bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profil Pemecahan Masalah Matematis Siswa SMP Ditinjau Dari Gaya Kognitif Siswa
Authors: Ningsih Fadjra , Sudia Muhammad , Jafar Jafar
Published: November 2022

Abstrak:Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengungkapkan profil pemecahan masalah matematis siswa SMP yang memiliki gaya kognitif reflektif dan gaya kognitif impulsif yang memuat tahapan pemecahan Polya. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian eksploratif dengan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif. Subjek penelitian ini dipilih 2 siswa SMP, masing-masing 1 siswa yang memiliki gaya kognitif reflektif dan 1 siswa yang memiliki gaya kognitif impulsif. Hasil yang diperoleh dalam penelitian diketahui bahwa: 1) Pemecahan masalah matematis siswa dengan gaya kognitif reflektif dalam memecahkan masalah pada tahap memahami masalah, membuat rencana, melaksanakan rencana dan memeriksa kembali, cenderung konseptual. 2) Pemecahan masalah matematis siswa dengan gaya kognitif impulsif dalam memecahkan masalah pada tahap memahami masalah, subjek impulsif cenderung proses berpikir konseptual sedangkan pada tahap membuat rencana,  melaksanakan rencana serta memeriksa kembali, cenderung semikonseptual. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa dalam memecahkan suatu masalah matematis memiliki karakteristik yang berbeda jika dilihat dari gaya kognitif. Hasil penelitian khususnya secara praktis dapat digunakan untuk mengkontruksi perbaikan pembelajaran matematik dalam mempertimbangkan gaya kognitif siswa untuk memperoleh hasil belajar siswa yang maksimal. Kata Kunci: Pemecahan Masalah Matematis, Gaya Kognitif Abstract:This study aims to reveal the mathematical problem solving profil of junior high school students who have reflective cognitive style and impulsive cognitive style that contain Polya’s stages of solving. The subjects of this study were selected 2 junior high school students, each 1 students who had a reflective cognitive style and 1 students who had an impulsive cognitive style. The results obtained in this study note that: 1) Mathematichal problem solving of students with reflective cognitive style in solving problems at the stage of understanding the problem, making plans carrying out plans and checking again, tends to be conceptual. 2) Mathematical problem solving of students with impulsive cognitive style in solving problems at the stage of understanding the problem, impulsive subjects tend to be conceptual thinking processes while at the stage of making plans, at the stage of implementing plans and checking again, tend to be semiconceptual. So it can be concluded that in solving a mathematical problem has different characteristics when viewed from cognitive style. The results of research in particular can be practically used to contruct mathematical learning improvements in considering students’ cognitive styles to obtain maximum students learning outcomes. Keywords:Mathematical Problem Solving, Cognitive Style
Profil Hasil Belajar Matematika Yang Diajar Dengan Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning Berdasarkan Hasil Penelitian Skripsi/Tesis Mahasiswa Jurusan Pendidikan Matematika
Authors: Angriani Wa Ode , Zamsir Zamsir , Misu La
Published: November 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan. (1)untuk mengetahui hasil belajar Matematika yang diajar dengan menggunakan Problem Based Learning tahun 2017, (2)untuk mengetahui hasil belajar Matematika yang diajar dengan menggunakan Problem Based Learning tahun 2018, (3)untuk mengetahui hasil belajar Matematika yang diajar dengan menggunakan Problem Based Learning tahun 2019, (4)untuk mengetahui kecenderungan hasil belajar Matematika berdasarkan hasil penelitian mahasiswa dari tahun ke tahun. Teknik pengumpulan data penelitian ini adalah dokumentasi. Teknik yang digunakan dalam tesis ini adalah analisis data model Miles dan Huberman. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Untuk hasil belajar dengan menggunakan model pembelajaran Problem Based Learning berdasarkan hasil penelitian mahasiswa berupa skripsi/tesis pada tahun 2017 ke tahun 2018 mengalami peningkatan, dan untuk tahun 2018 ke tahun 2019 terjadi penurunan tapi penurunnnya tidak terlalu signifikan. Jika dikategorikan tiap tahunnya maka hasil belajar dikategorikan baik tiap tahunnya.
Pengaruh Self-Regulated Learning dan Kecerdasan Emosional Siswa Terhadap Pemahaman Matematis Siswa SMA
Authors: Janna Murti Andi Mifthahul , Busnawir Busnawir , Misu La
Published: November 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: (1) Untuk Untuk mengetahui deskripsi self-regulated learning siswa di SMA Negeri 1 Kendari, SMA Negeri 3 Kendari, dan SMA Negeri 8 Kendari, (2) Untuk mengetahui deskripsi kecerdasan emosional siswa di SMA Negeri 1 Kendari, SMA Negeri 3 Kendari, dan SMA Negeri 8 Kendari , (3) Untuk mengetahui deskripsi pemahaman matematis siswa di SMA Negeri 1 Kendari, SMA Negeri 3 Kendari, dan SMA Negeri 8 Kendari, (4) Untuk mengetahui pengaruh positif dan signifikan self-regulated learning terhadap pemahaman matematis siswa di SMA Negeri 1 Kendari, SMA Negeri 3 Kendari, dan SMA Negeri 8 Kendari , (5) Untuk mengetahui pengaruh positif dan signifikan self-regulated learning terhadap pemahaman matematis siswa di SMA Negeri 1 Kendari, SMA Negeri 3 Kendari, dan SMA Negeri 8 Kendari dan (6) Untuk mengetahui pengaruh positif dan signifikan kecerdasan emosional terhadap pemahaman matematis siswa di SMA Negeri 1 Kendari, SMA Negeri 3 Kendari, dan SMA Negeri 8 Kendari. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian ex post facto.Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan tes pemahaman matematis, angket self-regulated learnig dan angket kecerdasan emosional siswa. Hasil penelitian sebagai berikut: (1) Self-regulated learning mempunyai pengaruh yang siginifkan terhadap pemahaman matematis siswa SMA, (2) Kecerdasan emosional mempunyai pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap pemahaman matematis siswa SMA. (3) Self-regulated learning dan kecerdasan emosional siswa mempunyai pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap pemahaman matematis siswa SMA
Pengaruh Perhatian, Sosial Ekonomi Orang Tua dan Motivasi Belajar Siswa Terhadap Hasil Belajar Matematika Siswa Kelas VII SMP Se Kecamatan Poleang dan Pemekarannya pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Kamiluddin Kamiluddin , Adhi Wibawa Gusti Ngurah , Sumarna Nana
Published: November 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis pengaruh: (1) Secara parsial perhatian orang tua terhadap hasil belajar matematika siswa pada masa pandemi covid- 19, (2) Secara parsial sosial ekonomi orang tua terhadap hasil belajar matematika siswa pada masa pandemi covid-19, (3) Secara parsial motivasi belajar siswa terhadap hasil belajar matematika siswa pada masa pandemi covid-19, dan (4) Secara simultan perhatian, sosial ekonomi orang tua dan motivasi belajar terhadap hasil belajar matematika siswa pada masa pandemi covid-19. Sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 128 siswa kelas VII SMP se- kecamatan Poleang dan pemekarannya di kabupaten Bombana. Penelitian menggunakan metode survey. Data tentang perhatian orang tua, sosial ekonomi orang tua dan motivasi belajar siswa menggunakan angket dan data tentang hasil belajar menggunakan tes. Hasil penelitian menyimpulkan bahwa: 1) Secara parsial perhatian orang tua berpengaruh terhadap hasil belajar siswa; 2) Secara parsial sosial ekonomi orang tua tidak berpengaruh terhadap hasil belajar siswa; 3) Secara parsial motivasi belajar siswa berpengaruh terhadap hasil belajar siswa; 4) Secara simultan perhatian orang tua dan motivasi belaja siswa berpengaruh terhadap hasil belajar siswa; 5) Secara simultan perhatian dan sosial ekonomi orang tua berpengaruh terhadap hasil belajar siswa; 6) Secara simultan sosial ekonomi orang tua dan motivasi belajar siswa berpengaruh terhadap hasil belajar siswa; 7) Secara simultan perhatian orang tua, sosial ekonomi orang tua dan motivasi belajar siswa berpengaruh terhadap hasil belajar siswa.
Pengaruh Penerapan Pendekatan Scientific pada Masa Pandemi Covid – 19 Terhadap Pemahaman Konsep Matematis Siswa SMP Negeri 2 Tomia
Authors: Nurmayanti Nurmayanti , Kadir Kadir , Ruslan Ruslan
Published: November 2022

Rendahnya pemahaman konsep matematis siswa masih menjadi kendala utama karena kurangnya aktivitas siswa dalam pembelajaran sehingga menarik untuk dikaji. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk meningkatkan pemahaman konsep matematis siswa antara yang diajar dengan  pendekatan Scientific dan  yang diajar dengan pembelajaran langsung pada masa pandemi COVID – 19. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian eksperimen dengan desain pretest – posttest control group di kelas VIIIA dan VIIIB SMP Negeri 2 Tomia kabupaten Wakatobi. Sampel penelitian ini adalah 29 siswa kelas VIIIA dan 28 siswa kelas VIIIB SMP Negeri 2 Tomia tahun ajaran 2020/2021 yang diambil secara purposive sampling, yaitu mengambil dua kelas yang memiliki rata – rata kemampuan matematika dan varians yang relatif sama dengan melakukan uji homogenitas varians dengan menggunakan analisis varians satu arah (one – way anova). Penentuan kelas eksperimen dan kelas kontrol dilakukan secara random sampling. Data di kumpulkan melalui pemberian tes pemahaman konsep matematis siswa berupa tes uraian yang valid dan reliabel. Untuk meningkatkan pemahaman konsep matematis siswa kedua kelas digunakan uji paired sample t – test. Hasil uji paired sample t – test menunjukkan bahwa pemahaman konsep matematis siswa yang diajar dengan pendekatan scientific dan yang diajar dengan pembelajaran langsung mengalami peningkatan yang signifikan. Untuk menguji perbedaan rata – rata pemahaman konsep matematis siswa kelas yang diajar pendekatan scientific dan yang diajar dengan pembelajaran langsung digunakan uji t untuk data tidak berpasangan (independent t – test) berdasarkan data N – Gain. Secara signifikan peningkatan pemahaman konsep matematis siswa  yang diajar dengan pendekatan scientific lebih tinggi daripada peningkatan pemahaman konsep matematis siswa yang diajar dengan pembelajaran langsung  pada α = 0,05.
Pembelajaran Matematika Dimasa Pandemi Covid-19: Identifikasi Statistik Kecemasan dan Kesulitan Belajar Matematika Siswa
Authors: Patih Tandri , Halistin Halistin , Masdin Masdin , Boy La , Roy La , Kumala Nastiti Dyah
Published: November 2022

Penelitian kualitatif deskriptif ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kecemasan dan kesulitan belajar matematika siswa kelas XI SMAN 5 Kendari dalam pembelajaran daring. Sampel terdiri dari 200 siswa yang tersebar ke dalam kelas MIPA IPS, serta Bahasa dan Budaya yang dipilih secara acak. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: Kecemasan belajar matematika siswa kelas XI SMAN 5 Kendari dimasa pandemi Covid-19 yang berada dalam kategori tinggi sebanyak 12 siswa, 176 siswa pada kategori sedang, dan 12 siswa dalam kategori rendah. Siswa cenderung memiliki kecemasan belajar matematika siswa ditinjau dari manifestasi afektif yang tidak terkendali. Kesulitan belajar matematika siswa kelas XI SMAN 5 Kendari di masa pandemi Covid-19  yang berada dalam kategori tinggi sebanyak 34 siswa, 146 siswa dalam kategori sedang, 20 siswa dalam kategori rendah. Siswa cenderung memiliki kesulitan belajar matematika ditinjau dari kesulitan dalam mentransfer pengetahuan, dan ditinjau dari kesalahan dalam persepsi visual.
SYMBIOTIC EFFICIENCY OF THE BIOTYPES OF ALFALFA VARIABLE TAISIYA VARIETY
Authors: Ionov Aleksey
Published: November 2022

The variety of alfalfa Taisiya was created using the methods of conjugate symbiotic breeding. Two genotypes of alfalfa with high adaptive capacity were selected on a special selective background. One plant had lilac flowers, the other yellow. A plant with yellow flowers was used as a mother form, with lilac — father's. The color of the flowers of hybrid plants varies from light cream to dark purple. Basically, the population is represented by plants with variegated flowers. It has been established that variegated biotypes are the most stable in the population of variable alfalfa of the Taisiya variety. In the third year of use in the variant without inoculation on medium-cultivated soil, their productivity was 6.3 g/row of dry matter, 4.9 blue-flowered, 5.2 g/row yellow-flowered. On cultivated soil — 4.6 g/row, the rest — 3.3 and 2.7 g/row of dry matter. In medium-cultivated soil, pre-sowing inoculation of variegated biotypes with strain 404b increased productivity in the first and third years of use by 33–35%, in poorly cultivated soil — by 31–93%, and inoculation with strain 415b — by 35–52%. On poorly cultivated soil, the highest productivity gains (48–130%) were obtained by inoculation of yellow-flowered biotypes with strain 404b.
On the quest of reliable 3D dynamic in vitro blood-brain barrier models using polymer hollow fiber membranes: Pitfalls, progress, and future perspectives
Authors: Mantecón-Oria Marián , Rivero María J. , Diban Nazely , Urtiaga Ane
Published: November 2022

With the increasing concern of neurodegenerative diseases, the development of new therapies and effective pharmaceuticals targeted to central nervous system (CNS) illnesses is crucial for ensuring social and economic sustainability in an ageing world. Unfortunately, many promising treatments at the initial stages of the pharmaceutical development process, that is at the in vitro screening stages, do not finally show the expected results at the clinical level due to their inability to cross the human blood-brain barrier (BBB), highlighting the inefficiency of in vitro BBB models to recapitulate the real functionality of the human BBB. In the last decades research has focused on the development of in vitro BBB models from basic 2D monolayer cultures to 3D cell co-cultures employing different system configurations. Particularly, the use of polymeric hollow fiber membranes (HFs) as scaffolds plays a key role in perfusing 3D dynamic in vitro BBB (DIV-BBB) models. Their incorporation into a perfusion bioreactor system may potentially enhance the vascularization and oxygenation of 3D cell cultures improving cell communication and the exchange of nutrients and metabolites through the microporous membranes. The quest for developing a benchmark 3D dynamic in vitro blood brain barrier model requires the critical assessment of the different aspects that limits the technology. This article will focus on identifying the advantages and main limitations of the HFs in terms of polymer materials, microscopic porous morphology, and other practical issues that play an important role to adequately mimic the physiological environment and recapitulate BBB architecture. Based on this study, we consider that future strategic advances of this technology to become fully implemented as a gold standard DIV-BBB model will require the exploration of novel polymers and/or composite materials, and the optimization of the morphology of the membranes towards thinner HFs (<50 μm) with higher porosities and surface pore sizes of 1–2 µm to facilitate the intercommunication via regulatory factors between the cell co-culture models of the BBB.
Tumor-on-a-chip: Perfusable vascular incorporation brings new approach to tumor metastasis research and drug development
Authors: Wang Ruixin , Zhang Chenghao , Li Danxue , Yao Yang
Published: November 2022

The extracellular matrix interacts with cancer cells and is a key factor in the development of cancer. Traditional two-dimensional models cannot mimic the natural in situ environment of cancer tissues, whereas three-dimensional (3D) models such as spherical culture, bioprinting, and microfluidic approaches can achieve in vitro reproduction of certain structures and components of the tumor microenvironment, including simulation of the hypoxic environment of tumor tissue. However, the lack of a perfusable vascular network is a limitation of most 3D models. Solid tumor growth and metastasis require angiogenesis, and tumor models with microvascular networks have been developed to better understand underlying mechanisms. Tumor-on-a-chip technology combines the advantages of microfluidics and 3D cell culture technology for the simulation of tumor tissue complexity and characteristics. In this review, we summarize progress in constructing tumor-on-a-chip models with efficiently perfused vascular networks. We also discuss the applications of tumor-on-a-chip technology to studying the tumor microenvironment and drug development. Finally, we describe the creation of several common tumor models based on this technology to provide a deeper understanding and new insights into the design of vascularized cancer models. We believe that the tumor-on-a-chip approach is an important development that will provide further contributions to the field.
The regulation of adipocyte growth in white adipose tissue
Authors: Li Qian , Spalding Kirsty L.
Published: November 2022

Adipocytes can increase in volume up to a thousand-fold, storing excess calories as triacylglycerol in large lipid droplets. The dramatic morphological changes required of adipocytes demands extensive cytoskeletal remodeling, including lipid droplet and plasma membrane expansion. Cell growth-related signalling pathways are activated, stimulating the production of sufficient amino acids, functional lipids and nucleotides to meet the increasing cellular needs of lipid storage, metabolic activity and adipokine secretion. Continued expansion gives rise to enlarged (hypertrophic) adipocytes. This can result in a failure to maintain growth-related homeostasis and an inability to cope with excess nutrition or respond to stimuli efficiently, ultimately leading to metabolic dysfunction. We summarize recent studies which investigate the functional and cellular structure remodeling of hypertrophic adipocytes. How adipocytes adapt to an enlarged cell size and how this relates to cellular dysfunction are discussed. Understanding the healthy and pathological processes involved in adipocyte hypertrophy may shed light on new strategies for promoting healthy adipose tissue expansion.
Atlantic impacts on subdecadal warming over the tropical Pacific in the 2000s
Authors: Mochizuki Takashi , Watanabe Masahiro
Published: November 2022

Introduction

A subdecadal (i.e. , three-year running mean) variation over the tropical Pacific is very distinctively observed in the 2000s.

Results and methods

Here, we have demonstrated that sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical Atlantic contribute to forming high ocean-temperature anomalies in the tropical Pacific in the early 2000s by performing partial data assimilation of a global climate model. Low SSTs over the equatorial Atlantic change the Walker circulation, and the associated weakening of the Pacific trade winds raises the equatorial SST on subdecadal timescales. At the same time, a high SST anomaly is also generated in the off-equatorial North Pacific through deepening of the upper ocean thermocline due to an accompanying anticyclonic surface wind anomaly aloft. While the subtropical North Atlantic SSTs may help the subdecadal warming in the equatorial Pacific, the resultant SST anomalies show a one-year delay in the phase transition and are modestly accompanied by ocean thermocline deepening.

Discussion

It roughly follows the IMRaD format.
Experiences of digital exclusion and the impact on health in people living with severe mental illness
Authors: Middle Rachael , Welch Lindsay
Published: November 2022

Background

The covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of digital tools within health and social care services. However, for a range of different reasons, across the UK there continue to be people who are digitally excluded. People living with a disability have been identified as being more likely to be digitally excluded and many of these people, including people with severe mental illness (SMI) already experience health inequalities. Therefore, understanding the perceived impact digital exclusion has on health and potential facilitators of increased inclusion is an important area for research. This study had two aims: 1. To understand experiences of digital exclusion and the impact on health in people with SMI. 2. To explore the influences and mechanisms which would increase engagement with digital health tools.

Methods

This was an observational qualitative study, conducting focus groups (with the option of a 1:1 interview for those uncomfortable in groups) with nine people with severe mental illness.

Results

Participant’s responses were themed in to four key areas in relation to digital exclusion and impact on health: 1. Reduced social connectedness, 2. The impact on wider determinants of health 3. Negative perception of self, 4. Disempowerment. Key facilitators for increased engagement with digital tools included, local digital skills support with mental health lived experience involvement in the delivery, digitally engaged social referents, access to digital tools and data, personalised and straightforward digital tools. In addition, increasing health and social care staff’s awareness of digital exclusion was also viewed as important in promoting inclusion.

Conclusion

The research findings suggest that digital inclusion should be viewed as a wider determinant of health. Many of the identified consequences of exclusion are particularly important in relation to mental health and mental health recovery. This research suggests that identifying and addressing digital exclusion should be viewed as a priority for mental health services.
Is oxidative stress evaluated in viable human spermatozoa a marker of good semen quality?
Authors: Traini Giulia , Tamburrino Lara , Vignozzi Linda , Baldi Elisabetta , Marchiani Sara
Published: November 2022

Background

Oxidative stress is defined as the unbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defences. Whereas low levels of ROS are necessary for physiological sperm functions, high levels impair fertility damaging membranes, proteins and DNA. In this study, we used two probes, CellROX® Orange and Dihydroethidium (DHE), which reveal different intracellular ROS species, to evaluate the association between the percentage of oxidized viable spermatozoa and sperm functions.

Methods

The percentage of oxidized spermatozoa was evaluated by flow cytometry with the two probes concomitantly with standard semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF, by TUNEL/PI). Phosphatidylserine membrane exposure, caspase 3,7 activity, sperm kinematic parameters and hyperactivated motility were evaluated by Annexin V, FLICA™ and CASA system respectively.

Results

Oxidized viable spermatozoa, evaluated with both probes, were positively associated with sperm basal parameters and negatively with sDF. Also, we found that a consistent percentage of CellROX® positive viable spermatozoa were selected from whole semen during swim up procedure. Double staining of CellROX® Orange with Annexin V and FLICA™ demonstrated that viable oxidized spermatozoa do not show apoptotic features.

Conclusion

Overall, our results suggest that CellROX® Orange and DHE allows identification of the viable oxidized sperm fraction related to better performances.
Machine learning-based metabolism-related genes signature and immune infiltration landscape in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Huangjie , Hu Jinguo , Zhu Junfeng , Li Qinglin , Fang Luo
Published: November 2022

Background

To identify the diagnostic biomarkers of metabolism-related genes (MRGs), and investigate the association of the MRGs and immune infiltration landscape in diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods

The transcriptome matrix was downloaded from the GEO database. R package “limma” was utilized to identify the differential expressed MRGs (DE-MRGs) of HC and DN samples. Genetic Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses of DE-MRGs were performed using “clusterProfiler” R package. WGCNA, LASSO, SVM-RFE, and RFE algorithms were employed to select the diagnostic feature biomarkers for DN. The ROC curve was used to evaluate discriminatory ability for diagnostic feature biomarkers. CIBERSORT algorithm was performed to investigate the fraction of the 22-types immune cells in HC and DN group. The correlation of diagnostic feature biomarkers and immune cells were performed via Spearman-rank correlation algorithm.

Results

A total of 449 DE-MRGs were identified in this study. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the DE-MRGs were mainly enriched in small molecules catabolic process, purine metabolism, and carbon metabolism. ADI1, PTGS2, DGKH, and POLR2B were identified as diagnostic feature biomarkers for DN via WGCNA, LASSO, SVM-RFE, and RFE algorithms. The result of CIBERSORT algorithm illustrated a remarkable difference of immune cells in HC and DN group, and the diagnostic feature biomarkers were closely associated with immune cells.

Conclusion

ADI1, PTGS2, DGKH, and POLR2B were identified as diagnostic feature biomarkers for DN, and associated with the immune infiltration landscape, providing a novel perspective for the future research and clinical management for DN.
Early-life weight gain patterns of term small-for-gestational-age infants and the predictive ability for later childhood overweight/obesity: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Li Ping , Lu You , Qie Di , Feng Ling , He Guoqian , Yang Sufei , Yang Fan
Published: November 2022

Objectives

We aimed to identify the weight gain patterns of small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants in early life and to explore the predictive value for later overweight/obesity in childhood.

Methods

We obtained data from a prospective cohort including term SGA infants born between January 2006 and November 2015 who received regular health care from birth to 5 years in West China Second University Hospital, Chengdu, China. A latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was applied to group children with similar growth trajectory patterns. Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine the association between weight gain patterns and later overweight/obesity.

Results

A total of 296 term SGA infants were finally included. Five weight gain trajectories were identified, including excessive rapid catch-up growth (ERCG) (class 1, 10.9%), rapid catch-up growth (RCG) (class 2, 17.9%), appropriate catch-up growth (ACG) (class 3, 53.0%), slow catch-up growth (SCG) (class 4, 13.4%) and almost no catch growth (NCG) (class 5, 4.8%). SGA infants in class 1 and class 2 had a higher BMI according to age- and sex-specific Z scores from 2–5 years of age. In addition, 25% of SGA infants in class 1 and 13.2% of SGA infants in class 2 were found to be overweight/obese at 2-5 years of age. After adjusting for confounders, we found that extremely rapid weight gain (class 1) in the first 2 years of life increased the risk of overweight/obesity by 2.1 times at 2 to 5 years of age (aOR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.3~4.8;P<0.05). Furthermore, the increment of ΔWAZ between 0 and 4 mo was prominently related to the risk of overweight/obesity at 2 to 5 years for term SGA infants (aOR=3.2, 95% CI: 1.7~8.1;P<0.001). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed the area under curve (AUC) was 0.7, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) from 0.6 to 0.8 (P<0.001).

Conclusions

The extremely rapid weight gain pattern of term SGA infants in the first 2 years of life increased the risk of overweight/obesity at 2 to 5 years of age. It suggests monitoring weight gain across the infant period represents a first step towards primary prevention of childhood obesity.
Androgen dysfunction in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Role of sex hormone binding globulin
Authors: Song Myeong Jun , Choi Jong Young
Published: November 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease in the world. It is linked mainly to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome including obesity and dyslipidemia. In addition, various endocrine dysfunctions including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypogonadism are involved in the development and progression of NAFLD. We need to know the disease pathophysiology more accurately due to the heterogeneity of clinical presentation of fatty liver disease. The liver is the major metabolic organ with sexual dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism is associated not only with behavioral differences between men and women, but also with physiological differences reflected in liver metabolism. In men, normal androgen levels prevent hepatic fat accumulation, whereas androgen deficiency induce hepatic steatosis. In women, higher androgens can increase the risk of NAFLD in PCOS. Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is involved in androgen regulation. Recently, SHBG may be reported as a surrogate marker for NAFLD. Therefore, this review will focus on the mechanism of androgen dysfunction in the regulation of hepatic metabolism, the risk of developing NAFLD, and the potential role of SHBG in the course of NAFLD.; Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, sexual dimorphism, androgen, sex hormone binding globulin
The difference of paraspinal muscle between patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and normal middle-aged and elderly people, studying by propensity score matching
Authors: Wang Wei , Guo Yang , Li Weishi , Chen Zhongqiang
Published: November 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to elaborate the characteristics of paraspinal muscles in lower lumbar, to compare the differences of paraspinal muscle between patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and normal people and to explore the influencing factors of paraspinal muscle degeneration in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Method

The 39 pairs of patients and normal people were selected by propensity score matching. The differences of multifidus muscle and erection spine muscle parameters between the two groups were compared by independent-samples t-test and the relationship between age, paraspinal muscle degeneration and other factors in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis was analyzed by Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis.

Result

The general conditions of the two groups (patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and normal people) were well matched. There were significant differences in the relative fatty cross sectional area, fatty infiltration and relative signal intensity of multifidus muscle at L3 level. The fatty infiltration and relative signal intensity of multifidus muscle at L4 level and the relative signal intensity of multifidus muscle at L5 level were also significantly different. For male, the relative fatty cross sectional area, the fatty infiltration and relative signal intensity of multifidus muscle in patients were higher than those in healthy peers. For female, the relative signal intensity of multifidus muscle in patients was higher, too. In patients group, age was significantly correlated with the relative fatty cross sectional area, fatty infiltration and relative signal intensity of multifidus muscle and erector spinae muscle. Weight and BMI were significantly correlated with the relative total cross-sectional area of erector spinae muscle. The fatty infiltration increased more significantly with age in patients than that in normal people.

Conclusion

The change rules of paraspinal muscles in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis are similar to those in normal people. The degeneration of paraspinal muscle in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis was more severe than that in normal people, mostly in multifidus muscle. The paraspinal muscle degeneration was related to age in patients, and the effect of age on atrophy of paraspinal muscle was greater than that of normal people.
High-entropy approach to double perovskite cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells: Is multicomponent occupancy in (La,Pr,Nd,Sm,Gd)BaCo2O5+δ affecting physicochemical and electrocatalytic properties?
Authors: Dąbrowa Juliusz , Stępień Anna , Szymczak Maria , Zajusz Marek , Czaja Paweł , Świerczek Konrad
Published: November 2022

High-entropy (La,Pr,Nd,Sm,Gd)BaCo2O5+δ double perovskite-type oxide having an equimolar, high-entropy, A-site-layered arrangement of cations is synthesized for the first time. A modified Pechini method, followed by calcination and sintering at 1,100°C helps in obtaining a single-phase, homogenous material with tetragonal I4/mmm symmetry. In situ X-ray diffraction and dilatometric studies show excellent phase stability up to 1,100°C in air, with the average thermal expansion coefficient of 23.7∙10–6 K−1 within the 25–1,100°C range. Total electrical conductivity of the metallic character exceeds 1,600 S cm−1 at room temperature. Equilibrated oxygen content at room temperature is determined as 5.69. The cathodic polarization resistance of the (La,Pr,Nd,Sm,Gd)BaCo2O5+δ layers, manufactured on the La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.8 (LSGM) solid electrolyte of proved inertness, is as low as 0.037 Ω cm2 at 900°C, and 0.175 Ω cm2 at 750°C. The determined value of the power density in the LSGM-based, electrolyte-supported (thickness ca. 200 μm) fuel cell reaches 857 mW cm−2. These results indicate possible applicability of the developed cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells, making it also one of the best-performing high-entropy air electrodes reported until now. However, the determined physiochemical characteristics of the material indicate a relatively limited influence of the high-entropy A-site arrangement in comparison to the conventional analogs, including the synthesized Nd0.88Sm0.12Co2O5+δ composition, characterized by the same effective radius of the lanthanide cations.
Predicting wine prices based on the weather: Bordeaux vineyards in a changing climate
Authors: Roucher Aymeric , Aristodemou Leonidas , Tietze Frank
Published: November 2022

Each grapevine cultivar needs a certain amount of cumulated heat over its growing season for its grapes to ripen properly. In the 20th century’s Bordeaux vineyard, the average growing season temperature was not always sufficient, thus higher than usual summer temperatures were on average linked with higher grape and wine quality. However, over the last 60+ years, global warming gradually increased the vineyard’s temperatures up to the point where additional growing season heat is not required anymore, and can even become detrimental to wine quality: hence the positive effect of higher-than-usual summer temperatures has progressively vanished. In this context, it is unknown whether any weather variable is still a good predictor of a vintage’s quality. Here we provide a predictive model of wine prices, based only on weather data. We establish that it predicts a vintage’s long-term quality more accurately than a world-class expert rating this same vintage in the year following its production. We first design a corpus of features suited to the grapevine lifecycle to extract from them the most powerful drivers of wine quality. We then build a predictive model that leverages Local Least Squares kernel regression (LLS) to factor in the time-varying nature of climate impact on the grapevine. Hence, it is able to outperform previous models and even provides a better predictive ranking of successive vintages than the grades given by world-famous wine critic Robert Parker. This predictive power demonstrates that weather is still a very efficient predictor of wine quality in Bordeaux. The two main features on which this model is built—following grapevine’s phenological calendar and using an LLS architecture to let the input-output relationship vary over time—could help model other agricultural systems amidst climate change and adaptation of production processes.
Community characteristics and functional gene response analysis of phosphorus-metabolizing bacteria in plateau saline lake sediments
Authors: Yang Wenhuan , Ma Jie , Zhen Yu , Li Weiping , Yao Zhi , Feng Weiying
Published: November 2022

Microbial phosphorus metabolism in sediments and the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus have been central issues in lake ecosystems, but the analysis of microbial community characteristics and influential factors of phosphorus metabolic processes in sediments from highland saline lakes have not been well documented. In this study, metagenome sequencing technology was used to analyze the diversity of community characteristics and the relationship between nitrogen and phosphorus functional genes of microorganisms involved in phosphorus metabolic processes in Daihai sediments under high saline conditions, as well as the response of microorganisms involved in phosphorus metabolic processes to changes in environmental factors, including salinity, pH, and the N/P ratio. The results showed that 1) salinity had positive correlations with Bacteroidetes involved in the major metabolic pathways (ko00030, ko00562, and ko00190) and positively correlated with the specific dominant bacteria involved in the minor pathways (ko00564 and ko00440); 2) norB and nirS denitrification genes were involved in a major component of phosphorus metabolism, and these functional genes of nitrogen metabolism had significant (p < 0.05) effects on phytate hydrolysis, phosphate hydrolysis, and polyphosphate synthesis and decomposition; and 3) environmental factors influenced the diversity of the bacterial community characteristics in the order of salinity > N/P ratio > pH. This study provides new insights into the analysis of the causes of eutrophication and the current state of imbalance in the hydroecological structure of saline lakes on plateaus, as well as an indication of the interactions between the global lake nitrogen and phosphorus cycles.
Bioactivity of plants eaten by wild birds against laboratory models of parasites and pathogens
Authors: Bautista-Sopelana Luis M. , Bolívar Paula , Gómez-Muñoz María Teresa , Martínez-Díaz Rafael A. , Andrés María Fe , Alonso Juan Carlos , Bravo Carolina , González-Coloma Azucena
Published: November 2022

Plants are not only used as energy and nutrient resources for herbivores. Plants can be ingested because of their activity against host parasites and other pathogens. This so-called medicinal role of plants is well reported in ethnopharmacology and under-reported in wild animals. More studies on wild animals are needed because any plant in the world contains bioactive compounds, and probably all plants, no matter how toxic they are, experience herbivory. For example, we tested the activity of extracts and essential oils from Papaver rhoeas and Echium plantagineum against a selection of laboratory pathogens because Great bustards Otis tarda preferred these plants during the mating season, with male fecal droppings showing a higher frequency of P. rhoeas particles than the fecal droppings of females. We hypothesized that P. rhoeas could be helpful for males in the mating season if any part of this plant harbors bioactivity against parasites and other pathogens. Males’ immune system is weakened during the mating season because of their investment in secondary sexual characters and sexual display. As a first exploration of the bioactivity of these plants, we evaluated extracts of both plants against a sample of laboratory models, including a flagellated protozoon (Trichomonas gallinae), a nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) and a fungus (Aspergillus niger). Non-polar and polar extracts of the aerial parts of P. rhoeas, especially the extracts of flowers and capsules, and the extracts of leaves and flowers of E. plantagineum showed activity against nematodes and trichomonads. The bioactivity of plants against parasites could explain the foraging behavior of stressed animals. The chemical communication underpinning the capacity of fauna to recognize those plants is far less known.
Genome editing for vegetable crop improvement: Challenges and future prospects
Authors: Devi Ruma , Chauhan Shivani , Dhillon Tarsem Singh
Published: November 2022

Vegetable crops are known as protective foods due to their potential role in a balanced human diet, especially for vegetarians as they are a rich source of vitamins and minerals along with dietary fibers. Many biotic and abiotic stresses threaten the crop growth, yield and quality of these crops. These crops are annual, biennial and perennial in breeding behavior. Traditional breeding strategies pose many challenges in improving economic crop traits. As in most of the cases the large number of backcrosses and stringent selection pressure is required for the introgression of the useful traits into the germplasm, which is time and labour-intensive process. Plant scientists have improved economic traits like yield, quality, biotic stress resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and improved nutritional quality of crops more precisely and accurately through the use of the revolutionary breeding method known as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein-9 (Cas9). The high mutation efficiency, less off-target consequences and simplicity of this technique has made it possible to attain novel germplasm resources through gene-directed mutation. It facilitates mutagenic response even in complicated genomes which are difficult to breed using traditional approaches. The revelation of functions of important genes with the advancement of whole-genome sequencing has facilitated the CRISPR-Cas9 editing to mutate the desired target genes. This technology speeds up the creation of new germplasm resources having better agro-economical traits. This review entails a detailed description of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology along with its potential applications in olericulture, challenges faced and future prospects.
Impact of polymorphisms in genes orchestrating innate immune responses on replication kinetics of Torque teno virus after kidney transplantation
Authors: Redondo Natalia , Rodríguez-Goncer Isabel , Parra Patricia , Albert Eliseo , Giménez Estela , Ruiz-Merlo Tamara , López-Medrano Francisco , San Juan Rafael , González Esther , Sevillano Ángel , Andrés Amado , Navarro David , Aguado José María , Fernández-Ruiz Mario
Published: November 2022

Background: Torque teno virus (TTV) DNAemia has been proposed as a surrogate marker of immunosuppression after kidney transplantation (KT), under the assumption that the control of viral replication is mainly exerted by T-cell-mediated immunity. However, Tthe impact on post-transplant TTV kinetics of single genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes orchestrating innate responses remains unknown. We aimed to characterize the potential association between 14 of these SNPs and TTV DNA levels in a single-center cohort of KT recipients.

Methods: Plasma TTV DNAemia was quantified by real-time PCR in 221 KT recipients before transplantation (baseline) and regularly through the first 12 post-transplant months. We performed genotyping of the following SNPs: CTLA4 (rs5742909, rs231775), TLR3 (rs3775291), TLR9 (rs5743836, rs352139), CD209 (rs735240, rs4804803), IFNL3 (rs12979860, rs8099917), TNF (rs1800629), IL10 (rs1878672, rs1800872), IL12B (rs3212227) and IL17A (rs2275913).

Results: The presence of the minor G allele of CD209 (rs4804803) in the homozygous state was associated with undetectable TTV DNAemia at the pre-transplant assessment (adjusted odds ratio: 36.96; 95% confidence interval: 4.72–289.67; p-value = 0.001). After applying correction for multiple comparisons, no significant differences across SNP genotypes were observed for any of the variables of post-transplant TTV DNAemia analyzed (mean and peak values, areas under the curve during discrete periods, or absolute increments from baseline to day 15 and months 1, 3, 6 and 12 after transplantation).

Conclusion: The minor G allele of CD209 (rs4804803) seems to exert a recessive protective effect against TTV infection in non-immunocompromised patients. However, no associations were observed between the SNPs analyzed and post-transplant kinetics of TTV DNAemia. These negative results would suggest that post-transplant TTV replication is mainly influenced by immunosuppressive therapy rather than by underlying genetic predisposition, reinforcing its clinical application as a biomarker of adaptive immunity.
Changes in clients' perceptions of family planning quality of care in Kaduna and Lagos States, Nigeria: A mixed methods study
Authors: Akomolafe Toyin O. , OlaOlorun Funmilola M. , Okafor Emeka , Baruwa Sikiru , Afolabi Kayode , Jain Aparna
Published: November 2022

Community Pharmacists (CPs) and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) are crucial to improving access to family planning (FP) services in Nigeria. Although the private sector is preferred for convenience, availability of commodity, privacy, and timeliness, less well known is the quality of care received by clients who obtain FP services from CPs and PPMVs. This paper seeks to explore the use of validated quality of care measures for programming in Kaduna and Lagos States and to assess how these measures worked in capturing changes in quality of care using client exit interviews implemented at two time points. Using validated measures of quality of care, 598 and 236 exit interviews in rounds 1 and 2 were conducted with FP clients aged 18–49 years old. The quality of care domains were assessed using 22 questions. A weighted additive quality score was created, and scores were grouped into three: low, medium, and high quality. Changes in quality of care received were examined using χ2 test. A subset of 53 clients were selected for in-depth interviews. Deductive and inductive approaches were used for coding, and data analysis was thematic. In Lagos, we observed increases in 16 out of 22 items while in Kaduna increases were only observed in 8 items. For instance, increases were observed in the proportion of women who experienced visual privacy between rounds 1 and 2 in Lagos (74%–89%) and Kaduna (66%–82%). The quality of care received by clients changed over time. Women who reported high quality care in Lagos increased from 42% to 63%, whereas women who reported high quality care in Kaduna decreased from 35% to 21%. In both states, in-depth interviews revealed that women felt they were treated respectfully, that their sessions with providers were visually private, that they could ask questions, and that they were asked about their preferred method. This study demonstrates that clients received high quality of care services from providers (CPs and PPMVs) especially in Lagos, and such services can be improved over time. Continuous support may be required to maintain and prevent reduction in quality of FP counseling and services, particularly in Kaduna.
The osteoblast secretome in Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis
Authors: Granata Valentina , Possetti Valentina , Parente Raffaella , Bottazzi Barbara , Inforzato Antonio , Sobacchi Cristina
Published: November 2022

Osteomyelitis (OM) is an infectious disease of the bone predominantly caused by the opportunistic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Typically established upon hematogenous spread of the pathogen to the musculoskeletal system or contamination of the bone after fracture or surgery, osteomyelitis has a complex pathogenesis with a critical involvement of both osteal and immune components. Colonization of the bone by S. aureus is traditionally proposed to induce functional inhibition and/or apoptosis of osteoblasts, alteration of the RANKL/OPG ratio in the bone microenvironment and activation of osteoclasts; all together, these events locally subvert tissue homeostasis causing pathological bone loss. However, this paradigm has been challenged in recent years, in fact osteoblasts are emerging as active players in the induction and orientation of the immune reaction that mounts in the bone during an infection. The interaction with immune cells has been mostly ascribed to osteoblast-derived soluble mediators that add on and synergize with those contributed by professional immune cells. In this respect, several preclinical and clinical observations indicate that osteomyelitis is accompanied by alterations in the local and (sometimes) systemic levels of both pro-inflammatory (e.g., IL-6, IL-1α, TNF-α, IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory (e.g., TGF-β1) cytokines. Here we revisit the role of osteoblasts in bacterial OM, with a focus on their secretome and its crosstalk with cellular and molecular components of the bone microenvironment and immune system.