bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationships between caregiving stress and sleep quality among family caregivers of older adults with dementia in Thailand
Authors: Sanprakhon Panawat , Chaimongkol Nujjaree , Hengudomsub Pornpat
Published: June 2022

Background: Providing care for older people with memory loss is a significantly stressful task. The caregiver experienced deterioration of the care recipients regarding their cognitive and functioning abilities, often resulting in the caregiver’s feelings of distress, stress, and unsatisfactory sleep quality. 
Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships between caregiving stress and sleep quality among family caregivers of older adults with dementia. 
Methods: A simple random sampling method was used to recruit participants of seventy-two family caregivers who received care from a community long-term care facility at two primary hospitals in Thailand. Research instruments included the Relative Stress Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, means, standard deviation, and simple linear regression.
Results: The study revealed that caregivers had a high level of caregiving stress (M = 49.68, SD = 4.71), and poor sleep quality (M = 12.44, SD = 3.60). Caregiving stress was positively correlated with poor sleep quality (r = 0.54, p < .01) with a large relationship.
Conclusion: Thai family caregivers of people with dementia reported high stress level and had poor sleep quality. The findings suggest that nurses in primary health care should focus on assessing stress levels and sleep quality as well as improving sleep quality for family caregivers by developing interventions.
THE ACCURACY OF ZERNIKE RECONSTRUCTION OF OCULAR ABERRATIONS WITH MEASUREMENT NOISE
Authors:   Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, SPDSSK Karunarathna , MPDS Lakshmi ,   Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Published: June 2022

The ocular aberrations (wavefront) can be used to describe the vision defects, and wavefront sensing devices (aberrometers) are used to measure the ocular aberrations (OAs). The Zernike polynomials (ZPs) have been successfully used in wavefront reconstruction algorithms of aberrometers for years. As the aberrometer measurements consist with noise, the measurements observed using aberrometers are not always accurate. It is therefore necessary to take multiple measurements from the patient in each sitting. However, taking multiple measurements also causes to induce the variations on measurements, and this variability of measurements is significant, and leads errors in clinical practice. Therefore, the variability should be taken into account during wavefront reconstruction. Consequently, unlike prior work, the accuracy of Zernike representation for the ocular aberrations with noise (due to the system noise and the variability of measurements) is studied. In the study, the noisy data is fitted using ZPs. Data sets are created using extracted data from arbitrary OAs, that is, synthetic data sets are used. Normally distributed very small random numbers are added into the data sets in order to create measurement noise. The magnitude of added noisy has been changed to range the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) from 55 dB to 20 dB. The corresponding Zernike coefficients for each noised wavefront are computed, and visual acuity is used to examine the deviation of the reconstructed wavefront from the data set. The study concludes that the Zernike polynomials are not good enough to represent the wavefront with noisy level less than certain value of SNR which is greater than the reference SNR values of aberrometers, and note that the aberrometer SNR is always between 20-30 dB.
MECHANICAL PROPERTY ENHANCEMENT OF ALUMINIUM ALLOY AA 7068 PROCESSED THROUGH AN EFFECTIVE GRAIN REFINEMENT PROCESS CALLED ECAP
Authors:   Malnad College of Engineering, B S Shivashankara , S Padeep ,   Malnad College of Engineering, K R Gopi ,   Malnad College of Engineering
Published: June 2022

In the present scenario there is an immense need for highly designated material with better mechanical and physical properties for a variety of engineering applications. This article discusses a well-known severe plastic deformation process called equal channel angular pressing (ECAP), which was conducted on Aluminium alloy AA7068 at elevated temperature 220°C with repetitive ECAP cycles using route A, up to four passes in order to improve the mechanical properties of the material by producing ultrafine grained (UFG) microstructure. The microstructure of homogenized and ECAP processed samples were analyzed using optical microscope and mechanical properties were examined through tensile and microhardness tests. Investigation results showed an improvement in tensile strength and hardness of ECAP processed samples with a considerable amount of grain refinement up to 15 µm after four ECAP passes as compared with unprocessed samples.
A STUDY ON HYDROKALINE WATER
Authors:   Sunbeam Group of Educational Institutions, Srivastava Vinayak
Published: June 2022

As in the current era everyone is eating unhealthy food. Which is causing so much major health issues like Pressure, High l, type-2 Diabetes, Heart disease and stroke, osteoporosis, some type of cancers, And many more. And there is such need of that can keep the people healthy and solve all the related issues while performing all daily life activities and without wastage of time in medication. The Hydrokaline water is such a structure, that is fit for envisioning these all type of health issues. It makes the water alkaline, micro clustered and antioxidant by the proses of electrolysis or ionization which helps in many of the medical issues.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: A REVIEW
Authors:   Loknete Shri Dadapatil Pharate Patil College of Pharmacy, Pasarkar Nikhil , Waghmare Santosh ,   Loknete Shri Dadapatil Pharate Patil College of Pharmacy, Kamble Hemant ,   Loknete Shri Dadapatil Pharate Patil College of Pharmacy
Published: June 2022

Antibiotics are medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of these medicines.Bacteria, not humans or animals, become antibiotic-resistant. These bacteria may infect humans and animals, and the infections they cause are harder to treat than those caused by non-resistant bacteria.Antibiotic resistance leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality.The world urgently needs to change the way it prescribes and uses antibiotics. Even if new medicines are developed, without behaviour change, antibiotic resistance will remain a major threat. Behaviour changes must also include actions to reduce the spread of infections through vaccination, hand washing, practising safer sex, and good food hygiene.
Identifikasi Penulis Berdasarkan Pola Tulisan Tangan Menggunakan Convolutional Autoencoder dan KNN
Authors: Turmudzi Muhammad , Setyati Endang
Published: June 2022

Identifikasi tulisan tangan dilakukan dengan beberapa tahapan, yaitu Akuisisi Citra dengan memanfaatkan mesin scanner dengan kualitas gambar 300dpi, Segmentasi dilakukan dengan metode threshold dan seleksi kontour dari gambar, penggabungan gambar hasil segmentasi, proses citra dari hasil segmentasi ke dalam Convolutional Autoencoder yang hasilnya diteruskan ke Transfer Learning (Lazy Learning) dalam hal ini penulis menggunakan metode KNN untuk mencocokkan tulisan tangan dari penulis. Penelitian dilakukan dengan menggunakan 100 dataset dari 20 penulis yang masing-masing penulis menulis 5 kali. Dataset yang digunakan di ujicoba pertama mengguanakan penggalan kalimat pada tulisan tangan yaitu Judul dari Puisi Chairil Anwar. Ujicoba dilakukan dengan membandingkan Training menggunakan Convolutional Autoencoder dan tanpa menggunakan Convolutional Autoencoder. Hasil dari ujicoba dengan Convolutional Autoencoder memperoleh nilai akurasi sebesar 89% dan tanpa menggunakan Convolutional Autoencoder, didapatkan nilai akurasi sebesar 88%. Pada ujicoba menggunakan tulisan tangan full, diperoleh hasil akurasi rata-rata 50% jauh di bawah hipotesa sehingga tidak cocok untuk diterapkan pada identifikasi tulisan tangan. Perlu ada nya pembatasan tulisan tangan yang akan digunakan sebagai dataset dalam identifikasi tulisan tangan
Sistem Mekanik Smart Electric Solar Car Berbasis Android
Authors: Joni Koko , Alfita Riza , Ulum Miftachul
Published: June 2022

Penggunaan energi alternatif merupakan salah satu cara untuk mengurangi dampak dari konsumsi energi fosil. Seiring bertambah majunya teknologi maka pengaplikasian energi alternatif juga semakin luas. Salah satunya pembuatan mobil listrik dengan menggunakan sel surya. Prinsip dari dari kendaraan listrik ini adalah penggunaan energi yang disimpan ke baterai dari hasil konversi sel surya ke energi listrik, dan untuk pengoperasiannya kita menggunakan android. Pada mobil listrik dipasang solar cell sebagai sumber energi listrik untuk dapat menggerakkan motor bldc yang di supply dari aki atau tempat penyimpanan energi listrik dari solar cell. Rangkaian charge controller ini dibuat dengan menggunakan suatu rangkaian elektronika analog. Alat ini mempunyai fungsi utama sebagai pengontrol aliran listrik antara panel sel surya dengan baterai dan juga beban dengan menggunakan saklar otomatis. Sehingga pengoperasian dan penggunaan system pembangkit listrik tenaga surya 200 watt ini dapat beroperasi dan dimanfaatkan lebih baik. Untuk cara menyalakan mobil listrik ini sudah dilengkapi android sebagai inputan pada sistem dan juga sebagai kendali otomatis menggunakan perintah suara.
Analisa Perbandingan Pengaturan Frekuensi Pada PLTMH Dengan PID Berbasis PSO dan GA
Authors: Effendy Machmud , Prambudi Muhamad , Hakim Ermanu Azizul
Published: June 2022

Frekuensi merupakan tolak ukur kualitas sistem pembangkit. Oleh sebab itu frekuensi harus dijaga kestabilanya agar memberikan kualitas energi listrik yang baik. Permasalahan yang kerap terjadi adalah saat terjadi perubahan beban dibutuhkan waktu yang relatif lama untuk kembali ke frekuensi standart yaitu 50 Hz. Dalam penelitian ini pengaturan frekuensi menggunakan kontroler PID yang diharapkan dapat mengatasi waktu perbaikan nilai frekuensi agar lebih cepat. Metode PSO dan GA digunakan untuk meningkatkan kinerja PID. Simulasi yang dilakukan pada matlab R2018a telah terbukti dapat mengatasi permasalahan tersebut. Dalam penelitian ini membandingkan kinerja FCV menggunakan kontroler PID, FCV menggunakan kontroler PID-GA, dan FCV menggunakan kontroler PID-PSO. Simulasi dilakukan menggunkan beban konsumen yang berubah-ubah diantaranya 128Kw, 118Kw, dan 108Kw. Hasil simulasi menunjukkan bahwa kontroler PID, PID-PSO, dan PID-GA mampu menstabilkan frekuensi saat terjadi perubahan beban, kontroler PID meghasilkan settling time yang lebih lambat jika dibandingkan dengan kontroler PID-GA dan PID-PSO. Respon overshoot dan settling time dari kontrol PID akibat penggunaan GA maupun PSO relatif sama.
Kontrol Fuzzy Logic Dalam Menentukan Produksi Air Demin Pada PLTU
Authors: Sadi Sumardi SPd. , Mulyati Sri
Published: June 2022

Demineralized water production that is not in accordance with the supplies needed in a power plant results in less effective and efficient operation of the power plant. This requires careful control. The control system can use a fuzzy logic-based control system. In this article, we describe the trial of controlling the production of demin water with the aim of determining the production of electricity for consumer needs. The method used is fuzzy logic control. The result can adjust the supply of demin water according to the available stock and the number of requests. The electricity production resulting from fuzzy calculations in generating electricity production is the Tsukamoto method of 698.3 MW/day, the Mamdani method of 254.16 MW/day, and the Sugeno method of 537.3 MW/day.
Vaccination With Leptospira interrogans PF07598 Gene Family-Encoded Virulence Modifying Proteins Protects Mice From Severe Leptospirosis and Reduces Bacterial Load in the Liver and Kidney
Authors: Chaurasia Reetika , Salovey Aryeh , Guo Xiaojia , Desir Gary , Vinetz Joseph M.
Published: June 2022

The molecular and cellular pathogenesis of leptospirosis remains poorly understood. Based on comparative bacterial genomics data, we recently identified the hypothetical PF07598 gene family as encoding secreted exotoxins (VM proteins) that mediate cytotoxicityin vitro. To address whether VM proteins mediatein vivoleptospirosis pathogenesis, we tested the hypothesis that VM protein immunization of mice would protect against lethal challenge infection and reduce bacterial load in key target organs. C3H/HeJ mice were immunized with recombinantE. coli-produced, endotoxin-free, leptospiral VM proteins (derived fromL. interrogansserovar Lai) in combination with the human-compatible adjuvant, glucopyranoside lipid A/squalene oil-in-water. Mice receiving full length recombinant VM proteins were protected from lethal challenge infection byL. interrogansserovar Canicola and had a 3-4 log10reduction in bacterial load in the liver and kidney. These experiments show that immunization with recombinant VM proteins prevents leptospirosis clinical pathogenesis and leads to markedly reduced key target organ infection in this animal model. These data support the role of leptospiral VM proteins as virulence factors and suggest the possibility that a VM protein-based, serovar-independent, pan-leptospirosis vaccine may be feasible.
Beyond Open Access: Conceptualizing Open Science for Knowledge Co-creation
Authors: Mačiulienė Monika
Published: June 2022

Despite the calls from European Union (EU) and global institutions, such as UNESCO and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for more openness and collaboration between Quadruple Helix actors (government, academia, industry, and civil society), in practice, scientific knowledge creation has been much more closed and fragmented. As an emerging field of study, Open Science (OS) for knowledge co-creation currently requires significantly conceptual and theoretical challenges to be addressed before advancing to practical application. To address this gap, the paper aims to develop a conceptual framework integrating diverse understandings of OS beyond the use of Open Access (OA) and data practices. The author argues that OS should be approached as a complex ecosystem with the potential for knowledge co-creation and social innovations. The underlying premise of the proposed conceptual model is the interdisciplinarity in integrating multiple reference disciplines. Such an approach allows us to learn from other disciplines and contribute to OS research through the emergence of new ideas for theory and practical application. Consequently, a dyadic model is presented where (1) framework conditions regulate how (2) systemic conditions can realize their full potential for knowledge co-creation resulting in outputs (e.g., collaborative projects and citizen science projects) and outcomes (e.g., social innovations, higher quality of science, and democratized knowledge) beneficial for a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
Language and Social Justice in US Climate Movements: Barriers and Ways Forward
Authors: Fine Julia Coombs
Published: June 2022

Climate movements increasingly conceptualize the climate crisis as an issue of social injustice, both in terms of its root causes and its present and future effects. Climate justice calls for participatory decision-making within climate movements, which, as communication scholars have pointed out, necessitates inclusive and accessible communicative practices. Within sociocultural linguistics, a growing body of research has explored sociolinguistic justice, or marginalized groups' struggle for self-determined language use. This analysis interweaves these two research areas, applying the theory of sociolinguistic justice to climate communication in organizing contexts. Drawing on 67 semi-structured interviews and 112 online surveys with climate activists from organizations across the United States, the analysis finds that sociolinguistic injustice impedes frontline community members' participation in climate movements. Specific barriers include: (1) English-only communications; (2) the combination of incomprehensible jargon with a dry, emotionless register; (3) the use of Dominant American English in prescriptive climate communication materials such as phonebanking scripts; (4) language policing of discourses of environmental justice and environmental racism; and (5) a form of linguistic ventriloquism in which adult organizers pressure youth to express climate grief in their stead. Climate activists' insights are synthesized to propose countermeasures to each of these problems of sociolinguistic injustice. The results suggest that sociolinguistic justice can be a useful lens for understanding climate justice communication within climate movements, and provide guidance to climate organizers and educators who wish to align their communications with the inclusive, anti-racist, and decolonial values of climate justice.
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Across Races and Ethnicities: A Review
Authors: Burger Renée J. , Delagrange Hannelore , van Valkengoed Irene G. M. , de Groot Christianne J. M. , van den Born Bert-Jan H. , Gordijn Sanne J. , Ganzevoort Wessel
Published: June 2022

Pregnancy is often considered to be a “cardiometabolic stress-test” and pregnancy complications including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy can be the first indicator of increased risk of future cardiovascular disease. Over the last two decades, more evidence on the association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cardiovascular disease has become available. However, despite the importance of addressing existing racial and ethnic differences in the incidence of cardiovascular disease, most research on the role of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is conducted in white majority populations. The fragmented knowledge prohibits evidence-based targeted prevention and intervention strategies in multi-ethnic populations and maintains the gap in health outcomes. In this review, we present an overview of the evidence on racial and ethnic differences in the occurrence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, as well as evidence on the association of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease across different non-White populations, aiming to advance equity in medicine.
Supporting Teachers in Improving Formative Decision-Making: Design Principles for Formative Assessment Plans
Authors: van der Steen Janneke , van Schilt-Mol Tamara , van der Vleuten Cees , Joosten-ten Brinke Desirée
Published: June 2022

Formative assessment is considered as one of the most effective interventions to support teacher decision-making and improve education and student learning. However, formative assessment does not always meet these expectations. In order to be effective, formative assessment activities should be consciously and coherently planned aligned with other aspects of the curriculum and the decisions teachers wish to make based on these activities. While there is sufficient support for teachers to design formative assessment activities, no guidelines exist to help them tie these different activities together in an effective way. To support teachers in designing formative assessment plans informing formative decision-making, this study focused on the creation of a set of design principles. These design principles for formative assessment plans were formulated based on expert interviews and subsequently evaluated by future users. The result is a set of eight design principles that can be used and validated in educational practice.
An Easy-to-Use Approach to Detect CNV From Targeted NGS Data: Identification of a Novel Pathogenic Variant in MO Disease
Authors: Corsini Serena , Pedrini Elena , Patavino Claudio , Gnoli Maria , Lanza Marcella , Sangiorgi Luca
Published: June 2022

Background

Despite the new next-generation sequencing (NGS) molecular approaches implemented the genetic testing in clinical diagnosis, copy number variation (CNV) detection from NGS data remains difficult mainly in the absence of bioinformatics personnel (not always available among laboratory resources) and when using very small gene panels that do not meet commercial software criteria. Furthermore, not all large deletions/duplications can be detected with the Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) technique due to both the limitations of the methodology and no kits available for the most of genes.

Aim

We propose our experience regarding the identification of a novel large deletion in the context of a rare skeletal disease, multiple osteochondromas (MO), using and validating a user-friendly approach based on NGS coverage data, which does not require any dedicated software or specialized personnel.

Methods

The pipeline uses a simple algorithm comparing the normalized coverage of each amplicon with the mean normalized coverage of the same amplicon in a group of “wild-type” samples representing the baseline. It has been validated on 11 samples, previously analyzed by MLPA, and then applied on 20 patients with MO but negative for the presence of pathogenic variants in EXT1 or EXT2 genes. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were evaluated.

Results

All the 11 known CNVs (exon and multi-exon deletions) have been detected with a sensitivity of 97.5%. A novel EXT2 partial exonic deletion c. (744-122)-?_804+?del —out of the MLPA target regions— has been identified. The variant was confirmed by real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR).

Conclusion

In addition to enhancing the variant detection rate in MO molecular diagnosis, this easy-to-use approach for CNV detection can be easily extended to many other diagnostic fields—especially in resource-limited settings or very small gene panels. Notably, it also allows partial-exon deletion detection.
Predictive Value of Clinical and Pathological Characteristics for Metastatic Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A 16-year Retrospective Study
Authors: Chai Jinyan , Zhang Ruiguo , Zheng Wei , Zhang Guizhi , Jia Qiang , Tan Jian , Meng Zhaowei , Wang Renfei
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To assess predictive value of clinical and pathological characteristics for metastatic radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (RAIR-DTC) in early stage retrospectively.

Methods

We studied 199 metastatic DTC patients who were divided into two groups (TgAb negative and TgAb positive). The stimulated Tg (Sti-Tg) at the first and second radioiodine therapy (RIT) were defined as Sti-Tg1 and Sti-Tg2, the suppressed Tg (Sup-Tg) were designated as Sup-Tg1 and Sup-Tg2, while the TgAb were defined as TgAb1 and TgAb2, respectively. Univariate analysis and Logistic regression were used to investigate the effects of 13 observed factors to predict RAIR-DTC.

Results

In TgAb negative group, ROC curve analysis showed that cut-off values of age, Sti-Tg2/Sti-Tg1 and Sup-Tg2/Sup-Tg1 to predict RAIR-DTC were 40 years old, 57.0% and 81.0%, respectively. Age, extrathyroid invasion, Sti-Tg2/Sti-Tg1, Sup-Tg2/Sup-Tg1 and BRAF gene mutation were proved to be independent factors predicting RAIR-DTC. In TgAb-positive group, ROC curve analysis showed that cut-off values of age, TgAb1 and TgAb2/TgAb1 to predict RAIR-DTC were 55 years old, 297 IU/ml (14.8 times higher than the upper limit) and 53.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

For TgAb-negative DTC, age over 40, extraglandular invasion, mutated BRAF gene, Sti-Tg decreased less than 43%, and Sup-Tg decreased less than 19% after the first two courses of RIT were independent predictors for RAIR-DTC. For TgAb-positive DTC, age over 55, extraglandular invasion, mutated BRAF gene, distant metastasis before RIT, TgAb level 14.8 times higher than the upper limit, TgAb dropped less than 46.4% after two courses of RIT were influencing factors.
Effects of Dual Symbiotic Interactions Performed by the Exotic Tree Golden Wreath Wattle (Acacia cyanophylla Lindl.) on Soil Fertility in a Costal Sand Dune Ecosystem
Authors: Dounas Hanane , Bourhia Mohammed , Outamamat Elmostapha , Bouskout Mohammed , Nafidi Hiba-Allah , El-Sheikh Mohamed A. , Al-Abbadi Ghanim A. , Ouahmane Lahcen
Published: June 2022

The present study aims to evaluate the effects of the exotic shrub Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. on soil fertility by studying 1) its ability to modify the soil physicochemical composition, 2) its contribution to the soil mycorrhizal potential and its impact on the richness and diversity of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community in the rhizospheric soil (RS), and finally 3) its atmospheric nitrogen fixation potential. The physicochemical analysis of the RS has shown that soil invasion by A. cyanophylla has a beneficial effect on its fertility; this advantage is demonstrated by the increase of the organic matter and the nutrient contents (N, P, K, Na, Ca) in the RS. Furthermore, the roots of this shrub exhibited broad AMF colonization, which confirms its high mycotrophic aspect. Four differentiated morphotypes of mycorrhizal spores were isolated from the RS of A. cyanophylla by use of the wet sieving method. In addition, the most probable number method showed that A. cyanophylla was capable of dramatically increasing the mycorrhizal potential of the soil. Indeed, more than 1,213 infectious propagules per one hundred grams of soil were detected in the RS of A. cyanophylla. Moreover, A. cyanophylla roots showed a significant presence of nodules indicating an active atmospheric nitrogen fixation. Counting revealed the presence of at least 130 nodules in the root fragments contained in 1 kg of soil. In conclusion, the biological invasion of sand dunes by the exotic shrub A. cyanophylla exhibited beneficial effects on the soil’s chemical composition and functioning, the activity of rhizobacteria in fixing atmospheric nitrogen, and phosphate bioavailability under the action of the native AMF community.
Influence of Topographic Relief on Sand Transport in the Near-Surface Layer During Dust Storms in the Taklimakan Desert
Authors: Huo Wen , Yang Fan , Wu Ye , Zhi XieFei , Song MeiQi , Zhou ChengLong , Yang XingHua , MamtiMin Ali , He Qing , Wen Cong , Gao JiaCheng , Meng Lu , Hu Shunqi
Published: June 2022

Dust storms and dust aerosols seriously affect environmental variation and climate change at regional and global scales. Accordingly, these hazards are the current focus in studies related to Earth science. The near-surface layer is an important link for the upward transmission of dust aerosols. However, the difficulty associated with obtaining real-time observation data from this layer has markedly hindered the progress of related research. In sand source areas, the topographic relief of natural dunes is easily ignored, despite serving as an essential factor affecting wind-driven dust emission, transport, and deposition. In this study, we explored the similarities and differences in horizontal dust flux (Q) between Xiaotang and Tazhong using observation data. In Xiaotang, the variation in the Q value with height was found to fit a power function; however, in Tazhong, the Q value did not show a significant gradient change. Such phenomena are caused by the secondary sand source generated by the undulation of natural dunes. The median particle diameter of the dust lifted from the ground during dust storms was essentially the same between Xiaotang and Tazhong, ranging from 74 to 82 μm in Tazhong and from 53 to 81 μm in Xiaotang. The maximum wind speed in Xiaotang was greater than that in Tazhong, resulting in a larger Q value for each particle size range in Xiaotang. The coarse sediment grain was identified as the main factor controlling the vertical variation trend of Q. Further, fine particles were found to have a minor impact.
Indian Wheat Genomics Initiative for Harnessing the Potential of Wheat Germplasm Resources for Breeding Disease-Resistant, Nutrient-Dense, and Climate-Resilient Cultivars
Authors: Kumar Sundeep , Jacob Sherry R. , Mir Reyazul Rouf , Vikas V. K. , Kulwal Pawan , Chandra Tilak , Kaur Satinder , Kumar Uttam , Kumar Suneel , Sharma Shailendra , Singh Ravinder , Prasad Sai , Singh Anju Mahendru , Singh Amit Kumar , Kumari Jyoti , Saharan M. S. , Bhardwaj Subhash Chander , Prasad Manoj , Kalia Sanjay , Singh Kuldeep
Published: June 2022

Wheat is one of the major staple cereal food crops in India. However, most of the wheat-growing areas experience several biotic and abiotic stresses, resulting in poor quality grains and reduced yield. To ensure food security for the growing population in India, there is a compelling need to explore the untapped genetic diversity available in gene banks for the development of stress-resistant/tolerant cultivars. The improvement of any crop lies in exploring and harnessing the genetic diversity available in its genetic resources in the form of cultivated varieties, landraces, wild relatives, and related genera. A huge collection of wheat genetic resources is conserved in various gene banks across the globe. Molecular and phenotypic characterization followed by documentation of conserved genetic resources is a prerequisite for germplasm utilization in crop improvement. The National Genebank of India has an extensive and diverse collection of wheat germplasm, comprising Indian wheat landraces, primitive cultivars, breeding lines, and collection from other countries. The conserved germplasm can contribute immensely to the development of wheat cultivars with high levels of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Breeding wheat varieties that can give high yields under different stress environments has not made much headway due to high genotypes and environmental interaction, non-availability of truly resistant/tolerant germplasm, and non-availability of reliable markers linked with the QTL having a significant impact on resistance/tolerance. The development of new breeding technologies like genomic selection (GS), which takes into account the G × E interaction, will facilitate crop improvement through enhanced climate resilience, by combining biotic and abiotic stress resistance/tolerance and maximizing yield potential. In this review article, we have summarized different constraints being faced by Indian wheat-breeding programs, challenges in addressing biotic and abiotic stresses, and improving quality and nutrition. Efforts have been made to highlight the wealth of Indian wheat genetic resources available in our National Genebank and their evaluation for the identification of trait-specific germplasm. Promising genotypes to develop varieties of important targeted traits and the development of different genomics resources have also been highlighted.
Molecular Profiling of Kenyan Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Authors: Gatua Mercy , Navari Mohsen , Ong’ondi Matilda , Onyango Noel , Kaggia Serah , Rogena Emily , Visani Giuseppe , Abinya Nicholas A. , Piccaluga Pier Paolo
Published: June 2022

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an infrequent disease, and it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It harbors a unique configuration of cytogenetic abnormalities and molecular mutations that can be detected using microscopic and molecular methods respectively. These genetic tests are core elements of diagnosis and prognostication in high-income countries. They are routinely incorporated in clinical decision making, allowing for the individualization of therapy. However, these tests are largely inaccessible to most patients in Kenya and therefore no data has been reported on this group of patients. The main purpose of this study is to describe the cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities of acute myeloid leukemia patients seen at the hemato-oncology unit of Kenyatta National Hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out over a 3-month period on ten patients with a diagnosis of AML. Social demographics and clinical data were collected through a study proforma. A peripheral blood sample was collected for conventional metaphase G-banding technique and next generation sequencing. Particularly, targeted DNA sequencing (Illumina myeloid panel) and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed. Cytogenetic analysis failed in 10/10 cases. Targeted sequencing was successfully obtained in 8 cases, whereas WES in 7. Cytogenetic studies yielded no results. There were 20 mutations detected across 10 commonly mutated genes. All patients had at least one clinically relevant mutation. Based on ELN criteria, NGS identified three patients with high-risk mutations, affecting TP53 (n = 2) and RUNX1 (n = 1). One patient was classified as favorable (PML-RARA) while 4 were standard risk. However, WT1 mutations associated with unfavorable prognosis were recorded in additional 2 cases. WES showed concordant results with targeted sequencing while unveiling more mutations that warrant further attention. In conclusion, we provide the first molecular profiling study of AML patients in Kenya including application of advanced next generation sequencing technologies, highlighting current limitations of AML diagnostics and treatment while confirming the relevance of NGS in AML characterization.
CT-M8 Mice: A New Mouse Model Demonstrates That Basophils Have a Nonredundant Role in Lupus-Like Disease Development
Authors: Tchen John , Simon Quentin , Chapart Léa , Pellefigues Christophe , Karasuyama Hajime , Miyake Kensuke , Blank Ulrich , Benhamou Marc , Daugas Eric , Charles Nicolas
Published: June 2022

Tissue-specific mouse models are essential tools to decipher the role of each cell compartment and/or their expressed genes in the pathophysiology of diseases. Here, we describe a new knock-in mouse model allowing expression of both the fluorescent protein tdTomato and the CRE recombinase selectively in the basophil compartment under the control of the Mcpt8 gene. These “CT-M8” mice did not show any abnormalities in their peripheral distribution of major immune cell populations nor their basophil function. CT-M8 mice allowed the identification of basophils by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry and basophil-specific Cre-mediated floxed gene deletion. Breeding of our CT-M8 mice with the ROSA26flox-stop-DTA mice led to the generation of basophil-deficient mice with no detectable abnormalities in other cell compartments. These mice were then used to document basophil involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathophysiology since we previously reported by transient depletion of these cells during the course of an ongoing disease that they support and amplify autoantibody production in two distinct lupus-like mouse models (Lyn−/− and pristane-induced). Here, constitutive basophil deficiency prevented pristane-induced lupus-like disease development by limiting autoantibody titers and renal damages. Therefore, basophils have a nonredundant role in pristane-induced lupus-like disease and are involved in both its induction and amplification. This CT-M8 new mouse model will allow us to finely decipher the role of basophils and their expressed genes in health and disease.
Effects of Immunoglobulins G From Systemic Sclerosis Patients in Normal Dermal Fibroblasts: A Multi-Omics Study
Authors: Chepy Aurélien , Vivier Solange , Bray Fabrice , Ternynck Camille , Meneboo Jean-Pascal , Figeac Martin , Filiot Alexandre , Guilbert Lucile , Jendoubi Manel , Rolando Christian , Launay David , Dubucquoi Sylvain , Marot Guillemette , Sobanski Vincent
Published: June 2022

Autoantibodies (Aabs) are frequent in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although recognized as potent biomarkers, their pathogenic role is debated. This study explored the effect of purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) from SSc patients on protein and mRNA expression of dermal fibroblasts (FBs) using an innovative multi-omics approach. Dermal FBs were cultured in the presence of sera or purified IgG from patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), limited cutaneous SSc or healthy controls (HCs). The FB proteome and transcriptome were explored using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and microarray assays, respectively. Proteomic analysis identified 3,310 proteins. SSc sera and purified IgG induced singular protein profile patterns. These FB proteome changes depended on the Aab serotype, with a singular effect observed with purified IgG from anti-topoisomerase-I autoantibody (ATA) positive patients compared to HC or other SSc serotypes. IgG from ATA positive SSc patients induced enrichment in proteins involved in focal adhesion, cadherin binding, cytosolic part, or lytic vacuole. Multi-omics analysis was performed in two ways: first by restricting the analysis of the transcriptomic data to differentially expressed proteins; and secondly, by performing a global statistical analysis integrating proteomics and transcriptomics. Transcriptomic analysis distinguished 764 differentially expressed genes and revealed that IgG from dcSSc can induce extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling changes in gene expression profiles in FB. Global statistical analysis integrating proteomics and transcriptomics confirmed that IgG from SSc can induce ECM remodeling and activate FB profiles. This effect depended on the serotype of the patient, suggesting that SSc Aab might play a pathogenic role in some SSc subsets.
The Impact of Timing of Pertussis Vaccination During Pregnancy on Infant Antibody Levels at Birth: A Multi-Country Analysis
Authors: Gomme Justin , Wanlapakorn Nasamon , Ha Hoang Thi Thu , Leuridan Elke , Herzog Sereina Annik , Maertens Kirsten
Published: June 2022

Background

Pertussis vaccination during pregnancy is an effective strategy at reducing pertussis-related morbidity and mortality in infancy and is recommended across several countries. However, the optimal timepoint for vaccination in pregnancy to afford maximal protection to newborns is yet to be elucidated. This multi-country analysis aimed to model the impact of timing of vaccination during pregnancy on infant antibody titers at birth.

Methods

A multi-country analysis on a cohort of mother-infant pairs (n=698) vaccinated between 19.6-37.1 weeks gestation was conducted. Data taken from four parent studies on pertussis vaccination during pregnancy were modelled using natural cubic splines and linear mixed models to study the association of both gestational age at vaccination and the interval between vaccination and delivery with pertussis-specific cord blood antibody levels after pertussis vaccination during pregnancy.

Results

Term born infants on average achieve the highest antibody levels at birth if women are vaccinated before 31 weeks’ gestation. When considering both term and preterm deliveries, an interval of at least 7.5 weeks between vaccination and delivery is required to achieve the highest cord blood antibody levels. The models show that vaccinating earlier than these timeframes will also provide the infant with equally high antibody levels at birth.

Conclusions

Vaccinating in the second and early third trimester results in the highest antibody levels at birth. Vaccinating earlier within this window is needed to provide equal benefits to both term and preterm born infants.
Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma of the Thoracic Vertebrae: An Fairly Unusual Case Report With a Short Review of Literature
Authors: Wei Changhong , Ma Yili , Wu Dengqiang , Chen Xiaoyu , Li Chunjun , Chen Jun , Zhou Sufang
Published: June 2022

Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare subtype of soft tissue tumors, and SEF originating from the side of the spine is even rarer. We report that a 28-year-old young woman suffered from chest pain and back pain for 3 years, and thereafter she went to see a doctor because her condition deteriorated. Enhanced CT showed that the right posterior upper chest wall mass invaded the adjacent bone, and the boundary between the lesion and the surrounding tissues was relatively clear. She then underwent posterior tumor removal surgery. The pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of SEF. In histomorphology, the tumor displayed a typical epithelioid clear cell morphology, accompanied by extensive vitrification and fibrosis, which better helped to differentiate the tumor from low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, solitary fibrous tumor and other entities. The immunohistochemical analysis showed a diffuse positive reaction to MUC4, a highly specific marker of SEF, which was detected by Immunohistochemistry (IHC), and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed that the EWSR1 gene was rearranged, while the FUS gene was not rearranged. This is the first time that we have encountered such this rare case and thus report this case with updated literature related to this tumor.
Comparison of Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking and Voriconazole Treatments in Experimental Fungal Keratitis for Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Zhao Zhennan , Chen Xueli , Shao Yi , Shao Tingting
Published: June 2022

Aims

To compare the antifungal efficacy of corneal cross-linking (CXL) and voriconazole in experimental Aspergillus keratitis models.

Methods

Thirty-nine New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups: a control group, a voriconazole group (M group), and a voriconazole combined with CXL group (CXL-M group). The ulcer area was measured via slit lamp imaging, the corneal and corneal epithelial thickness, and ulcer depth was measured via anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). The existence time of the hyphae was observed via in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), and the cornea was taken for pathological examination after modeling and at the end of the study to determine the hyphae and corneal repair. The observation times were as follows: at successful modeling and at 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after intervention.

Results

In the CXL-M group, ulcer area and depth decreased continuously from Day 4 to Day 28 after CXL (all P < 0.05). In the CXL-M group, ulcer area and depth were smaller than those in the other two groups from Day 4 to Day 21 after CXL (all P < 0.05, except ulcer area in the CXL-M vs. M group on Day 21). The duration of hyphae in the CXL-M group was significantly shorter than in the other two groups (P = 0.025). On Day 28, in CXL-M group, corneal thickness was thicker than baseline (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, in CXL-M group, corneal and corneal epithelial thickness were significantly thinner than in the other two groups (P < 0.001). The CXL-M group had no complications, such as corneal perforation, at the end of the study.

Conclusions

Voriconazole combined with CXL is effective in treating Aspergillus-infected keratitis. Combined therapy could effectively inhibit Aspergillus, accelerate corneal repair, and shorten the course of the disease.
Somatic Mutation of FAT Family Genes Implicated Superior Prognosis in Patients With Stomach Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Qingjun , Cui Liang , Li Pansong , Wang Yuanyuan
Published: June 2022

FAT family genes encode protocadherin, which regulates tumor cell proliferation and migration. Although transcriptional levels of FAT family members had been reported in multiple malignant tumors, the association between mutation and prognosis of the FAT family in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) has not been investigated. Herein, we performed a multi-omics integrative bioinformatics analysis using genomic and mRNA expression data to explore the role of gene mutations across the FAT family on clinical outcomes of STAD. The results showed that FAT mutations occurred in 174 of 435 (40%) of the samples. Patients with FAT mutations possessed significantly better progression-free survival (P = 0.019) and overall survival (P = 0.034) than those with non-FAT mutations, and FAT mutations exhibited significantly higher tumor mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability. Notably, FAT mutations had a greater effect on somatic single-nucleotide variation than copy number variation and resulted in more abundant DNA damage repair (DDR) mutations. Further investigation demonstrated that FAT mutations contributed to an inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME), as indicated by significantly increased numbers of activated CD4 and CD8 T cells, and significantly decreased numbers of mast cell, plasmacytoid dendritic cell, type 2 T helper cell, and high expression of immune-promoting genes. Moreover, biological process antigen processing and presentation, DNA replication, and DDR-related pathways were significantly upregulated in patients with FAT mutations. Collectively, FAT mutations significantly improved the survival of patients with STAD by enhancing tumor immunogenicity (e.g., TMB and DDR mutations) and an inflamed TME, indicating that the FAT family might be a potential prognostic and therapeutic biomarker for STAD.
Increased Direct Current-Electroencephalography Shifts During Induction of Anesthesia in Elderly Patients Developing Postoperative Delirium
Authors: Windmann Victoria , Dreier Jens P. , Major Sebastian , Spies Claudia , Lachmann Gunnar , Koch Susanne
Published: June 2022

Background

Changes in the direct current (DC) electroencephalography (EEG), so-called DC shifts, are observed during hypoxia, hypo-/hypercapnia, anesthetic administration, epileptic seizures, and spreading depolarizations. They are associated with altered cerebral ion currents across cell membranes and/or the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Here, we measured DC shifts in clinical practice during hyperventilation (HV) and anesthesia induction, and investigated whether such DC shifts correlate with the occurrence of postoperative delirium (POD) in older patients.

Methods

In this prospective observational study (subproject of the BioCog study, NCT02265263; EA2/092/14), a continuous pre- and perioperative DC-EEG was recorded in patients aged ≥65 years. The preoperative DC-EEG included a 2 min HV with simultaneous measurement of end-tidal CO2. Of the perioperative recordings, DC-EEG segments were chosen from a 30 s period at the start of induction of anesthesia (IOA), loss of consciousness (LOC), and during a stable anesthetic phase 30 min after skin incision (intraOP). The DC shift at Cz was determined in μV/s. All patients were screened twice daily for the first seven postoperative days for the occurrence of POD. DC-EEG shifts were compared in patients with (POD) and without postoperative delirium (noPOD).

Results

Fifteen patients were included in this subproject of the BioCog study. DC shifts correlated significantly with concurrent HV, with DC shifts increasing the more end-tidal CO2 decreased (P = 0.001, Spearman’s rho 0.862). During the perioperative DC-EEG, the largest DC shift was observed at LOC during IOA. POD patients (n = 8) presented with significantly larger DC shifts at LOC [POD 31.6 (22.7; 38.9) μV/s vs. noPOD 4.7 (2.2; 12.5) μV/s, P = 0.026].

Conclusion

DC shifts can be observed during HV and IOA in routine clinical practice. At anesthesia induction, the DC shift was greatest at the time of LOC, with POD patients presenting with significantly stronger DC shifts. This could indicate larger changes in gas tensions, hypotension and impaired cerebral autoregulation or BBB dysfunction in these patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT02265263.
In Vivo Neural Interfaces—From Small- to Large-Scale Recording
Authors: Zhang Bingjie , Deng Chunshan , Cai Chunzhi , Li Xiaojian
Published: June 2022

Brain functions arise from the coordinated activation of neuronal assemblies distributed across multiple brain regions. The electrical potential from the neuron captured by the electrode can be processed to extract brain information. A large number of densely and simultaneously recorded neuronal potential signals from neurons spanning multiple brain regions contribute to the insight of specific behaviors encoded by the neural ensembles. In this review, we focused on the neural interfaces developed for small- to large-scale recordings and discussed the developmental challenges and strategies in microsystem, electrode device, and interface material levels for the future larger-scale neural ensemble recordings.