bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia Improve Rural Anesthesia Services and Address Safety Issues in Low Income Country? Perspective from Nepal
Authors: Hamal Pawan Kumar , Rayamajhi Anuj Jung , Pokhrel Nabin , Yadav Rupesh Kumar , Bhattarai Prajjwal Raj , Bista Navindra Raj
Published: July 2020

Provision of anesthesia services in a deprived area particularly in low income countries is a major challenge all over the globe. Along with issues of manpower, logistics, services, there lies agendas of safety and accuracy while delivering the services. With rise in ultrasound use in regional anesthesia, pain and perioperative care, it is prudent that some of these issues can be addressed with proper training, mentoring and monitoring. The global idea needs to be implemented locally to reach out to huge volume of patients who are inadequately treated for the various painful conditions. A group of regional enthusiasts from Nepal takes the vision and mission in Nepalese context to address the issues. Keywords: Low income country; rural anesthesia; safety; ultrasound guided regional anesthesia
Understanding COVID-19 in Nepal
Authors: Pun Sher Bahadur , Mandal Shrawan , Bhandari Lilanath , Jha Santoshananda , Rajbhandari Sagar , Mishra Abdhesh Kumar , Sharma Chalise Bimal , Shah Rajesh
Published: July 2020

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported on 31 December 2019 in Wuhan City, China. The first case of COVID-19 was officially announced on 24 January, 2020, in Nepal. Nine COVID-19 cases have been reported in Nepal. We aim to describe our experiences of COVID-19 patients in Nepal.Keywords: COVID-19; experience; Nepal
Effects of a no-take reserve on mangrove fish assemblages: incorporating seascape connectivity
Authors: Marley GSA , Deacon AE , Phillip DAT , Lawrence AJ
Published: July 2020

No-take reserves (NTRs) have been effective at conserving fish assemblages in tropical systems such as coral reefs, but have rarely been evaluated in turbid tropical estuaries. The present study evaluated the effect of a mangrove NTR on the conservation of juvenile fish abundance, commercial fish biomass and biodiversity at the assemblage level, and the abundance of juveniles, target and non-target adults at the family level. The evaluation incorporated one aspect of seascape connectivity, namely proximity to the sea, or in this case, the Gulf of Paria. Linear mixed models showed that the NTR had a positive effect only on species richness at the assemblage level. However, juvenile fish abundance, commercial fish biomass, taxonomic distinctness and functional diversity were not enhanced in the NTR. The inclusion of connectivity in these models still failed to identify any positive effects of the NTR at the assemblage level. Yet, there were significant benefits to juvenile fish abundance for 5 of 7 families, and for 1 family of non-target adults. Possible explanations for the limited success of the NTR for fish assemblages include failing to account for the ecology of fish species in NTR design, the drawbacks of ‘inside-outside’ (of the NTR) experimental designs and the fact that fishing does not always impact non-target species. It is important to recognise that mangrove NTRs do not necessarily benefit fish assemblages as a whole, but that finer-scale assessments of specific families may reveal some of the proclaimed benefits of NTRs in tropical estuaries.
Vitamin D3 Action Within the Ovary – an Updated Review
Authors: GRZESIAK M
Published: July 2020

Vitamin D3 is well-known as a major regulator of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. A growing body of evidence highlights its crucial role in the regulation of reproductive processes in females. The role of vitamin D3 in the female reproductive tract has been extensively investigated because its receptor is abundant in reproductive organs, including ovary. Importantly, besides expression of vitamin D3 receptor, the ovary is an extrarenal site of vitamin D3 metabolism. The influence of vitamin D3 on follicular development and ovarian steroidogenesis has been investigated. Furthermore, vitamin D3 deficiency has also been associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure and ovarian cancer. The objective of this review is to summarize our knowledge about the contribution of vitamin D3 to physiological and pathological processes within the ovary.
Factors Affecting the Function of the Mitochondrial Membrane Permeability Transition Pore and Their Role in Evaluation of Calcium Retention Capacity Values
Authors: DRAHOTA Z , ENDLICHER R , KUČERA O , RYCHTRMOC D , ČERVINKOVÁ Z
Published: July 2020

Values of the calcium retention capacity (CRC) of rat liver mitochondria are highly dependent on the experimental conditions used. When increasing amounts of added calcium chloride are used (1.25-10 nmol), the values of the CRC increase 3-fold. When calcium is added in 75 s intervals, the CRC values increase by 30 % compared with 150 s interval additions. CRC values are not dependent on the calcium/protein ratio in the measured sample in our experimental design. We also show that a more detailed evaluation of the fluorescence curves can provide new information about mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening after calcium is added.
Covid-19 Infection and the Host Genetic Predisposition: Does it Exist?
Authors: VAŠKŮ A
Published: July 2020

Knowledge of genomic interindividual variability could help us to explain why different manifestation of clinical severity of Covid-19 infection as well as modified pharmacogenetic relations can be expected during this pandemic condition.
PSYCHO-LINGUISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
Authors: Ollomani Fitor , Imeri Yllka
Published: July 2020

The relationship between language and psychology is one of the most complex and close relationships, as human nature itself is. Language, as the identifying phenomenon of man and the only means of realizing human communication, is as biological, psychological as well as social.
The relationship between biological, psychological, and social in the language is one of the most important. To understand the full complexity of this report, it is important to study the relationship between discourse and language, not only in the normal state (in people with normal, biological, psychological, and neurological abilities) but also in people with different abilities. Before presenting the findings of a one-year observation to some children with different abilities, it would be appropriate to put forward some theoretical questions on the relation of language and discourse, the brain's process of speech recognition as neuro-psychological images are created, neuro-psychological knowledge of sentence syntactic structures, word recognition process, etc.
All these and other reports are descriptive of human psycholinguistic development at different ages and with different cognitive and behavioral abilities.
Toward the Quality of the Quantity: Role of Sequential Exploratory Research Design for New Field Scholars
Authors: Dukhaykh Ph.D. Suad Abedallah
Published: July 2020

In management literature, qualitative research has received limited attention. Many scholars undermine the importance of qualitative research as a method that lacks generalizability and objectivity. This paper argues that qualitative research promotes the development of compelling and rigorous and field research only if it is followed by quantitative research to confirm the findings on a large population. I delineate that qualitative research using grounded theory that followed by a quantitative approach is crucial when the state of prior work is nascent and there is no prior work on the construct and process under investigation and it is the optimal research design for new field scholars. I discuss the implications of the sequential exploratory research design for educating new field researchers.
Statistical Analysis of Ultra Trail Marathon Organizations in Turkey
Authors: BALCE Andım Oben
Published: July 2020

In this study, some basic statistics were calculated by using the data of the participants of Ultra trail marathon organizations. Ultra trail marathon events have been held in Turkey for 10 years. These organizations provide a significant social-economic contribution to the region where it is arranged. The data about the participants of these organizations were collected, compiled, and analyzed in this study. As a result of the study, basic data required for more comprehensive data analysis are proposed.
Out of Sight, but Not Out of Mind: Aspects of the Avian Oncogenic Herpesvirus, Marek’s Disease Virus
Authors: Davidson Irit
Published: July 2020

Marek’s disease virus is an economically important avian herpesvirus that causes tumors and immunosuppression in chickens and turkeys. The virus, disease, and vaccines have been known for more than 50 years, but as knowledge gaps still exists, intensive research is still ongoing. The understanding of MDV complexity can provide scientific insight in topics that cannot be experimented in humans, providing a unique model that is dually useful for the benefit of the poultry industry and for studying general herpesvirology. The present review presents the following topics: the MDV biology, the vaccine’s and virulent virus’ peculiar presence in feathers, protection by vaccination. In addition, two relatively behind the scenes topics are reviewed; first, the meq MDV oncogene and its recent implication in molecular epidemiology and in the MDV virulence determination, and second, the functionality of conformational epitopes of the MDV immunodominant protein, glycoprotein B. Our studies were particular, as they were the only ones describing three-dimensional MDV gB oligomers. MDV gB (glycoprotein B) continuous and discontinuous epitopes were shown to possess distinctive neutralization activities. In contrast, the significance of oligomerization of the viral membrane proteins for the creation of discontinuous epitopes in other herpesviruses was explored extensively.
Fast Self-Adaptive Digital Camouflage Design Method Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Xiao Houdi , Qu Zhipeng , Lv Mingyun , Jiang Yi , Wang Chuanzhi , Qin Ruiru
Published: July 2020

Traditional digital camouflage is mainly designed for a single background and state. Its camouflage performance is appealing in the specified time and place, but with the change of place, season, and time, its camouflage performance is greatly weakened. Therefore, camouflage technology, which can change with the environment in real-time, is the inevitable development direction of the military camouflage field in the future. In this paper, a fast-self-adaptive digital camouflage design method based on deep learning is proposed for the new generation of adaptive optical camouflage. Firstly, we trained a YOLOv3 model that could identify four typical military targets with mean average precision (mAP) of 91.55%. Secondly, a pre-trained deepfillv1 model was used to design the preliminary camouflage texture. Finally, the preliminary camouflage texture was standardized by the k-means algorithm. The experimental results show that the camouflage pattern designed by our proposed method is consistent with the background in texture and semantics, and has excellent camouflage performance in optical camouflage. Meanwhile, the whole pattern generation process takes a short time, less than 0.4 s, which meets the camouflage design requirements of the near-real-time camouflage in the future.
Oncogenic Serine 45-Deleted β-Catenin Remains Susceptible to Wnt Stimulation and APC Regulation in Human Colonocytes
Authors: Parker Taybor W. , Rudeen Aaron J. , Neufeld Kristi L.
Published: July 2020

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is deregulated in nearly all colorectal cancers (CRCs), predominantly through mutation of the tumor suppressor Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC). APC mutation is thought to allow a “just-right” amount of Wnt pathway activation by fine-tuning β-catenin levels. While at a much lower frequency, mutations that result in a β-catenin that is compromised for degradation occur in a subset of human CRCs. Here, we investigate whether one such “stabilized” β-catenin responds to regulatory stimuli, thus allowing β-catenin levels conducive for tumor formation. We utilize cells harboring a single mutant allele encoding Ser45-deleted β-catenin (β-catΔS45) to test the effects of Wnt3a treatment or APC-depletion on β-catΔS45 regulation and activity. We find that APC and β-catΔS45 retain interaction with Wnt receptors. Unexpectedly, β-catΔS45 accumulates and activates TOPflash reporter upon Wnt treatment or APC-depletion, but only accumulates in the nucleus upon APC loss. Finally, we find that β-catenin phosphorylation at GSK-3β sites and proteasomal degradation continue to occur in the absence of Ser45. Our results expand the current understanding of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and provide an example of a β-catenin mutation that maintains some ability to respond to Wnt, a possible key to establishing β-catenin activity that is “just-right” for tumorigenesis.
TERT Promoter Mutation and Extent of Thyroidectomy in Patients with 1–4 cm Intrathyroidal Papillary Carcinoma
Authors: Ebina Aya , Togashi Yuki , Baba Satoko , Sato Yukiko , Sakata Seiji , Ishikawa Masashi , Mitani Hiroki , Takeuchi Kengo , Sugitani Iwao
Published: July 2020

There are concerns regarding overtreatment in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations play important roles in the development of PTC. However, initial surgical approaches for PTC based on genetic characteristics remain unclear. The present study aimed to identify genetic mutations as predictors of prognosis and to establish proper indications for lobectomy (LT) in patients with 1–4 cm intrathyroidal PTC. Prospectively accumulated data from 685 consecutive patients with PTC who underwent primary thyroid surgery at the Cancer Institute Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, between 2001 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 685 patients examined, 538 (78.5%) had BRAF V600E mutation and 133 (19.4%) had TERT promoter mutations. Patients with TERT promoter mutations displayed significantly worse outcomes than those without mutations (10-year cause-specific survival (CSS): 73.7% vs. 98.1%, p < 0.001; 10-year disease-free survival (DFS): 53.7% vs. 93.3%, p < 0.001). As for extent of thyroidectomy among TERT mutation-negative patients with 1–4 cm intrathyroidal PTC, patients who underwent LT showed no significant differences in 10-year CSS and 10-year DFS compared to patients who had total thyroidectomy (TT) under propensity score-matching. Avoiding TT for those patients indicates a possible pathway to prevent overtreatment and reduce postoperative complications.
Concurrent TP53 and CDKN2A Gene Aberrations in Newly Diagnosed Mantle Cell Lymphoma Correlate with Chemoresistance and Call for Innovative Upfront Therapy
Authors: Malarikova Diana , Berkova Adela , Obr Ales , Blahovcova Petra , Svaton Michael , Forsterova Kristina , Kriegova Eva , Prihodova Eva , Pavlistova Lenka , Petrackova Anna , Zemanova Zuzana , Trneny Marek , Klener Pavel
Published: July 2020

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a subtype of B-cell lymphoma with a large number of recurrent cytogenetic/molecular aberrations. Approximately 5–10% of patients do not respond to frontline immunochemotherapy. Despite many useful prognostic indexes, a reliable marker of chemoresistance is not available. We evaluated the prognostic impact of seven recurrent gene aberrations including tumor suppressor protein P53 (TP53) and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) in the cohort of 126 newly diagnosed consecutive MCL patients with bone marrow involvement ≥5% using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) and next-generation sequencing (NGS). In contrast to TP53, no pathologic mutations of CDKN2A were detected by NGS. CDKN2A deletions were found exclusively in the context of other gene aberrations suggesting it represents a later event (after translocation t(11;14) and aberrations of TP53, or ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)). Concurrent deletion of CDKN2A and aberration of TP53 (deletion and/or mutation) represented the most significant predictor of short EFS (median 3 months) and OS (median 10 months). Concurrent aberration of TP53 and CDKN2A is a new, simple, and relevant index of chemoresistance in MCL. Patients with concurrent aberration of TP53 and CDKN2A should be offered innovative anti-lymphoma therapy and upfront consolidation with allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Interface Damages of Electrical Insulation in Factory Joints of High Voltage Submarine Cables
Authors: Zhang Zhen-Peng , Zheng Chang-Ji , Zheng Mei , Zhao Hong , Zhao Jian-Kang , Sun Wei-Feng , Chen Jun-Qi
Published: July 2020

As a key accessory of high-voltage (HV) insulated submarine cable, the factory joints of the cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) represent an unpredictable uncertainty in cable-connecting fabrications by means of the extruded molding joint (EMJ) technique. The electrical breakdown pathways formed at the interfaces between recovery insulation and cable body under alternative current 500 kV voltages are specifically investigated by microstructure characterizations in combination with the electric field and fractal simulations. Dielectric-defected cracks in tens of micrometers in insulation interfaces are identified as the strings of voids, which dominate insulation damages. The abnormal arrangements of XLPE lamellae from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imply that the structural micro-cracks will be formed under interface stresses. Electrical-tree inception is expedited to a faster propagation due to the poor dielectric property of interface region, manifesting as 30% lower of tree inception voltage. The longer free-paths for accelerating charge carriers in the cracks of interface region will stimulate partial discharging from needle electrodes. The carbonized discharging micro-channels arising in interface region illustrate that the partial discharging will be triggered by the electrical-trees growing preferentially along the defect cracks and could finally develop into insulation damages. The mechanism of forming cracks in the fusion processes between the molten XLPE of cable body and the molten cross-linkable PE of recovery insulation is elucidated, according to which the crack-caused degradation of insulation performance is expected to be alleviated.
Simulation Model of Regenerative LNG Refrigeration System for Re-Liquification of BOG
Authors: Son Sung-Hun , Kim Kibum
Published: July 2020

Boil-off gas (BOG) disposal in liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers has long been considered inevitable owing to the constant vaporization of the LNG in the storage tanks, but results in energy waste and environmental pollution. To address these challenges, we developed a re-liquification system that can condense the BOG and return it to the storage tank. The re-liquification system was modeled, and a case study was conducted to evaluate the viability of the system. The energy waste, which was quantified by tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE), greenhouse-gas emissions in tonnes of carbon dioxide (TCO2), and cost reduction in millions of U.S. dollars (MUSD), was evaluated for five different tanker cruising speeds. The re-liquification system significantly reduced the average TOE, TCO2, and cost by up to 9120.40 TOE/year, 19,474.33 TCO2/year, and 1.9765 MUSD/year, respectively, for five different tanker speeds with multi-stage compression.
Thermo-Hydraulic Analysis of a Tri-Axial High-Temperature Superconducting Power Cable with Respect to Installation Site Geography
Authors: Choi Youngjun , Kim Dongmin , Lee Changhyung , Won Duyeon , Yoo Jaeun , Yang Hyungsuk , Kim Seokho
Published: July 2020

Various high-temperature superconducting (HTS) power cables are being developed or are ready for commercial operation to help energy suppliers meet the growing power demand in urban areas. Recently, triaxial HTS power cables have been developed by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and LS Cable & System. Further, KEPCO has been planning to install a 2 km long 23 kV/60 MVA triaxial HTS power cable to connect the Munsan and Seonyu substations and increase the stability of the power grid. The HTS power cables should be cooled down to a cryogenic temperature near 77 K. A thermo-hydraulic analysis of the cooling system considering the geographical characteristics of the installation site is essential for long-distance sections. This paper describes the thermo-hydraulic analysis of the triaxial HTS power cable to determine the proper mass flow rates of subcooled liquid nitrogen that meet the operating temperature and pressure of the cable for four configurations of cooling systems: (1) a single cooling system with an external return path, (2) a dual cooling system with an external return path, (3) a single cooling system with an internal return path, and (4) a dual cooling system with internal return path. Since the flow characteristics in a corrugated cable cryostat differ significantly from those in a typical annular tube, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was conducted to estimate the pressure drop along the cable cryostat. With the CFD analysis and given heat loads in the cable, the temperature and the pressure variations along the cable were calculated and their pros and cons were compared for each configuration of the cooling system. This thermo-hydraulic analysis will be referenced in the actual installation of the HTS power cable between the Munsan and Seonyu substations.
The Effects of Oil and Gas Risk Factors on Malaysian Oil and Gas Stock Returns: Do They Vary?
Authors: Hoque Mohammad Enamul , Low Soo-Wah , Zaidi Mohd Azlan Shah
Published: July 2020

This study explores Malaysian oil and gas stocks’ exposure to oil and gas risk factors, paying special attention to subindustry classification, stock size, book-to-market value, and volatility state. The study employs firm-level weekly frequency data of oil and gas firms and several multi-asset pricing models within a GARCH (1,1)-X and Markov-switching framework. The empirical findings reveal that oil price, gas price, and exchange rate exhibit positive effects on the stock returns of all oil and gas sub-industries, but they exhibit negative effects on gas utilities sub-industry stock returns. The empirical findings also reveal that the extent of this effect varies across sub-industry, stock size, book-to-market value, and volatility states. Thus, the findings suggest the existence of asymmetric, heterogeneous, and non-linear exposures.
Value Co-Creation Behavior in Green Supply Chains: An Empirical Study
Authors: Shi Xianliang , Li Genzhu , Dong Ciwei , Yang Yefei
Published: July 2020

As an important supply chain development strategy, green investment and sustainability are concerns of the government and enterprises. However, due to the high cost and low profit of green investment, a large number of small and medium-sized firms can be deterred from their implementation. Value co-creation has become a key measure to solve this problem. This article explores the relationship between the green supply chain (GSC) strategy, value co-creation, and corporate performance in the manufacturing environment, and considers the regulatory effects of internal environmental factors and external environmental pressures on this relationship. Based on data from 115 manufacturers in China, we tested the hypotheses, explained the statistical results, and identified key concerns for implementing GSC through value co-creation. The findings reveal that the GSC strategy can promote a high level of firms’ value co-creation with their supply chain partners, and different value co-creation modes have different effects on firm performance (i.e., operational performance, innovation performance, and financial performance). In addition, the findings indicate that macro-level external pressure and micro-level internal support could enhance such effects. This study enriches the literature with value co-creation modes and GSC management by integrating GSC strategies and value co-creation strategies, providing confidence to the firms and their supply chain partners in value co-creation, thus helping them to better implement a GSC strategy.
Displacement of Slow-Turnover DNA Glycosylases by Molecular Traffic on DNA
Authors: Yudkina Anna V. , Endutkin Anton V. , Diatlova Eugenia A. , Moor Nina A. , Vokhtantsev Ivan P. , Grin Inga R. , Zharkov Dmitry O.
Published: July 2020

In the base excision repair pathway, the initiating enzymes, DNA glycosylases, remove damaged bases and form long-living complexes with the abasic DNA product, but can be displaced by AP endonucleases. However, many nuclear proteins can move along DNA, either actively (such as DNA or RNA polymerases) or by passive one-dimensional diffusion. In most cases, it is not clear whether this movement is disturbed by other bound proteins or how collisions with moving proteins affect the bound proteins, including DNA glycosylases. We have used a two-substrate system to study the displacement of human OGG1 and NEIL1 DNA glycosylases by DNA polymerases in both elongation and diffusion mode and by D4, a passively diffusing subunit of a viral DNA polymerase. The OGG1–DNA product complex was disrupted by DNA polymerase β (POLβ) in both elongation and diffusion mode, Klenow fragment (KF) in the elongation mode and by D4. NEIL1, which has a shorter half-life on DNA, was displaced more efficiently. Hence, both possibly specific interactions with POLβ and nonspecific collisions (KF, D4) can displace DNA glycosylases from DNA. The protein movement along DNA was blocked by very tightly bound Cas9 RNA-targeted nuclease, providing an upper limit on the efficiency of obstacle clearance.
Is Parent Engagement with a Child Health Home-Based Record Associated with Parents Perceived Attitude towards Health Professionals and Satisfaction with the Record? A Cross-Sectional Survey of Parents in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Chutiyami Muhammad , Wyver Shirley , Amin Janaki
Published: July 2020

We examined parent views of health professionals and satisfaction toward use of a child health home-based record and the influence on parent engagement with the record. A cross-sectional survey of 202 parents was conducted across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to identify predictors of parent engagement with the record book using odds ratio (OR) at 95% confidence interval (CI) and 0.05 significance level. Parents reported utilizing the record book regularly for routine health checks (63.4%), reading the record (37.2%), and writing information (40.1%). The majority of parents (91.6%) were satisfied with the record. Parents perceived nurses/midwives as most likely to use/refer to the record (59.4%) compared to pediatricians (34.1%), general practitioners (GP) (33.7%), or other professionals (7.9%). Parents were less likely to read the record book if they perceived the GP to have a lower commitment (Adjusted OR = 0.636, 95% CI 0.429–0.942). Parents who perceived nurses/midwives’ willingness to use/refer to the record were more likely to take the record book for routine checks (Adjusted OR = 0.728, 95% CI 0.536–0.989). Both parent perceived professionals’ attitude and satisfaction significantly influenced information input in the home-based record. The results indicate that improvements in parent engagement with a child health home-based record is strongly associated with health professionals’ commitment to use/refer to the record during consultations/checks.
State of Mind Ireland-Higher Education: A Mixed-Methods Longitudinal Evaluation of a Positive Mental Health Intervention
Authors: O’Brien Niamh , Lawlor Martin , Chambers Fiona , O’Brien Wesley
Published: July 2020

Objective: This study evaluates the impact of the State of Mind Ireland-Higher Education (SOMI-HE) Mental Fitness intervention on student wellbeing, resilience, and physical activity (PA) participation. Design: A mixed-methods research design, comprising of a self-report questionnaire, and semi-structured focus group interviews at pre, post and follow-up phases were employed. Participants were a sample of 134 higher education students (29% male: 71% female; mean age range 18 to 25 years old). The quantitative outcome measures of wellbeing, resilience and PA data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0, (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) with appropriate statistical analysis. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis to capture the long-term outcomes and impact of the intervention. Results: The results indicate a significant intervention effect on participants’ wellbeing (t (120) = −4.27, p < 0.001), PA levels (t (126) = 3.91, p < 0.001) and motivational readiness for exercise change (χ2 (1, n = 131) = 6.9, p < 0.009 (2–sided). Qualitative findings suggest a sustained long-term increase in PA and resilience skills for positive mental health, and reduced stigma and barriers to positive mental health. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the SOMI-HE evidence-based intervention, and beneficial outcomes of a salutary approach to higher education student mental health.
Developing a Japanese Version of the Baron Depression Screener for Athletes among Male Professional Rugby Players
Authors: Ojio Yasutaka , Matsunaga Asami , Hatakeyama Kensuke , Kawamura Shin , Horiguchi Masanori , Baron David , Fujii Chiyo
Published: July 2020

The Baron Depression Screener for Athletes (BDSA) is a brief, valid, and reliable athlete- specific assessment tool developed in the US to assess depressive symptoms in elite athletes. We examined the applicability and reliability of a Japanese version of the BDSA (BDSA-J) in a Japanese context, and further examined the construct validity of the BDSA-J. Web-based anonymous self-report data of 235 currently competing Japanese professional male rugby players (25–29 years = 123 [52.3%]) was analyzed. A two-stage process was conducted to validate the factor structure of the BDSA-J using exploratory factor analysis in a randomly partitioned calibration sample, and confirmatory factor analysis in a separate validation sample. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess internal consistency. Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficients were calculated to examine convergent validity with the Kessler-6. We identified a one-factor structure for BDSA-J. Confirmatory factor analysis supported this one-factor model, revealing good model fit indices. The standardized path coefficients for each of the items were β = 0.52 to 0.79 (p < 0.001). A Cronbach’s alpha of 0.71 was obtained for the BDSA-J. BDSA-J showed significant positive correlations with the Kessler-6. The BDSA-J is an appropriate and psychometrically robust measure for identifying depressive symptoms in Japanese male rugby players.
Growth Inhibitory Signaling of the Raf/MEK/ERK Pathway
Authors: Wu Pui-Kei , Becker Andrew , Park Jong-In
Published: July 2020

In response to extracellular stimuli, the Raf/MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway regulates diverse cellular processes. While mainly known as a mitogenic signaling pathway, the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway can mediate not only cell proliferation and survival but also cell cycle arrest and death in different cell types. Growing evidence suggests that the cell fate toward these paradoxical physiological outputs may be determined not only at downstream effector levels but also at the pathway level, which involves the magnitude of pathway activity, spatial-temporal regulation, and non-canonical functions of the molecular switches in this pathway. This review discusses recent updates on the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathway-mediated growth inhibitory signaling, with a major focus on the regulation mediated at the pathway level.
Genomic Characterization and Expression of Juvenile Hormone Esterase-Like Carboxylesterase Genes in Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxi , Yuan Jianbo , Zhang Xiaojun , Xiang Jianhai , Li Fuhua
Published: July 2020

The sesquiterpenoid methyl farnesoate (MF), a juvenile hormone (JH) analog, plays important roles in many physiological processes of crustaceans, such as morphogenesis, molting and reproduction. Juvenile hormone esterase-like (JHE-like) carboxylesterase (CXE) is a key enzyme in MF degradation, playing a significant role in regulating MF titer. However, its function is barely known in shrimp. In this study, a total of 21 JHE-like CXEs (LvCXEs) were characterized in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, based on the full genome and multi-transcriptomic data. LvCXE has a conserved triplet catalytic site (Ser-Glu-His) and a characteristic GxSxG motif. Most LvCXEs were highly expressed in the hepatopancreas, which was the main site for MF degradation. LvCXEs containing a GESAG motif showed a specific expansion in the L. vannamei genome. Those GESAG-containing LvCXEs presented differential expressions at different larvae stages and different molting stages of L. vannamei, which suggested their potential functions in development and molting. Additionally, when the transcription level of CXEs was inhibited, it could lead to failed molt and death of L. vannamei. When we further detected the expression levels of the key ecdysone responsive transcription factors including LvE75, LvBr-C, LvHr3 and LvFtz-f1 after the CXE inhibitor was injected into L. vannamei, they all showed apparent down-regulation. These results suggested that the expansion of LvCXEs in the L. vannamei genome should contribute to the regulation of metamorphosis at larvae stages and frequent molting during the growth of L. vannamei.
Clinical Significance of Expression Changes and Promoter Methylation of PLA2R1 in Tissues of Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Mitwally Noha , Yousef Einas , Abd Al Aziz Ahmad , Taha Mohamed
Published: July 2020

Phospholipase A2 receptor 1 (PLA2R1) expression and its role in the initiation and progression of breast cancer are an unresolved issue. PLA2R1 was found to endorse several tumor suppressive responses, including cellular senescence and apoptosis. Previous in vitro studies demonstrated that DNA hypermethylation was highly associated with the epigenetic silencing of PLA2R1 in breast cancer cell lines. Our objective was to study the level of PLA2R1 mRNA expression and the methylation of its promoter in different histological grades and molecular subtypes of breast cancer. We performed bioinformatics analyses on available human breast cancer expression datasets to assess the PLA2R1 mRNA expression. We used qRT-PCR to evaluate the PLA2R1 mRNA expression and its promoter’s methylation in breast cancer tissue in comparison to breast fibroadenomas. Our results describe, for the first time, the expression of PLA2R1 and the methylation of its promoter in human breast cancer tissues. A significant downregulation of PLA2R1, together with hypermethylation of the promoter was detected in breast cancers of different histological grades and molecular subtypes when compared to benign breast tissues. PLA2R1 promoter hypermethylation was associated with aggressive subtypes of breast cancer. In conclusion, PLA2R1 promoter hypermethylation is a potentially useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and could serve as a possible therapeutic target in breast cancer.
Immune-Checkpoint Blockade Therapy in Lymphoma
Authors: Kuzume Ayumi , Chi SungGi , Yamauchi Nobuhiko , Minami Yosuke
Published: July 2020

Tumor cells use immune-checkpoint pathways to evade the host immune system and suppress immune cell function. These cells express programmed cell-death protein 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1)/PD-L2, which bind to the programmed cell-death protein 1 (PD-1) present on cytotoxic T cells, trigger inhibitory signaling, and reduce cytotoxicity and T-cell exhaustion. Immune-checkpoint blockade can inhibit this signal and may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy in patients with solid tumors. Several trials have been conducted on immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with malignant lymphoma and their efficacy has been reported. For example, in Hodgkin lymphoma, immune-checkpoint blockade has resulted in response rates of 65% to 75%. However, in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the response rate to immune-checkpoint blockade was lower. In this review, we evaluate the biology of immune-checkpoint inhibition and the current data on its efficacy in malignant lymphoma, and identify the cases in which the treatment was more effective.
Inhaled Argon Impedes Hepatic Regeneration after Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Authors: Schmitz Sophia M. , Dohmeier Henriette , Stoppe Christian , Alizai Patrick H. , Schipper Sandra , Neumann Ulf P. , Coburn Mark , Ulmer Tom F.
Published: July 2020

Organoprotective effects of noble gases are subject of current research. One important field of interest is the effect of noble gases on hepatic regenerative capacity. For the noble gas argon, promising studies demonstrated remarkable experimental effects in neuronal and renal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of argon on the regenerative capacity of the liver after ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). Male, Sprague-Dawley rats underwent hepatic IRI by clamping of the hepatic artery. Expression of hepatoproliferative genes (HGF, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF), cell cycle markers (BrdU, TUNEL, Ki-67), and liver enzymes (ALT, AST, Bilirubin, LDH) were assessed 3, 36, and 96 h after IRI. Expression of IL-1β and IL-6 was significantly higher after argon inhalation after 36 h (IL-1β 5.0 vs. 8.7 fold, p = 0.001; IL-6 9.6 vs. 19.1 fold, p = 0.05). Ki-67 was higher in the control group compared to the argon group after 36 h (214.0 vs. 38.7 positive cells/1000 hepatocytes, p = 0.045). Serum levels of AST and ALT did not differ significantly between groups. Our data indicate that argon inhalation has detrimental effects on liver regeneration after IRI as measured by elevated levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 after 36 h. In line with these results, Ki-67 is decreased in the argon group, indicating a negative effect on liver regeneration in argon inhalation.
Key Process and Factors Controlling the Direct Translocation of Cell-Penetrating Peptide through Bio-Membrane
Authors: Sakamoto Kazutami , Morishita Taku , Aburai Kenichi , Sakai Kenichi , Abe Masahiko , Nakase Ikuhiko , Futaki Shiroh , Sakai Hideki
Published: July 2020

Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) can directly penetrate the cytosol (cytolysis) and is expected to be a potent vector for a drug delivery system (DDS). Although there is general agreement that CPP cytolysis is related to dynamic membrane deformation, a distinctive process has yet to be established. Here, we report the key process and factors controlling CPP cytolysis. To elucidate the task, we have introduced trypsin digestion of adsorbed CPP onto giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) to quantify the adsorption and internalization (cytolysis) separately. Also, the time-course analysis was introduced for the geometric calculation of adsorption and internalization amount per lipid molecule consisting of GUV. As a result, we found that adsorption and internalization assumed to occur successively by CPP molecule come into contact with membrane lipid. Adsorption is quick to saturate within 10 min, while cytolysis of each CPP on the membrane follows successively. After adsorption is saturated, cytolysis proceeds further linearly by time with a different rate constant that is dependent on the osmotic pressure. We also found that temperature and lipid composition influence cytolysis by modulating lipid mobility. The electrolyte in the outer media is also affected as a chemical mediator to control CPP cytolysis by following the Hoffmeister effect for membrane hydration. These results confirmed the mechanism of cytolysis as temporal and local phase transfer of membrane lipid from Lα to Mesh1, which has punctured bilayer morphologies.
Consumer Behaviour during Crises: Preliminary Research on How Coronavirus Has Manifested Consumer Panic Buying, Herd Mentality, Changing Discretionary Spending and the Role of the Media in Influencing Behaviour
Authors: Loxton Mary , Truskett Robert , Scarf Brigitte , Sindone Laura , Baldry George , Zhao Yinong
Published: July 2020

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spread globally from its outbreak in China in early 2020, negatively affecting economies and industries on a global scale. In line with historic crises and shock events including the 2002-04 SARS outbreak, the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and 2017 Hurricane Irma, COVID-19 has significantly impacted global economic conditions, causing significant economic downturns, company and industry failures, and increased unemployment. To understand how conditions created by the pandemic to date compare to the aforementioned shock events, we conducted a thorough literature review focusing on the presentation of panic buying and herd mentality behaviours, changes to discretionary consumer spending as defined by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the impact of global media on these behaviours. The methodology utilised to analyse panic buying, herd mentality and altered patterns of consumer discretionary spending (according to Maslow’s theory) involved an analysis of consumer spending data, largely focused on Australian and American markets. Here, we analysed the volume and timing of consumer spending patterns; the volumes of spending on specific, highly-demanded consumer goods during the investigative period; and the distribution of spending on luxury and non-durable goods to identify the occurrence of these consumer behaviours. Moreover, to identify the presence of the media in influencing consumer behaviour we focused on web traffic to media sites, alongside keyword and phrase data mining. We conclude that, to date, consumer behaviour during the COVID-19 crisis appears to align with behaviours exhibited during historic shock events. We hope to contribute to the body of research on the early months of this pandemic before longer-term studies are available.
Effects of the Combined Addition of Zn and Mg on Corrosion Behaviors of Electropainted AlSi-Based Metallic Coatings Used for Hot-Stamping Steel Sheets
Authors: Kim Si On , Yang Won Seog , Kim Sung Jin
Published: July 2020

The effects of the combined addition of Zn and Mg on the corrosion resistance of AlSi-based coating for automotive steel sheets were investigated using a variety of analytical and electrochemical techniques. The preferential dissolution of Mg and Zn from MgZn2/Mg2Si phases occurred on the AlSi-based coating that had been alloyed with a smaller portion of Zn and Mg, which contributed to the rapid surface coverage by corrosion products with a protective nature, reducing the corrosion current density. On the other hand, localized corrosion attacks caused by the selective dissolution of Mg were also observed in the AlSi-based coating with a smaller portion of Zn and Mg. Such alloying can also worsen its corrosion resistance when coated additionally with electrodeposited paint. The mechanistic reasons for these conflicting results are also discussed.
Mechanisms of Linezolid Resistance Among Enterococci of Clinical Origin in Spain—Detection of optrA- and cfr(D)-Carrying E. faecalis
Authors: Ruiz-Ripa Laura , Feßler Andrea T. , Hanke Dennis , Eichhorn Inga , Azcona-Gutiérrez José Manuel , Pérez-Moreno Mar Olga , Seral Cristina , Aspiroz Carmen , Alonso Carla Andrea , Torres Luis , Alós Juan-Ignacio , Schwarz Stefan , Torres Carmen
Published: July 2020

The mechanisms of linezolid resistance among 13 E. faecalis and 6 E. faecium isolates, recovered from six Spanish hospitals during 2017–2018, were investigated. The presence of acquired linezolid resistance genes and mutations in 23S rDNA and in genes encoding for ribosomal proteins was analyzed by PCR and amplicon sequencing. Moreover, the susceptibility to 18 antimicrobial agents was investigated, and the respective molecular background was elucidated by PCR-amplicon sequencing and whole genome sequencing. The transferability of the linezolid resistance genes was evaluated by filter-mating experiments. The optrA gene was detected in all 13 E. faecalis isolates; and one optrA-positive isolate also carried the recently described cfr(D) gene. Moreover, one E. faecalis isolate displayed the nucleotide mutation G2576T in the 23S rDNA. This mutation was also present in all six E. faecium isolates. All linezolid-resistant enterococci showed a multiresistance phenotype and harbored several antimicrobial resistance genes, as well as many virulence determinants. The fexA gene was located upstream of the optrA gene in 12 of the E. faecalis isolates. Moreover, an erm(A)-like gene was located downstream of optrA in two isolates recovered from the same hospital. The optrA gene was transferable in all but one E. faecalis isolates, in all cases along with the fexA gene. The cfr(D) gene was not transferable. The presence of optrA and mutations in the 23S rDNA are the main mechanisms of linezolid resistance among E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively. We report the first description of the cfr(D) gene in E. faecalis. The presence of the optrA and cfr(D) genes in Spanish hospitals is a public health concern.
Heterogeneity of Molecular Characteristics among Staphylococcus argenteus Clinical Isolates (ST2250, ST2793, ST1223, and ST2198) in Northern Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Jia-Chuan , Wan Tsai-Wen , Lee Hao , Wang Xiao-Mei , Lin Yu-Tzu , Jung Chiau-Jing , Lee Tai-Fen , Hsueh Po-Ren , Teng Lee-Jene
Published: July 2020

Staphylococcus argenteus is an emerging pathogen that is recognized as non-pigmented Staphylococcus aureus. However, the molecular characteristics of S. argenteus and its virulence factors have not been well studied. The present study analyzed 96 isolates of S. argenteus recovered from blood. Identification of S. argenteus was based on results of MALDI-TOF MS and lacking crtM gene. All 96 isolates were methicillin-susceptible. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed four sequence types: ST2250 (n = 72), ST2793 (n = 12), ST1223 (n = 10), and ST2198 (n = 2). All 72 ST2250 isolates harbored CRISPR loci with polymorphism of direct repeats and spacers, but no other STs carried CRISPR loci. To date, ST2793 isolates have rarely been reported in other countries. Collagen-binding adhesin gene (cna) and staphylococcal enterotoxin type C (sec) were detected in 12 (100%) and 8 (67%) ST2793 isolates, respectively. ST1223 has been reported as food poisoning pathogens, and enterotoxin gene clusters (egc) were detected in all 10 isolates, while seb gene was detected in three isolates. Two ST2198 isolates carried bone sialoprotein-binding protein gene (bbp), belonging to agr type IV. Our focus on the heterogeneity of molecular characterization in four ST types of S. argenteus revealed that S. argenteus had been isolated as early as 2000. Each ST type of S. argenteus harbors particular genetic markers that may contribute to their virulence.