the polemics of "mechanists" and "dialecticians", Yurganov traces the formation of such a dialectical structure, where the sovereign will of the moderator is of decisive importance. A “fight on two fronts” is a logical machine that always wins for the one who launches it. The article compares this "moderation machine", on the one hand, with the thoughts of Carl Schmitt and Giorgio Agamben about sovereignty and a state of emergency, and on the other, with Boris Groys's idea of Soviet power as the triumph of the "medium of language" over the "medium of money." In the finale, a further perspective is outlined for researching the role of this machine in late Soviet conditions.
Pelestarian Koleksi Langka Berbasis Flipbook di Perpustakaan Umum
Authors: Rahayu Ifon Margiati
Published: November 2021

Introduction. Currently, the office limits access to collections of rare books for users to preserve the physical collection. Users who want to access the display will only get a synopsis. However, this policy makes users challenging to access the full-text content. The collection of rare books has also not received proper preservation and creates some rare book collections to be damaged. This study aims to determine the process of digitizing the rare book collections at the Archives and Library Office of Banjarnegara Regency based on Flipbook.Methodology. This study is a qualitative descriptive study. The selection of informants in this study is a purposive sampling technique. The data collection in this study is observation, interview, and literature study.Result and discussion. This study shows that digitizing the rare book collections includes selection, scanning, editing, flipbook making, and uploading on the OPAC INLISLite application 3.1. Users can access rare book collections in the form of flipbooks or interesting digital books. The obstacles found in digitizing rare book collections are the absence of SOPs of digitizing, inadequate digitization facilities and infrastructures, the absence of Human Resources (HR). Nevertheless, they master the digitization of collections and the lack of budget allocations for digitizing the collection.Conclusion. The impact of digitization with Flipbook is that users have full access to a collection of rare books needed by users and become an alternative to the preservation and empowerment of libraries and users that are more attractive and safe.
Understanding the NEEDS for ACTING: An integrated framework for applying nature-based solutions in Brazil
Authors: Alves Priscila Barros Ramalho , Djordjević Slobodan , Javadi Akbar A.
Published: November 2021

Nature-based solutions (NBS) support the provision of multiple benefits for the environment and society. First idealised in 2008, NBS are recommended by worldwide reports and guidelines as strategies to protect, sustainably manage and restore ecosystems. However, their operationalisation is still in the early stages, especially in developing countries, and only a few studies consider their full potential. This article contributes to this context by developing an integrated framework, with spatial and participatory tools, for analysing flood risk mitigation in Brazil. The approach enables a deep understanding of the societal challenges and vulnerabilities of the area (i.e., NEEDS) for subsequently planning the appropriate NBS (i.e., ACTIONS), with the participation of 255 stakeholders of Campina Grande municipality. Results show mappings of flood-prone areas, in which approximately 52% of the flooded areas will see an increase in the future. Hotspots (i.e., hazard, vulnerability, and exposure) are shown and discussed with four application cases. Finally, multiple benefits of seven NBS alternatives are analysed in 53 scenarios of application, in which the higher rates of reductions are found to combined alternatives. The discussion emphasizes the importance of spatially assessing the ‘needs’ and ‘multiple benefits’ of NBS, including reducing vulnerabilities and increment of resilience.
Dehydrocholesterol Reductase 24 (DHCR24): Medicinal Chemistry,
Pharmacology and Novel Therapeutic Options
Authors: Müller Christoph , Hank Emily , Giera Martin , Bracher Franz
Published: November 2021

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During the last decade, the understanding of the biological functions of cholesterol
biosynthesis intermediates has changed significantly. Particularly, the enzyme sterol
dehydrocholesterol reductase 24 (DHCR24) has taken center stage as a potential drug target.
Inhibition of DHCR24 leads to accumulation of the endogenous, biologically active
metabolite cholesta-5,24-dien-3β-ol (desmosterol). Desmosterol is an endogenous agonist
of the liver X receptor (LXR). LXR is a master regulator of lipid metabolism and, as such,
is involved in numerous pathophysiological processes such as inflammation, atherosclerosis,
cancer, diabetes mellitus (DM), multiple sclerosis (MS), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
(NASH), and the progression of viral infections. Up to now, selective pharmacological
targeting of LXR without activating the sterol-response element binding proteins
(SREBP) and thereby boosting endogenous lipid biosynthesis has not been achieved. In
turn, no selective LXR receptor agonists leveraging its beneficial activation have yet
reached the clinic. Therefore, using potent and selective inhibitors of DHCR24 leading to
an accumulation of endogenous desmosterol is a promising alternative strategy for the selective
activation of LXR.
Here we summarize the present landscape of novel lead structures for targeting DHCR24,
covering steroidal enzyme inhibitors (e.g., 20,25-diazacholesterol, SH42) as well as nonsteroidal
scaffolds (e.g., amiodarone, triparanol). Further, we explain the molecular mechanisms
of DHCR24 inhibition/LXR activation, discuss possible therapeutic applications,
and underpin why DHCR24 is an upcoming promising drug target.
Prospective for Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Himasa Faiza Idris , Singhal Manmohan , Ojha Abhijeet , Kumar Bhavna
Published: November 2021

Diabetic retinopathy is a posterior eye disorder in which damage occurs to the light sensitive retina
due to diabetes mellitus. This disorder specifically affects people aged between 18-64 with type ІІ diabetes.
This disease progresses through different pathophysiological pathways, which include oxidative stress, inflammation,
stimulation of the growth factor in the eye’s vasculature, isoforms of protein kinase C, and also the activation
of the hexosamine pathway. It starts as micro aneurysms and advances in complicated stage, which results
in retinal detachment. Treatment of posterior eye diseases has complications due to the structural design of
the eye and physiological barriers present. The current treatment approach involves the use of intravitreal anti-
VEGFs, corticosteroids implants, laser and surgery; these treatment methods have drawbacks attributed to
them despite their benefits. The development of a robust delivery system with minimal or no invasion to tackle
the issues of diabetic retinopathy will be of considerable benefit to patients having diabetic retinopathy; the dependency
on ophthalmologists for multiple injections will significantly reduce and provide a promising approach
in drug delivery. In this review article, the authors provided information related to existing treatment
methods available for diabetic retinopathy, the most significant among which is nanotechnology approach
through which local delivery via the ocular route to posterior eye can be achieved. It also possesses the various
carriers studied for the non-invasive approach for retinal delivery of medicaments. Non-invasive approach for
delivery of drugs can be considered as potential for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
“De Repente, a Esperança”: Análise Semiótica de uma Capa da Revista Noticiosa The Economist
Authors: Botelho Cláudia M. , Martins Moisés de Lemos
Published: November 2021

Propomo-nos fazer a análise semiótica da capa da revista noticiosa The Economist, de novembro de 2020, intitulada “Suddenly, Hope” (De Repente, a Esperança). Sendo este o nosso objetivo, partimos da conceção triádica do signo, de inspiração peirceana (Peirce, 1960), assim como da demonstração, realizada por Saussure (1916/2006), de que cada signo está vinculado à estrutura que significante e significado compõem, pelo que estas dimensões não podem ser consideradas isoladamente. Mas o ponto de vista que privilegiámos é o de que a produção de sentido ocorre sempre em condições concretas de tempo, espaço e interlocução. Sendo este o ponto de partida para a análise, identificámos a cor da imagem retratada na capa do The Economist como o principalelemento de análise. Foi Goethe (1810/1840) quem apresentou a cor como oprincipal elemento da perceção humana, com capacidade para induzir um efeito significativo na alma do recetor da mensagem, ou seja, no interpretante, para utilizarmos a conceção do signo, proposta por Peirce (1960). A análise da imagem presente na capa do The Economist remete para o contexto social atual de pandemia, causada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2. A imagem de capa do The Economist conduz-nos, ainda, à teoria da liminaridade, de Victor Turner (1969/1974). Essa sugestão decorre da ideia formulada, no sentido de a sociedade atravessar o túnel, como quem empreende um rito de passagem para uma sociedade melhor.