bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Content Validation of the CEECCA Questionnaire to Assess Ability to Communicate among Individuals with Aphasia Based on the NANDA-I and NOC
Authors: Martín-Dorta Willian-Jesús , Brito-Brito Pedro-Ruymán , García-Hernández Alfonso-Miguel
Published: October 2021

This study presents the development and content validation of an instrument assessing the ability to communicate among individuals with aphasia. The study consists of three stages: (i) Selection and definition of the component dimensions and areas, construction of items assessing these dimensions, administration instructions, and qualitative criteria for assigning diagnoses; (ii) Face validity and content validity; (iii) Pilot test. The tentative questionnaire was designed using two defining characteristics of the NANDA-I (“Impaired verbal communication” and “Readiness for enhanced communication”) and the NOC outcome indicators “Communication”, “Communication: Expressive”, “Communication: Receptive”, and “Information Processing”. The areas and items reached initial content validity index (CVI) and representativeness index (RI) values of 0.87 and above. Those that did not reach the expected values were modified after expert review. The resulting questionnaire was pilot-tested for feasibility and administration times. An instrument containing five dimensions, fourteen areas, and 43 items was obtained and administered in 15 (12–31) minutes. A panel of experts evaluated the final questionnaire (CEECCA), awarding its areas and items CVI and RI values of 0.90 and above. In the absence of further psychometric studies, the questionnaire appears to be useful for assessing ability to communicate in individuals with aphasia.
One Health in Indigenous Communities: A Critical Review of the Evidence
Authors: Riley Tamara , Anderson Neil E. , Lovett Raymond , Meredith Anna , Cumming Bonny , Thandrayen Joanne
Published: October 2021

Indigenous populations around the world face disproportionately high rates of disease related to the environment and animals. One Health is a concept that has been used effectively to understand and address these health risks. One Health refers to the relationships and interdependencies between animal, human, and environmental health and is an emerging research field that aligns with indigenous views of health. To understand the applicability of One Health in indigenous communities, a critical review was undertaken to investigate evidence of One Health research in indigenous communities internationally, assess the strength of evidence, and understand what gaps are present. This review included the appraisal of twenty-four studies based in five regions: Canada, Africa, Australia, South America, and Central America. The review found that there is a need for studies of high strength, with rigorous methods, local leadership, and active involvement of indigenous viewpoints, to be undertaken in indigenous communities internationally that focus on One Health. It highlights the need to further consider indigenous viewpoints in research to reduce limitations, increase effectiveness of findings, consider appropriateness of recommendations, and benefit communities.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Forensic Typologies: Getting Specific about Trauma among Institutionalized Youth
Authors: Jahic Ilma , Trulson Chad R. , Caudill Jonathan W. , Bonner Taea , Slemaker Alexandra , DeLisi Matt
Published: October 2021

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to various conduct and behavior problems within juvenile delinquents, but fewer studies focused on these associations among specific forensic typologies of offending. Utilizing data from 3382 institutionalized delinquents in Texas, logistic regression models indicated multiple associations between ACEs and forensic typologies in both adjusted and unadjusted models, with sexual abuse and physical abuse emerging as the most consistent and robust predictors. Supplemental sensitivity models confirmed the associations between sexual abuse and physical abuse among youth who fit multiple forensic typologies. Models fared poorly at identifying youth who are engaged in fire setting. Implications for total and singular ACEs are discussed, along with how those relate to more clinically meaningful, forensic forms of juvenile delinquency.
Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors in the Promotion of Social Entrepreneurship: A Service-Learning Programme
Authors: Maravé-Vivas María , Salvador-Garcia Celina , Capella-Peris Carlos , Gil-Gómez Jesús
Published: October 2021

Social entrepreneurship (SE) is often presented in the literature as the key to solve many of this world’s persistent social problems. SE offers a special opportunity to address the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to boost the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This research examines the effects of Service Learning (SL) on the SE of university students and to examine whether certain sociodemographic factors (i.e., age, entrance studies, family studies, social participation, and employment situation) are associated with students’ SE competence development when applying SL. Pre-service teachers (n = 98) of the degree in early childhood education applied a physical education SL programme. We used a quantitative method with a pre-experimental design, using pre-test and post-test measures. The findings obtained show a significant improvement on the SE competence of PSTs, so SL seems a good tool to develop it. The results that analyse the influence of socio-demographic factors do not show significant correlations. There are very few studies focusing on this objective, so it would be interesting to encourage the research community to provide more data in this area.
Extreme Ultra-Trail Race Induces Muscular Damage, Risk for Acute Kidney Injury and Hyponatremia: A Case Report
Authors: Lecina Miguel , López Isaac , Castellar Carlos , Pradas Francisco
Published: October 2021

A case study involving a healthy trained male athlete who completed a 786 km multi-stage ultra-trail race. Several markers were analyzed in blood and urine samples: creatinine (SCR) for kidney damage, sodium ([Na+]) for hyponatremia, creatine kinase (CK) for exertional rhabdomyolysis, as well as other hematological values. Samples were taken before and after the race and during the recovery period (days 2 and 9 after the race). Results showed: SCR = 1.13 mg/dl, [Na+] =139 mmol/l and CK = 1.099 UI/l. Criteria for the determination of acute kidney damage were not met, and [Na+] concentration was above 135 mEq/L, indicating the absence of hyponatremia. Exertional rhabdomyolysis was suffered by the athlete (baseline CK increased fivefold), though this situation was reverted after 9 days of recovery. Ultra-trail races cause biochemical changes in athletes, which should be known about by healthcare professionals.
Analyzing the Behavior of Cannabis Users during the COVID-19 Confinement in Spain
Authors: Fernández-Artamendi Sergio , Ruiz Manuel J. , López-Núñez Carla
Published: October 2021

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our lives is unquestionable, including in the area of substance consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the pattern of cannabis use during the Spanish COVID-19 lockdown and confinement, and to analyze the variations in the reported motives for cannabis use and withdrawal symptoms. A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted between April and May 2020, using an instrument that included two time points. Time 1 collected retrospective information on the participants’ habits (N = 89; 73% male; mean age = 29.01) prior to confinement and Time 2 collected the same information during the confinement. Sociodemographic data were collected, as well as the frequency of substance use, cannabis use patterns, sources of cannabis, perceived availability of drugs and cannabis price, and the Marijuana Motives Measure questionnaire and the Cannabis Withdrawal Scale were used. Results showed a decrease in both cannabis use and consumption due to enhancement and social motives. All reported sources of cannabis experienced a reduction except for the Internet, which experienced a significant increase. There was a positive correlation between withdrawal symptoms and coping motives before and during the lockdown. These findings will allow professionals to better develop both prevention and intervention strategies.
Effects of Parental Involvement in a Preschool-Based Eye Health Intervention Regarding Children’s Screen Use in China
Authors: Liu Shu-Mei , Chang Fong-Ching , Chen Cheng-Yu , Shih Shu-Fang , Meng Bo , Ng Eric , Hsu Chia-Hsuan , Chiang Yi-Te , Mao Xiao-Jie , Yi Ming-Yan , LePage Ben , Fang Wei-Ta
Published: October 2021

In this digital era, young children spend a considerable amount of time looking at telephone, tablet, computer and television screens. However, preventative eye health behavior education could help avoid and relieve asthenopia. The effects of parental influence on their children’s eye health behavior through the preschool eye health education intervention program were examined. The Health Belief Model was used to develop parental involvement strategy and eye health curriculum. The study was conducted in a large public preschool with five branches in Beijing, China. A total of 248 parent–child pairs participated in the baseline and follow-up surveys, of which 129 were in the intervention group and 119 were in the comparison group. The generalized estimating equation analysis results indicated that parental involvement in preschool-based eye health intervention on screen uses had positive influence on parents’ eye health knowledge, cues to action, and parenting efficacy. The intervention program also had positive effects on the increasing level of children’s eye health knowledge, beliefs, cues to action, self-efficacy, and behaviors. The results supported the implementation of a preschool-based eye health intervention program with parental involvement, which could potentially enhance children’s and parents’ eye health beliefs and practices.
Associations of Genetic Variants of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase and Serum Folate Levels with Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Chen Chun-Hsin , Chen Po-Yu , Chen Cynthia Yi-An , Chiu Chih-Chiang , Lu Mong-Liang , Huang Ming-Chyi , Lin Yen-Kuang , Chen Yi-Hua
Published: October 2021

The one-carbon metabolism pathway is a suitable candidate for studying the genetic and epigenetic factors contributing to metabolic abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia. We recruited 232 patients with schizophrenia and analyzed their serum folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine levels and metabolic parameters to investigate the associations of genetic variants of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and folate levels with metabolic parameters. MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C were genotyped. Results showed that MTHFR 677T allele carriers had lower levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol than those with the 677CC genotype. Metabolic parameters did not differ between MTHFR 1298C and 1298AA carriers. Patients with a low folate level had a lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level than those with a normal folate level, but the effect disappeared after adjustment for age, sex, and types of antipsychotics used. We found significant interactions between MTHFR A1298C and the folate level status (low vs. normal) in terms of body mass index and waist circumference. In conclusion, genetic variants in one-carbon metabolism might play a role in antipsychotic-induced metabolic abnormalities. Prospective studies on drug-naïve, first-episode patients with schizophrenia are warranted to identify key regions of DNA methylation changes accounting for antipsychotic-induced metabolic abnormalities.
Mothers Matter: Using Regression Tree Algorithms to Predict Adolescents’ Sharing of Drunk References on Social Media
Authors: Kurten Sebastian , Winant David , Beullens Kathleen
Published: October 2021

Exposure to online drinking on social media is associated with real-life alcohol consumption. Building on the Theory of planned behavior, the current study substantially adds to this line of research by identifying the predictors of sharing drunk references on social media. Based on a cross-sectional survey among 1639 adolescents with a mean age of 15 (59% female), this study compares and discusses multiple regression tree algorithms predicting the sharing of drunk references. More specifically, this paper compares the accuracy of classification and regression tree, bagging, random forest and extreme gradient boosting algorithms. The analysis indicates that four concepts are central to predicting adolescents’ sharing of drunk references: (1) exposure to them on social media; (2) the perceived injunctive norms of the mother towards alcohol consumption; (3) the perceived descriptive norms of best friends towards alcohol consumption; and (4) willingness to drink alcohol. The most accurate results were obtained using extreme gradient boosting. This study provides theoretical, practical, and methodological conclusions. It shows that maternal norms toward alcohol consumption are a central predictor for sharing drunk references. Therefore, future media literacy interventions should take an ecological perspective. In addition, this analysis indicates that regression trees are an advantageous method in youth research, combining accurate predictions with straightforward interpretations.
Community-Based Ototoxicity Monitoring for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in South Africa: An Evaluation Study
Authors: Stevenson Lucia Jane , Biagio-de Jager Leigh , Graham Marien Alet , Swanepoel De Wet
Published: October 2021

In response to the drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) ototoxicity burden in South Africa, ototoxicity monitoring has been decentralised, with community health workers (CHWs) acting as facilitators. This study describes a community-based ototoxicity monitoring programme (OMP) for patients with DRTB. Findings are compared to the recommended guidelines for ototoxicity monitoring, the OMP protocol and published studies. This was a retrospective study of longitudinal ototoxicity monitoring of 831 patients with DRTB, using data collected at community-based clinics in the City of Cape Town between 2013 and 2017. Approximately half (46.8%) of the patients had an initial assessment conducted in accordance with the OMP protocol recommendations, and follow-up rates (79.5%) were higher than those of a similar DRTB programme. However, patients in this study were not monitored within the timeframes or with the regularity recommended by the guidelines or the OMP protocol. Extended high-frequency pure-tone audiometry (27.5%) was underutilised by testers and data recording was inconsistent (e.g., 37.7% of patient gender was not recorded by testers). Community-based OMP using CHWs to facilitate monitoring showed improvement over previous hospital-based reports, with more accessible services and higher follow-up rates. However, to improve OMP outcomes, OMP managers should reassess current protocols and data recording practices.
Governance of Assisted Living in Long-Term Care: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Poh Luting , Tan Si-Ying , Lim Jeremy
Published: October 2021

Assisted living (AL) is an emerging model of care in countries where long-term care needs are escalating, with emphasis given to promoting independence and autonomy among the residents to achieve active and healthy ageing. Unlike established nursing homes, the governance of AL is nebulous due to its novelty and diverse nature of operations in many jurisdictions. A comprehensive understanding of how AL is governed globally is important to inform regulatory policies as the adoption of AL increases. A systematic literature review was undertaken to understand the different levels of regulations that need to be instituted to govern AL effectively. A total of 65 studies, conducted between 1990 to 2020, identified from three major databases (PubMed, Medline, and Scopus), were included. Using a thematic synthesis analytical approach, we identified macro-level regulations (operational authorisation, care quality assessment and infrastructural requirements), meso-level regulations (operational management, staff management and distribution, service provision and care monitoring, and crisis management), and micro-level regulations (clear criteria for resident admission and staff hiring) that are important in the governance of AL. Large-scale adoption of AL without compromising the quality, equity and affordability would require clear provisions of micro-, meso- and macro-level regulations.
Value of Active Warming Devices for Intraoperative Hypothermia Prevention—A Meta-Analysis and Cost-Benefit Analysis
Authors: Xu He , Wang Zijing , Lu Yijuan , Guan Xin , Ma Yue , Malone Daniel C. , Salmon Jack Warren , Ma Aixia , Tang Wenxi
Published: October 2021

Purpose: Historically, studies suggested that intraoperative hypothermia (IH) could result in significant resource consumption, but more recent studies have found the opposite. The purpose of this study is to estimate the value of active warming devices for IH prevention based on synthesized evidence. Methods: A cost-benefit analysis was conducted using the effect of active warming versus passive warming devices for intraoperative hypothermia from a meta-analysis. The item-based aggregated treatment cost approach was adopted to estimate the cost of each adverse event, which was then weighted to calculate the total cost of IH. Results: IH was associated with higher risks of bleeding, surgical site infection, and shivering compared with normothermia. The cost of one case of IH was $363.80, and the use of active warming devices might save $152.80. Extra investment in active warming (e.g., $291.00) might only be cost-beneficial when the minimum willingness-to-pay is $150.00. Conclusions: Synthesized evidence showed that the cost of IH might be overestimated. Furthermore, the value of using active warming devices remains uncertain because the willingness to pay may vary between decision-makers. As not enough awareness of hypothermia prevention in some countries, further research into the clinical use of active warming devices during major surgeries is warranted.
An Approach to Delineate Potential Groundwater Zones in Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka, Using GIS Techniques
Authors: Pathmanandakumar Vyddiyaratnam , Thasarathan Nadarajapillai , Ranagalage Manjula
Published: October 2021

The scarcity of surface water resources in the dry season in the Kilinochchi district increases the demand for freshwater. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to delineate potential groundwater zones in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka, using integrated remote sensing (RS), geographic information systems (GIS) and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Groundwater potential zones are demarcated for the Kilinochchi district by overlaying thematic layers: geology, geomorphology, land use/land cover, soil types, drainage density, slope, lineament, and rainfall. The thematic layers were integrated into a geographic information system, and a weighted overlay analysis was carried out to delineate groundwater zones. Thus the resultant map is categorized into five different potential zones: very low (59.12 km2), low (207.78 km2), moderate (309.89 km2), high (507.74 km2), and very high (111.26 km2). The groundwater potential map was validated with the existing seventy-nine wells, which indicated a good prediction accuracy of 81.8%. This suggests that the results obtained by integrating RS-GIS and AHP are well-matched with the existing well water depth. The AHP approach based on RS-GIS was a handy and efficient technique for assessing potential groundwater zones. This research will help policymakers better manage the Kilinochchi district’s groundwater resources and give scope for further research into groundwater exploration in the area.
Using Object Detection on Social Media Images for Urban Bicycle Infrastructure Planning: A Case Study of Dresden
Authors: Knura Martin , Kluger Florian , Zahtila Moris , Schiewe Jochen , Rosenhahn Bodo , Burghardt Dirk
Published: October 2021

With cities reinforcing greener ways of urban mobility, encouraging urban cycling helps to reduce the number of motorized vehicles on the streets. However, that also leads to a significant increase in the number of bicycles in urban areas, making the question of planning the cycling infrastructure an important topic. In this paper, we introduce a new method for analyzing the demand for bicycle parking facilities in urban areas based on object detection of social media images. We use a subset of the YFCC100m dataset, a collection of posts from the social media platform Flickr, and utilize a state-of-the-art object detection algorithm to detect and classify moving and parked bicycles in the city of Dresden, Germany. We were able to retrieve the vast majority of bicycles while generating few false positives and classify them as either moving or stationary. We then conducted a case study in which we compare areas with a high density of parked bicycles with the number of currently available parking spots in the same areas and identify potential locations where new bicycle parking facilities can be introduced. With the results of the case study, we show that our approach is a useful additional data source for urban bicycle infrastructure planning because it provides information that is otherwise hard to obtain.
Brainstem and Cortical Spreading Depolarization in a Closed Head Injury Rat Model
Authors: Aboghazleh Refat , Parker Ellen , Yang Lynn T. , Kaufer Daniela , Dreier Jens P. , Friedman Alon , van Hameren Gerben
Published: October 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death in young individuals, and is a major health concern that often leads to long-lasting complications. However, the electrophysiological events that occur immediately after traumatic brain injury, and may underlie impact outcomes, have not been fully elucidated. To investigate the electrophysiological events that immediately follow traumatic brain injury, a weight-drop model of traumatic brain injury was used in rats pre-implanted with epidural and intracerebral electrodes. Electrophysiological (near-direct current) recordings and simultaneous alternating current recordings of brain activity were started within seconds following impact. Cortical spreading depolarization (SD) and SD-induced spreading depression occurred in approximately 50% of mild and severe impacts. SD was recorded within three minutes after injury in either one or both brain hemispheres. Electrographic seizures were rare. While both TBI- and electrically induced SDs resulted in elevated oxidative stress, TBI-exposed brains showed a reduced antioxidant defense. In severe TBI, brainstem SD could be recorded in addition to cortical SD, but this did not lead to the death of the animals. Severe impact, however, led to immediate death in 24% of animals, and was electrocorticographically characterized by non-spreading depression (NSD) of activity followed by terminal SD in both cortex and brainstem.
The Role of Thromboxane in the Course and Treatment of Ischemic Stroke: Review
Authors: Szczuko Małgorzata , Kozioł Igor , Kotlęga Dariusz , Brodowski Jacek , Drozd Arleta
Published: October 2021

Cardiovascular diseases are currently among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in many developed countries. They are distinguished by chronic and latent development, a course with stages of worsening of symptoms and a period of improvement, and a constant potential threat to life. One of the most important disorders in cardiovascular disease is ischemic stroke. The causes of ischemic stroke can be divided into non-modifiable and modifiable causes. One treatment modality from a neurological point of view is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), which blocks cyclooxygenase and, thus, thromboxane synthesis. The legitimacy of its administration does not raise any doubts in the case of the acute phase of stroke in patients in whom thrombolytic treatment cannot be initiated. The measurement of thromboxane B2 (TxB2) in serum (a stable metabolic product of TxA2) is the only test that measures the effect of aspirin on the activity of COX-1 in platelets. Measurement of thromboxane B2 may be a potential biomarker of vascular disease risk in patients treated with aspirin. The aim of this study is to present the role of thromboxane B2 in ischemic stroke and to present effective therapies for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Scientific articles from the PubMed database were used for the work, which were selected on the basis of a search for “thromboxane and stroke”. Subsequently, a restriction was introduced for works older than 10 years, those concerning animals, and those without full text access. Ultimately, 58 articles were selected. It was shown that a high concentration of TXB2 may be a risk factor for ischemic stroke or ischemic heart disease. However, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that thromboxane could be used in clinical practice as a marker of ischemic stroke. The inclusion of ASA in the prevention of stroke has a beneficial effect that is associated with the effect on thromboxane. However, its insufficient power in 25% or even 50% of the population should be taken into account. An alternative and/or additional therapy could be a selective antagonist of the thromboxane receptor. Thromboxane A2 production is inhibited by estrogen; therefore, the risk of CVD after the menopause and among men is higher. More research is needed in this area.
A Strategy for the Rapid Development of a Safe Vibrio cholerae Candidate Vaccine Strain
Authors: Karpov Dmitry S. , Goncharenko Anna V. , Usachev Evgenii V. , Vasina Daria V. , Divisenko Elizaveta V. , Chalenko Yaroslava M. , Pochtovyi Andrei A. , Ovchinnikov Roman S. , Makarov Valentin V. , Yudin Sergei M. , Tkachuk Artem P. , Gushchin Vladimir A.
Published: October 2021

Approximately 1/6 of humanity is at high risk of experiencing cholera epidemics. The development of effective and safe vaccines against Vibrio cholerae, the primary cause of cholera, is part of the public health measures to prevent cholera epidemics. Natural nontoxigenic V. cholerae isolates represent a source of new genetically improved and relatively safe vaccine strains. However, the genomic engineering of wild-type V. cholerae strains is difficult, and these strains are genetically unstable due to their high homologous recombination activity. We comprehensively characterized two V. cholerae isolates using genome sequencing, bioinformatic analysis, and microscopic, physiological, and biochemical tests. Genetic constructs were Gibson assembled and electrotransformed into V. cholerae. Bacterial colonies were assessed using standard microbiological and immunological techniques. As a result, we created a synthetic chromoprotein-expressing reporter operon. This operon was used to improve the V. cholerae genome engineering approach and monitor the stability of the genetic constructs. Finally, we created a stable candidate V. cholerae vaccine strain bearing a recA deletion and expressing the β-subunit of cholera toxin. Thus, we developed a strategy for the rapid creation of genetically stable and relatively safe candidate vaccine strains. This strategy can be applied not only to V. cholerae but also to other important human bacterial pathogens.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth as Potential Therapeutic Target in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Dănău Adela , Dumitrescu Laura , Lefter Antonia , Tulbă Delia , Popescu Bogdan Ovidiu
Published: October 2021

Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota and the brain are closely connected via the so-called gut–brain axis. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a gut dysbiosis in which the small intestine is abundantly colonized by bacteria that are typically found in the colon. Though not a disease, it may result in intestinal symptoms caused by the accumulation of microbial gases in the intestine. Intestinal inflammation, malabsorption and vitamin imbalances may also develop. SIBO can be eradicated by one or several courses of antibiotics but reappears if the predisposing condition persists. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative proteinopathy for which disease modifying interventions are not available. Sporadic forms may start in the gut years before the development of clinical features. Increased gastrointestinal transit time is present in most people with PD early during the course of the disease, predisposing to gut dysbiosis, including SIBO. The role that gut dysbiosis may play in the etiopathogenesis of PD is not fully understood yet. Here, we discuss the possibility that SIBO could contribute to the progression of PD, by promoting or preventing neurodegeneration, thus being a potential target for treatments aiming at slowing down the progression of PD. The direct symptomatic impact of SIBO and its impact on symptomatic medication are also briefly discussed.
Doxycycline Ameliorates the Severity of Experimental Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy in Mice
Authors: Chen Shun-Hua , Lin Yu-Jheng , Wang Li-Chiu , Tsai Hsien-Yang , Yang Chang-Hao , Teng Yu-Ti , Hsu Sheng-Min
Published: October 2021

After successful surgeries for patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, the most common cause of retinal redetachment is proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), which causes severe vision impairment and even blindness worldwide. Until now, the major treatment for PVR is surgical removal of the epiretinal membrane, while effective treatment to prevent PVR is still unavailable. Therefore, we investigated the potential of doxycycline, an antibiotic in the tetracycline class, to treat PVR using a mouse model. We used the human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, ARPE-19, for in vitro and in vivo studies to test doxycycline for PVR treatment. We found that doxycycline suppressed the migration, proliferation, and contraction of ARPE-19 cells with reduced p38 MAPK activation and total MMP activity. Intravitreal doxycycline and topical tetracycline treatment significantly ameliorated the PVR severity induced by ARPE-19 cells in mice. PVR increased the expression of MMP-9 and IL-4 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation and modestly decreased IL-10. These effects were reversed by doxycycline and tetracycline treatment in the mouse retina. These results suggest that doxycycline will be a potential treatment for PVR in the future.
Fundamental and Clinical Applications of Materials Based on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Cancers
Authors: Mu Jingtian , Gao Shengtao , Yang Jin , Wu Fanglong , Zhou Hongmei
Published: October 2021

Cancer stromal cells play a role in promoting tumor relapse and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, the current treatment paradigms for cancers are usually insufficient to eradicate cancer cells, and anti-cancer therapeutic strategies targeting stromal cells have been developed. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are perpetually activated fibroblasts in the tumor stroma. CAFs are the most abundant and highly heterogeneous stromal cells, and they are critically involved in cancer occurrence and progression. These effects are due to their various roles in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, maintenance of cancer stemness, modulation of tumor metabolism, and promotion of therapy resistance. Recently, biomaterials and nanomaterials based on CAFs have been increasingly developed to perform gene or protein expression analysis, three-dimensional (3D) co-cultivation, and targeted drug delivery in cancer treatment. In this review, we systematically summarize the current research to fully understand the relevant materials and their functional diversity in CAFs, and we highlight the potential clinical applications of CAFs-oriented biomaterials and nanomaterials in anti-cancer therapy.
Comparative Omics Analysis of Brassica napus Roots Subjected to Six Individual Macronutrient Deprivations Reveals Deficiency-Specific Genes and Metabolomic Profiles
Authors: Courbet Galatéa , D’Oria Aurélien , Maillard Anne , Jing Lun , Pluchon Sylvain , Arkoun Mustapha , Pateyron Stéphanie , Paysant Le Roux Christine , Diquélou Sylvain , Ourry Alain , Trouverie Jacques , Etienne Philippe
Published: October 2021

The early and specific diagnosis of a macronutrient deficiency is challenging when seeking to better manage fertilizer inputs in the context of sustainable agriculture. Consequently, this study explored the potential for transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of Brassica napus roots to characterize the effects of six individual macronutrient deprivations (N, Mg, P, S, K, and Ca). Our results showed that before any visual phenotypic response, all macronutrient deprivations led to a large modulation of the transcriptome and metabolome involved in various metabolic pathways, and some were common to all macronutrient deprivations. Significantly, comparative transcriptomic analysis allowed the definition of a subset of 3282, 2011, 6325, 1384, 439, and 5157 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific to N, Mg, P, S, K, and Ca deprivations, respectively. Surprisingly, gene ontology term enrichment analysis performed on this subset of specific DEGs highlighted biological processes that are common to a number of these macronutrient deprivations, illustrating the complexity of nutrient interactions. In addition, a set of 38 biochemical compounds that discriminated the macronutrient deprivations was identified using a metabolic approach. The opportunity to use these specific DEGs and/or biochemical compounds as potential molecular indicators to diagnose macronutrient deficiency is discussed.
Antimicrobial Peptides: An Update on Classifications and Databases
Authors: Bin Hafeez Ahmer , Jiang Xukai , Bergen Phillip J. , Zhu Yan
Published: October 2021

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are distributed across all kingdoms of life and are an indispensable component of host defenses. They consist of predominantly short cationic peptides with a wide variety of structures and targets. Given the ever-emerging resistance of various pathogens to existing antimicrobial therapies, AMPs have recently attracted extensive interest as potential therapeutic agents. As the discovery of new AMPs has increased, many databases specializing in AMPs have been developed to collect both fundamental and pharmacological information. In this review, we summarize the sources, structures, modes of action, and classifications of AMPs. Additionally, we examine current AMP databases, compare valuable computational tools used to predict antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of action, and highlight new machine learning approaches that can be employed to improve AMP activity to combat global antimicrobial resistance.
Alternative Splicing of TaGS3 Differentially Regulates Grain Weight and Size in Bread Wheat
Authors: Ren Xiaoli , Zhi Liya , Liu Lei , Meng Deyuan , Su Qiannan , Batool Aamana , Ji Jun , Song Liqiang , Zhang Na , Guo Lin , Liu Xigang , Li Junming , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2021

The heterotrimeric G-protein mediates growth and development by perceiving and transmitting signals in multiple organisms. Alternative splicing (AS), a vital process for regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, plays a significant role in plant adaptation and evolution. Here, we identified five splicing variants of Gγ subunit gene TaGS3 (TaGS3.1 to TaGS3.5), which showed expression divergence during wheat polyploidization, and differential function in grain weight and size determination. TaGS3.1 overexpression significantly reduced grain weight by 5.89% and grain length by 5.04%, while TaGS3.2–3.4 overexpression did not significantly alter grain size compared to wild type. Overexpressing TaGS3.5 significantly increased the grain weight by 5.70% and grain length by 4.30%. Biochemical assays revealed that TaGS3 isoforms (TaGS3.1–3.4) with an intact OSR domain interact with WGB1 to form active Gβγ heterodimers that further interact with WGA1 to form inactive Gαβγ heterotrimers. Truncated isoforms TaGS3.2–3.4 , which lack the C-terminal Cys-rich region but have enhanced binding affinity to WGB1, antagonistically compete with TaGS3.1 to bind WGB1, while TaGS3.5 with an incomplete OSR domain does not interact with WGB1. Taking these observations together, we proposed that TaGS3 differentially regulates grain size via AS, providing a strategy by which the grain size is fine-tuned and regulated at the post-transcriptional level.
Insight into Molecular Interactions of Two Methyl Benzoate Derivatives with Bovine Serum Albumin
Authors: Baranowska Karolina , Mońka Michał , Bojarski Piotr , Józefowicz Marek
Published: October 2021

The nature and mechanisms of interaction between two selected methyl benzoate derivatives (methyl o-methoxy p-methylaminobenzoate–I and methyl o-hydroxy p-methylaminobenzoate–II) and model transport protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. In order to understand the role of Trp residue of BSA in the I-BSA and II-BSA interaction, the effect of free Trp amino acid on the both emission modes (LE–locally excited (I and II) and ESIPT–excited state intramolecular proton transfer (II)) was investigated as well. Experimental results show that the investigated interactions (with both BSA and Trp) are mostly conditioned by the ground and excited state complex formation processes. Both molecules form stable complexes with BSA and Trp (with 1:1 stoichiometry) in the ground and excited states. The binding constants were in the order of 104 M−1. The absorption- and fluorescence-titration experiments along with the time-resolved fluorescence measurements show that the binding of the I and II causes fluorescence quenching of BSA through the static mechanism, revealing a 1:1 interaction. The magnitude and the sign of the thermodynamic parameters, ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG, determined from van’t Hoff relationship, confirm the predominance of the hydrogen-bonding interactions for the binding phenomenon. To improve and complete knowledge of methyl benzoate derivative-protein interactions in relation to supramolecular solvation dynamics, the time-dependent fluorescence Stokes’ shifts, represented by the normalized spectral response function c(t), was studied. Our studies reveal that the solvation dynamics that occurs in subpicosecond time scale in neat solvents of different polarities is slowed down significantly when the organic molecule is transferred to BSA cavity.
Drosophila melanogaster as a Model Organism to Study Lithium and Boron Bioactivity
Authors: Jans Katharina , Lüersen Kai , Rimbach Gerald
Published: October 2021

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has become a valuable model organism in nutritional science, which can be applied to elucidate the physiology and the biological function of nutrients, including trace elements. Importantly, the application of chemically defined diets enables the supply of trace elements for nutritional studies under highly standardized dietary conditions. Thus, the bioavailability and bioactivity of trace elements can be systematically monitored in D. melanogaster. Numerous studies have already revealed that central aspects of trace element homeostasis are evolutionary conserved among the fruit fly and mammalian species. While there is sufficient evidence of vital functions of boron (B) in plants, there is also evidence regarding its bioactivity in animals and humans. Lithium (Li) is well known for its role in the therapy of bipolar disorder. Furthermore, recent findings suggest beneficial effects of Li regarding neuroprotection as well as healthy ageing and longevity in D. melanogaster. However, no specific essential function in the animal kingdom has been found for either of the two elements so far. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of Li and B bioactivity in D. melanogaster in the context of health and disease prevention.
Dispersal and Migration Patterns of Freshwater Semiaquatic Bugs
Authors: Ditrich Tomáš
Published: October 2021

Semiaquatic bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerromorpha) are mostly wing-polymorphic species with flight dispersal as an important life history trait, but the specific flight ability and dispersal pattern remain unexplored in most species. This report presents the results of a long-term survey based on the individual marking of more than 23,000 specimens of eight water striders (Gerridae) and a water cricket Velia caprai (Veliidae). Three distinct lentic habitats were sampled (solitary fishponds, systems of nearby fishponds and systems of small, often temporary pools) and one lotic habitat—a small forest stream. Recaptures revealed that three gerrid species tend to stay at the breeding site, but can differ in dispersal via the water surface. Reproductive flightless females disperse most actively via the water surface, possibly bypassing the trade-off between dispersal and reproduction. One species has a sex-dependent dispersal pattern, with females being rather philopatric, whereas males often disperse. Three other gerrid species are highly dispersive and tend to change breeding site. V. caprai, the only lotic species included in this survey, tend to move upstream and possibly compensate for the downstream drift.
Glasshouse Evaluation of the Black Soldier Fly Waste Product HexaFrass™ as an Organic Fertilizer
Authors: Borkent Sara , Hodge Simon
Published: October 2021

The mass farming of the black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens L.), to produce insect-based feed for livestock and fish, results in considerable amounts of insect frass, which contains substantial amounts of organic matter and bioavailable nutrients. Insect frass has shown good potential as a soil amendment and organic fertilizer. This study examined the effects of HexaFrass™ on the growth of common vegetables and herbs under glasshouse conditions. In an organically-rich potting mix, HexaFrass™ increased shoot dry weight by an average of 25%, although this effect was variable among test plants. In other trials, application of HexaFrass™ caused an increase in plant growth similar to that obtained by applying chicken manure and a commercial organic fertilizer. Increases in shoot and root dry weight showed quadratic relationships with HexaFrass™ dose, indicating that application of excessive quantities could lead to plant inhibition. Shoot:root dry matter ratio tended to increase with HexaFrass™ dose suggesting there was no specific stimulation or enhancement of root growth. Overall, these results provide further evidence of the potential of insect frass as an effective organic fertilizer for vegetables and herbs.
Analysis Technology and Cathodic Protection for Hull Structures of Ships and Floating Facilities
Authors: Kramar Vadim , Rodkina Anna , Ivanova Olga , Chernyi Sergei , Zinchenko Anton
Published: October 2021

Studies overviewed in the paper have yielded a number of new scientific results including the following: suggested is a technique for conducting experimental investigations of electrochemical characteristics of hull structures of ships and floating facilities on the juvenile surface under cathodic polarization in a test seawater solution with the use of the test facility developed for investigating electrochemical characteristics of hull structures of ships and floating facilities on the juvenile surface under cathodic polarization; obtained are the results of laboratory experiments on various shipbuilding steels without surface oxide films in test seawater solutions with a widely ranging salinity spectrum; developed is a neural network-based technique for predicting the protection potential of ships and floating facilities from local corrosion mechanical damages; developed is an algorithm for obtaining the protective potential for hull structures of ships and floating facilities; suggested is a method of protecting hull structures of ships and floating facilities by means of cathodic polarization from local corrosion mechanical damages at the potential of the uncharged surface on the juvenile surface of steel; revealed are beneficial effects of using cathodic polarization by impressed current at the potential of the uncharged surface on the juvenile surface of steel which allow the prolongation of the service life of hull structures of ships and floating facilities.
Coronary Artery Dimensions in Endurance Athletes by Computed Tomography Angiography: A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Langer Christian , Barbieri Fabian , Plank Fabian , Beyer Christoph , Baldauf Benito , Friedrich Guy , Widmann Gerlig , Luger Anna , Adukauskaite Agne , Reinthaler Markus , Dichtl Wolfgang , Homma Shunichi , Feuchtner Gudrun Maria
Published: October 2021

(1) Background: The athlete’s heart may develop permanent vessel enlargement. The purpose of our study was to define normal values for coronary artery dimensions of endurance athletes by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). (2) Methods: Ninety-eight individuals (56.2 ± 11 years) were included into this retrospective matched case-controlled-study. Endurance athletes had regular training volumes of ≥1 h per unit, ≥3–7 times per week (either cycling, running or mountain-endurance). Athletes were matched for age and gender with sedentary controls using propensity score. Quantitative CTA analysis included coronary vessel dimensions (two diameters and area) of the LM, LAD, CX and RCA for all AHA-16-segments. (3) Results: Proximal LAD area and diameter (p = 0.019); proximal/mid CX (diameter and area; p = 0.026 and p = 0.018/p = 0.008 and p = 0.009); mid RCA diameter and area; and proximal RCA diameter were significantly larger in endurance athletes (p < 0.05). The left main area (p = 0.708) and diameter (p = 0.809) as well as the mid LAD and distal segments were not different. We present the histograms and data for normal values ±1 and ± 2 SD. (4) Conclusions: Endurance athletes have larger proximal LAD, proximal/mid CX and RCA vessel dimensions, while LM and distal segments are similar. Hence, dilated coronary arteries in endurance athletes (“Athlete’s arteries”) have to be distinguished from diffuse ectatic segments developing during Kawasaki disease or multisystemic inflammation syndrome after COVID-19.
Association between Intraoperative Blood Pressure Drop and Clinically Significant Hypoperfusion in Abdominal Surgery: A Cohort Study
Authors: Putowski Zbigniew , Czajka Szymon , Krzych Łukasz J.
Published: October 2021

The recent consensus by the Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) on intraoperative hypotension (IOH) stated that mean arterial pressure (MAP) below 60–70 mmHg is associated with myocardial infarction (MI), acute kidney injury (AKI), death and also that IOH is a function of not only severity but also of duration. However, most of the data come from large, heterogeneous cohorts of patients who underwent different surgical procedures and types of anaesthesia. We sought to assess how various definitions of IOH can predict clinically significant hypoperfusive outcomes in a homogenous cohort of generally anesthetised patients undergoing abdominal surgery, taking into account thresholds of MAP and their time durations. The data for this study come from a prospective cohort study in which patients who underwent abdominal surgery between 1 October 2018 and 15 July 2019 in the university hospital in Katowice were included in the analysis. We analysed perioperative data to assess how various IOH thresholds can predict hypoperfusive outcomes (defined as myocardial injury, acute kidney injury or stroke). 508 patients were included in the study. The total number of cases of clinically significant hypoperfusion was 38 (7.5%). We found that extending durations of low MAP, i.e., below 55 mmHg, 60 mmHg, 65 mmHg and 70 mmHg, were associated with the development of either AKI, MI or stroke. It was observed that for narrower and lower hypotension thresholds, the time required to induce complications is shorter. Patients who suffered from AKI/MI/Stroke experienced more episodes of any of the IOH definitions applied. Absolute IOH thresholds were superior to the relative definitions. For patients undergoing abdominal surgery, it is vital to prevent the extended durations of intraoperative mean arterial pressure below 70 mmHg. Finally, there appears to be no need to guide intraoperative haemodynamic therapy based on pre-induction values and, consequently, on relative drops of MAP.