bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances on Nanozyme‐based Electrochemical Biosensors
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Dong Shaojun , Wei Hui
Published: February 2022

Nanozymes are nanomaterials with enzyme‐like catalytic activities. The unique features of nanozymes (such as high stability, low cost, large surface area for bioconjugation, ease of storage, and multi‐functionalities) offer unprecedented opportunities for designing electrochemical biosensors. Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of nanozyme‐based electrochemical biosensors. To highlight these achievements, this review first discusses the representative nanozymes including peroxidase mimics, oxidase mimics, hydrolase mimics, and superoxide dismutase mimics used in electrochemical biosensors. Then, it summarizes the bioanalytical applications for the detection of various analytes. Finally, current challenges and future research directions are summarized.
Recent research advances of the biomimetic tumor microenvironment and regulatory factors on microfluidic devices: A systematic review
Authors: Xu Hui , Cheng Cheng , Le Weidong
Published: February 2022

Tumor microenvironment is a multicomponent system consisting of tumor cells, noncancer cells, extracellular matrix, and signaling molecules, which hosts tumor cells with integrated biophysical and biochemical elements. Because of its critical involvement in tumor genesis, invasion, metastasis, and resistance, the tumor microenvironment is emerging as a hot topic of tumor biology and a prospective therapeutic target. Unfortunately, the complex of microenvironment modeling in vitro is

technically challenging and does not effectively generalize the local tumor tissue milieu. Recently, significant advances in microfluidic technologies have provided us with an approach to imitate physiological systems that can be utilized to mimic the characterization of tumor responses with pathophysiological relevance in vitro. In this review, we highlight the recent progress and innovations in microfluidic technology that facilitates the tumor microenvironment study. We also discuss the progress and future perspective of microfluidic bionic approaches with high efficiency for the study of tumor microenvironment and the challenges encountered in cancer research, drug discovery, and personalized therapy.
LncRNA polymorphisms and urologic cancer risk
Authors: Abdi Esmat , Latifi‐Navid Saeid
Published: February 2022

Urologic cancers involve nearly one‐quarter of all cancers and include the prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers. Long non‐coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are expressed in a tissue‐specific manner and affect cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. LncRNAs expression is misregulated in urologic cancers, as their aberrant expression may make them capable of being utilized in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancers. LncRNAs polymorphisms can affect their structure, expression, and function by interfering with the associated target mRNAs. As a result, lncRNA polymorphisms may be linked to the mechanism driving cancer susceptibility. Therefore, SNPs in lncRNAs may be a beneficial biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis of cancers, as they affect lncRNA role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Moreover, the genetic heredity of lncRNA SNPs affects the personal therapeutic response to drugs. In this study, the lncRNAs polymorphism is summarized in relation to urologic cancers. It is proposed that lncRNA‐related polymorphisms, as an individual or combined genotypes, can predict urologic cancer risk, even clinical and prognostic outcomes. However, large‐scale population‐based prospective studies and comprehensive meta‐analyses should be conducted to validate and use these lncRNAs SNPs as the indicators of urologic cancers. Future research should examine the function of these SNPs to explain their associations with urologic cancers.
From Thermoelectric Powder Directly to Thermoelectric Generators: Flexible Bi2Te3 Films on Polymer Sheets Prepared by the Powder Aerosol Deposition Method at Room Temperature
Authors: Werner Robin , Matejka Johanna S. , Schönauer-Kamin Daniela , Moos Ralf
Published: February 2022

The powder aerosol deposition (PAD) method is a spray‐coating process to form dense, nanocrystalline ceramic films at room temperature without thermal treatment. Herein, the thermoelectric properties of PAD‐deposited Bi2Te3 films are investigated. The powders are deposited on rigid Al2O3 substrates and on flexible polymer sheets (Kapton and Mylar) attached to Kanthal foils. A low thermal conductivity of λ = 0.12 W m−1 K−1, an electrical conductivity of σ = 29.8 S cm−1, and a Seebeck coefficient of S = –145 μV K−1 are determined on Al2O3. To evaluate the flexibility of the Bi2Te3 films deposited on flexible polymer sheets, the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient are measured before, during, and again after bending. While the Seebeck coefficient remains unaffected by the bending process and the bending radius, the electrical conductivity deteriorates to some extent during bending. Subsequent measurements in the nonbent planar state reveal, however, that the conductivity is restored partially. Furthermore, first, flexible thermoelectric generators could be prepared and characterized. PAD offers enormous potential not only in the combination of Bi2Te3 films on polymer sheets without thermal treatment, but also for manufacturing flexible thermoelectric generators in general.
MXene (Ti3C2Tx)‐Supported Binary Co‐, Zn‐Doped Carbon as Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalyst for Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Fang Zhongwei , Xu Chenxi , Zhang Xiaole , Wang Yucheng , Xiao Tao , Wang Ling , Chen Mei , Liu Xiaoteng
Published: February 2022

Transition metal–nitrogen–carbon materials are used as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) because of their low cost, high activity, and stability in the alkaline medium. Herein, CoZn/nitrogen–carbon (NC)–Ti3C2 as an ORR electrocatalyst is prepared by one‐step pyrolysis of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)‐67/ZIF‐8 on the Ti3C2 surface. The CoZn/NC–Ti3C2 catalyst presents considerable kinetics with a half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.847 V, and the fuel cell peak power density reaches 245 mW cm−2. Furthermore, this catalyst exhibits an excellent stability with only 4.83% drop of relative current after 30000 s of testing. Herein, a new strategy for high‐effective and high‐stability non‐precious metal catalysts for anion exchange membrane fuel cells is provided.
A multi‐objective performance‐based seismic design framework for building typologies
Authors: Badal Prakash S. , Sinha Ravi
Published: February 2022

A vast majority of the world's reinforced concrete (RC) buildings are designed using prescriptive force‐based methods. In addition to safety, there is growing demand to meet additional performance objectives to limit economic losses and minimize disruption after smaller earthquakes. A framework is proposed that allows prescriptive design standards to deliver multi‐objective risk targets. It adopts an explicitly probabilistic approach considering uncertainty in seismic demand and structural capacity. A rational basis for targeting multiple performance metrics is actualized. The framework provides the first step of a practical strategy to migrate to the performance‐based design of buildings in a phased manner. Using the framework, risk‐targeted safety factors (RTSF) are derived in conjunction with the prescriptive design method to meet different target risk spaces. The framework proposes the replacement of importance factor, which does not quantify performance or risk or considers the building typology, with RTSFs. The framework is illustrated using six example RC buildings representing special moment frame typology conforming to prevalent Indian standards. The results indicate that such typology has an annual frequency of collapse of 1 × 10−4, an annual loss‐of‐operationality of 20 × 10−4, and an expected annual loss of 3 × 10−4. For the same typology, a four‐fold reduction requires an RTSF value of 1.6 for collapse risk, whereas the risk of loss‐of‐operationality necessitates a larger RTSF of 2.0. The larger RTSFs for higher performance illustrates additional design requirement that can only be obtained when considering multiple performance objectives. The framework is universally applicable for any lateral load‐resisting system and selected performance metrics.
A developmentally prometastatic niche to hepatoblastoma in neonatal liver mediated by the Cxcl1/Cxcr2 axis
Authors: Fan Li , Pan Qingfei , Yang Wentao , Koo Selene C. , Tian Cheng , Li Liyuan , Lu Meifen , Brown Anthony , Ju Bensheng , Easton John , Ranganathan Sarangarajan , Shin Soona , Bondoc Alexander , Yang Jun J. , Yu Jiyang , Zhu Liqin
Published: February 2022

Background and Aims

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common pediatric liver cancer. Its predominant occurrence in very young children led us to investigate whether the neonatal liver provides a protumorigenic niche to HB development.

Approach and Results

HB development was compared between orthotopic transplantation models established in postnatal day 5 (P5) and 60 (P60) mice (P5Tx and P60Tx models). Single‐cell RNA‐sequencing (sc‐RNAseq) was performed using tumor and liver tissues from both models and the top candidate cell types and genes identified are investigated for their roles in HB cell growth, migration, and survival.

Conclusions

We found that various HB cell lines including HepG2 cells were consistently and considerably more tumorigenic and metastatic in the P5Tx model than in the P60Tx models. Sc‐RNAseq of the P5Tx and P60Tx HepG2 models revealed that the P5Tx tumor was more hypoxic and had a larger number of activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) in the tumor‐surrounding liver that express significantly higher levels of Cxcl1 than those from the P60Tx model. We found these differences were developmentally present in normal P5 and P60 liver. We showed that the Cxcl1/Cxcr2 axis mediated HB cell migration and was critical to HB cell survival under hypoxia. Treating HepG2 P60Tx model with recombinant CXCL1 protein induced intrahepatic and pulmonary metastasis and CXCR2 knockout (KO) in HepG2 cells abolished their metastatic potential in the P5Tx model. Lastly, we showed that in tumors from patients with metastatic HB, there was a similar larger population of aHSCs in the tumor‐surrounding liver than in localized tumors, and tumor hypoxia was uniquely associated with prognosis of patients with HB among pediatric cancers. We demonstrated that the neonatal liver provides a prometastatic niche to HB development through the Cxcl1/Cxcr2 axis.
Promoting male participation in maternal healthcare in the Jaman North District in Ghana: Strategies and implementation challenges
Authors: Gyan Emmanuel Kofi , Dugle Gordon , Abiiro Gilbert Abotisem
Published: February 2022

Promoting male participation in maternal healthcare is essential for improved maternal health outcomes. This study explored existing strategies to promote male participation in maternal healthcare and assessed their implementation challenges within healthcare facilities in the Jaman North District in Ghana. A qualitative approach was implemented in April 2020. Interviews were administered to a stratified purposive sample of 18 respondents comprising six midwives and 12 male partners of postnatal mothers. All interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and manually analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed early service, male partner invitation, male partner incentivisation, public sensitization, and male informed education, as strategies to promote male participation in the district. The implementation of these strategies has been constrained by socio‐cultural and health system factors, namely, perception of pregnancy as non‐illness, perceived experiences gained by women during previous births, cultural stereotypes, unconducive environment of healthcare facilities, inappropriate timing of facility attendance and unexpected costs associated with male participation. Promoting male participation, therefore, requires dedicated policy attention to the existing socio‐cultural and health system constraints. The Ghana Health Service and other stakeholders should consider both community‐level and targeted sensitization on the benefits of male participation in maternal healthcare and a general improvement in maternal healthcare infrastructure.
Screening of psychiatric disorders in women with high‐risk pregnancy: Accuracy of three psychological tools
Authors: Hamidia Angela , Kheirkhah Farzan , Chehrazi Mohammad , Basirat Zahra , Ghadimi Reza , Barat Shahnaz , Cuijpers Pim , O'Connor Elizabeth , Mirtabar Seyyedeh Mahboubeh , Faramarzi Mahbobeh
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study investigated the optimal cutoff points of three psychological tools for screening psychiatric disorders in women with high‐risk pregnancy.

Design and Methods

In this cross‐sectional study (N = 155), sensitivity/specificity of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Brief Symptom Inventory 53‐items (BSI‐53), and the BSI‐18 were computed with respect to having a psychiatric diagnosis based on the clinical interview.

Results

The usual cutoffs (≥13 for EPDS, T‐score of 63 for BSI‐53) demonstrated poor diagnostic accuracy. The optimal thresholds were computed for EPDS cutoff of 6.5, GSI = 0.47 for BSI‐53, and GSI = 0.5 for BSI‐18.

Practice Implications

The use of psychological tools among pregnant women with high‐risk pregnancy may need to be modified in order to accurately identify psychiatric disorders.
Validity and reliability of a modified short version of a stigma scale for use among Tunisian COVID‐19 patients after quarantine: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Mlouki Imen , Zammit Nawel , Ghammem Rim , Ben Fredj Sihem , Bannour Rania , El Echi Ansar , Ladhari Hafsia , Haddedi Adel , Ghodhbani Mohamed Mizouni , Maatoug Jihene , Ghannem Hassen
Published: February 2022

Background and Aim

The COVID‐19 is a stigmatizing infectious disease even after healing. Until now, no COVID‐19 stigma scale validated in Tunisian Arabic language among the general population is available. Developing such tools is necessary to detect COVID‐19 stigma and reduce it effectively. Indeed, stigmatization of COVID‐19 patients could increase the spread of this disease and its related mental health issues. We aimed at testing the validity of a translated and modified version of the 12‐item HIV stigma scale among Tunisian COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted between November and December 2020 among a representative sample of COVID‐19 patients in the governorate of Sousse, Tunisia, after quarantine. The 12‐item HIV stigma scale was translated in Tunisian Arabic and then modified to be adapted to the Tunisian context. The preliminary modified version was administrated to the participants by pretrained medical doctors during phone calls. It consisted on 20 items covering the four stigma dimensions (personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, concerns with public attitudes, and negative self‐image). The psychometric evaluation of this version included internal consistency as well as principal component analysis (PCA).

Results

The responses of 346 COVID‐19 patients were obtained. Their median age was 40 years (interquartile range: 30‐54.5). Females represented 60.4% of them. The PCA resulted in a three factor solution with 14 items. This 14‐item scale demonstrated good internal consistency with a global Cronbach's α of 0.91 and values of 0.94, 0.93, and 0.98 for social stigma, negative self‐image, and disclosure concerns, respectively.

Conclusion

This study provides a reliable and valid instrument for stigma measuring among Tunisian COVID‐19 patients. The use of this scale would contribute in reducing the spread of this new infectious disease and its related mental health issues.
Effects of oral administration of equine placental extract supplement on the facial skin of healthy adult women: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Nagae Masumi , Nishio Tomoe , Ohnuki Koichiro , Shimizu Kuniyoshi
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Placenta extract is used as an ingredient in ointments for treating dermatological diseases, skin dryness, and for skin beautification. However, the clinical effects of the equine placenta on humans and the underlying mechanism of action are unclear. This randomized, controlled, double‐blind study aimed to clinically evaluate the effect of oral intake of equine placental extract on human skin quality.

Methods

Healthy women volunteers between the ages of 30 and 59 years (n = 29) were randomly assigned to receive 220 mg of equine placental extract–placebo orally, once daily for 4 weeks. Skin quality parameters such as skin hydration, skin barrier function (transepidermal water loss [TEWL]), and melanin index were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks of administration.

Results

The melanin index was significantly increased in the placebo group, whereas it remained unchanged in the equine placenta group. The pattern of melanin index change was significantly different due to intake or no intake of equine placenta supplements over 4 weeks. No significant difference was found in skin hydration and TEWL between the two groups at 4 weeks of postadministration. It was shown that the intake of the equine placenta was more effective in protecting the skin condition against the change of ultraviolet (UV) sensitively than the change in temperature and humidity.

Conclusions

Effect of equine placental extract intake was evident on the cheek skin of the equine placenta group where participants were protected from UV‐induced pigmentation. Equine placental extract is useful for decreasing melanin synthesis and melanin content in the human skin and can be used as an effective food supplement to maintain human skin quality.
Clinical predictors of depressive symptom remission and response after racemic ketamine and esketamine infusion in treatment‐resistant depression
Authors: Jesus‐Nunes Ana Paula , Leal Gustavo C. , Correia‐Melo Fernanda S. , Vieira Flávia , Mello Rodrigo P. , Caliman‐Fontes Ana Teresa , Echegaray Mariana V. F. , Marback Roberta F. , Guerreiro‐Costa Lívia N. F. , Souza‐Marques Breno , Santos‐Lima Cassio , Souza Lucca S. , Bandeira Igor D. , Kapczinski Flavio , Lacerda Acioly L. T. , Quarantini Lucas C.
Published: February 2022

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide and most people do not achieve symptom remission. Treatment‐resistant depression (TRD) is characterized by the failure of at least one adequate trial of a major class of antidepressant, with adequate time and dosage. We aimed to identify clinical predictors of depressive symptom remission and response 24 h and 7 days after racemic ketamine and esketamine infusions.

Methods

A randomized, double‐blind, active‐controlled, non‐inferiority trial using ketamine and esketamine in TRD. Individuals diagnosed with MDD according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version IV and fulfilling TRD criteria were recruited from March 2017 to June 2018. Participants received a single subanesthetic dose of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) or esketamine (0.25 mg/kg) for 40 min. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and symptom remission was defined as a MADRS score ≤7 and response defined as ≥50% reduction in depressive symptom severity, 24 h and 7 days after the infusion. Clinical variables were selected based on previous clinical trials. Stepwise backward logistic regression was used, considering a confidence level of 95%.

Results

61 subjects were included: 39 (63.9%) were females with a mean age of 47.2 ± 14.9. Higher number of therapeutic failures (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.677; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47–0.97) and higher severity of illness (OR = 0.912; 95% CI: 0.83–0.99) were associated with fewer remissions of depressive symptoms 7 days after intervention, and with fewer response in 24 h (OR = 0.583; 95% CI: 0,40; 0,84 and OR = 0.909; 95% CI: 0,83; 0,99, respectively).

Conclusion

Number of treatment failures and severity of illness were predictors of fewer remissions and responses of depressive symptoms in this TRD population. Study of predictors of remission may contribute to better selection patients that may benefit from receiving ketamine.
Research advances in the influence of lipid metabolism on cognitive impairment
Authors: Zhang Min , Zhu Yu‐Hang , Zhu Zhao‐Qiong
Published: February 2022

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a mental disorder related to cognition and understanding, which is mainly categorized into mild CI and senile dementia. This disease is associated with multiple factors, such as chronic brain injury, aging, chronic systemic disease, mental state, and psychological factors. However, the pathological mechanism of CI remains unclear; it is usually associated with such underlying diseases as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. It has been demonstrated that abundant lipid metabolism indexes in the human body are closely related to CI, including total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein, and so forth. As a crucial risk factor for CI, hyperlipidemia is of great significance in the occurrence and development of CI. However, the specific correlation between dyslipidemia and CI is still not fully elucidated. Besides, the efficacy of lipid‐lowering drugs in the prophylaxis and treatment of CI has not been clarified. In this study, relevant advances in the influence of lipid metabolism disorders in CI will be reviewed, in an attempt to explore the effect of mediating blood lipid levels on the prophylaxis and treatment of CI, thus providing a reference for its clinical management.
From Fake News to Racism: A Study of Change in a Reading Intervention Class
Authors: Delaney Carol J. , Bacon Heidi R. , Matson Sandra F.
Published: February 2022

This qualitative study investigated how teaching an historical unit through a critical lens might empower students to evaluate sources, challenge fake news, and make informed decisions. The reading intervention teacher in this study engaged secondary students in reading, discussing, and critiquing a series of multimodal historical texts.

Grounded in a critical literacies framework, Shelly used “brave spaces” to stimulate discussion on issues of (in)equality, bias, and misinformation to challenge students’ perceptions and often (mis)conceptions of what constitutes propaganda and “fake news.” We describe how Shelly’s 6‐week unit facilitated higher order thinking and students’ beliefs in their capacity to take action and make a difference.

We elaborate the need for students to. be savvy, critical consumers of media, particularly in today’s sociopolitical climate where truth and alternative facts are frequently blurred.
Selenium nanoparticles and quercetin suppress thioacetamide‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats: Attenuation of inflammation involvement
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed A. , Zaghloul Randa A. , Abdelghany Amr M. , El Gayar Amal M.
Published: February 2022

The current study investigates the anti‐inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of selenium (Se) formulated as nanoparticles (SeNPs) and in combination with quercetin (QCT) against thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. ​​​​​​Seventy‐two male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into six groups (n = 12). Three control groups; normal, SeNPs; group received SeNPs only and HCC; group received TAA. In addition, three preventive groups; SeNPs + TAA, QCT + TAA, and QCT + SeNPs + TAA. Induction of HCC was detected histopathologically and by the raise of the serum level of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP). Oxidative stress was evaluated by the hepatic levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) spectrophotometrically. The oncogenic pathway of p53/β‐catenin/cyclin D1 was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The inflammatory markers; interleukin‐33 (IL‐33), IL‐6, and IL‐1β were assessed by enzyme‐linked immune sorbent assay. SeNPs prevented the elevation of serum AFP and hepatic IL‐33, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 in comparison to HCC or QCT + TAA groups. SeNPs + TAA exhibited a lower positive hepatic staining of p53, β‐catenin, and cyclin D1 in comparison to HCC or QCT + TAA groups. Moreover, SeNPs improved the overall oxidative balance indicated by low hepatic MDA and enhanced GSH and GPx when compared to HCC or QCT + TAA groups. ​​SeNPs alone and in combination with QCT were found to suppress the progression of HCC in rats via the enhancement of the oxidative stress and then inflammatory status and the prevention of the deregulation of the oncogenic axis pathway of p53/β‐catenin/cyclin D.
Attitudes of mental healthcare professionals and media professionals towards each other in reducing social stigma due to mental illness in Bangladesh
Authors: Shalahuddin Qusar M. M. A. , Hossain Redwana , Sohan Md. , Nazir Shamiya , Hossain Md. Jamal , Islam Md. Rabiul
Published: February 2022

Mental illness is a neglected issue all over the world. The development of negligence towards mental illness could be due to the stigmatized attitudes. Also, social stigma due to mental illness is prevalent in many south Asian countries. In Bangladesh, the condition is even worse than regional data in Asia. The general people consider media as a primary source of information about mental health. However, mental health professionals (MHP) have direct contact with psychiatric patients and their family members. Therefore, both MHP and media professionals (MP) have a role in reducing social stigma due to mental illness. The present study aimed to identify attitudes of MHP and MP towards each other in reducing social stigma due to mental illness. We conducted a cross‐sectional online survey among 174 participants (80 MHP and 94 MP). We used two sets of self‐reporting questionnaires to assess the attitudes of MHP and MP towards one another. Also, we collected and analyzed sociodemographic profiles of study participants. We observed significant differences in terms of their profession‐related statements between MHP and MP. Also, we have seen significant gaps between MHP and MP in terms of their complete agreement on attitude‐related aspects. However, most respondents agreed that stigma due to mental illness is a vital problem in Bangladesh. Moreover, maximum participants accepted that the current public images about psychiatry and media role in reducing social stigma need to be improved. We observed gap between MHP and MP in their roles and beliefs in reducing social stigma due to mental illness in Bangladesh. Reciprocal training and awareness programs would help them in reducing social stigma due to mental illness. The findings of the present study would help to sort out the possible areas for interventions. However, the present study has few limitations; therefore, we recommend further studies with more homogeneous and large samples to make better conclusion.
Differences in muscle energy metabolism and metabolic flexibility between sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic older adults
Authors: Shoemaker Marni E. , Pereira Suzette L. , Mustad Vikkie A. , Gillen Zachary M. , McKay Brianna D. , Lopez‐Pedrosa Jose M. , Rueda Ricardo , Cramer Joel T.
Published: February 2022

Background

Metabolic flexibility is the ability of skeletal muscle to adapt fuel utilization to the demand for fuel sources [carbohydrates (CHO) and fats (FAT)]. The purpose of this study was to explore muscle energy metabolism and metabolic flexibility under various conditions in sarcopenic (S) versus nonsarcopenic (NS) older adults.

Methods

Twenty‐two older adults aged 65 years or older were categorized as NS [n = 11; mean ± standard deviation (SD); age = 73.5 ± 6.0 years (males, n = 5; females, n = 6)] or S [n = 11; 81.2 ± 10.5 years (males, n = 6; females, n = 5) based on handgrip strength, body composition and physical performance. Indirect calorimetry was recorded before and after consumption of a high‐CHO meal and during aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Respiratory quotient (RQ), CHO and FAT oxidation were assessed. Venous blood samples were collected for glucose and insulin concentrations.

Results

At rest, compared with NS, S exhibited a 5–8% higher RQ at 0 (0.72 vs. 0.76) and 120 (0.77 vs. 0.82), 150 (0.76 vs. 0.80), and 180 min (0.74 vs. 0.80) (P = 0.002–0.025); 59–195% higher CHO oxidation at 0, 120, and 180 min (0.0004–0.002 vs. 0.001–0.002 g·min−1·kg‐1) (P = 0.010–0.047); and 20–31% lower FAT oxidation at 0, 15, and 90–180 min (0.0009–0.0022 vs. 0.0011–0.002 g·min−1·kg−1) (P = 0.004–0.038). Glucose levels were significantly elevated in S versus NS at 0, 60 and 75 min (144.64–202.78 vs. 107.70–134.20 mg·dL−1) but not insulin. During aerobic exercise, RQ was 5% greater (0.90 vs. 0.86) (P = 0.039), and FAT oxidation was 35% lower at 6–8 min (0.003 vs. 0.005 g·min−1·kg−1) (P = 0.033) in S versus NS. During anaerobic exercise, CHO oxidation was 31% greater in NS versus S at 60–80% time to exhaustion (0.011 vs. 0.007 g·min−1·kg−1) (P = 0.015). Per cent contribution to energy expenditure was greater in S for CHO but lower for FAT at 0 (CHO: 22% vs. 10%; FAT: 78% vs. 91%) and 120–180 min (CHO: 35–42% vs. 17–25%; FAT: 58–65% vs. 75%–84%) (P = 0.003–0.046) at rest and 6–8 min during aerobic exercise (CHO: 70% vs. 57%; FAT: 30% vs. 45%) (P = 0.046).

Conclusions

The data show differences in skeletal muscle energy metabolism and substrate utilization between S and NS at rest, transitioning from fasted to fed state, and during exercise. Compared with NS, S displayed a diminished ability to adapt fuel utilization in response to feeding and exercise, reflecting metabolic inflexibility. Impaired metabolic flexibility could be a mechanism underlying the losses of strength and physical function accompanying sarcopenia.
Features of trunk muscle wasting during acute care and physical function recovery with aortic disease
Authors: Yamashita Masashi , Kamiya Kentaro , Matsunaga Atsuhiko , Kitamura Tadashi , Hamazaki Nobuaki , Ichikawa Takafumi , Uchida Shota , Noda Takumi , Yanagi Naoya , Maekawa Emi , Yamaoka‐Tojo Minako , Ako Junya , Miyaji Kagami
Published: February 2022

Background

Low skeletal muscle area or density, such as myosteatosis, identified on computed tomography (CT) is associated with poor prognosis in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the clinical process of skeletal muscle decline as a short‐term change during acute care settings. This study focused on the use of routine CT imaging for aortic disease management and investigated the changes in skeletal muscle before and after acute care.

Methods

This prospective study included 123 patients who underwent abdominal CT before and after acute care. The all‐abdominal and each abdominal muscle areas were divided into eight parts (e.g. rectus abdominis, psoas, and erector spine), and their areas and densities were measured at the third lumbar vertebra level after the patients were discharged and de‐identified with blinding to avoid measurement bias. Short physical performance battery (SPPB) was measured at the start and end of in‐hospital cardiac rehabilitation. A generalized linear model with patients as random effects was made to investigate skeletal muscle loss during acute care. Multivariate linear regression analysis was also used to assess the relationship between the change in skeletal muscle during acute care and SPPB during in‐hospital cardiac rehabilitation.

Results

The median age of the patients was 70 (interquartile: 58–77) years, and 69.9% (86/123) were men. The median day between acute care from the day of surgery or hospital admission and follow‐up CT was 7 (interquartile: 3–8) days. Overall muscle density declined after acute care (estimate value: −3.640, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −4.538 to −2.741), and each abdominal muscle density consistently declined (interaction: F value = 0.099, P = 0.998). In contrast, there was no significant change in the overall muscle area (estimate value: −0.863, 95% CI: −2.925 to 1.200). Changes in the muscle area were different for each skeletal muscle (interaction: F value = 2.142, P = 0.037), and only the erector spine muscle significantly declined (estimate value: −1.836, 95% CI: −2.507 to −1.165). After adjusting for confounding factors, a greater decline in muscle density was associated with lower recovery score on SPPB (β = 0.296, 95% CI: 0.066 to 0.400).

Conclusions

Muscle density consistently declined after acute care, especially the erector spine muscles, which also significantly decreased in size. A higher decline in muscle density was associated with a slower recovery of physical function during in‐hospital cardiac rehabilitation in patients with aortic diseases.
Role of skeletal muscle satellite cells in the repair of osteoporotic fractures mediated by β‐catenin
Authors: Jin Zhenxiong , Da Weiwei , Zhao Yongjian , Wang Tengteng , Xu Hao , Shu Bing , Gao Xiang , Shi Qi , Ma Yong , Zhang Yan , Wang Yongjun , Tang Dezhi
Published: February 2022

Background

Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease, and osteoporotic fracture (OPF) is one of its most serious complications. It is often ignored that the influence of the muscles surrounding the fracture on the healing of OPF. We aimed to clarify the role of skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) in promoting OPF healing by β‐catenin, to improve our understanding of SMSCs, and let us explore its potential as a therapeutic target.

Methods

Skeletal muscles were obtained from control non‐OPF or OPF patients for primary SMSCs culture (n = 3, 33% females, mean age 60 ± 15.52). Expression of SMSCs was measured. In vivo, 3‐month‐old female C57BL/6 mice underwent OVX surgery. Three months later, the left tibia fracture model was again performed. The control and the treatment group (n = 24, per group, female). The treatment group was treated with an agonist (osthole). Detection of SMSCs in muscles and fracture healing at 7, 14, and 28 three time points (n = 8, 8, 8, female). To further clarify the scientific hypothesis, we innovatively used Pax7‐CreERT2/+;β‐cateninfx/fx transgenic mice (n = 12, per group, male). Knock out β‐catenin in SMSC to observe the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of SMSCs, and OPF healing. In vitro primary cells of SMSCs from 3‐month‐old litter‐negative β‐cateninfx/fx transgenic mice. After adenovirus‐CRE transfection, the myogenic and osteogenic differentiation of SMSC was observed.

Results

We find that human SMSCs reduced proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in patients with OPF (−38.63%, P < 0.05). And through animal experiments, it was found that activation of β‐catenin promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of SMSC at the fracture site, thereby accelerating the healing of the fracture site (189.47%, P < 0.05). To prove this point of view, in the in vivo Pax7‐CreERT2/+;β‐cateninfx/fx transgenic mouse experiment, we innovatively found that knocking out β‐catenin in SMSC will cause a decrease in bone mass and bone microstructure, and accompanied by delayed fracture healing (−35.04%, P < 0.001). At the same time, through in vitro SMSC culture experiments, it was found that their myogenic (−66.89%, P < 0.01) and osteogenic differentiation (−16.5%, P < 0.05) ability decreased.

Conclusions

These results provide the first practical evidence for a direct contribution of SMSCs to promote the healing of OPF with important clinical implications as it may help in the treatment of delayed healing and non‐union of OPFs, and mobilization of autologous stem cell therapy in orthopaedic applications.
ℓ $\ell $‐Connectivity and ℓ $\ell $‐edge‐connectivity of random graphs
Authors: Gu Ran , Gu Xiaofeng , Shi Yongtang , Wang Hua
Published: February 2022

For an integer , the ‐connectivity of a graph is defined to be the minimum number of vertices of whose removal produces a disconnected graph with at least components or a graph with fewer than vertices. The ‐edge‐connectivity of a graph is the minimum number of edges whose removal leaves a graph with at least components if , and if . Given integers and , we investigate and when . Furthermore, our arguments can be used to show that in the random graph process, the hitting times of minimum degree at least and of ‐connectivity (or ‐edge‐connectivity) at least coincide with high probability. These results generalize the work of Bollobás and Thomason on classical connectivity.
Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines in recipient and/or donor before allotransplant
Authors: Jullien Maxime , Coste‐Burel Marianne , Clemenceau Beatrice , Letailleur Valentin , Guillaume Thierry , Peterlin Pierre , Garnier Alice , Bourgeois Amandine Le , Imbert Berthe‐Marie , Ollier Jocelyn , Grain Audrey , Touzeau Cyrille , Moreau Philippe , Béné Marie C , Vié Henri , Chevallier Patrice
Published: February 2022

The impact of pre‐transplant anti‐severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccine in 20 recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo‐HSCT) and/or their donors is reported here, showing that the persistence of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies can be detected in almost all patients, whatever the type of vaccine used, and up to 9 months post transplant. Also, an anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 spike glycoprotein CD3+ T‐cell response could be detected in six (35%) of 17 evaluable patients. This study provides a rationale to consider anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination of both recipients and donors before Allo‐HSCT.
Impact of tropical Atlantic SST anomaly on ENSO in the NUIST‐CFS1.0 Hindcasts
Authors: Ma Jing , Xu Haiming , Luo Jing‐Jia , Chen Shengjie
Published: February 2022

Using both observations and ensemble hindcasts of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology Climate Forecast System (NUIST‐CFS1.0) for the period of 1983–2020, the leading modes of sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) over the tropical Atlantic in boreal spring and summer (March–April–May–June–July–August, MAM‐JJA) and their connections with El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are investigated with Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF), partial‐correlation, and composite analyses. In both observations and hindcasts, the first EOF mode is characterized by a basin‐wide SSTA pattern, and the second mode features a meridional dipole pattern. The meridional dipole mode cannot trigger ENSO, while the basin‐wide SST warming mode contributes to a subsequent La Niña via both north‐tropical and equatorial pathways. The north‐tropical pathway involves a low‐level anomalous anticyclone over North Pacific as a Matsuno‐Gill‐type response to the basin‐wide SST warming, related to a North Pacific Meridional Mode characterized with a cold SSTA and north‐easterly wind coupling over the northeast tropical Pacific, and finally triggers La Niña via the seasonal footprinting mechanism. This pathway is less important in the hindcasts than in observations. The equatorial pathway is tightly linked to the Kelvin wave, characteristic of an eastward propagation of the coupled pattern of SST and low‐level winds and a wedge‐like 500‐hPa air temperature anomaly over the tropical Indian and western equatorial Pacific Oceans, which is more significant in the hindcasts than in observations. Further composite analyses confirm that, even without the effect of the preceding ENSO, a basin‐wide tropical Atlantic SST warming favours the development of La Niña.
Encapsulation of wild oregano, Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng, phenolic extract in baker's yeast for the postharvest control of anthracnose in papaya
Authors: Uclaray Cristina C , Vidallon Mark Louis P , Almeda Ronaniel A , Cumagun Christian Joseph R , Reyes Charisse T , Rodriguez Evelyn B
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is considered as a major postharvest disease affecting many fruits. This plant disease is traditionally managed with synthetic fungicides, which are generally toxic and are linked to pathogen resistance. Recently, microencapsulated bioactives have been developed as potential alternative strategies to these methods, while utilizing natural fungicides and other phytochemicals. Wild oregano, Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng, contains potent antimicrobial phenolics, but these compounds are volatile and relatively unstable, which limits their efficacy during application. Herein, a baker's yeast microencapsulation system was applied to improve the stability of wild oregano phenolic extract (WOPE) and enhance its antifungal activity against anthracnose.

RESULTS

Encapsulation of WOPE in plasmolyzed yeast cells afforded a high encapsulation efficiency (93%) and yielded WOPE‐loaded yeast microcapsules (WLYMs) with an average diameter of 2.65 μm. Storage stability studies showed WLYMs are stable for at least 4 months. A 24  ‐h in vitro release experiment showed that WLYMs had an initial burst release upon redispersion in water, followed by a controlled release to about 80% of the loaded WOPE. Upon application as a spray‐type postharvest treatment for papaya, WLYMs exhibited a significantly improved mycelial inhibitory action against C. gloeosporioides and greatly reduced the anthracnose symptoms in papaya fruits.

CONCLUSION

This study presented a yeast microencapsulation system that can effectively stabilize WOPE and enhance its antifungal activity, making this microparticle formulation a promising environmentally safe postharvest treatment option to combat anthracnose symptoms in papaya fruits. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Determination of 38 antibiotics in raw and treated wastewater from swine farms using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhi Suli , Zhou Jing , Zhang Zulin , Zhang Keqiang
Published: February 2022

The present study firstly aimed at developing a multi‐residue method to identify and quantify 38 veterinary antibiotics (belonging to five different classes) not only for raw swine wastewater but also for wastewater differently treated by different units. The proposed method is based on a solid‐phase extraction procedure and ultra high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. For sample preparation, the optimal loading sample volume was selected as 50 mL, the pH of which was adjusted to approximately 3.0 using formic acid. Then 0.1 g/L ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt was added. The recovery rates for different types of wastewaters were in the range of 35.94–124.51% and the relative standard deviations were in the range of 0.36–14.62%. All the matrix standard curves exhibited high linearity (0.9956–0.9999). The matrix effects for the target antibiotics ranged from –61.73 to +148.75%. To ensure the practicality of the method, we performed the detection of the actually added concentration to determine method detection limits and quantitation limits. The quantitation limits of most of the target antibiotics were 0.04 μg/L, except for spiramycin (0.1 μg/L) and roxithromycin (0.2 μg/L). This optimized and validated method was applied to analyze antibiotic residues in swine water samples from four swine farms.
Desalinization effect of simulated cut‐soiler‐based residue filled preferential shallow subsurface drainage: Improvement of physiology and yield of rain‐fed pearl millet in saline semiarid regions
Authors: Neha  , Yadav Gajender , Yadav Rajender Kumar , Kumar Ashwani , Rai Arvind K. , Sehwag Meena , Onishi Junya , Omori Keisuke , Sharma Parbodh Chander
Published: February 2022

Soil salinity is a major soil degradation problem that limits agricultural production. The cut‐soiler constructed preferential shallow subsurface drainage (PSSD) method is a promising salinity management technology for small‐scale application and adoption in drylands. This study assessed the effectiveness of rice residue‐filled PSSD in managing soil salinity and its effect on the physiology and yield of pearl millet. The cut‐soiler simulated drains were constructed manually in semi‐controlled lysimeter. A double replicated, split–spilt plot experiment, comprising with and without cut‐soiler drainage (main‐plot), two soil types (sub‐plot) and three irrigation water salinity (4, 8, 12 dS m−1) (sub‐sub plot) were conducted during 2019–2020. The cut‐soiler PSSD reduced ~60% soil salinity after 2 years. The PSSD reduced soil salinity by 23.28 and 41.46% in April 2019 and April 2020 (before pearl millet sowing). This reduction was 32.24 and 46.23% in October 2019 and 2020 (at harvest). Cut‐soiler drainage (PSSD) areas recorded lower soil moisture (%) indicated greater outflow of water and salinity. The salinity Inhibition efficiency increased upto 2 years of construction and then decline. The pearl millet grain and biological yields were improved by 23.54 and 12.64%, respectively and a positive effect on plant water relations and physiology was observed. The cut‐soiler PSSD was found to enhance salt removal and reduce salt accumulation under saline water irrigation. These drains can be constructed in a single farm operation at individual farm levels. Therefore, it could be a potential alternative for soil salinity management in semi arid regions irrigated with saline groundwater.
Expression of circadian clock genes in leukocytes of patients with Meniere's disease
Authors: Yang Chao‐Hui , Hwang Chung‐Feng , Tsai Nai‐Wen , Yang Ming‐Yu
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The underlying etiology of Meniere's disease (MD) is not completely clear, but the precipitated triggers may alter the circadian clock in patients with MD. This study aims to survey the expression of circadian clock genes in peripheral blood (PB) leukocytes of MD patients.

Methods

We investigated the expression of nine circadian clock genes in the PB leukocytes of patients with MD and normal controls using real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR).

Results

We observed significantly lower expression of PER1 gene and higher expression of CLOCK gene in MD patients than those in normal controls (p < 0.05). PER1 did not associate with the degree of dizziness handicap in the patients with MD, but a lower expression of PER1 was significantly correlated with higher pure tone average (PTA) and speech reception threshold of the affected ear (p < 0.05). Patients with PTA > 30 dB had significantly lower PER1 expression than those with PTA ≤30 dB in the affected ear (p < 0.05). Our qRT‐PCR result was validated by fewer positively stained leukocytes for PER1 protein in the MD patients using the immunocytochemical study.

Conclusion

Our study implies the alteration of the circadian clock in patients with MD. In particular, the downregulation of PER1 correlated with the degree of hearing loss in the affected ear. PER1 in PB leukocytes may be a potential marker for the progression of hearing loss in MD.
Tribological behaviour of AISI 1045 carbon steel in metalworking fluid containing Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes
Authors: Li Qinghong , Dong Yaohua , Han Mingmou , Zhu Hongling , Shen Yuanyuan , Zhang Li , Dong Lihua , Chen Jinghao
Published: February 2022

The microbial contamination of metalworking fluid (MWF) has been increasingly recognised as an issue in the machining industry. To investigate the effects of microbes on the tribological behaviour of AISI 1045 carbon steel in the MWF, a strain of Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes was isolated from waste metalworking fluid (WMWF). The biodegradation of MWF and the tribological behaviour of carbon steel in MWF in the presence of bacteria and its extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were studied. The results showed that the buffer agent and emulsifier were severely biodegraded. The lubricity of the MWF increased first and then dramatically decreased, resulting in a similar trend for the wear of carbon steel in MWF upon prolonging the culture time. The wear mechanism of carbon steel involved a transformation from abrasive wear into tribo‐corrosion wear. Remarkably, the lubricity of the MWF was enhanced during the exponential microbial growth stage due to the synergistic reduction in friction by the layer of adsorbed EPS and the additive layer.