bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vivo Evaluation of the Hemostatic and Cicatrising Activities of a Gel Based on Vernonia Conferta Benth. On Post-extraction Wounds in Wistar Rats
Authors: Marie Elvire Nokam Abena , Vanessa Charlotte Soppo Lobe , Fabienne Boko Yolaine , Joseph Marie Mendimi Nkodo , Nga Nnanga
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Despite the progress in oral surgical techniques, the occurrence of post operative haemorrhage can lead to delayed healing. It is with this in mind that we proposed to explore other therapeutic avenues to try to provide other solutions through traditional African medicine. The Aim of the Study: To evaluate the haemostatic and healing activity of a Vernonia conferta-based gel on postextractional wounds induced in Wistar rats. Methodology: An experimental study was conducted over a period of eight months during 2021 at the multidisciplinary laboratory of Galenic Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation of the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaoundé 1. A gel formulation test carried out in standard proportions for a 2% concentration such as the Elugel reference gel used as a positive control. To evaluate the haemostatic and healing activity, we made up three batches of five female wistar rats with a body mass of between 100 and 130 grams, acclimatised for three days before the experiment. This test consisted of performing an avulsion of the central incisor in the rat and then applying our active principle for 5 successive days on one of the batches and our reference gel on the other batch, while the last batch will be under observation receiving no treatment and considered as a negative control. The observation was carried out during 14 days while respecting the feeding conditions of the animals. The haemostatic activity was evaluated using a stopwatch or we took the bleeding time after tooth extraction in the constituted batches. The healing activity was evaluated by taking a tissue sample from the extraction site on days 3, 7 and 14 for histological analysis. Results: The aqueous extract-based gel, made in standard proportions at a 2% concentration like the reference gel used as a positive control, stopped bleeding almost instantly, and clot formation occurred within 1-3 minutes after application. As for the healing activity, the batch of rats that received our test gel showed a rapid re-epithelialization observed on day 14ème, testifying to the restitution of the tissue injured during avulsion. Conclusion: The adhesion of Vernonia conferta aqueous leaf gel to the post-extraction alveolar mucosa in vivo in wistar rats has a favourable profile, as it allows faster haemostasis and accelerated healing.
Iron Supplementation for Perioperative Anaemia in Patient Blood Management
Authors: Muñoz Manuel , Gómez-Ramírez Susana , Campos Arturo
Published: January 2023

In patients undergoing major surgical procedures, preoperative anaemia and perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) have been linked to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality, as well as longer hospital stays. A multidisciplinary, multimodal, individualised strategy – collectively termed patient blood management – used to minimise or eliminate ABT is indicated to improve outcomes. This new standard of care relies on detection and treatment of perioperative anaemia (Pillar 1) and reduction of surgical blood loss and perioperative coagulopathy (Pillar 2) to harness and optimise physiological tolerance of anaemia (Pillar 3), thus allowing the use of restrictive transfusion criteria. Normalisation of preoperative hemoglobin levels is a World Heath Organization recommendation. Iron repletion should be routinely ordered when indicated. Preoperative oral iron is time-consuming and poorly tolerated with low adherence in published trials. Postoperative oral iron has been proven to be inefficacious and is no longer recommended. Preoperative and perioperative intravenous iron, with or without erythropoiesis stimulating agents, is safe and effective at reducing ABT rate and hastening the recovery from postoperative anaemia. Intravenous iron does not seem to increase the risk for postoperative thromboembolism, infection, or mortality. Newer intravenous iron formulations demonstrate potentially much lower immunogenic activity, allow complete replacement dosing in 15 to 60 minutes, markedly facilitating care, and may be cost-effective in many clinical settings.
Revisiting the Energy Trilemma in the European Union
Authors: Bonafé Ernesto
Published: January 2023

As a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the heads of state or government of the EU member states met in the Palace of Versailles to consider a historic decision to end EU dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal imports. The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia had announced energy embargos on Russia, and many expected the EU to follow suit, but this was not possible due to the complex decision-making in the EU. Instead, what was agreed was the REPowerEU Plan, setting out the European Commission's strategy of diversifying gas supplies, switching to renewables and hydrogen, improving energy efficiency, and mitigating the impact of rising energy prices. The Plan attempts to fit into the broader context of the Paris Agreement, the EU Green Deal, the EU's ‘Fit for 55’ framework and the EU law for climate neutrality. The gravity of the current situation is illustrated by the arrangements being put in place to prepare for a complete cut-off of Russian gas exports and by restarting the burning of coal, an energy source that Europe had recently consigned to history. This paper reviews the REPowerEU Plan and recent key proposals in the electricity and gas sectors from a policy and legal perspective. It is structured in three parts corresponding to the familiar notion of the energy trilemma: affordability, security and sustainability. REPowerEU is about rapidly reducing dependency on Russian fossil fuels by fast forwarding the clean transition to deliver affordable, secure and sustainable energy. Its goals might initially suggest that a new energy theorem is being launched, but this paper will argue that, in the EU context at least, the classic energy trilemma persists, and indeed is more acute in its effects than ever before.
(α,β)-INTERVAL VALUED INTUITIONISTIC FUZZY SETS DEFINED ON (α,β)-INTERVAL VALUED SET
Authors: BAL Arif , ÇUVALCIOĞLU Gökhan , ALTINCI Cansu
Published: January 2023

In this paper, (α,β)-interval valued set is studied. The order relation on (α,β)-interval valued set is defined. It is shown that (α,β)-interval valued set is complete lattice by giving the definitions of infumum and supremum on these sets. Then, negation function on these sets is introduced.

With the help of (α,β)-interval valued set ,(α,β)-interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets are defined. The fundamental algebraic properties of these sets are examined. The level subsets of (α,β)-interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets are given. Some propositions and examples are studied.
Building Civic Competencies: Design and Outcomes in Media Literacy Instruction
Authors: Robertson Barbara , Ortgies-Young Tamra
Published: January 2023

This paper explores the collaborative development of an interdisciplinary module to create competencies in the connected areas of critical thinking and media literacy and presents a study analyzing student perceptions of the value, purpose, and effectiveness of the instruction. The emergence of misinformation and disinformation have led to a mistrust of information in general, from politics to science to pop culture. A study of student surveys across multiple semesters and courses supports the notion that instruction in media literacy, with an emphasis on the application of critical thinking, produces positive outcomes among first- and second-year college students. The implications of this study are to the need for and value in increased efforts to tackle misinformation, voter apathy, and democratic backsliding through combined instruction in critical thinking and media literacy in institutions of higher education, particularly among first and second-year undergraduate students.
Drama as a Digital Learning Space in the Political Science Classroom
Authors: Kotsovilis Spyridon
Published: January 2023

The richness and complexity of the study of conflict can easily overwhelm students and impact their retention of knowledge, especially during the pandemic and its challenging instructional modes. Yet, remote communication tools can offer advantages in promoting learning, enhancing pedagogy and fostering student community. Employing innovative peer-to-peer, experiential techniques, like asking students to use remote learning platforms to read parts of an ancient tragedy in a performative way and connect it to their written assignments, can increase engagement with the material, foster cooperation and mutual learning, and provide a memorable learning experience. This paper illustrates this application to a remotely-taught undergraduate course ‘On War’ at the University of Toronto Mississauga via a collaborative exercise co-designed with Classics and Theater Studies, and an award-winning Scottish director and her associate towards a student-led virtual performative reading of an adaptation of Euripides’ The Women of Troy to the modern conflict in Syria.
LITERASI DIGITAL UNTUK PENINGKATAN KAPASITAS PELAKU USAHA SKALA MIKRO, KECIL DAN MENENGAH DI KOTA MALANG
Authors: Evelina Tri Yulistyawati , Sulasari Ayu , Permatasari Ita Rifiani , Budiarti Lina , Sakti Radhia Jatu Noviarsita
Published: January 2023

Peningkatan kapasitas pelaku usaha skala mikro, kecil, dan menengah dalam menggunakan teknologi digital serta perangkatnya dilakukan dengan memberikan pelatihan literasi digital. Tujuan dari pelatihan ini adalah agar memiliki pengetahuan literasi digital sehingga mampu menggunakan teknologi digital serta perangkatnya secara bijaksana, tepat guna, dan aman. Rumah Pengusaha Malang Raya (RPMR) merupakan paguyuban pengusaha Usaha Mikro Kecil Menengah (UMKM) se-Kota Malang, Jawa Timur. RPMR memiliki cakupan wilayah Kota Malang, Kabupaten Malang, hingga Kota Batu dan memiliki 450 anggota yang tersebar di berbagai wilayah. Dengan jumlah anggota yang banyak perlu diberikan pelatihan bagi para pelaku usaha skala mikro, kecil dan menengah berupa pelatihan literasi digital yang nantinya dapat membantu mereka beradaptasi untuk menghadapi tantangan-tantangan dunia digital.

Pelatihan literasi digital ini menggunakan materi dari program USAID ‘Digital Asia Accelerator (DAA) – Literasi Digital’ yang bertujuan untuk meningkatkan penggunaan teknologi digital atau pembangunan ekonomi yang aman dan tepat di Asia Tenggara. DAA berfokus kepada tujuan meningkatkan kesadaran publik tentang masalah keamanan digital dan meningkatkan perilaku aman berinternet dan memperkuat kemampuan sektor swasta khususnya UMKM untuk terlibat aktif daslam ekonomi digital melalui peningkatan dan ketrampilan digital serta keamanan siber (cybersecurity)
BIMBINGAN TEKNIS PERENCANAAN MUSHOLA DARUL GHIFARI AN NASRI MERJOSARI LOWOKWARU KOTA MALANG
Authors: Khamim Moch. , Harsanti Winda , Zenurianto Mohamad , Sasongko Rinto , Purnomo Fajar
Published: January 2023

Musholla menurut arti bahasa adalah tempat shalat. Musholla adalah untuk bangunan kecil yang dipergunakan sebagai tempat sujud, tempat shalat yang dapat memberikan sedikit pernaungan dari terik panas matahari. Istilah kedua yang digunakan sebagai tempat sholat adalah masjid. Secara bahasa, masjid berasal dari kata sajada-yasjudu-sujudan, yang berarti tempat sujud dalam rangka beribadah kepada Allah Swt. atau tempat untuk mengerjakan shalat. Secara istilah, masjid mengandung makna sebagai pusat segala kebajikan kepada Allah Swt., di dalamnya terdapat dua bentuk kebajikan, yaitu kebajikan yang dikemas dalam bentuk ibadah khusus kepada Allah Swt. dan kebajikan yang dikemas dalam bentuk amaliyah sehari-hari dalam berkomunikasi dengan sesama jamaah. Desain mushola yang baik yaitu desain yang sesuai kebutuhan, keinginan jamaah, dan desain yang kekinian
PELATIHAN PENELITIAN TINDAKAN KELAS DALAM UPAYA PENINGKATAN PROFESSIONALITAS GURU SEKOLAH DASAR PPG DALJAB KATEGORI 1 TAHUN 2022, LPTK UNIV JEMBER
Authors: Kantun Sri , Sedyati Retna Ngesti , Triyanto Jefri Rieski , Sholekhah Irmadatus
Published: January 2023

This service aims to provide knowledge and skills to elementary school teachers about efforts to improve the professionalism of elementary school teachers through classroom action research. Classroom action research was chosen because the research is considered simple and very easy to implement for elementary school teachers. This service provides knowledge to participants about the basic concepts of classroom action research and research methods, as well as preparing CAR reports. The methods used in this service are lectures and demonstrations. Based on the results of this service, it was concluded that elementary school teachers were very enthusiastic and interested in classroom action research. This is evidenced by the many questions to the informants. In addition, the number of participants who attended was 35 people, indicating that elementary school teachers were very interested in this training. Participants become more aware of the basic concepts of classroom action research and the systematics of preparing reports, because so far elementary school teachers consider CAR as a difficult research.
Pelatihan Pembuatan Informasi Nomor Lagu Gereja Santo Yoseph Ngrejo Kluwut Wonosari Malang
Authors: Pracoyo Agus , Safitri Hari Kurnia , Saukani Imam , Komarudin Achmad , Budi Edi Sulistio , Sumarno Agus Sukoco Heru
Published: January 2023

Ngrejo Hamlet, Kluwut Village, Wonosari District is located at the foot of Gunung Kawi, Malang Regency, which has relatively cold temperatures ranging from 250-350 with an area of 4331.55 km2. Kluwut Village has ethnic, racial and religious diversity. St. Joseph's Church is a place of worship for Catholics which has a very large congregation. Each service the pastor will guide the congregation to sing the songs in the worship book. With a large number of songs, the order of the songs sung will usually change at every service, so that it will be easier for the congregation to find the song page. With this problem in mind, the plan of the PPM busting team is in the form of: (1) Training on making 7 segment displays as song numbers (pages of worship books), (2) training on installation of 7 segment display devices that can be controlled remotely. It is hoped that this training can be useful for the management and congregation of the St. Joseph church. With this 7 segment display as song number information, it will be easier for the congregation to find the song page by looking at the information on the display.
ПОЛО-ВОЗРАСТНАЯ СТРУКТУРА НЕКРОПОЛЯ ЦЕЛЫКОВКА-2 И НЕКОТОРЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ ДЕМОГРАФИИ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ ЕЛЕЦКОГО КНЯЖЕСТВА XIV–XV ВВ.
Authors: Боруцкая Светлана , Тропин Николай , Васильев Сергей
Published: January 2023

The article gives a gender and age characteristics of the soil medieval necropolis "Tselykovka-2", which was discovered near the city of Yelets. The average life expectancy of people in the study group was 29.14 years, which is a fairly good indicator. The infant mortality rate was 30%, which is also an indicator of relative demographic well-being. The group has an unusual percentage of males and females with an overwhelming male advantage of almost 15%. In general, we can talk about the relative demographic well-being in the group.
“Motherwork” and communicative labor: A gendered analysis of hunger in marginalized US women
Authors: de Souza Rebecca
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The feminization of hunger plays out in communities across the globe where poverty exists, including the United States, the world's wealthiest nation. The feminization of hunger and poverty can be traced to the “gender system”—deep seated gender inequities resulting in job segregation, discrimination in pay, unpaid caring work, and gender-based violence.

Methods

Exploratory qualitative research study with two focus groups comprising low-income women (n = 20).

Results

The analysis identified three key themes: toxic stress related to food work, welfare stigma and racism, and the invisible loads of care work and communicative labor.

Discussion

The analysis shows how women's experience of hunger and food insecurity in the US is linked to forces of economic deprivation and symbolic violence. Consistent with Allen's (2007) theorization of “motherwork”, for women and mothers the experience of food insecurity is distinct because of its gendered link to the care work, food work, and communicative labor necessary for the survival and wellbeing of children.
The “wall of text” visual structure of academic conference posters
Authors: Faulkes Zen
Published: January 2023

Posters created for conferences are a type of visual communication that are used frequently by academics. There are rarely any formatting requirements beyond fitting on their provided boards. Because posters are usually created by researchers rather than experienced graphic designers, the visual structure of conference posters may be influenced by the common format for journal articles, where text is given primacy over graphics and structured as “introduction, methods, results, discussion.” To test this, I examined award-winning posters from a large scientific society over 5 years of meetings. About three-quarters use the “Introduction, methods, results, discussion” format common to journal articles; about two-thirds use a columnar layout; most show multiple graphs and cite multiple references. Relatively few posters follow best graphic design practices, resulting in a “wall of text” on many posters.
Classical trigeminal neuralgia is associated with gephyrin and sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 8
Authors: Vieira Alexandre R. , Sekula Raymond F. , Deeley Kathleen
Published: January 2023

Trigeminal neuralgia is highly debilitating, and its etiology is still undefined. The goal of this work was to define associations between well-characterized trigeminal neuralgia cases and common genetic variants in the population. Two hundred and fifty-seven individuals diagnosed with classical trigeminal neuralgia were compared to 865 individuals without classical trigeminal neuralgia and with an assessment for lower or higher pain threshold based on the amount of anesthetic required for routine dental treatment. Genotypes of 24 variants marking genes in the VGSC (voltage-gated sodium channels) or GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) pathways were obtained using TaqMan chemistry end end-point analysis. Chi-square was used for all comparisons with an alpha of 0.002. An association between classical trigeminal neuralgia and individuals requiring less or more anesthetic for routine dental treatments showed associations with SCN8A rs1601012 and GPHN rs723432 (p = 0.0009 and p = 0.0002, respectively). In conclusion, classical trigeminal neuralgia is associated with SCN8A and GPHN and markers rs1601012 rs723432 may be useful to determine individual risks for the condition.
One dimensional time-domain non-linear site seismic response analysis program integrating two hysteresis models of soil
Authors: Yan Jingru , Zhang Yushan
Published: January 2023

In the numerical simulation of site seismic responses, traditional equivalent linearization methods typically realized in the frequency domain cannot satisfactorily analyze the high-degree non-linearity of soil under strong input motions. Therefore, the “true” non-linear numerical methods performed in the time domain are often utilized in such cases. However, a crucial element of the time-domain non-linear method, which is the hysteresis model of soil that describes the rule controlling the loading–unloading behavior of soil, has no established guidelines for earthquake engineering. Different researchers presented different models, revealing the epistemic uncertainty related to the dynamic properties of soil. Thus, the time-domain non-linear method should consider this uncertainty in practice. Therefore, in this study, a one-dimensional (1D) time-domain non-linear site seismic response analysis program was developed. The developed program was coded using Fortran95 and integrates two kinds of soil hysteresis models (i.e., extended Masing model and dynamic skeleton curve model). In both models, the damping correction was introduced to calibrate the hysteresis loop area toward the damping ratio measured in the dynamic triaxial test or resonant column test. Moreover, the temporospatial finite difference algorithm was used to resolve the 1D non-linear wave equation, and its precision was demonstrated in comparison with the results of the frequency-domain program for the linear case. Finally, the non-linear seismic response of a specific site was calculated by the proposed program. The findings of the fitting were compared to those of the two popular time-domain non-linear programs DEEPSOIL (Hashash, V6.1) and CHARSOIL (Streeter et al., CHARSOIL, Characteristics Method Applied to Soils, 1974 March 25). Simultaneously, the Japanese KIK-net strong motion observation station data were applied to validate the reliability of this program.
Study on green filling mining technology and its application in deep coal mines: A case study in the Xieqiao coal mine
Authors: Hou Junling , Li Chuiyu , Yuan Lin , Li Junbin , Liu Fei
Published: January 2023

Due to the gradual depletion of shallow mineral resources at present, mines are now gradually entering the deep mining stage. To promote the safe and efficient green mining of deep coal resources and sustainable energy development, and to improve the production efficiency of paste filling mining, the research group has performed this study on the green filling mining technology and application of the working face. Taking working face 1241 (3) of the Xieqiao coal mine as the engineering background, the selection and experiment of filling materials were carried out, and the gangue, fly ash and cement produced by the Xieqiao coal mine were used as the filling aggregate. Next, the strength changes before and after paste filling was obtained by theoretical calculation. The strength at the early stage of filling was no less than 0.13 MPa, and that at the late stage of filling was no less than 2 MPa. Based on previous experimental research and theoretical calculation, the mixing pumping process of paste material ratio and the gangue crushing process were determined, and the filling pipeline system was designed. Then, based on the traditional coal mining technology, a filling mining technology of working face was designed and optimized. The field application of the research results shows that after the goaf of the working face had been filled, the ground pressure behavior of the coal wall of the working face was significantly weakened, and the stability of the surrounding rock of the working face was effectively controlled. Therefore, the method achieved good results, effectively controlled the stability of surrounding rock in goaf, and provided a theoretical basis and data support for realizing safe, efficient and green mining of deep coal resources. The results of this study bear important significance and application value.
Mitochondrial quality control and its role in osteoporosis
Authors: Yan Chunlu , Shi Yao , Yuan Lingqing , Lv Donghui , Sun Bai , Wang Jiayu , Liu Xiyan , An Fangyu
Published: January 2023

Mitochondria are important organelles that provide cellular energy and play a vital role in cell differentiation and apoptosis. Osteoporosis is a chronic metabolic bone disease mainly caused by an imbalance in osteoblast and osteoclast activity. Under physiological conditions, mitochondria regulate the balance between osteogenesis and osteoclast activity and maintain bone homeostasis. Under pathological conditions, mitochondrial dysfunction alters this balance; this disruption is important in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Because of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in osteoporosis, mitochondrial function can be targeted therapeutically in osteoporosis-related diseases. This article reviews different aspects of the pathological mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction in osteoporosis, including mitochondrial fusion and fission, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitophagy, and highlights targeted therapy of mitochondria in osteoporosis (diabetes induced osteoporosis and postmenopausal osteoporosis) to provide novel targets and prevention strategies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and other chronic bone diseases.
Prognostication of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma based on preoperative ultrasound
Authors: Cohen Samuel M. , Noel Julia E. , Baroody Michael , Orloff Lisa A.
Published: January 2023

Background

Diagnosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, defined as papillary thyroid carcinoma measuring 1cm or less in greatest diameter, has increased with improvements in ultrasound technology and widespread familiarity and utilization. Given the indolent course of papillary thyroid carcinoma, active surveillance is considered an acceptable alternative to surgical resection for select patients. Candidacy for active surveillance is determined by a number of patient and tumor characteristics. Specifically, the location of the tumor within the thyroid gland plays one of the key roles in decision making. Here we evaluate characteristics of the primary tumor and distance to the thyroid capsule in association with locoregional metastases to help guide risk assessment.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of all thyroid surgeries performed by two surgeons at one medical center from 2014-2021 to evaluate characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma on preoperative ultrasound that are associated with locoregional metastatic disease.

Results

Our data show a sensitivity of 65% and specificity of 95% for identifying regional metastases in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma using preoperative ultrasound. We found no correlation between regional metastasis and size of tumor, distance to thyroid capsule or trachea, tumor contour, or presence of autoimmune thyroiditis. Nodules in the superior or midpole were associated with central or lateral neck metastases, whereas nodules in the isthmus or inferior pole were only associated with central neck metastases.

Conclusions

Active surveillance may be a reasonable option for even those papillary thyroid microcarcinomas adjacent to the thyroid capsule.
Why we should be looking for longitudinal patterns in biodiversity
Authors: Procheş Şerban , Watkeys Michael K. , Ramsay Lisa F. , Cowling Richard M.
Published: January 2023

Our understanding of global diversity patterns relies overwhelmingly on ecological and evolutionary correlates of latitude, and largely ignores longitude. However, the two major explanations of biodiversity patterns – energy and stability – are confounded across latitudes, and longitude offers potential solutions. Recent literature shows that the global biogeography of the Cenozoic world is structured by longitudinal barriers. In a few well-studied regions, such as South Africa’s Cape, the Himalayas and the Amazon-Andes continuum, there are strong longitudinal gradients in biodiversity. Often, such gradients occur where high and low past climatic velocities are juxtaposed, and there is clear evidence of higher biodiversity at the climatically-stable end. Understanding longitudinal biodiversity variations more widely can offer new insights towards biodiversity conservation in the face of anthropogenic climatic change.
Are fungicides a driver of European foulbrood disease in honey bee colonies pollinating blueberries?
Authors: Thebeau Jenna M. , Cloet Allyssa , Liebe Dana , Masood Fatima , Kozii Ivanna V. , Klein Colby D. , Zabrodski Michael W. , Biganski Sarah , Moshynskyy Igor , Sobchishin Larhonda , Wilson Geoff , Guarna Maria Marta , Gerbrandt Eric M. , Ruzzini Antonio , Simko Elemir , Wood Sarah C.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Blueberry producers in Canada depend heavily on pollination services provided by honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Anecdotal reports indicate an increased incidence of European foulbrood (EFB), a bacterial disease caused by Melissococcus plutonius, is compromising pollination services and colony health. Fungicidal products are commonly used in blueberry production to prevent fungal diseases such as anthracnose and botrytis fruit rot. Pesticide exposure has been implicated in honey bee immunosuppression; however, the effects of commercial fungicidal products, commonly used during blueberry pollination, on honey bee larval susceptibility to EFB have not been investigated.

Methods

Using an in vitro infection model of EFB, we infected first instar honey bee larvae with M. plutonius 2019 BC1, a strain isolated from an EFB outbreak in British Columbia, Canada, and chronically exposed larvae to environmentally relevant concentrations of fungicide products over 6 days. Survival was monitored until pupation or eclosion.

Results

We found that larvae chronically exposed to one, two, or three fungicidal products [Supra® Captan 80WDG (Captan), low concentration of Kenja™ 400SC (Kenja), Luna® Tranquility (Luna), and/or Switch® 62.5 WG (Switch)], did not significantly reduce survival from EFB relative to infected controls. When larvae were exposed to four fungicide products concurrently, we observed a significant 24.2% decrease in survival from M. plutonius infection (p = 0.0038). Similarly, higher concentrations of Kenja significantly reduced larval survival by 24.7–33.0% from EFB (p < 0.0001).

Discussion

These in vitro results suggest that fungicides may contribute to larval susceptibility and response to M. plutonius infections. Further testing of other pesticide combinations is warranted as well as continued surveillance of pesticide residues in blueberry-pollinating colonies.
Sex-specific changes in autosomal methylation rate in ageing common terns
Authors: Meyer Britta S. , Moiron Maria , Caswara Calvinna , Chow William , Fedrigo Olivier , Formenti Giulio , Haase Bettina , Howe Kerstin , Mountcastle Jacquelyn , Uliano-Silva Marcela , Wood Jonathan , Jarvis Erich D. , Liedvogel Miriam , Bouwhuis Sandra
Published: January 2023

Senescence, an age-related decline in survival and/or reproductive performance, occurs in species across the tree of life. Molecular mechanisms underlying this within-individual phenomenon are still largely unknown, but DNA methylation changes with age are among the candidates. Using a longitudinal approach, we investigated age-specific changes in autosomal methylation of common terns, relatively long-lived migratory seabirds known to show senescence. We collected blood at 1-, 3- and/or 4-year intervals, extracted DNA from the erythrocytes and estimated autosomal DNA methylation by mapping Reduced Representative Bisulfite Sequencing reads to a de novo assembled reference genome. We found autosomal methylation levels to decrease with age within females, but not males, and no evidence for selective (dis)appearance of birds of either sex in relation to their methylation level. Moreover, although we found positions in the genome to consistently vary in their methylation levels, individuals did not show such strong consistent variance. These results pave the way for studies at the level of genome features or specific positions, which should elucidate the functional consequences of the patterns observed, and how they translate to the ageing phenotype.
Assessment of bidirectional relationships between circulating cytokines and periodontitis: Insights from a mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Huang Shi-Jia , Li Rong , Xu Shuo , Liu Yuan , Li Sheng-Hui , Duan Sheng-Zhong
Published: January 2023

Background: The purpose of this Mendelian randomization (MR) study was to assess the causal relationship between circulating cytokines and periodontitis.

Materials and methods: Based on the aggregated statistics of the largest publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS), we applied a bidirectional two-sample MR. MR analyses were conducted using Inverse variance weighted (IVW), Robust Adjusted Profile Score (RAPS), Maximum likelihood (ML), Weighted median and MR-Egger, and results obtained from IVW served as the primary outcome. Cochran Q test was used to test the heterogeneity. MR-Egger intercept test and MR polymorphism residual and outlier test (MR-PRESSO) were used for polymorphism analysis. Leave-one-out sensitivity and funnel plots were used for sensitivity analysis.

Results: The IVW method indicated that interleukin 9 (IL9) had a positive causal relationship with periodontitis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.199, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.049–1.372, p = 0.008], and interleukin 17 (IL17) had a negative causal relationship with periodontitis (OR = 0.847, 95% CI = 0.735–0.976, p = 0.022). In bidirectional MR, periodontitis was not causally related to any of the cytokines in our study.

Conclusion: Our findings provided evidence in support of potential causal associations between circulating IL9/IL17 and periodontitis.
Association between autophagy and acute pancreatitis
Authors: Zhang Tao , Gan Yu , Zhu Shuai
Published: January 2023

Autophagy pathway involves maintaining intracellular homeostasis by regulating the degradation of cytoplasmic components. Disfunction of autophagic process has been confirmed to be critical mechanism in many diseases, including cancer, inflammation, infection, degeneration and metabolic disorders. Recent studies have shown that autophagy is one of the early events in acute pancreatitis. Impaired autophagy promotes the abnormal activation of zymogen granules and results in apoptosis and necrosis of exocrine pancreas. Furthermore, multiple signal paths involve progression of acute pancreatitis by regulating autophagy pathway. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent advances in epigenetic regulation of autophagy and the role of autophagy in acute pancreatitis.
CFH and CFHR structural variants in atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: Prevalence, genomic characterization and impact on outcome
Authors: Piras Rossella , Valoti Elisabetta , Alberti Marta , Bresin Elena , Mele Caterina , Breno Matteo , Liguori Lucia , Donadelli Roberta , Rigoldi Miriam , Benigni Ariela , Remuzzi Giuseppe , Noris Marina
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease that manifests with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure, and is associated with dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. The chromosomal region including CFH and CFHR1-5 is rich in repeated sequences, favoring genomic rearrangements that have been reported in several patients with aHUS. However, there are limited data on the prevalence of uncommon CFH-CFHR genomic rearrangements in aHUS and their impact on disease onset and outcomes.

Methods

In this study, we report the results of CFH-CFHR Copy Number Variation (CNV) analysis and the characterization of resulting structural variants (SVs) in a large cohort of patients, including 258 patients with primary aHUS and 92 with secondary forms.

Results

We found uncommon SVs in 8% of patients with primary aHUS: 70% carried rearrangements involving CFH alone or CFH and CFHR (group A; n=14), while 30% exhibited rearrangements including only CFHRs (group B; n=6). In group A, 6 patients presented CFH::CFHR1 hybrid genes, 7 patients carried duplications in the CFH-CFHR region that resulted either in the substitution of the last CFHR1 exon(s) with those of CFH (CFHR1::CFH reverse hybrid gene) or in an internal CFH duplication. In group A, the large majority of aHUS acute episodes not treated with eculizumab (12/13) resulted in chronic ESRD; in contrast, anti-complement therapy induced remission in 4/4 acute episodes. aHUS relapse occurred in 6/7 grafts without eculizumab prophylaxis and in 0/3 grafts with eculizumab prophylaxis. In group B, 5 subjects had the CFHR31-5::CFHR410 hybrid gene and one had 4 copies of CFHR1 and CFHR4. Compared with group A, patients in group B exhibited a higher prevalence of additional complement abnormalities and earlier disease onset. However, 4/6 patients in this group underwent complete remission without eculizumab treatment. In secondary forms we identified uncommon SVs in 2 out of 92 patients: the CFHR31-5::CFHR410 hybrid and a new internal duplication of CFH.

Discussion

In conclusion, these data highlight that uncommon CFH-CFHR SVs are frequent in primary aHUS and quite rare in secondary forms. Notably, genomic rearrangements involving the CFH are associated with a poor prognosis but carriers respond to anti-complement therapy.
Association between genetically predicted leukocyte telomere length and non-scarring alopecia: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Yicheng , Yang Shuting , Liao Minjun , Zheng Zijun , Li Mengyao , Wei Xuerong , Liu Mengqian , Yang Lei
Published: January 2023

Background

The most commonly acknowledged non-scarring alopecia are androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA). Previous studies have revealed various risk factors associated with alopecia. However, the relationship between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and non-scarring alopecia remains unclear.

Methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to evaluate the causality between genetically predicted LTL and the risk of non-scarring alopecia. MR analyses were performed using the inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method and complemented with other MR methods.

Results

The summary statistics of the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for AGA and AA were obtained from the FinnGen biobank, which included 119,185 and 211,428 individuals, respectively. A total of 126 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with genome-wide significance were selected as the instrumental variables for LTL. The MR analyses suggested a causal relationship between LTL and AGA, and the risk of AGA increased by 3.19 times as the genetically predicted LTL was shortened by one standard deviation in log transformed form under the IVW method (OR = 4.19, 95% CI = 1.20–14.61, p = 0.024). The other MR methods also demonstrated a similar trend of the effect of LTL on AGA. There was no causal relationship between LTL and AA (p > 0.05). Sensitivity analyses further demonstrated that the current results were less likely to be affected by confounders and bias.

Conclusion

Our results suggested a potential causal relationship between LTL and AGA, and shortened LTL was associated with an increased risk of AGA.
Evaluation of immunotherapy efficacy in gynecologic cancer
Authors: Jiang Genyi , Wu Qianhua , Li Bilan
Published: January 2023

Various immunotherapies have demonstrated remarkable success over the past few decades, and have been approved for the treatment of different cancer types. However, patient responses to immunotherapy are variable, and approximately 50% of cases are refractory to these agents. Tumor biomarker-based stratification of cases may therefore help identify subpopulations that are sensitive/resistant to immunotherapy; it may also improve prediction of response in various cancers including gynecologic cancer. These biomarkers include the tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, mismatch repair deficiency, T cell-inflamed gene expression profile, programmed cell death protein 1 ligand 1, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and numerous other genomic alterations. Future directions in the treatment of gynecologic cancer include the utilization of these biomarkers to select ideal candidates. This review focused on recent advances in the predictive ability of molecular biomarkers in patients with gynecologic cancer who undergo immunotherapy. The most recent developments in combined immunotherapy and targeted therapy strategies and novel immune interventions against gynecologic cancers have also been discussed.
Transcriptome-wide association study of circulating IgE levels identifies novel targets for asthma and allergic diseases
Authors: Recto Kathryn A. , Huan Tianxiao , Lee Dong Heon , Lee Gha Young , Gereige Jessica , Yao Chen , Hwang Shih-Jen , Joehanes Roby , Kelly Rachel S. , Lasky-Su Jessica , O’Connor George , Levy Daniel
Published: January 2023

Measurement of circulating immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration is helpful for diagnosing and treating asthma and allergic diseases. Identifying gene expression signatures associated with IgE might elucidate novel pathways for IgE regulation. To this end, we performed a discovery transcriptome-wide association study to identify differentially expressed genes associated with circulating IgE levels in whole-blood derived RNA from 5,345 participants in the Framingham Heart Study across 17,873 mRNA gene-level transcripts. We identified 216 significant transcripts at a false discovery rate <0.05. We conducted replication using the meta-analysis of two independent external studies: the Childhood Asthma Management Program (n=610) and the Genetic Epidemiology of Asthma in Costa Rica Study (n=326); we then reversed the discovery and replication cohorts, which revealed 59 significant genes that replicated in both directions. Gene ontology analysis revealed that many of these genes were implicated in immune function pathways, including defense response, inflammatory response, and cytokine production. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis revealed four genes (CLC, CCDC21, S100A13, and GCNT1) as putatively causal (p<0.05) regulators of IgE levels. GCNT1 (beta=1.5, p=0.01)—which is a top result in the MR analysis of expression in relation to asthma and allergic diseases—plays a role in regulating T helper type 1 cell homing, lymphocyte trafficking, and B cell differentiation. Our findings build upon prior knowledge of IgE regulation and provide a deeper understanding of underlying molecular mechanisms. The IgE-associated genes that we identified—particularly those implicated in MR analysis—can be explored as promising therapeutic targets for asthma and IgE-related diseases.
The initial interplay between HIV and mucosal innate immunity
Authors: Caputo Valeria , Libera Martina , Sisti Sofia , Giuliani Benedetta , Diotti Roberta A. , Criscuolo Elena
Published: January 2023

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is still one of the major global health issues, and despite significant efforts that have been put into studying the pathogenesis of HIV infection, several aspects need to be clarified, including how innate immunity acts in different anatomical compartments. Given the nature of HIV as a sexually transmitted disease, one of the aspects that demands particular attention is the mucosal innate immune response. Given this scenario, we focused our attention on the interplay between HIV and mucosal innate response: the different mucosae act as a physical barrier, whose integrity can be compromised by the infection, and the virus-cell interaction induces the innate immune response. In addition, we explored the role of the mucosal microbiota in facilitating or preventing HIV infection and highlighted how its changes could influence the development of several opportunistic infections. Although recent progress, a proper characterization of mucosal innate immune response and microbiota is still missing, and further studies are needed to understand how they can be helpful for the formulation of an effective vaccine.
Age estimation in fishes using epigenetic clocks: Applications to fisheries management and conservation biology
Authors: Piferrer Francesc , Anastasiadi Dafni
Published: January 2023

The distribution of age classes is a key demographic parameter of populations and thus proper age estimation is crucial for fisheries management and for conservation biology. Age estimation in fishes has traditionally relied on the analysis of growth marks in hard structures such as otoliths. However, besides being lethal this method is time-consuming, can have low accuracy in some species and cannot be applied in others. Thus, there is a need for the development of new methods. DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification consisting in the addition of a methyl group in cytosine-guanine loci. Aging is associated with changes in DNA methylation. Among a background of global and weak genome hypomethylation, there are some loci in which age-associated DNA methylation changes are of a “clock-like” nature and thus predictable. Chronological age estimators built from DNA methylation are termed ‘epigenetic clocks’. Epigenetic clocks have been developed in the last ten years for many species, notably vertebrates, including already several fish species. Here, we review the piscine epigenetic clocks built so far and outline the major considerations to be taken into account for the development of new epigenetic clocks for additional species, which include the number of samples to be collected and tissues to be targeted. The steps on how to develop such a clock and the techniques available to do so are also discussed. Next, we focus on the features of epigenetic clocks as measuring devices, considering aspects such as accuracy, precision and reproducibility. Finally, we discuss the possibility of developing a multi-species piscine epigenetic clock and how processing automation can greatly reduce the cost per sample. One important knowledge gap is to determine how environmental changes, especially temperature and food availability, may affect the tick rate of piscine epigenetic clocks. Improved age prediction through the use of piscine epigenetic clocks can contribute to better fisheries management practices in a context of overexploited fish stocks worldwide, and in the estimation of age classes in endangered species.
The effects of native lactic acid bacteria on the microbiome, fermentation profile, and nutritive value of Napier grass silage prepared with different legume ratios
Authors: Guan Hao , Li Haiping , Gan Li , Chen Shiyong , Yan Yanhong , Jia Zhifeng , Liu Wenhui , Wei Xiaoxing , Ma Xiang , Zhou Qingping
Published: January 2023

Mixing grass with legumes before ensiling is beneficial for improving dry matter and crude protein yield, but additional information is needed to balance nutrient content and fermentation quality. In this study, the microbial community, fermentation characteristics, and nutrient content of Napier grass mixed with alfalfa at different proportions were assessed. Tested proportions included: 100:0 (M0), 70:30 (M3), 50:50 (M5), 30:70 (M7), and 0:100 (MF). Treatments included: (CK) sterilized deionized water; (IN) selected lactic acid bacteria: Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC 23166 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CGMCC 18233 (1.5 × 105 cfu/g of fresh weight for each inoculant); and (CO) commercial lactic acid bacteria: L. plantarum (1 × 105 cfu/g of fresh weight). All mixtures were ensiled for 60 days. Data analysis was used as a completely randomized design with a 5-by-3 factorial arrangement of treatments. The results showed that with increasing alfalfa mixing ratio, dry matter, and crude protein increased, while neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber decreased both before and after ensiling (p < 0.05), which was not influenced by fermentation. Inoculation with IN and CO decreased pH and increased the lactic acid content compared to CK (p < 0.05), especially in silages M7 and MF. The highest Shannon index (6.24) and Simpson index (0.93) were observed in the MF silage CK treatment (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Lactiplantibacillus decreased with increasing alfalfa mixing ratio, while the abundance of Lactiplantibacillus was significantly higher in the IN-treated group than in other treatment groups (p < 0.05). A higher alfalfa mixing ratio improved the nutrient value, but also made fermentation more difficult. Inoculants improved the fermentation quality by increasing the abundance of Lactiplantibacillus. In conclusion, the groups M3 and M5 achieved the optimal balance of nutrients and fermentation. If a higher proportion of alfalfa needs to be used, it is recommended to use inoculants to ensure sufficient fermentation.