bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisión Sistemática De La Literatura Sobre La Evaluación Del Proceso De La Masticación
Authors: Reyes Belkis David Parra
Published: January 2022

El objetivo del presente estudio fue presentar una revisión sistemática de la literatura relacionada con los estudios que aborden los métodos de evaluación de la masticación y sus características principales. Como estrategia de investigación se realizó en las bases de datos PubMed, Web Of Science, Medline, SciELO y Lilacs desde 2006 al 2020. Como criterios de selección se escogieron todos los estudios disponibles, sin restricción de idioma; de los últimos 14 años; cuyos participantes no presentaron alteraciones neurológicas ni psiquiátricas.Fueron analizados a partir de su relación con el objeto del presente estudio. Las palabras clave utilizadas en la búsqueda de los artículos fueron identificados en los Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud (DEDS) siendo las siguientes: “Evaluation”, “Mastication”, “Masticatory Muscles”, “Masseter Muscle” y “Temporal Muscle”. Utilizando también OR y AND como operadores lógicos. Se encontró 1311 estudios en las bases de datos investigadas, después de la revisión fueron eliminados 1278 y elegidos 33 artículos; y considerándose sólo 21 artículos según criterios de selección y objetivo. Se concluye que el método que se utiliza mayormente es la evaluación clínica fonoaudiológica, mediante observación y palpación de musculatura orofacial, seguido de electromiografía de superficie, electrognatografía y la escala analógica visual para la saciedad. Las características observadas fueron, número de ciclos de masticación, velocidad de la masticación, porcentaje de actividad muscular eléctrica, fuerza muscular, tipo de masticación según el lado de preferencia de masticación, eficiencia masticatoria y tipología facial.
Efectos Del Entrenamiento Cognitivo En La Autopercepción Cognitiva De Una Muestra De Adultos Mayores Del Norte De Chile.
Authors: Ambiado Lillo Manuel Matias , Valenzuela Macarena Araya , Fernández Castillo Camila , Moraga Marín Paola
Published: January 2022

Antecedentes y objetivo: El entrenamiento cognitivo puede tener repercusiones positivas en el proceso de envejecimiento, numerosos estudios evidencian el efecto positivo que produce. El objetivo de esta investigación es detrerminar si existe variabilidad positiva en la autopercepción cognitiva de los adultos mayores posterior a la aplicación de un programa de entrenamiento cognitivo.
Materiales y Método: La investigación es de tipo cuantitativa, enmarcada en un diseño preexperimental dada la necesidad de valorar y comparar la autopercepción de los participantes pre y post entrenamiento cognitivo. La muestra estuvo constituida por 14 adultos mayores residentes en la zona norte de Chile. Luego de establecer el cumplimiento de todos los criterios de inclusión y exclusión se procedió a la aplicación de un programa de entrenamiento cognitivo intensivo de 15 sesiones con una duración estimada de 20 minutos por sesión que fueron realizadas de forma diaria, en las sesiones se trabajó de forma equitativa actividades de memoria de trabajo, atención, fluidez verbal y flexibilidad cognitiva.
Resultados: Se establece que existe una diferenciación significativa en la autopercepción de las habilidades cognitivas (t = 0.036) pre y post entrenamiento cognitivo.
Conclusiones: En la actualidad se conoce la repercusión que tienen los programas de estimulación cognitiva desde un enfoque rehabilitador, pero limitados solo a medidas diagnósticas clínicas, sin embargo, la calidad de vida siempre involucra aspectos subjetivos que pueden ser obtenidos del autoreporte como ocurre con las encuestas de autopercepción.
Use of Beef Semen on Dairy Farms: A Cross-Sectional Study on Attitudes of Farmer Toward Breeding Strategies
Authors: Pereira Jessica Marcela Vieira , Bruno Daniela , Marcondes Marcos Inacio , Ferreira Fernanda Carolina
Published: January 2022

The use of beef semen on dairy cows has been increasing steadily since 2017. We aimed to describe dairy management practices toward the use of beef semen by surveying farmers in California, the largest US dairy producer. In January 2020, we mailed a printed version of the beef semen use survey to 1,017 dairy producers in California, who also had the option to answer the survey online. The questionnaire consisted of 33 questions that were categorized into three sections: general herd information (n = 10), beef semen management (n = 17), and sexed dairy semen management (n = 6). The response rate was 13.9% (n = 141). Regression models were used to evaluate the associations between the dairy-beef crossbred sale price, use of beef semen, and use of sexed dairy semen vs. herd characteristics. The mean ± SD herd size was 1,693 ± 1,311 milking cows. Most dairies (81%) reported using beef semen on dairy cows. Among respondents, 78% reported extra profit as the main advantage of using beef semen, followed by control of heifer inventory (69%), genetic improvement (37%), and other factors (8%). Most respondents (58%) started using beef semen in the past 3 years and 34% of the respondents were breeding more than 30% of all the eligible cows with beef semen. Angus semen was the most used (reported by 89% of the respondents), followed by Limousin (12%), Wagyu (10%), Charolais (7%), others (5%, Limflex, Stabilizer, and Hereford), and Simmental (4%). Reproductive performance was an important criterion to select cows to receive beef semen and 45% of the respondents reported starting breeding cows with beef semen from the third breeding, 18% on the fourth breeding, and 21% on the fifth or greater breedings. The region of California (a proxy for type of production system) contracts with a calf ranch and the herd breed explained 76.7% of the observed variation in the day-old dairy beef crossbred calf price. Survey results demonstrated the widespread use of beef semen in dairies and the main breeding strategies adopted by dairy farmers.
Rapid Detection and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Pathogens Using AgNPs-Invertase Complexes and the Personal Glucose Meter
Authors: Zheng Laibao , Shen Yunqiu , Dong Wenjia , Zheng Chaochuan , Zhou Ruolan , Lou Yong-Liang
Published: January 2022

Rapid detection of pathogens and assessment of antimicrobial susceptibility is of great importance for public health, especially in resource-limiting regions. Herein, we developed a rapid, portable, and universal detection method for bacteria using AgNPs-invertase complexes and the personal glucose meter (PGM). In the presence of bacteria, the invertase could be released from AgNPs-invertase complexes where its enzyme activity of invertase was inhibited. Then, the enzyme activity of invertase was restored and could convert sucrose into glucose measured by a commercially PGM. There was a good linear relationship between PGM signal and concentration of E. coli or S. aureus as the bacteria model with high sensitivity. And our proposed biosensor was proved to be a rapid and reliable method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing within 4 h with consistent results of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) testing, providing a portable and convenient method to treat infected patients with correct antibiotics and reduce the production of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, especially for resource-limiting settings.
Cyclic Distraction–Compression Dynamization Technique Enhances the Bone Formation During Distraction Osteogenesis
Authors: Liu Yanshi , Cai Feiyu , Liu Kai , Liu Jialin , Zhang Xiaoxu , Yusufu Aihemaitijiang
Published: January 2022

Background: Interfragmentary movements have benefits in the improvement of bone formation during distraction osteogenesis (DO). Although several clinical studies reported positive outcomes regarding the application of the cyclic distraction–compression (CDC) dynamization technique in cases with poor bone formation during DO, they are mostly anecdotal without a detailed description. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and potential mechanism of different amplitudes and rates of the CDC technique on bone regeneration in a rat femur DO model.

Methods: A total of 60 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent right femoral mid-diaphysis transverse osteotomy and were randomly and evenly divided into Control (no manipulation), Group1 (CDC therapy), Group2 (CDC therapy with larger amplitude), and Group3 (CDC therapy with a slower rate) after distraction. The CDC technique was performed during the middle phase of the consolidation period according to different protocols. Animals were sacrificed after 4 and 6 weeks of consolidation. The process of bone formation was monitored by digital radiographs, and the regenerate bone was evaluated by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), biomechanical test, and histological analysis. The serum contents of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Bone regeneration after the CDC technique was improved significantly during DO. The digital radiograph, micro-CT, histomorphological analysis, and biomechanical evaluation showed better effects regarding volume, continuity, and mechanical properties of the regenerate bone in Group2 and Group3 when compared to Group1. The angiogenic and osteogenic markers were more highly expressed in Group2 and Group3 than in Group1 according to the immunohistochemical analysis. As for ELISA, the serum contents of HIF-1α and VEGF were also increased after the CDC technique, especially in Group2 and Group3.

Conclusion: The CDC dynamization technique has benefits on the improvement of bone formation during DO, and the mechanism may be due to tissue hypoxia activating the HIF pathway followed by the augmentation of osteogenic–angiogenic coupling. Better outcomes may be achieved by moderately increasing the amplitude and slowing down the rate of the CDC technique.
Emerging Roles of the Tumor Suppressor p53 in Metabolism
Authors: Yu Lili , Wu Meng , Zhu Gaoyang , Xu Yang
Published: January 2022

Metabolism plays critical roles in maintaining the homeostasis of cells. Metabolic abnormalities are often considered as one of the main driving forces for cancer progression, providing energy and substrates of biosynthesis to support neoplastic proliferation effectively. The tumor suppressor p53 is well known for its roles in inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, senescence and ferroptosis. Recently, emerging evidence has shown that p53 is also actively involved in the reprogramming of cellular metabolism. In this review, we focus on recent advances in our understanding of the interplay between p53 and metabolism of glucose, fatty acid as well as amino acid, and discuss how the deregulation of p53 in these processes could lead to cancer.
Circulating Microparticles in the Pathogenesis and Early Anticoagulation of Thrombosis in COVID-19 With Kidney Injury
Authors: Wang Chengyue , Yu Chengyuan , Novakovic Valerie A. , Xie Rujuan , Shi Jialan
Published: January 2022

As more is learned about the pathophysiological mechanisms of COVID-19, systemic thrombosis has been recognized as being associated with more severe clinical manifestations, mortality and sequelae. As many as 40% of patients admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19 have acute kidney injury, with coagulation abnormalities the main cause of impaired function. However, the mechanism of renal thrombosis and the process leading to kidney injury are unclear. Microparticles (MPs) are membrane bubbles released in response to activation, injury or apoptosis of cells. The phosphatidylserine (PS) exposed on the surface of MPs provides binding sites for endogenous and exogenous FXase complexes and prothrombin complexes, thus providing a platform for the coagulation cascade reaction and facilitating clot formation. In the context of COVID-19 infection, viral attack leads immune cells to release cytokines that damage circulating blood cells and vascular endothelial cells, resulting in increased MPs levels. Therefore, MPs can be used as a risk factor to predict renal microthrombosis and kidney injury. In this paper, we have summarized the latest data on the pathophysiological mechanism and treatment of renal thrombosis caused by MPs in COVID-19, revealing that the coagulation abnormality caused by MP and PS storms is a universal progression that aggravates the mortality and sequelae of COVID-19 and potentially other pandemic diseases. This paper also describes the risk factors affecting renal thrombosis in COVID-19 from the perspective of the Virchow’s triad: blood hypercoagulability, vascular endothelial injury, and decreased blood flow velocity. In summary, given the serious consequences of thrombosis, current guidelines and clinical studies suggest that early prophylactic anticoagulant therapy reduces mortality and improves clinical outcomes. Early anticoagulation, through inhibition of PS-mediated coagulopathy, allows maintenance of unobstructed blood circulation and oxygen delivery thereby facilitating the removal of inflammatory factors, viruses, MPs, and dead or damaged cells, and expediting patient rehabilitation.
Sulphenylation of CypD at Cysteine 104: A Novel Mechanism by Which SO2 Inhibits Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis
Authors: Lv Boyang , Peng Hanlin , Qiu Bingquan , Zhang Lulu , Ge Mei , Bu Dingfang , Li Kun , Yu Xiaoqi , Du Jiantong , Yang Liu , Tang Chaoshu , Huang Yaqian , Du Junbao , Jin Hongfang
Published: January 2022

Objectives: The study was designed to explore the role of endogenous gaseous signaling molecule sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the control of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and its molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Neonatal mouse cardiac myocytes (NMCMs) and H9c2 cells were used in the cell experiments. The endogenous SO2 pathway including SO2 level and the expression of SO2-generating enzyme aspartate aminotransferase 1/2 (AAT1/2) were detected in NMCMs. The apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was examined by a TUNEL assay. The cleavage and the activity of apoptotic proteins caspase9 and caspase3 were measured. The content of ATP, the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), and the cytochrome c (cytc) leakage were detected by immunofluorescence. The sulphenylation of cyclophilin-D (CypD) was detected by biotin switch analysis. The four CypD mutant plasmids in which cysteine sites were mutated to serine were constructed to identify the SO2-affected site in vitro.

Results: ISO down-regulated the endogenous SO2/AAT pathway of cardiomyocytes in association with a significant increase in cardiomyocyte apoptosis, demonstrated by the increases in apoptosis, cleaved-caspase3/caspase3 ratio, and caspase3 activity. Furthermore, ISO significantly reduced ATP production in H9c2 cells, but the supplement of SO2 significantly restored the content of ATP. ISO stimulated mPTP opening, resulting in an increase in the release of cytc, which further increased the ratio of cleaved caspase9/caspase9 and enhanced the protein activity of caspase9. While, the supplementation of SO2 reversed the above effects. Mechanistically, SO2 did not affect CypD protein expression, but sulphenylated CypD and inhibited mPTP opening, resulting in an inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The C104S mutation in CypD abolished SO2-induced sulphenylation of CypD, and thereby blocked the inhibitory effect of SO2 on the mPTP opening and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Conclusion: Endogenous SO2 sulphenylated CypD at Cys104 to inhibit mPTP opening, and thus protected against cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Targeting Cell Death: Pyroptosis, Ferroptosis, Apoptosis and Necroptosis in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Yang Jian , Hu Shasha , Bian Yangyang , Yao Jiangling , Wang Dong , Liu Xiaoqian , Guo Zhengdong , Zhang Siyuan , Peng Lei
Published: January 2022

New research has shown that the development of osteoarthritis (OA) is regulated by different mechanisms of cell death and types of cytokines. Therefore, elucidating the mechanism of action among various cytokines, cell death processes and OA is important towards better understanding the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. This paper reviews the pathogenesis of OA in relation to different types of cytokine-triggered cell death. We describe the cell morphological features and molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, and summarize the current research findings defining the molecular mechanisms of action between different cell death types and OA.
Infrared Spectroscopic Evidence of WS2 Morphology Change With Citric Acid Addition and Sulfidation Temperature
Authors: Zavala-Sanchez Luz A. , Maugé Françoise , Portier Xavier , Oliviero Laetitia
Published: January 2022

MS2 morphology is strongly influenced by several parameters including the addition of a chelating agent and sulfidation temperature. In this work, we report the use of citric acid as chelating agent in order to prepare a series of WS2/Al2O3 catalysts that were submitted to sulfidation at several temperatures. The effect of these two parameters in the morphology of the slabs was explored by means of CO adsorption at low temperature followed by IR spectroscopy (IR/CO) and later confirmed by High-Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy coupled with High Angular Annular Dark Field detector (HR STEM - HAADF). This allowed to depict the morphology of WS2 slabs by means of calculating the M-edge/S-edge site ratio. The use of citric acid in the preparation stage favors the increase of S-edge site concentration whereas it keeps that of M-edge sites: according to IR/CO, with an increasing amount of citric acid, the WS2 morphology progressively changes from a slightly truncated triangle exhibiting predominantly M edges to a hexagon with both M edge and S edge. In addition, HR STEM-HAADF demonstrated that the addition of citric acid in the impregnation step of W catalysts considerably reduces the size of WS2 nanoparticles increasing their dispersion degree. The morphology of the WS2 plates on the activated WS2/Al2O3 catalyst with a typical sulfidation temperature range (573–673 K) was detected to be a truncated triangle exposing both the M-edge and the S-edge. Furthermore, the IR/CO results indicate that the degree of truncation (ratio of S-edge/M-edge) of WS2 slabs gradually rises with the increasing sulfidation temperature. However, the most determining factor for a modification of the morphology of the slabs turns out to be the presence of citric acid as a chelating agent and not the sulfidation temperature. This change in morphology (i.e., change of S-edge/M-edge ratio) is a key factor for catalytic performance, since the M-edge and the S-edge show different reactivity in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reactions. Notably, it was also found that the addition of citric acid not only improves the catalytic activity but also the stability of the catalysts, giving the best performance in concentrations higher than (CA/W = 1).
Assessing Carnivore Occurrence and Community Attitudes Towards Wildlife in a Multi-Use Arid Landscape Corridor
Authors: Kannan Prameek , Salaria Saloni , Khan Siddique , Mark Tanuj , Baberwal Navin , Bhatnagar Abhishek , Shethia Yash , Thatte Prachi , Chanchani Pranav
Published: January 2022

Small population sizes, low densities, and large area requirements make large carnivores particularly sensitive to habitat degradation and land-use change. In fragmented landscapes, many protected areas cannot accommodate viable wildlife populations in themselves, which brings the surrounding human-dominated matrix that may extend wildlife habitats or serve as corridors into focus. Such areas are typically excluded from the conservation portfolio and are subject to rapid land -use change in many areas. This study investigates the occurrence of tigers, sloth bears, leopards and striped hyenas and assesses community use of natural resources and attitudes towards wildlife in a 3,384 km2 portion of semi-arid multiple-use landscape in Western India that also serves as an important wildlife corridor. This area abuts Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, a preeminent protected area in Western India. Sign surveys spanning 1,039.22 km of trails were conducted in 94, 36 km2 grids spanning agricultural land, forests and other land use types to collate information on wildlife occurrence and associated environmental and human factors. Analysis using occupancy models revealed that tiger and sloth bear occurrence probabilities (0.093 ± 0.05), and (0.13 ± 0.02) were considerably lower than those for leopards (0.72 ± 0.22) and striped hyenas (0.91 ± 0.08). Lack of sufficient cover and limited food availability renders these multiple-use habitats poorly suited for tigers and sloth bears, while leopards and hyenas are able to adapt better to multi-use areas. Concurrently, 66 villages were surveyed across the study landscape, where data on broad socio-economic attributes of communities and their attitudes towards wildlife were assessed through questionnaire surveys. More respondents expressed negative attitudes than positive attitudes which vary as a function of education levels, occupation and land holding sizes. Ongoing landscape transformation through mining, agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and negative attitudes towards wildlife conservation among people living in the agricultural matrix threatens the long-term functionality of these corridors. Therefore, immediate measures are needed to develop and implement corridor conservation strategies and plans, with a focus on land use planning and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. In the absence of decisive and timely action, wildlife populations may increasingly get relegated to fragmented patches, jeopardising their persistence.
Microstructural Mapping of Arctica islandica Shells Reveals Environmental and Physiological Controls on Biomineral Size
Authors: Höche Nils , Walliser Eric O. , Schöne Bernd R.
Published: January 2022

The shells of long-lived bivalves record environmental variability in their geochemical signatures and are thus used extensively in marine high-resolution paleoclimate studies. To possibly overcome the limitations of the commonly employed temperature proxy, the δ18Oshell value, which requires knowledge of the seawater δ18O signature and is prone to diagenetic overprint, the shell microstructures and the morphological properties of individual biomineral units (BMUs) recently attracted research interest as an alternative paleoclimate proxy. In shells of A. islandica, one of the most extensively used and best studied sclerochronological archives, the size of the BMUs increases in warmer temperatures under laboratory circumstances. This study assesses whether this relationship persists under natural growth conditions or whether additional environmental and physiological factors control the BMU size and bias temperature reconstructions. For this purpose, shells from the surface waters of NE Iceland and the Baltic Sea, as well as from deeper waters of the North Sea (100 and 243 m) were analyzed by means of SEM. The BMU sizes were measured by means of image processing software. Results demonstrate a strong effect of temperature on the BMU size at NE Iceland and in the North Sea at 100 m depth. At 243 m depth, however, temperature variability was likely too low (1.2°C) to evoke a microstructural change. At the Baltic Sea, the BMUs remained small, possibly due to physiological stress induced by low salinity and/or hypoxia. Thus, the size of BMUs of A. islandica shells only serves as a relative temperature indicator in fully marine habitats, as long as seasonal temperature amplitudes exceed ca. 1°C. Furthermore, BMU size varied through lifetime with the largest units occurring during age seven to nine. This pattern is possibly linked to the shell growth rate or to the amount of metabolic energy invested in shell growth.
The Role of FGF19 and MALRD1 in Enterohepatic Bile Acid Signaling
Authors: Wang Linda X. , Frey Mark R. , Kohli Rohit
Published: January 2022

Bile acids are the catabolic end products of cholesterol metabolism that are best known for their role in the digestion of lipids. In the last two decades, extensive investigation has shown bile acids to be important signaling molecules in metabolic processes throughout the body. Bile acids are ligands that can bind to several receptors, including the nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in ileal enterocytes. FXR activation induces the expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 15/19, a hormone that can modulate bile acid levels, repress gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis, and promote glycogen synthesis. Recent studies have described a novel intestinal protein, MAM and LDL Receptor Class A Domain containing 1 (MALRD1) that positively affects FGF15/19 levels. This signaling pathway presents an exciting target for treating metabolic disease and bile acid-related disorders.
Cancer-Specific Survival Outcome in Early-Stage Young Breast Cancer: Evidence From the SEER Database Analysis
Authors: Liu Rui , Xiao Zhesi , Hu Daixing , Luo Haojun , Yin Guobing , Feng Yang , Min Yu
Published: January 2022

Background

Young women with breast cancer are determined to present poorer survival compare with elderly patients. Therefore, identifying the clinical prognostic factors in young women with early-stage (T1-2N0-1M0) breast cancer is pivotal for surgeons to make better postoperative management.

Methods

The clinicopathological characteristics of female patients with early-stage breast cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program between Jan 2010 and Dec 2015 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine the potential risk factors of cancer-specific survival in young women with early-stage breast cancer. The nomogram was constructed and further evaluated by an internal validation cohort. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate cancer-specific survival probability and the cumulative incidence.

Results

Six variables including race, tumor location, grade, regional lymph node status, tumor subtype, and size were identified to be significantly associated with the prognosis of young women with early-stage breast cancer during the postoperative follow-up. A nomogram for predicting the 3-, 5- year cancer-specific survival probability in this subpopulation group was established with a favorable concordance index of 0.783, supported by an internal validation cohort with the AUC of 0.722 and 0.696 in 3-, 5- year cancer-specific survival probability, respectively.

Conclusions

The first predictive nomogram containing favorable discrimination is successfully established and validated for predicting the 3-, 5- year cancer-specific survival probability in young women with early-stage breast cancer during the postoperative follow-up. This model would help clinicians to make accurate treatment decisions in different clinical risk population.
GREGORY: A Modified Generalized Regression Estimator Approach to Estimating Forest Attributes in the Interior Western US
Authors: Wojcik Olek C. , Olson Samuel D. , Nguyen Paul-Hieu V. , McConville Kelly S. , Moisen Gretchen G. , Frescino Tracey S.
Published: January 2022

The national forest inventory within the US has been experiencing a greater need to estimate forest attributes over smaller geographic areas than the inventory was originally designed for. Producing reliable estimates for these areas may require the use of estimation methods beyond post-stratification. Staying within the dominant design-based paradigm, this research explores how model-assisted estimation is impacted by leveraging data outside the area of interest. In particular, we compare the performance of the post-stratified estimator, the generalized regression estimator (GREG), and a modified GREG. Typically the assisting model of the modified GREG is fit over a sample comprising all of the areas of interest. Here we introduce a modified GREG, denoted as GREGORY, which gives the practitioner a high degree of flexibility in selecting the sample subset for constructing the assisting model. We use these estimators to produce county level estimates of the mean of four forest attributes in the Interior Western US. Comparing the relative efficiencies of the estimators, we find that the more complex estimators, GREG and GREGORY, generally improve the precision of the estimates, especially in regions with a high degree of forested land. When using all the data from a 10-year measurement, fitting the model over a larger region does not lead to efficiency gains. To explore the impact of smaller sample sizes, we conduct a simulation study and find that as the sampling intensity decreases, the GREGORY tends to produce more efficient estimates than the GREG, and its variance estimator exhibits less negative bias. The GREG and GREGORY can easily be computed and compared using a new R package, gregRy, available on CRAN.
Emerging Role and Mechanism of circRNAs in Pediatric Malignant Solid Tumors
Authors: Shen Qiyang , Liu Xingyu , Li Wei , Zhao Xu , Li Tao , Zhou Kai , Zhou Jianfeng
Published: January 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with covalent closed-loop structures and are widely distributed in eukaryotes, conserved and stable as well as tissue-specific. Malignant solid tumors pose a serious health risk to children and are one of the leading causes of pediatric mortality. Studies have shown that circRNAs play an important regulatory role in the development of childhood malignant solid tumors, hence are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for tumors. This paper reviews the biological characteristics and functions of circRNAs as well as the research progress related to childhood malignant solid tumors.
Temporary Adjustment or Normative Change? Fertility and Marriage Preferences of Syrian Refugees in Turkey in the Context of Forced Migration
Authors: Bozdag Ilgi , Sierra-Paycha Celio , Andro Armelle
Published: January 2022

Turkey has the highest number of refugees in the world and is currently home to 3.7 million Syrians who had to flee from their country due to the conflict that started in 2011. This paper aims to focus on the fertility and marriage preferences of Syrian refugees by using a widely used qualitative research method Focus Group Discussions. The main findings revealed that socio-demographic indicators, the departure and arrival conditions in home and host country and the current place of residence had affected how families and individuals adjusted themselves and how they changed their fertility and marriage plans since their arrival in Turkey. Yet, the main findings also showed that while forced migration caused normative changes on some, some others reacted and saw these changes just as a temporary adjustment.
WASp Deficiency Selectively Affects the TCR Diversity of Different Memory T Cell Subsets in WAS Chimeric Mice
Authors: Li Wenyan , Jia Yanjun , Wang Yanping , Zhao Qin , Yang Lu , Zeng Ting , Niu Linlin , Dai Rongxin , Li Yanan , Zhao Xiaodong , Wu Junfeng
Published: January 2022

Background

The T cell receptor (TCR) diversity is essential for effective T cell immunity. Previous studies showed that TCR diversity in Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) patients was severely impaired, especially in the memory T cell populations. Whether this defect was caused by intrinsic WASp deficiency or extrinsic reasons is still unclear.

Methods

We sorted different T cell subsets from the bone marrow chimeric mice model using both magnetic beads and flow cytometry. TCR repertoires of memory T cells, especially CD4+ effector memory T (TEM) cells and CD8+ central memory T (TCM) cells, were analyzed using the UMI quantitative high-throughput sequencing (HTS).

Results

An average of 5.51 million sequencing reads of 32 samples was obtained from the Illumina sequencing platform. Bioinformatic analyses showed that compared with wild type (WT), WAS knock out (KO)-CD4+ TEM cells exhibited increased Simpson index and decreased D50 index (P <0.05); The rank abundance curve of KO-CD4+ TEM cells was shorter and steeper than that of WT, and the angle of qD and q in KO-CD4+ TEM cells was lower than that of WT, while these indexes showed few changes between WT and KO chimeric mice in the CD8+TCM population. Therefore, it indicated that the restriction on the TCRVβ repertoires is majorly in KO-CD4+ TEM cells but not KO- CD8+ TCM cells. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a comprehensive parameter for TCRVβ diversity, successfully segregated CD4+ TEM cells from WT and KO, but failed in CD8+ TCM cells. Among the total sequences of TRB, the usage of TRBV12.2, TRBV30, TRBV31, TRBV4, TRBD1, TRBD2, TRBJ1.1, and TRBJ1.4 showed a significant difference between WT-CD4+ TEM cells and KO-CD4+ TEM cells (P <0.05), while in CD8+ TCM cells, only the usage of TRBV12.2 and TRBV20 showed a substantial difference between WT and KO (P <0.05). No significant differences in the hydrophobicity and sequence length of TCRVβ were found between the WT and KO groups.

Conclusion

WASp deficiency selectively affected the TCR diversity of different memory T cell subsets, and it had more impact on the TCRVβ diversity of CD4+ TEM cells than CD8+ TCM cells. Moreover, the limitation of TCRVβ diversity of CD4+ TEM cells and CD8+ TCM cells in WAS was not severe but intrinsic.
Case Report: A Rare Case of Elderly-Onset Adult-Onset Still’s Disease in a Patient With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Hirooka Yasuaki , Okuda Saki , Sugiyama Masafumi , Shiga Toshihiko , Nozaki Yuji , Kinoshita Koji , Funauchi Masanori , Matsumura Itaru
Published: January 2022

The rare systemic inflammatory disorder ‘adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD)’ is characterized by recurrent fever, evanescent rash, arthralgia, and leukocytosis with neutrophilia. The Yamaguchi criteria are widely used to diagnose AOSD; these criteria can be used for diagnosis after a wide range of infectious, rheumatic, and neoplastic diseases have been excluded. AOSD generally does not overlap with other rheumatic diseases. We present the rare case of an 80-year-old Japanese woman who presented with arthralgia, fever, and skin rash during treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which was finally diagnosed as an overlap of AOSD. Blood tests revealed leukocytosis with neutrophilia, high C-reactive protein (CRP), and liver dysfunction. Her anti-ds-DNA antibody titer and serum complement titer were at the same level as before and remained stable. We suspected AOSD based on the high serum ferritin level but hesitated to diagnose AOSD because of the patient’s SLE history. We measured serum interleukin (IL)-18; it was extremely high at 161,221 pg/mL, which was strongly suggestive of AOSD. We thus diagnosed AOSD complicated during the course of treatment for SLE. The patient’s arthralgia and high CRP level persisted after we increased her oral prednisolone dose and added oral methotrexate, but her symptoms eventually improved with the addition of intravenous tocilizumab. We note that the presence of autoantibodies or other rheumatic diseases cannot be absolutely ruled out in the diagnosis of AOSD. Although high serum IL-18 levels are not specific for AOSD, the measurement of serum IL-18 may aid in the diagnosis of AOSD in similar rare cases.
Microwave-Assisted Green Synthesis of Pure and Mn-Doped ZnO Nanocomposites: In Vitro Antibacterial Assay and Photodegradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Khan Sher Bahadar , Khan Muhammad Iqbal , Nisar Jamila
Published: January 2022

This paper describes the eco-friendly microwave-assisted green synthesis of pure and manganese-doped zinc oxide nanocomposites using ethanolic solution of castor oil as a reductant and capping agent. Solutions of Zn2+ and Mn2+ ions were mixed in fixed ratios to obtain 0%, 1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7% pure and Mn-doped ZnO nanomaterials. The obtained nanomaterials were characterized by powder XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and EDX analyses. Powder XRD furnished characteristic fragmentation patterns for the confirmation of the synthesized materials and was also used to estimate the size of the synthesized nanoparticles by Scherrer’s equation. Diffraction patterns were characteristic of wurtzite structure and of the size in the range of 6.5, 5.6, 5.2, 5.1, and 4.3 nm for pure and Mn-doped ZnO nanocomposites. UV-visible spectra displayed maximum absorbance at 340 nm, and manganese doping caused a red shift. FT-IR spectra confirmed that the formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles as Zn─O appeared at below 700 cm−1 as well as the presence of organic moieties of the castor oil acting as stabilizing agents. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) revealed all the synthesized materials were spherical in shape with some aggregation and polydispersity, and in the Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), specific peaks with characteristic patterns were seen for Zn, O, and Mn. A TEM micrograph displayed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of nanoparticles with average size less than 50 nm. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was checked in the presence of sunlight and in darkness. Interestingly, samples placed under the solar radiation exhibited significant results only with the catalyst; all the samples used without the catalyst showed negligible degradation effects, and even the samples placed in the dark containing catalysts also displayed a negative effect. A mechanism for this significant activity is also proposed. In vitro the antibacterial potential was studied against two pathogenic strains, i.e., Streptococcus aureus and Escherichia coli; interestingly activity kept on increasing with the increasing manganese content. Overall, all the samples presented comparable activity to ciprofloxacin.
A Review of UltraHigh Frequency Ultrasonic Transducers
Authors: Chen Jun , Fei Chunlong , Lin Danmei , Gao Pengkai , Zhang Junshan , Quan Yi , Chen Dongdong , Li Di , Yang YinTang
Published: January 2022

The ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) ultrasonic transducers are active in various fields, including nondestructive evaluation in the semiconductor industry, microscopic biological organization imaging in biomedicine, particle manipulation, and so on. In these fields ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) ultrasonic transducers play a critical role in the performance of related equipment. This article will focus on the topic of ultrahigh-frequency ultrasonic transducers’ preparation, and reviews three aspects: material selection, focus design, and acoustic energy transmission matching. Provides a summary of the current research status, and puts forward some views on the future development of UHF ultrasound devices.
Design and Photoelectric Performance of Perfect Solar Absorber Based on GaAs Grating
Authors: Liu Bin , Wu Pinghui , Li Yan , Zhu Hongyang , Lv Li
Published: January 2022

In recent years, solar energy has received extensive attention as a clean and renewable energy. We present a perfect broadband solar absorber based on tungsten and semiconductor GaAs in this paper. The structure of GaAs grating-GaAs film-W substrate has been proposed. And the finite time domain difference method (FDTD) has been used for the numerical simulation of the model. Broadband absorption has been realized in the 500–1,850 nm, by adjusting the parameters of geometry to excite high-efficiency surface plasmon resonance. The absorption spectrum of the structure can be changed by adjusting the geometric parameters to meet different needs. The proposed absorber has incidence insensitive (0–60°) and high short-circuit current characteristics. The structure is simple and easy to manufacture, and has superior photoelectric properties to be application in photothermal conversion, collection and utilization of solar energy.
Interstitial Lung Disease Is a Major Characteristic of Patients Who Test Positive for Anti-PM/Scl Antibody
Authors: Ge Yongpeng , Shu Xiaoming , He Linrong , Li Chunjia , Lu Xin , Wang Guochun
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the clinical features of anti-PM/Scl antibodies in Chinese patients.

Method

We reviewed the clinical data of anti-PM/Scl antibody-positive patients, including their long-term follow-up.

Results

A total of 30 patients carried anti-PM/Scl antibodies, 21 (70%) were females, and the mean age was 55.4 years, 15 (50%) and 10 (33.3%) patients were positive for anti-PM/Scl-75 and anti-PM/Scl-100, respectively. Fifteen cases (50%) were diagnosed as inflammatory myopathy, namely, 11 dermatomyositis (DM) and 4 polymyositis (PM). Five (16.7%) patients were diagnosed with overlap syndrome, and only one (3.3%) was diagnosed as systemic sclerosis. The other 9 (30%) patients were classified as undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Twenty-six (86.7%) had interstitial lung disease (ILD) and was the sole manifestation in 8 (26.7%) patients, 15 (58.0%) showed non-specific interstitial pneumonia based on high-resolution CT or lung biopsy. The majority of patients (95%) with mild and moderate groups on basis of pulmonary function tests. Compared to the anti-PM/Scl-100 group, the occurrence of clinical characteristics was not significantly different from the anti-PM/Scl-75 group, except the levels of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the anti-PM/Scl-75 antibody-positive group were higher (p < 0.05). All patients with positive Ro-52 antibodies had ILD and were more likely to develop skin rash in the group with Ro-52 (p = 0.024). With a follow-up of the present cohort, 70.8% improved with treatment, but 16.7% of patients are easy to relapse.

Conclusion

The anti-PM/Scl antibody occurred frequently in DM/PM patients, ILD was the major clinical feature, especially in patients combined with Ro-52. Some patients may complicate with ILD alone without extrapulmonary manifestations. Anti-PM/Scl antibodies positive patients were responsive to treatment.
The Variation of SARS-CoV-2 and Advanced Research on Current Vaccines
Authors: Jiang Yao , Wu Qian , Song Peipei , You Chongge
Published: January 2022

Over the past 2 years, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and rapidly spread worldwide. In the process of evolution, new mutations of SARS-CoV-2 began to appear to be more adaptable to the diverse changes of various cellular environments and hosts. Generally, the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are characterized by high infectivity, augmented virulence, and fast transmissibility, posing a serious threat to the prevention and control of the global epidemic. At present, there is a paucity of effective measurements to cure COVID-19. It is extremely crucial to develop vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants to enhance individual immunity, but it is not yet known whether they are approved by the authority. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the main characteristics of the emerging various variants of SARS-CoV-2, including their distribution, mutations, transmissibility, severity, and susceptibility to immune responses, especially the Delta variant and the new emerging Omicron variant. Furthermore, we overviewed the suitable crowd, the efficacy, and adverse events (AEs) of current vaccines.
Single Cell RNA Sequencing in Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: Current Applications, Challenges and a Step Toward Precision Medicine
Authors: Kuret Tadeja , Sodin-Šemrl Snežna , Leskošek Brane , Ferk Polonca
Published: January 2022

Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) represents a new large scale and high throughput technique allowing analysis of the whole transcriptome at the resolution of an individual cell. It has emerged as an imperative method in life science research, uncovering complex cellular networks and providing indices that will eventually lead to the development of more targeted and personalized therapies. The importance of scRNA-seq has been particularly highlighted through the analysis of complex biological systems, in which cellular heterogeneity is a key aspect, such as the immune system. Autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases represent a group of disorders, associated with a dysregulated immune system and high patient heterogeneity in both pathophysiological and clinical aspects. This complicates the complete understanding of underlying pathological mechanisms, associated with limited therapeutic options available and their long-term inefficiency and even toxicity. There is an unmet need to investigate, in depth, the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases and drug resistance, identify novel therapeutic targets, as well as make a step forward in using stratified and informed therapeutic decisions, which could now be achieved with the use of single cell approaches. This review summarizes the current use of scRNA-seq in studying different rheumatic diseases, based on recent findings from published in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, as well as discusses the potential implementation of scRNA-seq in the development of precision medicine in rheumatology.
Analysis of Internal and External Microorganism Community of Wild Cicada Flowers and Identification of the Predominant Cordyceps cicadae Fungus
Authors: Huang Ailin , Wu Tao , Wu Xiuyun , Zhang Biao , Shen Yuanyuan , Wang Suying , Song Wenjun , Ruan Haihua
Published: January 2022

Graphical Abstract

Brief strategy for wild cicada flowers internal and external microorganism community analysis and its applications.
Haemophilus pittmaniae and Leptotrichia spp. Constitute a Multi-Marker Signature in a Cohort of Human Papillomavirus-Positive Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Authors: Mougeot Jean-Luc C. , Beckman Micaela F. , Langdon Holden C. , Lalla Rajesh V. , Brennan Michael T. , Bahrani Mougeot Farah K.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known etiological factor of oropharyngeal head and neck cancer (HNC). HPV positivity and periodontal disease have been associated with higher HNC risk, suggesting a role for oral bacterial species. Our objective was to determine oral microbiome profiles in HNC patients (HPV-positive and HPV-negative) and in healthy controls (HC).

Methods

Saliva samples and swabs of buccal mucosa, supragingival plaque, and tongue were collected from HNC patients (N = 23 patients, n = 92 samples) before cancer therapy. Next-generation sequencing (16S-rRNA gene V3–V4 region) was used to determine bacterial taxa relative abundance (RA). β-Diversities of HNC HPV+ (N = 16 patients, n = 64 samples) and HNC HPV– (N = 7 patients, n = 28 samples) groups were compared using PERMANOVA (pMonte Carlo < 0.05). LEfSe discriminant analysis was performed to identify differentiating taxa (Log LDA > 2.0). RA differences were analyzed by Mann–Whitney U-test (α = 0.05). CombiROC program was used to determine multi-marker bacterial signatures. The Microbial Interaction Network Database (MIND) and LitSuggest online tools were used for complementary analyses.

Results

HNC vs. HC and HNC HPV+ vs. HNC HPV– β-diversities differed significantly (pMonte Carlo < 0.05). Streptococcus was the most abundant genus for HNC and HC groups, while Rothia mucilaginosa and Haemophilus parainfluenzae were the most abundant species in HNC and HC patients, respectively, regardless of antibiotics treatment. LEfSe analysis identified 43 and 44 distinctive species for HNC HPV+ and HNC HPV– groups, respectively. In HNC HPV+ group, 26 periodontal disease-associated species identified by LefSe had a higher average RA compared to HNC HPV– group. The significant species included Alloprevotella tannerae, Fusobacterium periodonticum, Haemophilus pittmaniae, Lachnoanaerobaulum orale, and Leptotrichia spp. (Mann–Whitney U-test, p < 0.05). Of 43 LEfSe-identified species in HPV+ group, 31 had a higher RA compared to HPV– group (Mann–Whitney U-test, p < 0.05). MIND analysis confirmed interactions between Haemophilus and Leptotrichia spp., representing a multi-marker signature per CombiROC analysis [area under the curve (AUC) > 0.9]. LitSuggest correctly classified 15 articles relevant to oral microbiome and HPV status.

Conclusion

Oral microbiome profiles of HNC HPV+ and HNC HPV– patients differed significantly regarding periodontal-associated species. Our results suggest that oral bacterial species (e.g., Leptotrichia spp.), possessing unique niches and invasive properties, coexist with HPV within HPV-induced oral lesions in HNC patients. Further investigation into host–microbe interactions in HPV-positive HNC patients may shed light into cancer development.