bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RESTORATION AND ACTIVITY OF THE SUMY REGION SPIRITUAL EDUCATION INSTITUTION IN THE MODERN PERIOD (1997–2015)
Authors:   Сумський державний педагогічний університет імені А. С. Макаренка, Тарабан Юрій
Published: July 2023

The article is devoted to the latest stage of the only confessional institution of spiritual education in the Sumy Region which is Sumy Theological Seminary named after His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan) of Kyiv. The article traces the history of the spiritual and educational institution: from the Okhtyrka Theological School (1819), which was moved to Sumy (1889), its closure in 1919, to the resumption of the school's activities in 1998 and the opening of Sumy Theological Seminary on its basis. The 25th anniversary of the educational process restoration in Sumy Pastoral and Theological School provides an opportunity to study the activity latest stages of Sumy Institution of Spiritual Education. Since 2015 the school was reorganized into Sumy Theological Seminary, which was named in honor of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan) and operates in this status today. The structure and specifics of the spiritual education institution activity are traditionally closed and have other specific features significantly different from other educational institutions. Thus, it causes research interest. The relevance and practical significance of studying the history and latest updates of Sumy Theological Seminary is also due to the exclusivity of the institution. Sumy Theological Seminary is currently the only denominational institution of spiritual education in the Sumy Region. The study of the spiritual educational institution in the Sumy Region, its history, and its current state, allow us to obtain more precise data about education in the Sumy Region in general. The history of spiritual education in the Region is an integral part of its heritage and defines the contours of its regional cultural and historical portrait, requiring further thorough research. The results of scientific research can be used in the process of studying the history of the Sumy Region as a separate region, educational institutions of the Region, the study of local history and historical-pedagogical courses in pedagogical higher education institutions of Ukraine, in institutions of postgraduate pedagogical education, as well as in religious educational institutions. The purpose of the research is to reproduce little-known facts of the history of Sumy and the Sumy Region, related to the activities of the theological school and seminary, as also individual facts of the religious and social life of the Sumy Region.
Machine Learning for Microstructure Classification: How to Assign the Ground Truth in the Most Objective Way
Authors: Müller Martin , Britz Dominik , Mücklich Frank
Published: July 2023

This article demonstrates the application of machine learning to the classification and segmentation of bainitic microstructures and compares three approaches for assigning the ground truth: correlative microscopy using EBSD as an additional information source, comparison with images obtained from specially produced reference samples, and unsupervised learning.
ANALYSIS OF RAFT FOUNDATION ON SANDY SOILS BY WINKLER AND PSEUDO-COUPLED METHODS
Authors: ÖZKAN İlyas , YENGİNAR Yavuz , ECEMİŞ Ali Serdar
Published: July 2023

The settlements occurred in building foundations depend on many soil parameters. Thus, these parameters make the solution both difficult and complex during the calculating process. Therefore, finite element programs use the subgrade reaction coefficient to facilitate the foundation solution. Two different methods, which are Winkler method and Pseudo coupled method, are used in the basic solutions with the coefficient of subgrade reaction. While the Winkler method can be solved with a single field, the pseudo method can be solved with 2 or more fields. In this study, a 10 story building with a 36 m x 36 m square foundation was separately designed on four different sand soils. Two of these soils are classified as C and the others are classified as D according to Eurocode 8. The foundation of this building built on four different soils was divided into six different areas (one region, two regions, three regions, five regions, seven regions, 10 regions). Consequently, 24 analyzes were performed by using the ETABS program. According to the results obtained from these analyzes, while it is appropriate to use the Winkler method in weak sand soils for rigid foundation acceptance, it is more appropriate to use the Pseudo-coupled method in dense sand soils. Pseudo-coupled method should be used in flexible foundation solutions built on weak sand soils. The Winkler method should be used for flexible foundations built on dense sand soils. In the Pseudo-coupled method, the highest settlements were obtained in the two-region solutions. An optimum number of fields was found to be 7 for Pseudo-coupled method.
TREN KEPEMILIKAN GAWAI SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR DI PULAU JAWA: TINJAUAN HASIL SURVEY
Authors: Suhendra Indra , Hartati Tatat , Rahman NFn , Nur Rizkiya Lina Marlina
Published: July 2023

This study aims to investigate the trends of smartphone ownership among primary school students in Java Island. The research method used was a survey using a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. The research respondents were students from grades 1 to 6 in several schools on Java Island. The survey results showed that smartphone ownership among primary school students varied depending on their grade level. Most students in grades 1 and 2 used smartphones owned by their parents, while in grades 3 to 6, the percentage of students who owned personal smartphones increased. It was found that approximately 8.7% of grade 1 students owned personal smartphones, while in grade 6, as many as 82% owned personal smartphones. These findings indicate that the ownership of smartphones among primary school students in Java Island is increasing as students progress to higher grade levels. This may be due to changes in students' needs and interests in using technology and peer influence. Although most students still use smartphones owned by their parents, the percentage of students who own personal smartphones increases in higher grades. The results of this study can serve as a reference for those who want to develop policies or programs related to smartphone usage among primary school students. In this case, schools or parents can consider the importance of education and supervision in using smartphones for students, especially those who already have personal smartphones.AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk menginvestigasi tren kepemilikan gawai, khususnya smartphone, di kalangan siswa Sekolah Dasar di Pulau Jawa. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah survei dengan menggunakan kuesioner sebagai instrumen pengumpulan data. Responden penelitian adalah siswa kelas 1 hingga 6 dari beberapa sekolah di Pulau Jawa. Hasil survei menunjukkan bahwa kepemilikan gawai di kalangan siswa SD bervariasi tergantung pada kelas mereka. Mayoritas siswa kelas 1 dan 2 menggunakan smartphone milik orang tua, sedangkan pada kelas 3 hingga 6, persentase siswa yang memiliki smartphone pribadi semakin meningkat. Ditemukan bahwa sekitar 8,7% siswa kelas 1 memiliki smartphone pribadi, sedangkan pada kelas 6, sebanyak 82% siswa memiliki smartphone pribadi. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa kepemilikan smartphone di kalangan siswa SD di Pulau Jawa semakin tinggi seiring dengan kenaikan kelas siswa. Hal ini mungkin disebabkan oleh perubahan kebutuhan dan minat siswa dalam menggunakan teknologi, serta pengaruh dari teman sebaya. Meskipun mayoritas siswa masih menggunakan smartphone milik orang tua, persentase siswa yang memiliki smartphone pribadi semakin tinggi pada kelas yang lebih tinggi. Dalam hal ini, pihak sekolah atau orang tua dapat mempertimbangkan pentingnya pendidikan dan pengawasan dalam penggunaan smartphone bagi siswa, terutama mereka yang sudah memiliki smartphone pribadi.
Residual attention network based hybrid convolution network model for lung cancer detection
Authors: Balaji Prasanalakshmi , Aluvalu Rajanikanth , Sagar Kalpna
Published: July 2023

Lung cancer is one of the dangerous diseases that cause shortness of breath and death. Automatic lung cancer disease identification is a challenging operation for researchers. This paper, presents an effective lung cancer diagnosis system using deep learning with CT images. It also decreases lung cancer’s misclassification. Initially, the input images are gathered from online resources. The collected CT images are given to the detection stage. Here, we perform the detection using a Multi Serial Hybrid convolution based Residual Attention Network (MSHCRAN). Using a deep learning framework lung cancer detection using CT images is effectively detected. The performance of the developed lung cancer detection system is compared to other conventional lung cancer detection models According to the analysis, the implemented deep learning-based detection of lung cancer system had a precision higher than 95.75% compared to CNN with 90.04%, ResNet with 89.62%, LSTM with 92%, and CRAN with 93.4% using dataset-1. The analysis with Dataset-2 shows a precision of 90.43% with CNN, ResNet with 90.12%, LSTM with 92%, and CRAN with 93.7%, with the proposed method precision of 95.8%.
Computational Evaluation of the Potential Pharmacological Activity of Salen-Type Ligands in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Puentes-Díaz Nicolás , Chaparro Diego , Reyes-Marquez Viviana , Morales-Morales David , Flores-Gaspar Areli , Alí-Torres Jorge
Published: July 2023

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia representing from 60% to 70% of the cases globally. It is a multifactorial disease that, among its many pathological characteristics, has been found to provoke the metal ion dysregulation in the brain, along with an increase in the oxidative stress. There is proof that metallic complexes formed by the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and extraneuronal copper can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species, leading to an increase in oxidative stress, promoting neuronal death. Due to this interaction, bioavailable copper has become an important redox active target to consider within the search protocols of multifunctional agents for AD’s treatment. Objective: In this study, we examined by using bioinformatics and electronic structure calculations the potential application of 44 salen-type copper chelating ligands and 12 further proposed molecules as possible multifunctional agents in the context of AD. Methods: The candidates were evaluated by combining bioinformatic tools and electronic structure calculations, which allowed us to classify the molecules as potential antioxidants, redistributor-like compounds, and the newly proposed suppressor mechanism. Results: This evaluation demonstrate that salen-type ligands exhibit properties suitable for interfering in the chain of copper-induced oxidative stress reactions present in AD and potential redistributor and suppressor activity for copper ions. Finally, a novel set of plausible candidates is proposed and evaluated. Conclusion: According to the evaluated criteria, a subset of 13 salen-type candidates was found to exhibit promissory pharmacological properties in the AD framework and were classified according to three plausible action mechanisms.
A Review of Factors Affecting the Acquisition of Second Language Reading Skills
Authors: Haider Shahbaz , Shakir Aleem
Published: July 2023

Effective reading skills are essential prerequisites for L2 reading proficiency which demand different metacognitive and cognitive skills to deal with the problems before and during the reading. These reading strategies adopted by L2 proficient readers are effective methods to handle the primary factors that influence reading proficiency. Therefore, the current research  provided a comprehensive review of factors affecting the acquisition of second-language reading skills. The review consisted of thirty-two research articles related to L2 reading acquisition. The results demonstrated primary factors which impacted the L2 reading skills and a wide range of reading techniques adopted by proficient English language learners to construct meanings from the written text. Finally, it is likely to expect that the review of factors affecting reading skills can provide English language teachers and English language learners with in-depth insights into social and cognitive factors affecting L2 reading literacy.
Coordination of the Service of Investment and One Stop Service with the Tourism Service in Licensing of Karaoke Tourism Business in Medan City
Authors: Muhammad Fadhli Nasution  , Simson Ginting
Published: July 2023

The problems found in this study are communication between agencies that are still not running well, limited resources to supervise tourism business licenses in Medan City, overlapping authority between agencies, resulting in each agency waiting for each other to misuse tourism business licenses and the discovery of indications of abuse of authority in the implementation of tourism business license supervision in Medan City.  This type of research is descriptive research using qualitative methods. The data collected is in the form of words, images, and not numbers. The sampling technique to explore information that will be the basis of this study is the purposive sampling technique. To perform validation of found information using data triangulation. The results showed that the coordination between the Investment Office and One-Stop Integrated Services and the Medan City Tourism Office was no longer in the process before the issuance of permits but after the issuance of permits. Unification of actions taken by the Investment Office and One-Stop Integrated Services and the Medan City Tourism Office has been carried out, namely the enforcement of strict sanctions against karaoke business owners who violate the rules in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, then communication is carried out by exchanging information related to karaoke tourism business licenses in Medan City and communication is carried out if there is a karaoke business license that does not match between the Business Identification Number (NIB) and  Business carried out in the field. The distribution of tasks carried out in coordination with karaoke business licensing has run optimally. Supervision and enforcement related to tourism business licenses, especially karaoke, are in accordance with established rules, but there are still some karaoke places that are still operating even though they have received a reprimand or revocation of their business licenses.
Phenomenological Analysis of Consumer Shopping Behavior in Asia and Europe
Authors: Iskandarsyah Siregar
Published: July 2023

This analysis is in the form of a conceptual analysis. The purpose of this paper is to find out the differences between Asian and European netizens. Asia and Europe have different numbers of netizens. Netizens in Asia have more numbers than netizens in Europe. Netizens in Asia and European netizens often use smartphones or tablets to buy products. Asia has substantial market potential in online business, while in Europe, several countries still need to improve social delivery networks and services. China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia are potential markets in Asia, while Germany, Poland, and Norway are potential markets in Europe. In conclusion, the online shopping behaviour of consumers in Asia and Europe is influenced by various factors, including demographics, cultural differences, payment methods, e-commerce platforms, mobile shopping, and cross-border shopping. Businesses catering to online shoppers need to understand these differences to tailor their marketing strategies and provide a better online shopping experience.
Funduplicatura de Nissen en enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico con metaplasia de Barrett refractaria al tratamiento: reporte de caso
Authors: Ochoa Quinteros Kevin Marcelo , Aldás Erazo Manuel Rafael , Landivar Cordova Alison Omar
Published: July 2023

Introducción: La enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico se produce debido a la afectación del cardias y el esófago como resultado de la regurgitación del contenido gástrico. Su prevalencia mundial oscila entre el 10% y el 30% de la población. Dentro de este grupo, aproximadamente el 30-40% muestra resistencia al tratamiento con inhibidores de la bomba de protones, mientras que otras medidas farmacológicas no han resultado efectivas. Sin embargo, la funduplicatura, independientemente de la técnica quirúrgica utilizada, ha demostrado ser efectiva a largo plazo, revirtiendo la lesión y resolviendo los síntomas. Metodología: Presentación de caso de tipo descriptivo retrospectivo. Objetivo: Describir un caso clínico de una paciente con enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico con metaplasia de Barrett resistente al tratamiento, tratado quirúrgicamente con funduplicatura de Nissen. Resultados: Paciente femenina de 48 años con antecedentes de hernia diafragmática, es atendida por síntomas de epigastralgia, disfagia progresiva y pirosis postprandial. Se decide realizar una videoendoscopia digestiva alta y, ante la presencia macroscópica de metaplasia, se le realiza una biopsia y se le diagnostica enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico con metaplasia de Barrett. Se inicia tratamiento con inhibidor de la bomba de protones, sin embargo, en el seguimiento endoscópico no se observa mejoría del epitelio, por lo que se decide intervenirla quirúrgicamente mediante funduplicatura de Nissen como tratamiento definitivo. Al cabo de un mes, la paciente evoluciona de manera positiva, presentando una mejoría total de sus síntomas. Conclusion: La funduplicatura con técnica de Nissen se establece como una alternativa terapéutica de larga duración, con tasas de recurrencia y complicaciones más bajas en comparación con el tratamiento médico convencional. No obstante, aún se requieren estudios adicionales para determinar el momento óptimo de aplicación de este tratamiento. Es crucial destacar la importancia de una intervención temprana con el fin de evitar complicaciones asociadas a la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico.
Masculinidades hegemónicas y emergentes, repercusiones en la pareja: satisfacción sexual y calidad de vida
Authors: Aguirre Toledo Luz América , Heras Benavides Dalila Nataly , Jaramillo Oyervide Jessica Alexandra
Published: July 2023

Las masculinidades hegemónicas promulgan la subordinación de la mujer en relación al hombre, mientras que las emergentes presentan subjetividades donde tensionan diferentes modelos. El objetivo del estudio se basa en analizar las repercusiones de las masculinidades hegemónicas en la satisfacción sexual y calidad de vida, versus las masculinidades emergentes con iguales categorías, a través de una revisión sistemática. Para ello se aplicó el método PRISMA, hallándose once registros que ponen de manifiesto la repercusión sexual de la masculinidad hegemónica en la virginidad de la mujer, el sexo por paga y el método femenino de prevención del VIH; mientras que las repercusiones en la calidad de vida, corresponden al autoestima, salud mental, suicidio, enfermedades, actividad física y conflicto de rol. Por otro lado, las masculinidades emergentes traen Este estudio encontró que las masculinidades hegemónicas tienen un impacto negativo en la satisfacción sexual, particularmente asociadas a ideas prejuiciadas en áreas como la virginidad femenina, el trabajo sexual y los métodos femeninos de prevención del VIH. Además, las masculinidades hegemónicas tienen un impacto negativo en la calidad de vida, incluida la autoestima, la salud mental, la actividad física y el conflicto de roles. Las masculinidades emergentes tienen que enfrentarse a los atávicos criterios de las generaciones antecesoras que los discriminan por ser “hombres igualitarios” lo que afecta a su calidad de vida; en referencia al ámbito sexual, este criterio igualitario considera el placer mutuo como una necesidad de la vida en pareja, lo que revierte en mayor estabilidad y funcionalidad en las relaciones. Es importante destacar que, con respecto a la investigación pertinente de las masculinidades emergentes, los artículos originales desarrollados según los parámetros de búsqueda son parcialmente escasos siendo una temática poco explorada.  Área de la ciencia: Psicología.
Neurophysiological Changes Associated With Listening Effort in Normal Adults
Authors: Kim Ga-Young , Kim Jung-Wan , Jo Mini , Yun Hee Jung , Cho Young Sang , Moon Il Joon
Published: July 2023

Background and Objectives Several studies have proven that listening efforts cause neuroanatomical and physiological changes in the frontal lobe in adults with hearing loss as well as in the elderly with normal hearing. However, there is still a lack in research into how brain function changes when the cognitive load is increased based on noise level. We conducted a preliminary study using functional near-infrared spectroscopy to determine differences in listening effort according to varying listening conditions.Subjects and Method Five adults with normal hearing participated in the study. Listening effort was measured in three listening environments (resting, quiet, and noise) using NIRSIT Lite (OBELAB, Seoul, Korea). The measures variables were concentration changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (ΔHbO2) and the percent correct response rate.Results As a result of ΔHbO2, channels 1 (p=0.045), 5 (p=0.042) and 7 (p=0.033) (right channels) showed significantly higher ΔHbO2 in the noise condition than in the resting condition. In addition, in channel 1, ΔHbO2 was significantly higher even in the quiet condition than in the resting condition (p=0.041). The percent correct response rate was significantly decreased in the noise condition (35.6%) as compared to the quiet condition (64.4%) (p=0.024).Conclusion We observed that a decrease in cerebral localization to compensate through the right hemisphere was presented with increased listening effort. The results of the study will be useful in situations where listening effort need to be accurarely measured.
Computational prediction of muscle synergy using a finite element framework for a musculoskeletal model on lower limb
Authors: Wang Sentong , Hase Kazunori , Funato Tetsuro
Published: July 2023

Previous studies have demonstrated that the central nervous system activates muscles in module patterns to reduce the complexity needed to control each muscle while producing a movement, which is referred to as muscle synergy. In previous musculoskeletal modeling-based muscle synergy analysis studies, as a result of simplification of the joints, a conventional rigid-body link musculoskeletal model failed to represent the physiological interactions of muscle activation and joint kinematics. However, the interaction between the muscle level and joint level that exists in vivo is an important relationship that influences the biomechanics and neurophysiology of the musculoskeletal system. In the present, a lower limb musculoskeletal model coupling a detailed representation of a joint including complex contact behavior and material representations was used for muscle synergy analysis using a decomposition method of non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). The complexity of the representation of a joint in a musculoskeletal system allows for the investigation of the physiological interactions in vivo on the musculoskeletal system, thereby facilitating the decomposition of the muscle synergy. Results indicated that, the activities of the 20 muscles on the lower limb during the stance phase of gait could be controlled by three muscle synergies, and total variance accounted for by synergies was 86.42%. The characterization of muscle synergy and musculoskeletal biomechanics is consistent with the results, thus explaining the formational mechanism of lower limb motions during gait through the reduction of the dimensions of control issues by muscle synergy and the central nervous system.
Progress in application of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy for pharmaceutical analyses
Authors: Huang Shuteng , Deng Hanxiu , Wei Xia , Zhang Jiayu
Published: July 2023

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy is an analytical method using terahertz time-domain pulses to study the physical and chemical properties of substances. It has strong potential for application in pharmaceutical analyses as an original non-destructive, efficient and convenient technology for spectral detection. This review briefly introduces the working principle of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy technology, focuses on the research achievements of this technology in analyses of chemical drugs, traditional Chinese medicine and biological drugs in the past decade. We also reveal the scientific feasibility of practical application of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy for pharmaceutical detection. Finally, we discuss the problems in practical application of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy technology, and the prospect of further development of this technology in pharmaceutical analyses. We hope that this review can provide a reference for application of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy technology in pharmaceutical analyses in the future.
Distinguishing COVID-19 from seasonal influenza in patients under age 65 years—a retrospective observational cohort study comparing the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) and 2022 SARS-CoV-2 pandemics
Authors: Zhong Wen , Wu Yisong , Yue Wenxiang , Fang Jiabin , Xie Baosong , Xu Nengluan , Lin Ming , Zhu Xiongpeng , Su Zhijun , Chen Yusheng , Li Hong , Li Hongru
Published: July 2023

Introduction

This study explored the differences in clinical characteristics between the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 variant (Omicron) infections in patients younger than age 65 years, to improve identification of these diseases and better respond to the current epidemic.

Methods

Data from 127 patients with the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) diagnosed between May and July of 2009 and 3,265 patients with Omicron diagnosed between March and May of 2022 were collected. Using a 1:2 match based on age (difference <2 years), sex, and underlying diseases, data from 115 patients with the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection (H1N1 group) and 230 patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 infection (Omicron group) were analyzed. The clinical manifestations were compared between the groups, logistic regression was performed to identify possible independent risk factors for each group, and multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors predicting time for nucleic acid negativization (NAN).

Results

The median [interquartile range] age of the two groups was 21 [11, 26] years. Compared with the H1N1 group, the Omicron group had: lower white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels; less fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, sputum, and headache; and more olfactory loss, muscle soreness, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) abnormalities. Patients in the Omicron group used fewer antibiotics and antiviral drugs, and the time for NAN was longer (17 [14,20] VS 4 [3,5] days, P<0.001). Logistic regression showed that fever, cough, headache, and increased white blood cell count were more strongly correlated with the H1N1 group, while muscle soreness and LDH abnormalities were more strongly correlated with the Omicron group. Fever (B 1.529, 95% confidence interval [0.149,2.909], P=0.030) significantly predicted a longer time for NAN in patients with Omicron.

Discussion

There are significant differences in clinical characteristics between SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection and the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection. Recognition of these differences has important implications for clinical practice.
Quantitative aortography for assessment of aortic regurgitation in the era of percutaneous aortic valve replacement
Authors: Abdelshafy Mahmoud , Serruys Patrick W. , Tsai Tsung-Ying , Revaiah Pruthvi Chenniganahosahalli , Garg Scot , Aben Jean-Paul , Schultz Carl J. , Abdelghani Mohammad , Tonino Pim A. L. , Miyazaki Yosuke , Rutten Marcel C. M. , Cox Martijn , Sahyoun Cherif , Teng Justin , Tateishi Hiroki , Abdel-Wahab Mohamed , Piazza Nicolo , Pighi Michele , Modolo Rodrigo , van Mourik Martijn , Wykrzykowska Joanna , de Winter Robbert J. , Lemos Pedro A. , de Brito Fábio S. , Kawashima Hideyuki , Søndergaard Lars , Rosseel Liesbeth , Wang Rutao , Gao Chao , Tao Ling , Rück Andreas , Kim Won-Keun , Royen Niels van , Terkelsen Christian J. , Nissen Henrik , Adam Matti , Rudolph Tanja K. , Wienemann Hendrik , Torii Ryo , Josef Neuman Franz , Schoechlin Simon , Chen Mao , Elkoumy Ahmed , Elzomor Hesham , Amat-Santos Ignacio J. , Mylotte Darren , Soliman Osama , Onuma Yoshinobu
Published: July 2023

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a shortcoming that can erode the clinical benefits of transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) and therefore a readily applicable method (aortography) to quantitate PVL objectively and accurately in the interventional suite is appealing to all operators. The ratio between the areas of the time-density curves in the aorta and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT-AR) defines the regurgitation fraction (RF). This technique has been validated in a mock circulation; a single injection in diastole was further tested in porcine and ovine models. In the clinical setting, LVOT-AR was compared with trans-thoracic and trans-oesophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. LVOT-AR > 17% discriminates mild from moderate aortic regurgitation on echocardiography and confers a poor prognosis in multiple registries, and justifies balloon post-dilatation. The LVOT-AR differentiates the individual performances of many old and novel devices and is being used in ongoing randomized trials and registries.
Changes in air and liquid permeability properties of loess due to the effect of lead contamination
Authors: Wen Shaojie , Cheng Wen-Chieh , Hu Wenle , Rahman Md Mizanur
Published: July 2023

Heavy metals in landfill leachate are easily adsorbed by soil particles, causing serious threats to human health and surrounding environments. Mining and metallurgy activities are intensive in Northwest China, thereby enlarging threats. The aim of the present study is to enhance our knowledge about the linkage between the microstructural evolution of the loess soil induced by lead contamination and the macro air and liquid permeability properties. A series of air and liquid permeability tests on the uncontaminated and Pb-contaminated loess specimens were conducted. Their air and liquid permeability properties were evaluated on the basis of Darcy’s law and the soil–water retention curves, respectively. The microstructural evolution, when subjected to low and high Pb2+ concentrations, was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and zeta potential tests. The intrusion of Pb2+ decreases the absolute zeta potential ζ, which in turn leads to a more distinct agglomerated structure and higher intrinsic permeability. Moreover, the dedolomitization and associated cerussite (PbCO3) precipitation are deemed as the main cause of micropore clogging, whereas the corrosion of the cement between soil particles by H+ shows a good correspondence to an increase in the number of mesopores. With the concentration of Pb2+ increasing from 0 to 2,000 mg/kg, the proportion of micropores decreases from 37.9% to 15.1%, and the proportion of mesopores increases from 17.3% to 53.3%. In addition, the air entry value decreased from 19.5 to 12.8 kPa, indicating that the water retention behavior decreased. The findings highlight the impacts of lead contamination on the microstructure and macro permeability properties and give some design guideposts to heavy metal-contaminated site remediation.
Trends in sperm quality by computer-assisted sperm analysis of 49,189 men during 2015–2021 in a fertility center from China
Authors: Li Yanquan , Lu Tingting , Wu Zhengmu , Wang Zhengquan , Yu Ting , Wang Hanshu , Tang Chunhua , Zhou Yuchuan
Published: July 2023

Background

Sperm quality, including semen volume, sperm count, concentration, and total and progressive motility (collectively, “semen parameters”), has declined in the recent decades. Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) provides sperm kinematic parameters, and the temporal trends of which remain unclear. Our objective is to examine the temporal trend of both semen parameters and kinematic parameters in Shanghai, China, in the recent years.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed semen parameters and kinematic parameters of 49,819 men attending our reproductive center by using CASA during 2015–2021. The total sample was divided into two groups: samples that surpassed the WHO guideline (2010) low reference limits (“above reference limit” group, ARL; n = 24,575) and samples that did not (“below reference limit” group, BRL; n = 24,614). One-way analysis of variance, Kruskal–Wallis test, independent samples t-test, and covariance analysis were used to assess the differences among groups. Year, age, and abstinence time were included in the multiple linear regression model of the ARL group to adjust the confounders and depict the trends in sperm quality.

Results

Among all the total sample and the ARL and BRL groups, the age of subjects increased in recent years. Semen volume and sperm count showed declined tendency with years in the total sample, the ARL and BRL groups, and the subgroup of age or abstinence time, whereas sperm velocities showed increased tendency with years on the contrary. The multiple linear regression model of the ARL group, adjusting for age and abstinence time, confirmed these trends. Semen volume (β1= −0.162; CI: −0.172, −0.152), sperm count (β1= −9.97; CI: −10.813, −9.128), sperm concentration (β1 = −0.535; CI: −0.772, −0.299), motility (β1 = −1.751; CI: −1.830, −1.672), and progressive motility (β1 = −1.12; CI: −0.201, −0.145) decreased with year, whereas curvilinear line velocity (VCL) (β1 = 3.058; CI: 2.912, 3.203), straight line velocity (VSL) (β1 = 2.075; CI: 1.990, 2.161), and average path velocity (VAP) (β1 = 2.305; CI: 2.224, 2.386) increased over time (all p < 0.001). In addition, VCL, VSL, and VAP significantly declined with age and abstinence time.

Conclusion

The semen parameters declined, whereas the kinematic parameters increased over the recent years. We propose that, although sperm count and motility declined over time, sperm motion velocity increased, suggesting a possible compensatory mechanism of male fertility.
Extracellular vesicles in the treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer: a status update
Authors: Zhang Xiaoying , Wang Caizheng , Yu Jiahui , Bu Jiawen , Ai Fulv , Wang Yue , Lin Jie , Zhu Xudong
Published: July 2023

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in women. Currently, the treatment of breast cancer is limited by the lack of effectively targeted therapy and patients often suffer from higher severity, metastasis, and resistance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) consist of lipid bilayers that encapsulate a complex cargo, including proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. These bioactive cargoes have been found to play crucial roles in breast cancer initiation and progression. Moreover, EV cargoes play pivotal roles in converting mammary cells to carcinogenic cells and metastatic foci by extensively inducing proliferation, angiogenesis, pre-metastatic niche formation, migration, and chemoresistance. The present update review mainly discusses EVs cargoes released from breast cancer cells and tumor-derived EVs in the breast cancer microenvironment, focusing on proliferation, metastasis, chemoresistance, and their clinical potential as effective biomarkers.
Membrane estrogen receptor-α contributes to female protection against high-fat diet-induced metabolic disorders
Authors: Fabre Aurélie , Tramunt Blandine , Montagner Alexandra , Mouly Céline , Riant Elodie , Calmy Marie-Lou , Adlanmerini Marine , Fontaine Coralie , Burcelin Rémy , Lenfant Françoise , Arnal Jean-François , Gourdy Pierre
Published: July 2023

Background

Estrogen Receptor α (ERα) is a significant modulator of energy balance and lipid/glucose metabolisms. Beyond the classical nuclear actions of the receptor, rapid activation of intracellular signaling pathways is mediated by a sub-fraction of ERα localized to the plasma membrane, known as Membrane Initiated Steroid Signaling (MISS). However, whether membrane ERα is involved in the protective metabolic actions of endogenous estrogens in conditions of nutritional challenge, and thus contributes to sex differences in the susceptibility to metabolic diseases, remains to be clarified.

Methods

Male and female C451A-ERα mice, harboring a point mutation which results in the abolition of membrane localization and MISS-related effects of the receptor, and their wild-type littermates (WT-ERα) were maintained on a normal chow diet (NCD) or fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Body weight gain, body composition and glucose tolerance were monitored. Insulin sensitivity and energy balance regulation were further investigated in HFD-fed female mice.

Results

C451A-ERα genotype had no influence on body weight gain, adipose tissue accumulation and glucose tolerance in NCD-fed mice of both sexes followed up to 7 months of age, nor male mice fed a HFD for 12 weeks. In contrast, compared to WT-ERα littermates, HFD-fed C451A-ERα female mice exhibited: 1) accelerated fat mass accumulation, liver steatosis and impaired glucose tolerance; 2) whole-body insulin resistance, assessed by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, and altered insulin-induced signaling in skeletal muscle and liver; 3) significant decrease in energy expenditure associated with histological and functional abnormalities of brown adipose tissue and a defect in thermogenesis regulation in response to cold exposure.

Conclusion

Besides the well-characterized role of ERα nuclear actions, membrane-initiated ERα extra-nuclear signaling contributes to female, but not to male, protection against HFD-induced obesity and associated metabolic disorders in mouse.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation exerts weak effects on species- and community-level growth traits for invading or native plants under nitrogen deposition
Authors: Guo Xiao , Li Mingyan , Jiang Siyu , Yang Liyu , Guo Shaoxia , Xing Lijun , Wang Tong
Published: July 2023

Nitrogen deposition and biological invasion are two major components of global environmental change. Nitrogen deposition has been considered to enhance the resource availability of recipient habitats, which influences the invasiveness of plant invader and the invasibility of recipient native communities. Nitrogen deposition has been shown to reduce the relative abundances of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) globally. AMF have been found to mutualistically symbiose with approximately 75% of plant species and act as a nutrient supplier. AMF may modify the structure of native plant communities, collaborate with alien plant invaders and thus promote their invasion. The alien woody invader, Rhus typhina L. has been introduced into North China as a horticultural species, invaded the native plant community and outperformed the native competitors in growth and in photosynthetic efficiency. Nevertheless, little is known about if nitrogen deposition and AMF inoculation synergistically alter the invasibility of native plant community. In this study, R. typhina was subjected to the artificial plant community assembled by four co-existing native species – Chenopodium album L., Vitex negundo var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehd., Rhus chinensis Mill. and Acer truncatum Bunge in a mesocosm experiment. Nitrogen deposition and AMF inoculation were simulated as environmental and biotic filters respectively. Aboveground biomass and biomass proportion, reflecting plant growth and performance, and specific leaf area and chlorophyll concentration correlated with carbon use and photosynthetic capacity of both the alien invader and the native plants were measured and calculated after harvest. We found that AMF inoculation did not alter the trait variation of alien and native species to increasing nitrogen deposition level in general, although AMF inoculation impeded the increase of aboveground biomass for C. album, V. negundo and native community with increasing nitrogen deposition level. In the scenario of nitrogen deposition and AMF inoculation, a stable status of invasion dynamic may be maintained and needs to be checked with integration of traits at extended temporal scale.
Case Report: Non-ossifying fibromas with pathologic fractures in a patient with NONO-associated X-linked syndromic intellectual developmental disorder
Authors: Writzl Karin , Mavčič Blaž , Maver Aleš , Hodžić Alenka , Peterlin Borut
Published: July 2023

The NONO gene encodes a nuclear protein involved in transcriptional regulation, RNA synthesis and DNA repair. Hemizygous loss-of function, de novo or maternally inherited variants in NONO have been associated with an X-linked syndromic intellectual developmental disorder-34 (OMIM # 300967), characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia, macrocephaly, elongated face, structural abnormalities of corpus callosum and/or cerebellum, congenital heart defect and left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy. Few patients have been described in the literature and the phenotype data are limited. We report a 17-year-old boy with dolihocephaly, elongated face, strabismus, speech and motor delay, intellectual disability, congenital heart defect (ASD, VSD and Ebstein’s anomaly), left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy, bilateral inguinal hernia and cryptorchidism. Additional features included recurrent fractures due to multiple non-ossifying fibromas, thrombocytopenia, and renal anomalies. Exome sequencing revealed a de novo pathogenic variant (NM_001145408.2: c.348+2_ 348+15del) in intron 5 of the NONO gene. Renal anomalies and thrombocytopenia have been rarely reported in patients with NONO—X-linked intellectual disability syndrome, while recurrent fractures due to multiple non-ossifying fibromas have not previously been associated with this syndrome. The phenotypic spectrum of NONO—X-linked intellectual disability syndrome may be broader than currently known.
ELK4 exerts opposite roles in cytokine/chemokine production and degranulation in activated mast cells
Authors: Huang Yuji , Zhu Zhehui , Li Weize , Ge Yiqin , Li Yanning , Wang Juan , Peng Xia , Lin Lihui , Li Jia , Liu Chen-Ying , Li Li
Published: July 2023

The proliferative potential of mast cells after activation for 3-4h was found to be decreased, which suggests that mast cell degranulation and cell proliferation are differentially regulated. ELK4, a member of the ternary complex factor (TCF) subfamily of Ets transcription factors, is one of the downstream effectors of MAPK signaling that is critical for cell proliferation. And Elk4 has been identified to be vital for macrophage activation in response to zymosan and the transcriptional response to 12-O-tetrade canoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) stimulation in fibroblast. However, the effect of ELK4 on the mast cell transcriptional response to FcϵRI and GPCR mediated activation and its potential functional significance in mast cells remain unclear. Here, we showed that ELK4 expression is downregulated in activated mast cells. Elk4 knockout suppresses cell proliferation and impedes the cell cycle in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs), which is associated with decreased transcription of cell cycle genes. Additionally, the transcriptional activation of cytokines and chemokines is diminished while mast cell degranulation is enhanced in Elk4 knockout BMMCs. Mechanistically, ELK4 might positively modulate Hdc, Ccl3 and Ccl4 transcription by interacting with MITF and negatively regulate the transcription of degranulation-related genes by complexing with SIRT6. Overall, our study identifies a new physiological role of the transcription factor ELK4 in mast cell proliferation and activation.
Association of torque teno virus viremia with liver fibrosis in the first year after liver transplantation
Authors: Engel Bastian , Görzer Irene , Campos-Murguia Alejandro , Hartleben Björn , Puchhammer-Stöckl Elisabeth , Jaeckel Elmar , Taubert Richard
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Torque teno virus (TTV) replication is controlled by immune status, mirroring a degree of immunosuppression after solid organ transplantation. TTV viraemia (TTVv) was associated with acute cellular rejection and infection within the first year after liver transplantation (LT). Long-term data on TTV after LT and correlation with graft injury from protocol biopsies are limited.

Methods

One hundred plasma samples paired with graft biopsies from a prospective single-center biorepository were analyzed.

Results

The median time post-LT was 23 months (range, 2–298). TTVv was detectable in 97%. TTVv decreased over time after LT and showed a significant decline from year 1 to later time points. Hence, TTVv correlated negatively with histologic liver fibrosis (liver allograft fibrosis and Ishak scores) and positively with the overall immunosuppression degree quantified by an immunosuppression score in the first year after LT. There was no association with dosages or trough levels of single immunosuppressants. The pharmacodynamic marker TTVv did not correlate with pharmacokinetic assessments of immunosuppression degree [calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) trough levels or immunosuppressant dosages]—our clinical gold standards to guide immunosuppressive therapy. TTVv was independently associated with histologically proven liver fibrosis after LT in the first year after LT in multivariate analysis

Discussion

The independent association of histological graft fibrosis with lower TTVv in year 1 underscores that a pharmacodynamic marker would be preferable to individualize immunosuppression after LT. However, a high variability of TTVv at the low immunosuppression doses given after the first year precludes TTV as a clinically useful marker after LT in the long-term liver transplant recipients.
Fermentation improves flavors, bioactive substances, and antioxidant capacity of Bian-Que Triple-Bean Soup by lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Li Yiming , Yang Huixin , Yu Bin , Wang Jiayao , Zhu Manli , Liu Jiao , Zheng Zhenjie , Qian Zhenning , Wei Linya , Lv Huanyong , Zhang Lili , Xu Yunhe
Published: July 2023

The ancient traditional Chinese drink Bian-Que Triple-Bean Soup made by fermentation (FTBS) of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis YM313 and Lacticaseibacillus casei YQ336 is a potential functional drink. The effect of fermentation on the flavor and biological activity of FTBS was evaluated by analyzing its chemical composition. Five volatile flavors were detected in modified FTBS. Fermentation decreased the proportion of nonanal (beany flavor substances) but significantly increased the total flavone contents, phenol contents and many bioactive small molecule substances in FTBS. The changes of these substances led to the significant improvement of FTBS sensory evaluation, antioxidant activity and prebiotic potential. This research provides a theoretical basis for the application of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the fermentation of edible plant-based foods and transformation from traditional food to industrial production.