bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Dynamic Geometry Software on Students’ Geometric Thinking Regarding Probability of Giftedness in Mathematics
Authors: ÖZÇAKIR Bilal , ÖZDEMİR Duygu , KIYMAZ Yasemin
Published: December 2020

Gifted students have potential to improve countries and this potential can be revealed and developed in schools where they spend most of their times with other regular students. However, these classrooms have some limitations for them; hence, they need some differentiated activities. Usage of dynamic geometry in mathematics lessons could be an opportunity to provide differentiated activities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore effects of mathematics lessons integrated with dynamic geometry activities on students' van Hiele geometric thinking levels controlling their probability for mathematical giftedness. Participants of the study were fifty-three fifth graders from a private school in Marmaris, Turkey. These students were grouped in terms of their probability of mathematical giftedness. Seven dynamic geometry activities about properties of line segments, triangles and quadrilaterals were developed and implemented in classrooms with tablets. Van Hiele geometric thinking level test was administered to the participants as pre-test and post-test. Results showed that dynamic geometry activities help students to move from geometric thinking level about recognizing shapes with visual clues to higher level about geometrical properties of shapes, namely relationship among shapes and their properties. Moreover, interaction between their probability for mathematical giftedness and improvements in geometric thinking levels were found. This study may contribute both to the gifted education and mathematics education fields by exploring the improvements in geometric thinking level and differentiated opportunities for gifted students. As a suggestion, a more comprehensive experimental study with larger samples so as to obtain generalize the findings could be conducted as a further study.
MANAGEMENT IN A TIME OF RADICAL UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Jacquinet Marc
Published: December 2020

Societies are still, now, indubitably, in the middle of a major sanitary and health crisis, all over. If April 2020 was a time of local lockdown in Asia, Europe and the Americas, it is expanding globally, and countries that are unable or unwilling to manage the spread of the disease are putting their health system as well as their social and economic activities under pressure, without ignoring the heavy toll on human populations.
The impact of the Sars-CoV-2 and the resulting disease for humans is already tremendous, above 3 percent of GDP for the first quarter of 2020 and above 15 or 20 percent for the whole current year. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO 2020) the decline of global trade is reckoned between 13 and 32 % (OECD 2020).
The role of the gut microbiome and diet in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Jennison Erica , Byrne Christopher D.
Published: December 2020

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease, with a prevalence that is increasing in parallel with the global rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and multifactorial, involving environmental, genetic and metabolic factors. The role of the diet and the gut microbiome is gaining interest as a significant factor in NAFLD pathogenesis. Dietary factors induce alterations in the composition of the gut microbiome (dysbiosis), commonly reflected by a reduction of the beneficial species and an increase in pathogenic microbiota. Due to the close relationship between the gut and liver, altering the gut microbiome can affect liver functions; promoting hepatic steatosis and inflammation. This review summarises the current evidence supporting an association between NAFLD and the gut microbiome and dietary factors. The review also explores potential underlying mechanisms underpinning these associations and whether manipulation of the gut microbiome is a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent or treat NAFLD.
Bosentan Normalizes the GFR Response to Renal Nerve Stimulation Following Reversible Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction in the Rat
Authors: HAMMAD F. T. , WHEATLEY A. M. , DAVIS G.
Published: December 2020

We investigated the renal response to direct renal nerve stimulation, 2 weeks following reversal of 24-h unilateral (left) ureteric obstruction. Renal nerve stimulation caused a 13-15 % fall in renal blood flow, in 4 groups of anesthetized rats following ureteric obstruction (n=9) or a sham operation (n=7) both with (n=9) and without (n=7) treatment with the mixed ETA/B receptor antagonist, bosentan. In the sham-operated rats, renal nerve stimulation did not change glomerular filtration rate but reduced urine flow rate (37±3 %, P<0.001), and absolute (38±4 %, P<0.001) and fractional (35±5 %, P<0.01) sodium excretion. Following unilateral ureteric obstruction, renal nerve stimulation increased glomerular filtration rate by 22±3 % (P<0.01), but reduced urine flow rate (14±2 %, P<0.001) and fractional sodium excretion (23±5 %, P<0.01). Bosentan treatment had no effect on baseline or renal responses to renal nerve stimulation in the sham group but normalized the renal response to renal nerve stimulation in the unilateral ureteric obstruction group. We conclude that 14 days after a 24-h period of unilateral ureteric obstruction there is an increase in GFR in response to direct renal nerve stimulation, which is due, in part, to the actions of endothelin at the time of obstruction.
A Monitoring of Allantoin, Uric Acid, and Malondialdehyde Levels in Plasma and Erythrocytes After Ten Minutes of Running Activity
Authors: KANĎÁR R. , ŠTRAMOVÁ X. , DRÁBKOVÁ P. , KŘENKOVÁ J.
Published: December 2020

Uric acid is the final product of human purine metabolism. It was pointed out that this compound acts as an antioxidant and is able to react with reactive oxygen species forming allantoin. Therefore, the measurement of allantoin levels may be used for the determination of oxidative stress in humans. The aim of the study was to clarify the antioxidant effect of uric acid during intense exercise. Whole blood samples were obtained from a group of healthy subjects. Allantoin, uric acid, and malondialdehyde levels in plasma and erythrocytes were measured using a HPLC with UV/Vis detection. Statistical significant differences in allantoin and uric acid levels during short-term intense exercise were found. Immediately after intense exercise, the plasma allantoin levels increased on the average of 200 % in comparison to baseline. Plasma uric acid levels increased slowly, at an average of 20 %. On the other hand, there were no significant changes in plasma malondialdehyde. The results suggest that uric acid, important antioxidant, is probably oxidized by reactive oxygen species to allantoin. Therefore allantoin may be suitable candidate for a marker of acute oxidative stress.
Electrophysiological Identification of Tonic and Phasic Neurons in Sensory Dorsal Root Ganglion and Their Distinct Implications in Inflammatory Pain
Authors: YU Y.-Q. , CHEN X.-F. , YANG Y. , YANG F. , CHEN J.
Published: December 2020

In the mammalian autonomic nervous system, tonic and phasic neurons can be differentiated on firing patterns in response to long depolarizing current pulse. However, the similar firing patterns in the somatic primary sensory neurons and their functional significance are not well investigated. Here, we identified two types of neurons innervating somatic sensory in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Tonic neurons fire action potentials (APs) in an intensity-dependent manner, whereas phasic neurons typically generate only one AP firing at the onset of stimulation regardless of intensity. Combining retrograde labeling of somatic DRG neurons with fluorescent tracer DiI, we further find that these neurons demonstrate distinct changes under inflammatory pain states induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) or bee venom toxin melittin. In tonic neurons, CFA and melittin treatments significantly decrease rheobase and AP durations (depolarization and repolarization), enhance amplitudes of overshoot and afterhyperpolarization (AHP), and increase the number of evoked action potentials. In phasic neurons, however, the same inflammation treatments cause fewer changes in these electrophysiological parameters except for the increased overshoot and decreased AP durations. In the present study, we find that tonic neurons are more hyperexcitable than phasic neurons after peripheral noxious inflammatory stimulation. The results indicate the distinct contributions of two types of DRG neurons in inflammatory pain.
Photosynthetic Productivity of Leaves of Sour Cherry and Sweet Cherry in Connection With Crown Forms
Authors: Khalmirzaev D. , Yenileyev N. , Islamov S. , Abdikayumov Z.
Published: December 2020

The scientific article presents the results of research work on the study of varietal characteristics of sour cherry and sweet cherry and methods for artificial formation of tree crowns at the level of photosynthetic activity of leaves with the orientation of growing trees by their intensive technology. Zoned cherry varieties Shubinka, Podbelskaya and Shpanka chernaya, sweet cherry Bakhor, Revershon and Drogana jyoltaya grown on a weak vegetatively propagated rootstock BBA-1 and BCL-2 (Krymskiy-5) were used as the object of the study. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that the optimal crown system for varieties of sour cherry and sweet cherry is a five skeletal wall. The formation of the crown in these forms contributes to a decrease in the volume of the crown by an average of 25%, at which the net productivity of leaf photosynthesis in comparison with the usual formation of the crown — freely growing and sparse-tiered shape, reaches 34.73 g/m2 per day. With the formation of bushy crown forms in cherries and sweet cherries, the level of leaf formation improves and the chlorophyll content in the leaves increases to 13.42 mg /g of fresh weight of leaves.
Effect of Physical and Chemical Properties of Gray-Brown Soils Contaminated With Waste Aluminum Plant and Tube-Rolling Mill in Sumgait on Life Activity of Earthworms
Authors: Garadaghli L.
Published: December 2020

Soil invertebrates are sensitive indicators of soil moisture. The occurrence of certain species can be an indicator of humidity or dryness of the habitat. Many researchers consider mesofauna to be one of the best bioindicators, since all actively moving species react to the slightest change in the environment by varying the number and violation of the ratios of trophic groups. To determine the main trends in soil dynamics using soil invertebrate gray-brown soils, such indicators as the quantitative ratio of individual groups, changes in the structure of the dominant representatives of the trophic structure, and distribution by soil profile are of primary importance. Special priority is given to studying the humus state of gray-brown soils associated with the pollution of natural biocenoses by technogenic waste.
Mann, Myth and Mungo: Ludovic Mann, Harry Bell and Glasgow's secret geometry
Authors: Gardner Grahame
Published: December 2020

In his 1938 book Earliest Glasgow, Ludovic Mann proposed that ancient Glasgow was laid out on a clock-face radial grid and that St Kentigern was head of a lunar cult. We explore Kentigern's journey to Glasgow following ‘the straight road along where there was no path’ that inspired Harry Bell's research into the Glasgow ley system, as documented in his 1984 book Glasgow's Secret Geometry. This paper will consider whether Glasgow really was a ‘Temple of the Moon’ laid out on a geometric basis as Mann claimed and outline connections between Mann's ideas and Bell's Network of Aligned Sites.
A mysterious tale of the Great Cat God and the many serpents
Authors: MacGregor Gavin
Published: December 2020

An imagined dialogue with Mann through art, conversation and letters. It explores the struggle to make sense of a world that flings events so large, and at times perhaps overwhelming, it is difficult for people to remain anchored.
Ludovic McLellan Mann and the Cambusnethan bog body
Authors: Mullen Stephen
Published: December 2020

This article considers the circumstances, aftermath and legacy of the discovery of a bog body near Cambusnethan in North Lanarkshire in 1932. The body of a man and a unique jacket were assessed by Ludovic McLellan Mann soon thereafter and removed to Glasgow Museums where they remain today. The body was popularly perceived to be a Scottish Covenanter although there is no scientific or historical evidence of this, and Mann himself was vague. In an attempt to provide some clarity, this article traces the interplay between archaeological and historical evidence, as well as contemporary popular memory around the find. There is an enduring belief the body was a Covenanter, exemplified by a cairn in Greenhead Moss Community Nature Park in Lanarkshire which has displayed the story since 1997. In the last 25 years, there have been repatriation claims for the remains and the story was raised in the Scottish Parliament. Thus, Mann's archaeological practice continues to shape opinion today although in this case his work was exemplary. Whilst the ‘Covenanter in the bog’ was not Mann's myth, this article reveals how the story evolved and why it remains in the popular consciousness across Scotland.
Jogo infantil e intersubjetividade: contribuições de Lev. S. Vigotski e D. W. Winnicott
Authors: Alves Alvaro Marcel Palomo
Published: December 2020

A obra propõe uma discussão sobre o conceito de intersubjetividade nas obras do psicólogo russo Lev S. Vigotski e do psicanalista inglês Donald W. Winnicott. Para tanto, realizamos uma reflexão teórica sobre o jogo infantil e seu significado nas teorias dos autores, apontando para a noção de "espaço" entre o indivíduo e a sociedade. Tanto Vigotski quanto Winnicott refutavam a dicotomia indivíduo-sociedade e apontaram para as noções de vivência, imaginação, criatividade, sentido e significado como expressões do psiquismo individual. O jogo seria a zona de desenvolvimento próximo e o habitat dos fenômenos transicionais, lugar de criação, desenvolvimento e saúde mental para crianças. Ao apresentarmos as teorias desses autores, buscamos suplantar uma lacuna nas obras sobre o tema, normalmente relegadas à discussões práticas e expressivas, menos reflexivas e teóricas.
Biomaterials in Valvular Heart Diseases
Authors: Taghizadeh Bita , Ghavami Laleh , Derakhshankhah Hossein , Zangene Ehsan , Razmi Mahdieh , Jaymand Mehdi , Zarrintaj Payam , Zarghami Nosratollah , Jaafari Mahmoud Reza , Moallem Shahri Matin , Moghaddasian Adrineh , Tayebi Lobat , Izadi Zhila
Published: December 2020

Valvular heart disease (VHD) occurs as the result of valvular malfunction, which can greatly reduce patient’s quality of life and if left untreated may lead to death. Different treatment regiments are available for management of this defect, which can be helpful in reducing the symptoms. The global commitment to reduce VHD-related mortality rates has enhanced the need for new therapeutic approaches. During the past decade, development of innovative pharmacological and surgical approaches have dramatically improved the quality of life for VHD patients, yet the search for low cost, more effective, and less invasive approaches is ongoing. The gold standard approach for VHD management is to replace or repair the injured valvular tissue with natural or synthetic biomaterials. Application of these biomaterials for cardiac valve regeneration and repair holds a great promise for treatment of this type of heart disease. The focus of the present review is the current use of different types of biomaterials in treatment of valvular heart diseases.
Colorimetric Nanoplasmonics to Spot Hyperglycemia From Saliva
Authors: Donati Paolo , Pomili Tania , Boselli Luca , Pompa Pier P.
Published: December 2020

Early diagnostics and point-of-care (POC) devices can save people’s lives or drastically improve their quality. In particular, millions of diabetic patients worldwide benefit from POC devices for frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose. Yet, this still involves invasive sampling processes, which are quite discomforting for frequent measurements, or implantable devices dedicated to selected chronic patients, thus precluding large-scale monitoring of the globally increasing diabetic disorders. Here, we report a non-invasive colorimetric sensing platform to identify hyperglycemia from saliva. We designed plasmonic multibranched gold nanostructures, able to rapidly change their shape and color (naked-eye detection) in the presence of hyperglycemic conditions. This “reshaping approach” provides a fast visual response and high sensitivity, overcoming common detection issues related to signal (color intensity) losses and bio-matrix interferences. Notably, optimal performances of the assay were achieved in real biological samples, where the biomolecular environment was found to play a key role. Finally, we developed a dipstick prototype as a rapid home-testing kit.
PD-L1 Is a Tumor Suppressor in Aggressive Endometrial Cancer Cells and Its Expression Is Regulated by miR-216a and lncRNA MEG3
Authors: Xu Daozhi , Dong Peixin , Xiong Ying , Chen Rui , Konno Yosuke , Ihira Kei , Yue Junming , Watari Hidemichi
Published: December 2020

Background

Poorly differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma and serous adenocarcinoma represent an aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer (EC). Programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) was known to exhibit a tumor cell-intrinsic function in mediating immune-independent tumor progression. However, the functional relevance of tumor cell-intrinsic PD-L1 expression in aggressive EC cells and the mechanisms regulating its expression remain unknown.

Methods

PD-L1 expression in 65 EC tissues and 18 normal endometrium samples was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. The effects of PD-L1 on aggressive EC cell growth, migration and invasion were investigated by cell functional assays. Luciferase reporter assays were used to reveal the microRNA-216a (miR-216a)-dependent mechanism modulating the expression of PD-L1.

Results

Positive PD-L1 expression was identified in 84% of benign cases but only in 12% of the EC samples, and the staining levels of PD-L1 in EC tissues were significantly lower than those in the normal tissues. Higher PD-L1 expression predicts favorable survival in EC. Ectopic expression of PD-L1 in aggressive EC cells results in decreased cell proliferation and the loss of mesenchymal phenotypes. Mechanistically, PD-L1 exerts the anti-tumor effects by downregulating MCL-1 expression. We found that PD-L1 levels in aggressive EC cells are regulated by miR-216a, which directly targets PD-L1. We further identified a mechanism whereby the long non-coding RNA MEG3 represses the expression of miR-216a, thereby leading to increased PD-L1 expression and significant inhibition of cell migration and invasion.

Conclusion

These results reveal an unappreciated tumor cell-intrinsic role for PD-L1 as a tumor suppressor in aggressive EC cells, and identify MEG3 and miR-216a as upstream regulators of PD-L1.
Molecular Crosstalk Between Macrophages and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Stevens Hazel Y. , Bowles Annie C. , Yeago Carolyn , Roy Krishnendu
Published: December 2020

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been widely investigated for regenerative medicine applications, from treating various inflammatory diseases as a cell therapy to generating engineered tissue constructs. Numerous studies have evaluated the potential effects of MSCs following therapeutic administration. By responding to their surrounding microenvironment, MSCs may mediate immunomodulatory effects through various mechanisms that directly (i.e., contact-dependent) or indirectly (i.e., paracrine activity) alter the physiology of endogenous cells in various disease pathologies. More specifically, a pivotal crosstalk between MSCs and tissue-resident macrophages and monocytes (TMφ) has been elucidated using in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies. An improved understanding of this crosstalk could help elucidate potential mechanisms of action (MOAs) of therapeutically administered MSCs. TMφ, by nature of their remarkable functional plasticity and prevalence within the body, are uniquely positioned as critical modulators of the immune system – not only in maintaining homeostasis but also during pathogenesis. This has prompted further exploration into the cellular and molecular alterations to TMφ mediated by MSCs. In vitro assays and in vivo preclinical trials have identified key interactions mediated by MSCs that polarize the responses of TMφ from a pro-inflammatory (i.e., classical activation) to a more anti-inflammatory/reparative (i.e., alternative activation) phenotype and function. In this review, we describe physiological and pathological TMφ functions in response to various stimuli and discuss the evidence that suggest specific mechanisms through which MSCs may modulate TMφ phenotypes and functions, including paracrine interactions (e.g., secretome and extracellular vesicles), nanotube-mediated intercellular exchange, bioenergetics, and engulfment by macrophages. Continued efforts to elucidate this pivotal crosstalk may offer an improved understanding of the immunomodulatory capacity of MSCs and inform the development and testing of potential MOAs to support the therapeutic use of MSCs and MSC-derived products in various diseases.
The Gut Microbiome Is Associated With Therapeutic Responses and Toxicities of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer Patients—A Pilot Study
Authors: Shi Wei , Shen Lijun , Zou Wei , Wang Jingwen , Yang Jianing , Wang Yuezhu , Liu Bingdong , Xie Liwei , Zhu Ji , Zhang Zhen
Published: December 2020

Responses to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and therapy-related toxicities in rectal cancer vary among patients. To provide the individualized therapeutic option for each patient, predictive markers of therapeutic responses and toxicities are in critical need. We aimed to identify the association of gut microbiome with and its potential predictive value for therapeutic responses and toxicities. In the present study, we collected fecal microbiome samples from patients with rectal cancer at treatment initiation and just after nCRT. Taxonomic profiling via 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was performed on all samples. Patients were classified as responders versus non-responders. Patients were grouped into no or mild diarrhea and severe diarrhea. STAMP and high-dimensional class comparisons via linear discriminant analysis of effect size (LEfSe) were used to compare the compositional differences between groups. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) was utilized to predict differences in metabolic function between groups. Ten patients were classified as responders and 12 patients were classified as non-responders. Fourteen patients experienced no or mild diarrhea and 8 patients experienced severe diarrhea. Several bacteria taxa with significantly different relative abundances before and after nCRT were identified. Similarly, several baseline bacteria taxa and predicted pathways with significantly different relative abundances between responders and non-responders or between patients no or mild diarrhea and severe diarrhea were identified. Specifically, Shuttleworthia was identified as enriched in responders and several bacteria taxa in the Clostridiales order etc. were identified as enriched in non-responders. Pathways including fatty acid metabolism were predicted to be enriched in responders. In addition, Bifidobacterium, Clostridia, and Bacteroides etc. were identified as enriched in patients with no or mild diarrhea. Pathways including primary bile acid biosynthesis were predicted to be enriched in patients with no or mild diarrhea. Together, the microbiota and pathway markers identified in this study may be utilized to predict the therapeutic responses and therapy-related toxicities of nCRT in patients with rectal cancer. More patient data is needed to verify the current findings and the results of metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, and metabolomic analyses will further mine key biomarkers at the compositional and functional level.
Case Report: Constrictive Pericarditis in a Patient With Isolated Anomalous Right Upper Pulmonary Venous Return
Authors: Bou Chaaya Rody G. , Herrmann Jeremy L. , Rao Roopa Akkadka , Fisch Mark D. , Ephrem Georges
Published: December 2020

Thirty-eight-year-old male presented for evaluation of abdominal swelling, lower extremity edema and dyspnea on exertion. Extensive work-up in search of the culprit etiology revealed the presence of an Anomalous Right Upper Pulmonary Venous Return (ARUPVR) into the Superior Vena Cava (SVC). During the attempted repair, the pericardium was found to be thickened and constrictive. Only one other case of co-existent partial anomalous pulmonary venous return and constrictive pericarditis (CP) has been reported. The patient underwent a warden procedure with pericardial stripping with good outcomes at 45 days post-operatively. Thus, the presence of severe heart failure symptoms in the setting of ARUPVR should prompt further investigations. Also, further cases are needed to help guide management in these patients.
SDF-1α/MicroRNA-134 Axis Regulates Nonfunctioning Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor Growth via Targeting VEGFA
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Fang Yuanjian , Zhou Yunxiang , Guo Xiaoming , Xu Ke , Li Chenguang , Zhang Jianmin , Hong Yuan
Published: December 2020

Background

Nonfunctioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (NF-PitNET) is difficult to resect. Except for surgery, there is no effective treatment for NF-PitNET. MicroRNA-134 (miR-134) has been reported to inhibit proliferation and invasion ability of tumor cells. Herein, the mechanism underlying the effect of miR-134 on alleviating NF-PitNET tumor cells growth is explored.

Methods

Mouse pituitary αT3-1 cells were transfected with miR-134 mimics and inhibitor, followed by treatment with stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) in vitro. MiR-134 expression level: we used quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to detect the expression of miR-134. Cell behavior level: cell viability and invasion ability were assessed using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay and Transwell invasion assay respectively. Cytomolecular level: tumor cell proliferation was evaluated by Ki-67 staining; propidium iodide (PI) staining analyzed the effect of miR-134 on cell cycle arrest; western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining evaluated tumor migration and invasive ability. Additionally, we collected 27 NF-PitNET tumor specimens and related clinical data. The specimens were subjected to qRT-PCR to obtain the relative miR-134 expression level of each specimen; linear regression analysis was used to analyze the miR-134 expression level in tumor specimens and the age of the NF-PitNET population, gender, tumor invasion, prognosis, and other indicators.

Results

In vitro experiment, miR-134 was observed to significantly inhibit αT3-1 cells proliferation characterized by inhibited cell viability and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase (P < 0.01). VEGFA was verified as a target of miR-134. Additionally, miR-134-induced inhibition of αT3-1 cell proliferation and invasion was attenuated by SDF-1α and VEGFA overexpression (P < 0.01). In primary NF-PitNET tumor analysis, miR-134 expression level was negatively correlated with tumor invasion (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

The regulation of the SDF-1α/miR-134/VEGFA axis represents a novel mechanism in the pathogenesis of NF-PitNETs and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of NF-PitNETs.
EU Citizenship, Free Movement, and Covid-19 in Romania
Authors: Mantu Sandra
Published: December 2020

Traveling freely, smoothly and unburdened by excessive formalities and the adjoining right to reside in another EU state for work, leisure or study are the hallmarks of the mobility regime applicable to EU citizens and their family members. Measures taken by the majority of EU states to deal with Covid-19 have severely disrupted EU mobility and led to the reestablishment of internal border controls, the introduction of restrictions to travel and even travel bans. These obstacles to mobility have highlighted the EU economy's reliance on EU migrant labor in several sectors, which was further exacerbated by the introduction of an EU travel ban at the external border. This contribution discusses measures taken by Romania that sought to restrict travel to and from Romania, while simultaneously allowing exceptions for nationals to travel to other EU states as essential workers. The Romanian response is discussed in relation to the wider EU attempts to reply to the proliferation of national measures affecting EU free movement and the functioning of the internal market and as an illustration of the need to ensure that mobility goes hand in hand with protection.
A Network-Based Analysis Reveals the Mechanism Underlying Vitamin D in Suppressing Cytokine Storm and Virus in SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Ahmed Firoz
Published: December 2020

Background

SARS-CoV-2 causes ongoing pandemic coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), infects the cells of the lower respiratory tract that leads to a cytokine storm in a significant number of patients resulting in severe pneumonia, shortness of breathing, respiratory and organ failure. Extensive studies suggested the role of Vitamin D in suppressing cytokine storm in COVID-19 and reducing viral infection; however, the precise molecular mechanism is not clearly known. In this work, bioinformatics and systems biology approaches were used to understand SARS-CoV-2 induced cytokine pathways and the potential mechanism of Vitamin D in suppressing cytokine storm and enhancing antiviral response.

Results

This study used transcriptome data and identified 108 differentially expressed host genes (DEHGs) in SARS-CoV-2 infected normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells compared to control. Then, the DEHGs was integrated with the human protein-protein interaction data to generate a SARS-CoV-2 induced host gene regulatory network (SiHgrn). Analysis of SiHgrn identified a sub-network “Cluster 1” with the highest MCODE score, 31 up-regulated genes, and predominantly associated immune and inflammatory response. Interestingly, the iRegulone tool identified that “Cluster 1” is under the regulation of transcription factors STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, POU2F2, and NFkB1, collectively referred to as “host response signature network”. Functional enrichment analysis with NDEx revealed that the “host response signature network” is predominantly associated with critical pathways, including “cytokines and inflammatory response”, “non-genomic action of Vitamin D”, “the human immune response to tuberculosis”, and “lung fibrosis”. Finally, in-depth analysis and literature mining revealed that Vitamin D binds with its receptor and could work through two different pathways: (i) it inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines through blocking the TNF induced NFkB1 signaling pathway; and (ii) it initiates the expression of interferon-stimulating genes (ISGs) for antiviral defense program through activating the IFN-α induced Jak-STAT signaling pathway.

Conclusion

This comprehensive study identified the pathways associated with cytokine storm in SARS-CoV-2 infection. The proposed underlying mechanism of Vitamin D could be promising in suppressing the cytokine storm and inducing a robust antiviral response in severe COVID-19 patients. The finding in this study urgently needs further experimental validations for the suitability of Vitamin D in combination with IFN-α to control severe COVID-19.
Case Report: Overlapping Multiple Sclerosis With Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Huang Ying , Wang Qian , Zeng Silin , Zhang Yaqing , Zou Liangyu , Fu Xuejun , Xu Qianhui
Published: December 2020

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder mediated by NMDAR antibodies, typically manifesting as behavioral complaints, psychosis, seizures, movement disorders, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysfunction. In recent years, the predisposing factors and pathophysiological mechanisms of anti-NMDAR encephalitis have been tried to be clarified. It has been recognized that an overlap may be observed between anti-NMDAR encephalitis and inflammatory demyelinating disease. However, anti-NMDAR encephalitis is rarely associated with multiple sclerosis. Here, we describe a Chinese female patient diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis who developed anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Further, we discuss the previously reported literature.
Long Non-coding RNAs RN7SK and GAS5 Regulate Macrophage Polarization and Innate Immune Responses
Authors: Ahmad Imran , Valverde Araceli , Naqvi Raza Ali , Naqvi Afsar R.
Published: December 2020

Macrophages (Mφ) are immune cells that exhibit remarkable functional plasticity. Identification of novel endogenous factors that can regulate plasticity and innate immune functions of Mφ will unravel new strategies to curb immune-related diseases. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of endogenous, non-protein coding, regulatory RNAs that are increasingly being associated with various cellular functions and diseases. Despite their ubiquity and abundance, lncRNA-mediated epigenetic regulation of Mφ polarization and innate immune functions is poorly studied. This study elucidates the regulatory role of lncRNAs in monocyte to Mφ differentiation, M1/M2 dichotomy and innate immune responses. Expression profiling of eighty-eight lncRNAs in monocytes and in vitro differentiated M2 Mφ identified seventeen differentially expressed lncRNAs. Based on fold-change and significance, we selected four differentially expressed lncRNAs viz., RN7SK, GAS5, IPW, and ZFAS1 to evaluate their functional impact. LncRNA knockdown was performed on day 3 M2 Mφ and the impact on polarization was assessed on day 7 by surface marker analysis. Knockdown of RN7SK and GAS5 showed downregulation of M2 surface markers (CD163, CD206, or Dectin) and concomitant increase in M1 markers (MHC II or CD23). RN7SK or GAS5 knockdown showed no significant impact on CD163, CD206, or CD23 transcripts. M1/M2 markers were not impacted by IPW or ZFAS1 knockdown. Functional regulation of antigen uptake/processing and phagocytosis, two central innate immune pathways, by candidate lncRNA was assessed in M1/M2 Mφ. Compared to scramble, enhanced antigen uptake and processing were observed in both M1/M2 Mφ transfected with siRNA targeting GAS5 and RN7SK but not IPW and ZFAS1. In addition, knockdown of RN7SK significantly augmented uptake of labelled E. coli in vitro by M1/M2 Mφ, while no significant difference was in GAS5 silencing cells. Together, our results highlight the instrumental role of lncRNA (RN7SK and GAS5)-mediated epigenetic regulation of macrophage differentiation, polarization, and innate immune functions.
Multi-stressor Extremes Found on a Tropical Coral Reef Impair Performance
Authors: Lucey Noelle , Haskett Eileen , Collin Rachel
Published: December 2020

Global change has resulted in oceans that are warmer, more acidic, and lower in oxygen. Individually any one of these stressors can have numerous negative impacts on marine organisms, and in combination they are likely to be particularly detrimental. Understanding the interactions between these factors is important as they often covary, with warming promoting hypoxia, and hypoxia co-occurring with acidification. Few studies have examined how all three factors interact to affect organismal performance, and information is particularly sparse for tropical organisms. Here we documented a strong relationship between high temperatures, low dissolved oxygen (DO), and low pH in and around a tropical bay. We used these field values to inform two multi-stressor experiments. Each experimental factor had two levels, one representing current average conditions and the other representing current extreme conditions experienced in the area. We used sea urchin righting response as a measure of organismal performance for an important reef herbivore. In the first experiment 2-h exposures to a fully factorial combination of temperature, DO, and pH showed that righting success was significantly depressed under low oxygen. To more fully understand the impacts of pH, we acclimated sea urchins to control and low pH for 7 days and subsequently exposed them to the same experimental conditions. Sea urchins acclimated to control pH had significantly reduced righting success compared to animals acclimated to low pH, and righting success was significantly depressed under hypoxia and high temperature, compared to normoxia and ambient temperature. These results show that short, 2 h exposures to the temperature and DO extremes that are already experienced periodically by these animals have measurable detrimental effects on their performance. The positive impact of reduced pH is evident only over longer, 7 days durations, which are not currently experienced in this area.
More Than Expected From Old Sponge Samples: A Natural Sampler DNA Metabarcoding Assessment of Marine Fish Diversity in Nha Trang Bay (Vietnam)
Authors: Turon Marta , Angulo-Preckler Carlos , Antich Adrià , Præbel Kim , Wangensteen Owen S.
Published: December 2020

Sponges have recently been proposed as ideal candidates to act as natural samplers for environmental DNA due to their efficiency in filtering water. However, validation of the usefulness of DNA recovered from sponges to reveal vertebrate biodiversity patterns in Marine Protected Areas is still needed. Additionally, nothing is known about how different sponge species and morphologies influence the capture of environmental DNA and whether biodiversity patterns obtained from sponges are best described by quantitative or qualitative measures. In this study, we amplified and sequenced a vertebrate specific 12S barcode with a set of universal PCR primers (MiFish) for metabarcoding environmental DNA from fishes, to unveil fine-scale patterns of fish communities from natural-sampler DNA retrieved from 64 sponges (16 species) located in eutrophic and well-preserved coral reefs in Nha Trang Bay (central Vietnam). Ninety tropical fish species were identified from the sponges, corresponding to one third of the total local ichthyofauna reported from previous extensive conventional surveys. Significant differentiation in fish communities between eutrophic and well-preserved environments was observed, albeit eutrophication only explained a modest proportion of the variation between fish communities. Differences in efficiency of capturing fish environmental DNA among sponge species or morphologies were not observed. Overall, the majority of detected fish species corresponded to reef-associated small-sized species, as expected in coral reefs environments. Remarkably, pelagic, migratory, and deep-sea fish species were also recovered from sponge tissues, pointing out the ability of sponge natural sampled DNA to detect fishes that were not permanently associated to the biomes where the sponges were sampled. These results highlight the suitability of natural samplers as a cost-effective way to assess vertebrate diversity in hyper-diverse environments.
Quantum Spin-Wave Materials, Interface Effects and Functional Devices for Information Applications
Authors: Xu Jiapeng , Jin Lichuan , Liao Zhimin , Wang Qi , Tang Xiaoli , Zhong Zhiyong , Zhang Huaiwu
Published: December 2020

With the continuous miniaturization of electronic devices and the increasing speed of their operation, solving a series of technical issues caused by high power consumption has reached an unprecedented level of difficulty. Fortunately, magnons (the quanta of spin waves), which are the collective precession of spins in quantum magnetic materials, making it possible to replace the role of electrons in modern information applications. In the process of information transmission, nano-sized spin-wave devices do not transport any physical particles; therefore, the corresponding power consumption is extremely low. This review focuses on the emerging developments of the spin-wave materials, tunable effects, and functional devices applications. In the materials front, we summarize the magnetic properties and preparation characteristics of typical insulating single-crystalline garnet films or metallic alloy films, the development of new spin-wave material system is also introduced. Afterward, we introduce the emerging electric control of spin-wave effects originating from the interface transitions, physical or chemical, among these films including, voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy, magneto-ionic transport, electric spin-torque, and magnon-torque. In the functional devices front, we summarize and elaborate on the low dispassion information processing devices and sensors that are realized based on spin waves.
Aging Properties and Mechanism of Microwave-Activated Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt Binder
Authors: Zhou Tao , Zhou Jianing , Li Qidong , Li Bo
Published: December 2020

Although crumb rubber modified asphalt (CRMA) has a better performance than matrix asphalt (MA) in road engineering, the application bottlenecks of this material lies in its high viscosity, poor workability and bad storage stability. Microwave technology is one of the solutions to the above problems. The objective of this study was to investigate the physical and chemical changes before and after aging of CRMA which was prepared by microwave activated crumb rubber, and the aging mechanism of microwave-activated crumb rubber modified asphalt (MACRMA). Through penetration, softening point, ductility, viscosity and DSR test, the high and low temperature performance and temperature sensitivity of MA, CRMA and MACRMA before and after aging were studied. These tests results revealed that microwave treatment can improve the anti-rutting ability and the anti-aging performance of rubber asphalt. According to gel permeation chromatography (GPC) test, the distribution changes of the internal molecular content of the three asphalts were determined during the aging process. Its test results showed that aging effect accelerated the conversion of small molecules to large molecules in asphalt, and the value of large molecular size (LMS) increases more after long-term aging. The microwave activation made the swelling reaction more intense, thereby delayed the conversion of LMS in the rubber asphalt. In addition, LMS has a high correlation with test indicators. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test was used to measure the functional group changes of each asphalt. The FTIR spectra indicated that microwave activation is mainly a process of physical change. The carbonyl and sulfoxide functional group indices of MACRMA were lower than those of MA and CRMA, which also confirmed that MACRMA has a better anti-aging ability.
The Combination of Hemogram Indexes to Predict Exacerbation in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Liu Xuanqi , Ge Haiyan , Feng Xiumin , Hang Jingqing , Zhang Fengying , Jin Xiaoyan , Bao Hong , Zhou Min , Han Fengfeng , Li Shengqing , Qian Yechang , Jie Zhijun , Gu Wenchao , Gao Beilan , Yu Li , Wang Jian , Ji Haiying , Zhang Jingxi , Zhu Huili
Published: December 2020

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by pulmonary and systemic inflammatory processes, and exacerbation of COPD represents a critical moment in the progression of COPD. Several biomarkers of inflammation have been proposed to have a predictive function in acute exacerbation. However, their use is still limited in routine clinical practice. The purpose of our study is to explore the prognostic efficacy of novel inflammatory hemogram indexes in the exacerbation among stable COPD patients.

Method: A total of 275 stable COPD patients from the Shanghai COPD Investigation Comorbidity Program were analyzed in our study. Blood examinations, especially ratio indexes like platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet × neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio [systemic immune-inflammation index (SII)], and monocyte × neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio [systemic inflammation response index (SIRI)], lung function test, CT scans, and questionnaires were performed at baseline and routine follow-ups. Clinical characteristics and information of exacerbations were collected every 6 months. The relationship between hemogram indexes and diverse degrees of exacerbation was assessed by logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the ability of hemogram indexes to predict exacerbation of COPD. Furthermore, the discrimination and accuracy of combined indexes were measured by ROC and calibration curve.

Result: There was a significant positive correlation between PLR levels and total exacerbation of COPD patients in a stable stage in a year. Also, the predictive ability of PLR exceeded any other ratio indexes, with an AUC of 0.66. SII and SIRI ranked second only to PLR, with an AUC of 0.64. When combining PLR with other indexes (sex, COPD year, and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores), they were considered as the most suitable panel of index to predict total exacerbation. Based on the result of the ROC curve and calibration curve, the combination shows optimal discrimination and accuracy to predict exacerbation events in COPD patients.

Conclusion: The hemogram indexes PLR, SII, and SIRI were associated with COPD exacerbation. Moreover, the prediction capacity of exacerbation was significantly elevated after combining inflammatory hemogram index PLR with other indexes, which will make it a promisingly simple and effective marker to predict exacerbation in patients with stable COPD.