bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variáveis sociais, clínicas e hemodinâmicas associadas com sepse em pacientes na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva
Authors: Andrade Edila Monteiro de , Mendonça Thalia Saraiva , Soares Cleuma Oliveira , Melo Giovana Salomão , Santos Isabella Boechat Faria , Melo-Neto João Simão de
Published: January 2022

Objetivo: Analisar as variáveis sociais, clínicas e hemodinâmicas dos pacientes internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) que evoluíram com sepse. Metodologia: Estudo retrospectivo, observacional e transversal. Foram elegíveis 224 prontuários, divididos em dois grupos: sepse presente (SP) n=165 e sepse ausente (SA) n=59. Foram descritas e analisadas as variáveis sociais, clínicas e hemodinâmicas. Resultados: As variáveis que tiveram associação com a sepse foram a baixa escolaridade e o estado civil casado. Nas variáveis clínicas observou-se que pacientes que precisam de intervenções invasivas foram associadas à sepse. As variáveis hemodinâmicas PaCO2, Be, Bicarbonato, leucócitos, hemácias, uréia, sódio e potássio alterados foram associados ao quadro de sepse. Estes pacientes permaneceram maior tempo na UTI e tiveram o óbito como desfecho. Conclusão: Existem variáveis sociais, clínicas e hemodinâmicas específicas que estão relacionadas à sepse. O conhecimento destas variáveis pode direcionar para que investimentos e recursos sejam direcionados visando prevenir esta complicação clínica.
Preparo e administração de medicamentos de alta vigilância na perspectiva da segurança do paciente
Authors: Bastos Wylma Danuzza Guimarães , Leal Priscila Santos , Rodrigues Jamilly Fernanda Brito , Melo Dayzyane Farias dos Santos , Randau Karina Perrelli
Published: January 2022

O preparo e administração de medicamentos são etapas no sistema de medicação, sendo a última parte do processo que antecede ao paciente. Um sistema composto por várias entradas e processos e com a participação dos profissionais do nível médio e superior, médicos, enfermeiros, farmacêuticos e técnicos em farmácia e enfermagem. Dentre a responsabilidade medicamentosa, existe um grupo denominado de Medicamentos de Alta Vigilância (MAV) ou Medicamentos Potencialmente Perigosos (MPP), que através da farmacovigilância exigem cuidados mais rigorosos, devido a sua composição e a capacidade de morte que possui, quando administrados de forma errônea.  Portanto, esse trabalho tem como objetivo demonstrar a importância do preparo e administração dos MAV/MPP e sua interface com a segurança do paciente. Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa, a partir da pesquisa nas bases de dados eletrônicas Literatura Latino-Americana em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), BIREME e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), com o recorte temporal de 2010 a 2021. Após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, e leitura completa dos textos, foram selecionados 10 trabalhos. O levantamento demonstrou a repetição dos erros com MAV envolvendo os medicamentos: heparina, fentanil, midazolam, nalbufina, pancurônio, dopamina, cloreto de potássio, tramadol, epinefrina, petidina, morfina e também com anestésicos e eletrólitos. A pesquisa concluiu sobre a fragilidade dos dados registrados nos artigos encontrados, não categorizando riscos em populações maiores, sendo incipientes e inexpressivos para uma realidade da abrangência do país e/ou por regionalidade.
Abandono do tratamento da tuberculose na Baixada Santista no período de 2006-2016 e seus fatores de risco
Authors: Carneiro João Guilherme Saenz , Jardine Matheus Budahazi , Lopes Lucca Moreira , Fortunato Hugo Garcia , Caseiro Marcos Montani
Published: January 2022

Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre variáveis epidemiológicas e os desfechos de tratamento para a tuberculose em casos da doença notificados nos municípios da Baixada Santista entre 2006-2016. Métodos: Estudo ecológico que visa analisar 18550 casos de Tuberculose notificados na Baixada Santista entre 2006-2016 resultados: As variáveis com maior associação com o desfecho abandono foram drogadição (OR:0,27); habitação (OR:0,17) e tipo de tratamento (OR:2,24). Conclusões: A melhora nos índices de abandono e cura para os casos de tuberculose notificados na Baixada Santista estão ligados a promoção de políticas públicas e ações em saúde adequadas, como a estratégia DOTs e melhora na qualidade de vida das populações em vulnerabilidade social.
Determinantes sociais da saúde, aleitamento materno e diminuição das iniquidades em saúde
Authors: Monteiro Juliana Cristina dos Santos , Silva Mônica Maria de Jesus , Lima Rosa Vanessa Alves , Ruela Ludmila de Oliveira , Gomes-Sponholz Flavia Azevedo , Lettiere-Viana Angelina
Published: January 2022

Estudo de reflexão teórica que objetivou apresentar os Determinantes Sociais da Saúde (DSS) e discorrer sobre sua relação com o aleitamento materno e sua capacidade de contribuir para a diminuição das iniquidades em saúde, fundamentado no conceito de DSS proposto pela Organização Mundial da Saúde. Dois eixos temáticos nortearam as discussões e reflexões: “DSS e aleitamento materno” e “Aleitamento materno como estratégia para a diminuição das iniquidades em saúde. Compreender a relação dos DSS no AM é de extrema importância para a saúde coletiva e contribui para a efetivação do aleitamento materno; estímulo ao empoderamento e protagonismo da mulher; garantia de seus direitos em saúde e de seus filhos; e na capacitação profissional. Considerar essa relação na formação dos profissionais de saúde pode contribuir para a melhorar dos índices de amamentação, diminuir as iniquidades em saúde e qualificar a saúde materno-infantil da população brasileira.
Pesquisas em ensino de arquitetura, didática de projeto e formação profissional
Authors: Vasconcelos Heber Macel Tenório , Maknamara Marlécio
Published: January 2022

O ensino de projeto vem sendo conceituado por inúmeros pesquisadores como um processo educacional mais amplo do que a simples transmissão de técnicas e de informações. Este artigo objetiva debater questões didáticas e esboçar procedimentos para rastrear indícios da formação de profissionais arquitetos/as em contextos de ensino de projeto. A metodologia inclui analisar implicações de abordagens da Didática para o cotidiano do ensino de projeto e suas relações com a formação profissional em arquitetura. Os resultados evidenciam o argumento de que diferentes abordagens dos processos de ensino-aprendizagem disponibilizadas pelo campo da Didática têm implicações diretas sobre práticas pedagógicas em Projeto de Arquitetura. Explicitam-se limites de conceitos e de procedimentos em análises sobre relações entre a Didática e diferentes tendências para o ensino de projeto. O artigo conclui ressaltando que essa reflexão estimula as bases preliminares para um objeto em construção, articulando pesquisas em ensino de arquitetura, didática de projeto e formação profissional de futuros arquitetos/as.
Composição físico-químico de vinhos de mesa brancos elaborados no Planalto Norte Catarinense, safra 2020
Authors: Wurz Douglas André , Nizer Mauro , Arendartchuck Cleiton , Kowal Alcemir Nabir , Almeida Rabechlt Stange , Maciel Thalia Aparecida Silva
Published: January 2022

Apesar de haver produtores de uva e vinho de mesa na região do Planalto Norte Catarinense, análises da composição físico-químicas dos produtos não são feitas pelos produtores. Nesse contexto, tem-se como objetivo deste trabalho realizar a caracterização físico-química dos vinhos elaborados no Planalto Norte Catarinense, verificando se vinhos de mesa elaborados na região se enquadram nos padrões físico-químicos exigidos pela legislação nacional vigente. Os vinhos de mesa brancos foram coletados de oito vitivinicultores, sendo estas amostras da safra 2020. As análises físico-químicas foram realizadas em setembro de 2020, no Laboratório de Análises Físico-químicas do Instituto Federal de Santa Catarina –Canoinhas. As variáveis avaliadas foram: densidade relativa, acidez total, sólidos solúveis, pH e coloração dos vinhos. A variável sólidos solúveis apresentou valor médio de 6,6 ºBrix. O valor médio para a densidade relativa foi de 0,990. Os valores referentes a variável acidez total apresentaram valores médios de 74,3 meq L-1. O valor médio para o pH foi de 3,04 para as amostras, com intervalo de valores de 2,93 e 3,30. Os valores referentes a variável coloração dos vinhos (Abs 520 nm) apresentaram valor médio de 0,740. Os resultados das análises físico-químicos estão de acordo com índices indicados na literatura e na legislação brasileira vigente, e as análises físico-químicas dos vinhos elaborados na região do Planalto Norte Catarinense devem ser realizadas a cada safra, com objetivo de acompanhar a evolução da qualidade dos vinhos elaborados na região, bem como verificar se estes apresentam padrões mínimos de qualidade exigidos pela legislação brasileira vigente.
Fenomenolojinin Siyasi Radikalizm Açıklaması: Yaşam Dünyasına Yabancılaşma
Authors: PEKTAŞ Uğur , ÖZEN Çınar
Published: January 2022

Siyasi radikalizm kavramının terörizmle ve aşırıcılıkla ilişkilendirilmesi kavramın göndermede bulunduğu sosyal gerçekliğin tartışılmasını güçleştirmektedir. Bu çalışmada radikalizm kavramını, aşırıcılık veya terörizm yerine yabancılaşma fenomeni ile ele almamızın radikalizm ile ilişkili meselelerin daha geniş bir bakış açısıyla analiz edilmesine katkı sağlayacağı iddia edilmiştir. Radikalizm ve terörizm literatürüne ilişkin çalışmalarda radikalizmin iki farklı boyutu olduğuna (bilişsel radikalizm ve davranışsal radikalizm) ilişkin argüman bu çalışmada da benimsenmiştir. Bu doğrultuda eylem düzeyine geçmemiş farklı dünya görüşleri bilişsel radikalizm olarak ele alınırken bilişsel radikalizmin aşırıcılık olmadığı gösterilmeye çalışılmıştır. Çalışmada Fenomenolojiden faydalanarak yabancılaşma ve bilişsel radikalizme ilişkin bir analiz modeli inşa etmek amaçlanmıştır. Söz konusu fenomenolojik model aracılığıyla birey veya çeşitli gruplar ile içinde yaşadıkları toplumsal ve siyasal düzen arasındaki karşılıklı inşa süreci ortaya koyulmuştur. Söz konusu inşa sürecinin bozulması ile ilgili ülkede yabancılaşma ve bilişsel radikalizm adı verilen sosyal gerçekliğin görüldüğü iddia edilmiştir. Çalışmada inşa edilen yabancılaşma ve bilişsel radikalizm modelinin, sonraki projelerde pratiğe uygulanması planlanmıştır.
‘Angles and surfaces declared themselves intimately’: Intimate Things in Dorothy Richardson’s The Trap
Authors: Randall Bryony
Published: January 2022

This chapter continues with the theme of women’s intimate sharing of new spaces in early twentieth-century modernity, focusing on Dorothy Richardson’s The Trap (1925), in which the protagonist Miriam Henderson is employed as a dental secretary. It reads closely the early part of the novel that explores Miriam’s vicissitudes of feeling as she moves into shared rented rooms with a night-school teacher, Miss Holland. The chapter examines how Richardson’s key contributions to modernist aesthetics (her sustained investigation of interiority along with her highly sensual attentiveness to objects and spaces, a style Randall calls ‘intimate’) create a portrait of a historically unprecedented kind of female intimacy made possible by the social, political and economic changes of the mid- to late nineteenth century: the sharing of domestic space by two economically independent, single, middle-class working women. Engaging Clive Bell’s ‘significant form’ along with Bill Brown’s and Jane Bennett’s new materialist theories, it shows how inanimate ‘things’ take centre stage as they reveal alternative models of intimacy that both exceed and heighten physical and emotional, interpersonal proximity in a ‘reconciliation of the material with the affective’.
Islamic Modernism and the Re-Enchantment of the Sacred in the Age of History
Authors: Ringer Monica M.
Published: January 2022

This book studies the complex relationship of religion to modernity, arguing that modernity should be understood as the consequence, not the cause, if the new intellectual landscape of the 19th century. The lens of Islamic Modernism is used to uncover the underlying epistemology and methodology of historicism that penetrated the Middle East and South Asia in this period, forcing and enabling a recalibration of the definition, nature, function and place of religion. Muslim Modernists engaged in a sophisticated project of theological reform designed to marry their twin commitments to religion and modernity; they were in conversation with European scholarship and Catholic Modernism, but more importantly, with their own complex Islamic traditions. This book provides a new framework for conceptualizing the relationship between Western and non-Western modernities. It demonstrates that Islamic Modernists adopted intellectual frameworks that first emerged in Europe, then deployed them to argue for the superiority of Islam. For Islamic Modernists, Islam had historically been, and could once again become a motor of modernity and the solution to contemporary ‘backwardness.’ Islamic Modernists considered in this book include Jamal al-Din al-Afghani (Iran), Imam Bayezidof (Russia), Namik Kemal (Ottoman Empire) and Syed Ameer Ali (India).
Liminal Whiteness in Early US Fiction
Authors: Murray Hannah Lauren
Published: January 2022

Liminal Whiteness in Early US Fiction shows that early US authors repeatedly imagined lost, challenged and negated White racial identity in the new nation. It brings together fiction and multiple discourses on White racial identity in the early US including natural history, medical science, blackface minstrelsy, abolitionism and anti-abolitionism, mesmerism and spiritualism. Moving beyond an anthropological framework of liminality and its focus on ritualised behaviour in tribal societies, this book examines liminality as both a temporary transformative experience and a permanent condition of exclusion and loss for White men in the early United States. In a Critical Whiteness reading of canonical and lesser-known texts from Charles Brockden Brown to Frank J. Webb, the book argues that White characters on the border between life and death were liminal presences that disturbed prescriptions of racial belonging in the early US. Liminal Whiteness contributes to a growing body of scholarship concerned with the cultural construction of Whiteness and citizenship in the early US, and which resonates with contemporary discussions of White cultural anxiety and fragility. Fears of losing Whiteness in the early US were routinely channelled through the language of liminality, in a precursor to today’s White anxieties of marginalisation and minoritisation.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE BUSINESS CLIMATE ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES
Authors: Kulinich Tetiana , Obikhod Svitlana , Bevzo Halyna
Published: January 2022

The aim of the article is original research on current situation and perspectives
of business climate improvement in the context of its significant impact on the
effectiveness and resilience of industrial enterprises in Ukraine.

The methodology of the survey. Comparison, methods of abstraction, analysis and generalization,
graphic and tabular modeling are the research methods which were used in the article. The information resources, which were used in science work, are modern
science works, electronic information materials and materials of periodic publication.

The scientific novelty. The social-economic development dynamics in Ukraine tend to get worse in 2018–2020 years. In the environment of considerable quarantine
constraints, which are forced steps in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the destructive trends are attended to this day. This is especially true where these
trends become a source of a considerable decline in resilience of Ukrainian industrial enterprises. It is defined, that the current crisis posed to change in the strategic and tactic of the operations of the enterprises. A lot of Ukrainian enterprises have
to continue working strenuously to stabilize the business activity. In this connection,
the improvement of the business climate in Ukraine is necessary tasks as a one of
the effective methods to guarantee the resilience of industrial enterprises.

Conclusion. In this science paper the substance of business climate as a
multidimensional phenomenon, characterized by social, economic, political factors
and shapes the prospects for successful development of enterprises is determined
by authors. The trends towards transformation in the field of industry under
economic crisis are analyzed. It is defined, that during the past three years the
decrease in resilience of industrial enterprises was positively related to the
deterioration of the business climate in Ukraine. Authors’ view regarding the
measures necessary to settle critical issues are displayed in this science paper.
Key words: business climate, social and economic growth, entrepreneurship,
industry, COVID-19 pandemic, global economic crisis, resilience.
Accuracy of Acceleration Time of Distal Arteries to Diagnose Severe Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Trihan Jean-Eudes , Mahé Guillaume , Croquette Magali , Coutant Vicky , Thollot Cécile , Guillaumat Jérôme , Lanéelle Damien
Published: January 2022

Context

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe-brachial index (TBI) are the recommended tests for the diagnosis of lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) and the assessment of its severity, whereas Doppler ultrasound (DUS) is usually used to localize vascular lesions. However, the performance of DUS as an alternative to TBI and ABI measurement is unknown.

Objective

The goals were (i) to evaluate the correlation between DUS parameters of distal arteries of the lower extremities with TBI in patients with PAD; (ii) to evaluate the correlation between DUS parameters of distal arteries with ABI; and (iii) to assess the diagnostic accuracy of maximal acceleration time of pedal arteries to detect toe pressure ≤30 mmHg.

Methods

An observational retrospective study was conducted for 1 year on patients with the diagnosis of PAD on DUS. Demographic data, ABI, TBI, and DUS parameters of the dorsal pedis and lateral plantar arteries (DPA and LPA) were recorded.

Results

Seventy-seven patients with 88 limbs were included, aged 69 [interquartile range: 11 years] with 28.6% of diabetic patients. The highest acceleration time of either DPA or LPA (ATmax) was the most correlated to TBI on both univariate (r = −0.78, p < 0.0001) and multivariate analysis (p < 0.0001). DUS parameters had a weaker correlation with ABI. ATmax > 215 ms showed high diagnosis accuracy to a toe pressure of 30 mmHg or less [sensitivity of 86% [0.57–0.98] and negative predictive value of 97% [0.89–1.00]].

Conclusion

ATmax demonstrates a high correlation with TBI in patients with PAD, and high diagnostic accuracy for detection of critical limb ischemia. Based on these results, ATmax can represent the next step in evaluating PAD severity with DUS, in patients with advanced lower extremity PAD.
Andrographolide Promotes Interaction Between Endothelin-Dependent EDNRA/EDNRB and Myocardin-SRF to Regulate Pathological Vascular Remodeling
Authors: Hu Wangming , Wu Xiao , Jin Zhong , Wang Zheng , Guo Qiru , Chen Zixian , Zhu Song , Zhang Haidi , Huo Jian , Zhang Lingling , Zhou Xin , Yang Lan , Xu Huan , Shi Liangqing , Wang Yong
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Pathological vascular remodeling is a hallmark of various vascular diseases. Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching plays a pivotal role during pathological vascular remodeling. The mechanism of how to regulate SMC phenotypic switching still needs to be defined. This study aims to investigate the effect of Andrographolide, a key principle isolated from Andrographis paniculate, on pathological vascular remodeling and its underlying mechanism.

Methods

A C57/BL6 mouse left carotid artery complete ligation model and rat SMCs were used to determine whether Andrographolide is critical in regulating SMC phenotypic switching. Quantitative real-time PCR, a CCK8 cell proliferation assay, BRDU incorporation assay, Boyden chamber migration assay, and spheroid sprouting assay were performed to evaluate whether Andrographolide suppresses SMC proliferation and migration. Immunohistochemistry staining, immunofluorescence staining, and protein co-immunoprecipitation were used to observe the interaction between EDNRA, EDNRB, and Myocardin-SRF.

Results

Andrographolide inhibits neointimal hyperplasia in the left carotid artery complete ligation model. Andrographolide regulates SMC phenotypic switching characterized by suppressing proliferation and migration. Andrographolide activates the endothelin signaling pathway exhibited by dramatically inducing EDNRA and EDNRB expression. The interaction between EDNRA/EDNRB and Myocardin-SRF resulted in promoting SMC differentiation marker gene expression.

Conclusion

Andrographolide plays a critical role in regulating pathological vascular remodeling.
Inflammasome Targeted Therapy as Novel Treatment Option for Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections: A Systematic Review of the Preclinical Evidence
Authors: Wortmann Markus , Klotz Rosa , Kalkum Eva , Dihlmann Susanne , Böckler Dittmar , Peters Andreas S.
Published: January 2022

Both aortic aneurysm and dissection are life threatening pathologies. In the lack of a conservative medical treatment, the only therapy consists of modifying cardiovascular risk factors and either surgical or endovascular treatment. Like many other cardiovascular diseases, in particular atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm and dissection have a strong inflammatory phenotype. Inflammasomes are part of the innate immune system. Upon stimulation they form multi protein complexes resulting mainly in activation of interleukin-1β and other cytokines. Considering the gathering evidence, that inflammasomes are decisively involved in the emergence and progression of aortic diseases, inflammasome targeted therapy provides a promising new treatment approach. A systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines on the current preclinical data regarding the potential role of inflammasome targeted drug therapy as novel treatment option for aortic aneurysms and dissections was performed. Included were all rodent models of aortic disease (aortic aneurysm and dissection) evaluating a drug therapy with direct or indirect inhibition of inflammasomes and a suitable control group with the use of the same aortic model without the inflammasome targeted therapy. Primary and secondary outcomes were incidence of aortic disease, aortic rupture, aortic related death, and the maximum aortic diameter. The literature search of MEDLINE (via PubMed), the Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Registry of Registered Trials (CENTRAL) resulted in 8,137 hits. Of these, four studies met the inclusion criteria and were therefore eligible for data analysis. In all of them, targeting of the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome effectively reduced the incidence of aortic disease and aortic rupture, and additionally reduced destruction of the aortic wall. Treatment strategies aiming at other inflammasomes could not be identified. In conclusion, inflammasome targeted therapies, more precisely targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome, have shown promising results in rodent models and deserve further investigation in preclinical research to potentially translate them into clinical research for the treatment of human patients with aortic disease. Regarding other inflammasomes, more preclinical research is needed to investigate their role in the pathophysiology of aortic disease.

Protocol Registration: PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021279893, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021279893
Baseline Corrected QT Interval Dispersion Is Useful to Predict Effectiveness of Metoprolol on Pediatric Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Sun Yan , Zhang Qingyou , Zhang Chunyu , Liu Ping , Wang Yuli , Tang Chaoshu , Jin Hongfang , Du Junbao
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The study was designed to explore the role of baseline-corrected QT interval dispersion (QTcd) in predicting the effectiveness of metoprolol on pediatric postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Methods

There were two groups in the study, the discovery group and the validation group. The children with POTS in the discovery group were treated with oral metoprolol, with the completed necessary medical records, head-up tilt test (HUTT), blood chemistry, and 12-lead ECG before treatment at the pediatrics of Peking University First Hospital, China. According to whether the symptom score (SS) was reduced by more than 2 points after administration with oral metoprolol as compared with that before treatment, the children with POTS were separated into responders and non-responders. The demographic characteristics, hemodynamic indicators, and the QTcd of the two groups were compared, and the estimate of the baseline QTcd in predicting the treatment response to metoprolol was tested through a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Other 24 children suffering from POTS who were, administrated with metoprolol at the pediatrics of Peking University First Hospital were included in the validation group. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the baseline QTcd in the prediction of the effectiveness of metoprolol on POTS were validated in children.

Results

The pre-treatment baseline QTcd in responders treated with metoprolol was longer than that of the non-responders in the discovery group [(66.3 ± 20.3) ms vs. (45.7 ± 19.9) ms, p = 0.001]. The baseline QTcd was negatively correlated with SS after metoprolol treatment (r = −0.406, p = 0.003). The cut-off value of baseline QTcd for the prediction of the effectiveness of metoprolol on pediatric POTS was 47.9 ms, yielding a sensitivity of 78.9% and a specificity of 83.3%, respectively. The validation group showed that the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the baseline QTcd ≥ 47.9 ms before treatment for estimating the effectiveness of metoprolol on POTS in children were 73.7, 80.0, and 75.0%, respectively.

Conclusion

Baseline QTcd is effective for predicting the effectiveness of metoprolol on pediatric POTS.
Contribution Isolation of LUCC Impact on Regional PM2.5 Air Pollution: Implications for Sustainable Land and Environment Management
Authors: Ding Ying , Feng Huihui , Zou Bin , Ye Shuchao
Published: January 2022

Understanding of the contribution of LUCC to air pollution is the basis for land management and air pollution control. This study aimed to estimate the contribution of LUCC to PM2.5 pollution levels in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan (CZT) urban agglomeration in the central south China. Methodologically, residual analysis was adopted to isolate the LUCC contribution with the aid of multiple datasets from satellite observations and reanalysis products. The results revealed that the PM2.5 concentration increased significantly from 2001 to 2008 and then decreased. LUCC tended to enhance both the increasing and decreasing trends, while the magnitudes varied under different climate conditions. During 2001–2008, LUCC exerted more important influence on the air pollution, which contributed 40.59% of the total increase. During 2008–2014, the changing climate enhanced air pollution removal. During this time, the government of the CZT proposed the “Two Oriented Society” policy for sustainable urban development. Under this condition, the LUCC accounted for only 25.66% of the total PM2.5 decrease. This result suggested that it is necessary to further strengthen the goal of sustainable development rather than following the traditional way of “governance after development”.
Predicting the Risk of Psoriatic Arthritis in Plaque Psoriasis Patients: Development and Assessment of a New Predictive Nomogram
Authors: Liu Panpan , Kuang Yehong , Ye Li , Peng Cong , Chen Wangqing , Shen Minxue , Zhang Mi , Zhu Wu , Lv Chengzhi , Chen Xiang
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study aimed to develop a risk of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) predictive model for plaque psoriasis patients based on the available features.

Methods

Patients with plaque psoriasis or PsA were recruited. The characteristics, skin lesions, and nail clinical manifestations of the patients have been collected. The least absolute shrinkage was used to optimize feature selection, and logistic regression analysis was applied to further select features and build a PsA risk predictive model. Calibration, discrimination, and clinical utility of the prediction model were evaluated by using the calibration plot, C-index, the area under the curve (AUC), and decision curve analysis. Internal validation was performed using bootstrapping validation. The model was subjected to external validation with two separate cohorts.

Results

Age at onset, duration, nail involvement, erythematous lunula, onychorrhexis, oil drop, and subungual hyperkeratosis were presented as predictors to perform the prediction nomogram. The predictive model showed good calibration and discrimination (C-index: 0.759; 95% CI: 0.707–0.811). The AUC of this prediction model was 0.7578092. Excellent performances of the C-index were reached in the internal validation and external cohort validation (0.741, 0.844, and 0.845). The decision curve indicated good effect of the PsA nomogram in guiding clinical practice.

Conclusion

This novel PsA nomogram could assess the risk of PsA in plaque psoriasis patients with good efficiency.
Inhibition of Orai Channel Function Regulates Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor-Mediated Responses in Mast Cells
Authors: Chaki Shaswati , Alkanfari Ibrahim , Roy Saptarshi , Amponnawarat Aetas , Hui Yvonne , Oskeritzian Carole A. , Ali Hydar
Published: January 2022

Mast cells (MCs) are tissue resident immune cells that play important roles in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. These responses are mediated via the cross-linking of cell surface high affinity IgE receptor (FcϵRI) by antigen resulting in calcium (Ca2+) mobilization, followed by degranulation and release of proinflammatory mediators. In addition to FcϵRI, cutaneous MCs express Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2; mouse ortholog MrgprB2). Activation of MRGPRX2/B2 by the neuropeptide substance P (SP) is implicated in neurogenic inflammation, chronic urticaria, mastocytosis and atopic dermatitis. Although Ca2+ entry is required for MRGPRX2/B2-mediated MC responses, the possibility that calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC/Orai) channels participate in these responses has not been tested. Lentiviral shRNA-mediated silencing of Orai1, Orai2 or Orai3 in a human MC line (LAD2 cells) resulted in partial inhibition of SP-induced Ca2+ mobilization, degranulation and cytokine/chemokine generation (TNF-α, IL-8, and CCL-3). Synta66, which blocks homo and hetero-dimerization of Orai channels, caused a more robust inhibition of SP-induced responses than knockdown of individual Orai channels. Synta66 also blocked SP-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt phosphorylation and abrogated cytokine/chemokine production. It also inhibited SP-induced Ca2+ mobilization and degranulation in primary human skin MCs and mouse peritoneal MCs. Furthermore, Synta66 attenuated both SP-induced cutaneous vascular permeability and leukocyte recruitment in mouse peritoneum. These findings demonstrate that Orai channels contribute to MRGPRX2/B2-mediated MC activation and suggest that their inhibition could provide a novel approach for the modulation of SP-induced MC/MRGPRX2-mediated disorders.
PacBio Isoform Sequencing and Illumina RNA Sequencing Provide Novel Insights on Responses to Acute Heat Stress in Apostichopus japonicus Coelomocytes
Authors: Wang Yanlin , Yin Yingchao , Cong Xiao , Storey Kenneth B. , Chen Muyan
Published: January 2022

Significant increases in global sea surface temperatures are expected with climate change and may cause a serious challenge for marine organisms cultured in aquatic environments that are characterized by short and long-term fluctuations in water temperatures. Apostichopus japonicus, a sea cucumber with high nutritional value and pharmacological properties, is an important economic species that is widely raised in aquaculture in China. In recent years, continuous extreme high temperatures (up to 30°C) have occurred frequently in summer leading to mass mortality of sea cucumbers cultured in semi-open shallow regions seriously restricting the sustainable development of sea cucumber aquaculture. In the present study, we combined RNA-seq and PacBio single-molecular real-time (SMRT) sequencing technology to unveil the potential mechanisms of response to acute heat stress in A. japonicus coelomocytes. A total of 1,375 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in a comparison of control and 48 h heat stress (HS) groups. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that nine important pathways induced by HS were significantly enriched (q-value < 0.05) and mostly fell into four classes: folding, sorting, and degradation, immune and infectious diseases, signal transduction, and post-transcriptional regulation. Among them, all 41 genes connected with protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum were significantly up-regulated, and 12 of these were selected and validated via qPCR. Furthermore, changes in alternative splicing (AS) were also identified in sea cucumbers following HS. A total of 1,224 and 1,251 differential alternative splicing (DAS) events were identified using splice junction counts (JC only) and reads on target and junction counts (JCEC) as the input for rMATS in CO-HS comparison. We further found that the RNA splicing-related genes were enriched in the spliceosome pathway and showed DAS in control versus heat-stressed animals. In particular, we compared and confirmed that the hsfs1 gene, the master regulator of the heat shock response, showed differentially spliced exons in response to HS. This is the first comprehensive study showing that transcriptional and post-transcriptional (AS) controls are involved in the acute heat stress response of sea cucumber coelomocytes and provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of echinoderm adaptation to environmental stress.
Virological and Serological Characterisation of SARS-CoV-2 Infections Diagnosed After mRNA BNT162b2 Vaccination Between December 2020 and March 2021
Authors: Colavita Francesca , Meschi Silvia , Gruber Cesare Ernesto Maria , Rueca Martina , Vairo Francesco , Matusali Giulia , Lapa Daniele , Giombini Emanuela , De Carli Gabriella , Spaziante Martina , Messina Francesco , Bonfiglio Giulia , Carletti Fabrizio , Lalle Eleonora , Fabeni Lavinia , Berno Giulia , Puro Vincenzo , Bartolini Barbara , Di Caro Antonino , Ippolito Giuseppe , Capobianchi Maria Rosaria , Castilletti Concetta
Published: January 2022

Background

Vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are proving to be very effective in preventing severe illness; however, although rare, post-vaccine infections have been reported. The present study focuses on virological and serological features of 94 infections that occurred in Lazio Region (Central Italy) between 27 December 2020, and 30 March 2021, after one or two doses of mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine.

Methods

We evaluated clinical features, virological (viral load; viral infectiousness; genomic characterisation), and serological (anti-nucleoprotein Ig; anti-Spike RBD IgG; neutralising antibodies, nAb) characteristics of 94 post-vaccine infections at the time of diagnosis. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs) and serum samples were collected in the framework of the surveillance activities on SARS-CoV-2 variants established in Lazio Region (Central Italy) and analysed at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani” in Rome.

Results

The majority (92.6%) of the post-vaccine infections showed pauci/asymptomatic or mild clinical course, with symptoms and hospitalisation rate significantly less frequent in patients infected after full vaccination course as compared to patients who received a single dose vaccine. Although differences were not statistically significant, viral loads and isolation rates were lower in NPSs from patients infected after receiving two vaccine doses as compared to patients with one dose. Most cases (84%) had nAb in serum at the time of infection diagnosis, which is a sub-group of vaccinees, were found similarly able to neutralise Alpha and Gamma variants. Asymptomatic individuals showed higher nAb titres as compared to symptomatic cases (median titre: 1:120 vs. 1:40, respectively). Finally, the proportion of post-vaccine infections attributed either to Alpha and Gamma variants was similar to the proportion observed in the contemporary unvaccinated population in the Lazio region, and mutational analysis did not reveal enrichment of a defined set of Spike protein substitutions depending on the vaccination status.

Conclusion

Our study conducted using real-life data, emphasised the importance of monitoring vaccine breakthrough infections, through the characterisation of virological, immunological, and clinical features associated with these events, in order to tune prevention measures in the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Characterization of the Microbiota Associated With 12-Week-Old Bovine Fetuses Exposed to Divergent in utero Nutrition
Authors: Amat Samat , Holman Devin B. , Schmidt Kaycie , McCarthy Kacie L. , Dorsam Sheri T. , Ward Alison K. , Borowicz Pawel P. , Reynolds Lawrence P. , Caton Joel S. , Sedivec Kevin K. , Dahlen Carl R.
Published: January 2022

A recent study reported the existence of a diverse microbiota in 5-to-7-month-old calf fetuses, suggesting that colonization of the bovine gut with so-called “pioneer” microbiota may begin during mid-gestation. In the present study, we investigated 1) the presence of microbiota in bovine fetuses at early gestation (12 weeks), and 2) whether the fetal microbiota is influenced by the maternal rate of gain or dietary supplementation with vitamins and minerals (VTM) during early gestation. Amniotic and allantoic fluids, and intestinal and placental (cotyledon) tissue samples obtained from fetuses (n = 33) on day 83 of gestation were processed for the assessment of fetal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The sequencing results revealed that a diverse and complex microbial community was present in each of these fetal compartments evaluated. Allantoic and amniotic fluids, and fetal intestinal and placenta microbiota each had distinctly different (0.047 ≥ R2 ≥ 0.019, P ≤ 0.031) microbial community structures. Allantoic fluid had a greater (P < 0.05) microbial richness (number of OTUs) (Mean 122) compared to amniotic fluid (84), intestine (63), and placenta (66). Microbial diversity (Shannon index) was similar for the intestinal and placental samples, and both were less diverse compared with fetal fluid microbiota (P < 0.05). Thirty-nine different archaeal and bacterial phyla were detected across all fetal samples, with Proteobacteria (55%), Firmicutes (16.2%), Acidobacteriota (13.6%), and Bacteroidota (5%) predominating. Among the 20 most relatively abundant bacterial genera, Acidovorax, Acinetobacter, Brucella, Corynebacterium, Enterococcus, Exiguobacterium, and Stenotrophomonas differed by fetal sample type (P < 0.05). A total of 55 taxa were shared among the four different microbial communities. qPCR of bacteria in the intestine and placenta samples as well as scanning electron microscopy imaging of fetal fluids provided additional evidence for the presence of a microbiota in these samples. Minor effects of maternal rate of gain and VTM supplementation, and their interactions on microbial richness and composition were detected. Overall, the results of this study indicate that colonization with pioneer microbiota may occur during early gestation in bovine fetuses, and that the maternal nutritional regime during gestation may influence the early fetal microbiota.
Microbial Communities Influence Soil Dissolved Organic Carbon Concentration by Altering Metabolite Composition
Authors: Campbell Tayte P. , Ulrich Danielle E. M. , Toyoda Jason , Thompson Jaron , Munsky Brian , Albright Michaeline B. N. , Bailey Vanessa L. , Tfaily Malak M. , Dunbar John
Published: January 2022

Rapid microbial growth in the early phase of plant litter decomposition is viewed as an important component of soil organic matter (SOM) formation. However, the microbial taxa and chemical substrates that correlate with carbon storage are not well resolved. The complexity of microbial communities and diverse substrate chemistries that occur in natural soils make it difficult to identify links between community membership and decomposition processes in the soil environment. To identify potential relationships between microbes, soil organic matter, and their impact on carbon storage, we used sand microcosms to control for external environmental factors such as changes in temperature and moisture as well as the variability in available carbon that exist in soil cores. Using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) on microcosm samples from early phase litter decomposition, we found that protein- and tannin-like compounds exhibited the strongest correlation to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration. Proteins correlated positively with DOC concentration, while tannins correlated negatively with DOC. Through random forest, neural network, and indicator species analyses, we identified 42 bacterial and 9 fungal taxa associated with DOC concentration. The majority of bacterial taxa (26 out of 42 taxa) belonged to the phylum Proteobacteria while all fungal taxa belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. Additionally, we identified significant connections between microorganisms and protein-like compounds and found that most taxa (12/14) correlated negatively with proteins indicating that microbial consumption of proteins is likely a significant driver of DOC concentration. This research links DOC concentration with microbial production and/or decomposition of specific metabolites to improve our understanding of microbial metabolism and carbon persistence.
A Comorbid Rat Model of Neuroendocrine-Immune System Alterations Under the Impact of Risk Factors for Stroke
Authors: Ya Bailiu , Li Xuezhi , Wang Jingyi , Zhao Mingsheng , Yu Ting , Wang Haiying , Xin Qing , Wang Qinqin , Mu Xin , Dong Xuanyu , Gao Yang , Xiong Huabao , Zhang Hui
Published: January 2022

Hypercholesterolemia and carotid atherosclerosis contribute to the etiology of stroke. However, there has been a lack of appropriate comorbid animal models incorporating some of the ubiquitous characteristics that precede strokes. Curcumin is a natural active polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizoma of Curcuma longa L. which possesses comprehensive bioactivities. The present study aimed to evaluate whether neurobehavioral deficits, neuroendocrine-immune dysregulations and cerebral microcirculation dysfunction, are part of the initial stages of cerebral ischemia in individuals suffering from carotid atherosclerosis resulting from a high cholesterol diet (HCD) and if they could be tested using a comorbid animal model. Furthermore, the utility of this model will be examined following the administration of curcumin. Adult wild-type SD rats were fed a regular diet or HCD and supplemented with either vehicle or curcumin for 4 weeks. Carotid injury was induced by an air-drying endothelial denudation method at the end of the second week. Plasma cholesterol, carotid pathomorphology, neurobehavioral tests, and neuroendocrine-immune parameters were measured. We found higher plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), intima and media (I/M) ratio, but lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), spatial learning and memory capacity impairment, elevated NPY expression in the hypothalamus, increased plasma concentration of leptin, upregulated TNF-α, IL-1β, and CRP in the circulation as well as TNF-α and IL-1β in the cerebral cortex, plus enhanced ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin in cerebral microvessels in HCD-fed model rats. All these alterations were ameliorated by curcumin. These results suggest that a comorbid rat model was effectively developed by HCD and carotid injury.
Roles for Sleep in Neural and Behavioral Plasticity: Reviewing Variation in the Consequences of Sleep Loss
Authors: Weiss Jacqueline T. , Donlea Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2022

Sleep is a vital physiological state that has been broadly conserved across the evolution of animal species. While the precise functions of sleep remain poorly understood, a large body of research has examined the negative consequences of sleep loss on neural and behavioral plasticity. While sleep disruption generally results in degraded neural plasticity and cognitive function, the impact of sleep loss can vary widely with age, between individuals, and across physiological contexts. Additionally, several recent studies indicate that sleep loss differentially impacts distinct neuronal populations within memory-encoding circuitry. These findings indicate that the negative consequences of sleep loss are not universally shared, and that identifying conditions that influence the resilience of an organism (or neuron type) to sleep loss might open future opportunities to examine sleep's core functions in the brain. Here, we discuss the functional roles for sleep in adaptive plasticity and review factors that can contribute to individual variations in sleep behavior and responses to sleep loss.
Image Quality Evaluation of Light Field Image Based on Macro-Pixels and Focus Stack
Authors: Meng Chunli , An Ping , Huang Xinpeng , Yang Chao , Chen Yilei
Published: January 2022

Due to the complex angular-spatial structure, light field (LF) image processing faces more opportunities and challenges than ordinary image processing. The angular-spatial structure loss of LF images can be reflected from their various representations. The angular and spatial information penetrate each other, so it is necessary to extract appropriate features to analyze the angular-spatial structure loss of distorted LF images. In this paper, a LF image quality evaluation model, namely MPFS, is proposed based on the prediction of global angular-spatial distortion of macro-pixels and the evaluation of local angular-spatial quality of the focus stack. Specifically, the angular distortion of the LF image is first evaluated through the luminance and chrominance of macro-pixels. Then, we use the saliency of spatial texture structure to pool an array of predicted values of angular distortion to obtain the predicted value of global distortion. Secondly, the local angular-spatial quality of the LF image is analyzed through the principal components of the focus stack. The focalizing structure damage caused by the angular-spatial distortion is calculated using the features of corner and texture structures. Finally, the global and local angular-spatial quality evaluation models are combined to realize the evaluation of the overall quality of the LF image. Extensive comparative experiments show that the proposed method has high efficiency and precision.