bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyvää ja pahaa tietoa
Authors: Onnismaa Jussi
Published: June 2021

Tieteen päivien esityksiin pohjautuva julkaisu sisältää 18 eri alojen artikkelia ja 22 niin sanottua kainalojuttua, teemoihin linkittyvää lyhyttä kirjoitusta.
Metodologia UV-VIS visando a quantificação de óleo vegetal em azeite adulterado
Authors: Minuceli Fernando da Silveira , Silva Jiuliane Martins da , Silveira Roberta da , Santos Oscar Oliveira
Published: June 2021

O azeite de oliva é um produto de elevado valor agregado, obtido pela simples prensagem da azeitona. Conhecido por ser um alimento funcional e preventivo de diversas doenças como câncer, doenças coronárias e abaixamento do colesterol ruim; sua adulteração pela adição de óleo vegetal de menor valor comercial torna-se uma prática na indústria. Para facilitar a verificação da adulteração, métodos como a espectroscopia UV-Vis foram usados para quantificar o óleo vegetal presente no azeite virgem. Este estudo objetivou evidenciar a técnica UV-Vis em leitura prévia na avaliação e investigação de adulteração em azeites de oliva extra virgem disponíveis no mercado por meio de uma pesquisa quantitativa. Foram adulteradas em laboratório amostras com 4 tipos de óleo vegetal para avaliação das respostas do espectro de leitura. Curvas de calibração foram traçadas e não houve diferença entre os óleos, obteve-se resultados de 0 a 70% de substituição do óleo de oliva por óleo vegetal. Além disso, foram analisados óleos compostos para verificar se o percentual rotulado estava sendo respeitado, obtendo-se resultados de até 96% de óleo de soja em um produto que deveria conter no máximo 88%. Assim sendo, foi possível verificar que a região de 456 nm pode ser utilizada para verificar adulterações com eficiência e agilidade, e ainda, que a espectroscopia UV-Vis pode ser considerada um método rápido e de baixo custo para análises prévias.
Benefícios da intervenção fonoaudiológica no transtorno do espectro autista: Revisão de literatura
Authors: Lincoln Jessé , Sousa Cláudia Catão de Aguiar , Farias Ruth Raquel Soares de
Published: June 2021

O Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA) pode sem compreendido com uma espécie de desordem referente ao neurodesenvolvimento, caracterizada pela alteração nos aspectos sociocomunicativos e nos comportamento com limitações nos interesses. Salienta-se que os problemas na linguagem apresentam como principais características dificuldades em aspectos semânticos, pragmáticos, sintático, paralinguísticos, e fonológico. O objetivo principal da presente pesquisa consiste em analisar a importância das intervenções fonoaudiológicas em crianças autistas. Dentre os objetivos específicos ressaltam-se: Verificar quais as dificuldades existentes no autista no processo de aquisição da linguagem; Apresentar modelos e/ou estratégias de intervenção fonoaudiológa junto ao autismo; Descrever os a importância dos programas terapêuticos de intervenção fonoaudiológicas no desenvolvimento da comunicação dos autistas. Para a fundamentação da pesquisa houve a necessidade de uma revisão bibliográfica do tipo integrativa, anlisando diversas fontes, presentes em artigos científicos, disponíveis nas bases de dados da Scielo, Pubmed, Google Acadêmico e Capes. Foi evidenciado por meio da pesquisa que são eficazes no desenvolvimento da criança autista possibilitando um maior benefício no desenvolvimento comunicativos desses seres humanos.
Uso de filmes como estratégia no ensino de Bioética
Authors: Silva Davi Porfirio da , Vilela Diana Hadaça de Lima Araújo , Oliveira Fabianny Torres de , Comassetto Isabel , Santos Regina Maria dos
Published: June 2021

O objetivo desse estudo é analisar a produção cientifica sobre o uso de filmes como estratégia no ensino de bioética. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura, com resgate de estudos a partir das bases de dados LILACS, BDENF, MEDILINE e na Biblioteca Virtual SciELO, por meio dos DeCS/MeSH Bioethics, Teaching, Education, Nursing, Instructional Film and Video, Motion Pictures e as palavras-chave Movies e Cinema. Foram selecionados oito estudos, distribuídos uniformemente nos últimos 10 anos, com texto em inglês, espanhol e português, resgatados a partir das bases de dados LILACS e MEDLINE, todos classificados no nível de evidência IV. Nesse contexto, os estudos resgatados nessa revisão apontam resultados positivos quanto ao uso de filmes no ensino de bioética, afirmando a importância da incorporação dessa estratégia nas práticas pedagógicas dos cursos de saúde.  Houve massificação na concordância do uso dessa ferramenta para discussão de ideias morais e filosóficas novas ou complexas, que impactam diretamente nas questões da prática clínica no âmbito dos profissionais da saúde. Porém, a literatura ressalta que essa estratégia não deve ser usada como entretenimento despretensioso e sem compromisso.
Educação Permanente como estratégia transformadora do sentido da vida do profissional de saúde frente à pandemia: Nota prévia
Authors: Ballesteros Beatriz de Lima Bessa , Cortez Elaine Antunes
Published: June 2021

O presente estudo tem como objetivo informar sobre uma pesquisa que tem por intuito promover um espaço de ação-reflexão-ação promotor de saúde mental do profissional de saúde que atua na linha de frente do COVID-19, identificar as condições de trabalho que afetam a saúde mental dos trabalhadores de saúde, descrever o sentido da vida e estabelecer oficinas de apoio, sensibilização e diálogo sobre saúde mental e autocuidado dos trabalhadores em saúde que atua na linha de frente do COVID-19. Para tanto, o método escolhido será uma pesquisa exploratória, descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa, do tipo Pesquisa Convergente Assistencial. O cenário da pesquisa será o Centro de Tratamento Intensivo de um Centro de Referência COVID-19 na região da Baia da Ilha Grande, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, tendo como participantes os trabalhadores de saúde do setor. Para a coleta de dados serão seguidas duas etapas, uma por meio da aplicação de um questionário semiestruturado, analisados por meio da análise de Bardin, e a segunda pela realização de oficinas baseadas na metodologia da problematização, através do uso do Arco de Maguerez. Pretende-se discutir os resultados à luz do referencial teórico de Donald Schon e Viktor E. Frankl e o referencial político através da Política Nacional de Educação Permanente em Saúde. Com esse estudo, busca-se contribuir com importante passo para estabelecer o processo de educação permanente à equipe de saúde no apoio psicossocial no atendimento ao paciente vitimizado por COVID-19.
Histopathological evaluation of chromoblastomycosis: A literature review
Authors: Amaral Mateus Cardoso do , Carvalho André dos Santos , Alves Even Herlany Pereira , Nascimento Hélio Mateus Silva , Rodrigues Ayane Araújo , Caetano Vinicius da Silva , Silva Bruno Costa , Fernandes Thayaná Ribeiro Silva , Fernandes Jacks Renan Neves , Rêgo Nathalia Thamires Duarte Sousa do , Paiva Arisvelton Fernandes de , Medeiros Clarissy Andrade Costa , Freitas Sijomara Maria Costa , Machado Maria Sarah de Macedo , Vasconcelos Daniel Fernando Pereira
Published: June 2021

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a cutaneous or subcutaneous mycoses. The trauma occurs when the fungus is installed and is more prevalent in individuals living in tropical and subtropical regions, with earliest descriptions dating back to 1920. The diagnosis of CBM is based on the incidence of cases in the endemic areas and is commonly reached through microbiological analyses to identify the etiologic agent in clinical samples. The process for the analysis of the collected samples allows one to visualise the muriform cells, which are brown, rounded structures having crossed chambers and that can be commonly called sclerotic bodies, characterising the positive diagnosis. The objective of this review was to verify the connection of the histopathological techniques to the diagnosis of CBM.
Perfil da proteção ambiental conferido ao oeste paranaense: Do Parque Nacional de Sete Quedas ao Parque Nacional de Ilha Grande
Authors: Lopes Fernando Augusto Montai y , Pereira Máriam Trierveiler , Soares Samuel Ronobo
Published: June 2021

O Parque Nacional (PARNA) de Ilha Grande foi criado em 1997, pelo Decreto federal de 30 de setembro de 1997, encampando um formato de preservação ambiental do tipo proteção integral, no qual a unidade de conservação exclui de seus limites territoriais a presença humana e direciona sua utilização única e exclusivamente para fins de pesquisas científicas, desenvolvimento de atividades de educação e interpretação ambiental, de recreação em contato com a natureza e de turismo ecológico. O presente estudo tem por objetivo analisar ao longo da história os diversos formatos de proteção ambiental conferidos à região do oeste paranaense, realizando um paralelo com as normas editadas no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro e os perfis dos pensamentos preservacionista, conservacionista e etnoconservacionista. Para tanto, este estudo utilizou-se do método de revisão bibliográfica e pesquisa de documentos e legislação nacional para traçar os diversos modelos de conservação implementados na região. No entanto, constata-se que a proteção ambiental atribuída à região antes da criação do PARNA de Ilha Grande assumiu em determinados momentos um viés extremamente conservacionista e por vezes o Poder Público implementou políticas públicas em que os recursos naturais eram encarados apenas sob o enfoque de um desenvolvimento predatório. Após a instituição da atual unidade de conservação em outubro de 1997, as atuações ambientais pautaram-se pelo pensamento preservacionista e não geraram efetiva proteção ambiental.
Pembuatan Pestisida Nabati dan Pupuk Organik dari Kotoran Sapi Pada Kelompok Tani Kelurahan Klamalu Kabupaten Sorong
Authors: Ali Akhmad , Ponisri Ponisri , Ogonei Adrianus , Sangkek Febelina
Published: June 2021

Produk pertanian yang dilakukan oleh masyarakat selama ini masih menggunakan pestisida dan pupuk kimia sehingga hal ini tentunya akan sangat membahayakan bagi kesehatan, karena tanaman atau sayuran yang dikonsumsi tentunya masih mengandung bahan kimia. Untuk menggurangi penggunaan bahan-bahan kimia tersebut maka perlu adanya pestisida nabati dan penggunaan pupuk organik/kompos. Dimana pestisida nabati ini dapat dibuat yang bahan aktifnya berasal dari tanaman atau tumbuhan dan bahan organik lainya yang berkhasiat mengendalikan serangan hama pada tanaman. Pestisida ini tidak meninggalkan residu yang berbahaya pada tanaman maupun lingkungan serta dapat di buat dengan mudah menggunakan bahan yang murah dan peralatan yang sederhana.Â  Sedangkan pupuk kompos ini dapat berasal dari bahan-bahan organik dan kotoran hewan yang bermanfaat untuk menyediakan unsur hara mikro bagi tanaman, mengemburkan tanah dan menyuburkan tanah-tanah tandus
Pemanfaatan Tumbuhan Berkhasiat Obat Berbasis Pengetahuan Masyarakat Lokal Kampung Nanggouw Distrik Sausapor Kabupaten Tambrauw
Authors: Gafur Muzna Ardin  Abdul
Published: June 2021

Kampung Nanggouw Distrik Sausapor Kabupaten Tambrauw merupakan perkampungan penduduk asli suku Abun, terletak di wilayah Pesisir Dsitrik Sausapor Kabupaten Tambrauw.Â  Kampung ini berjarak 108 km dari Kota Sorong, dapat ditempuh dengan perjalanan darat selama lebih kurang 5 jam menggunakan kenderaan roda empat.Â  Permasalahan utama di kampung ini adalah rendahnya tingkatÂ  kesehatan masyarakat.Â  Penyakit yang umumnya menyerang adalah malaria, infeksi paru-paru dan penyakit kulit.Â  Fasilitas kesehatan dan pendukungnya masih sangat kurang, di kampung ini tidak terdapat puskesmas.Â  Untuk berobat, masyarakat harus ke Ibukota Distrik atau ke Ibukota kabupaten.Â Â  Salah satu alternatif penyelesaian masalah kesehatan di Kampung Nanggouw adalah dengan cara membekali masyarakat agar dapat mengatasi permasalahan kesehatan secara mandiri.Â Â  Kampung dengan kekayaan sumber daya alam yang besarÂ  iniÂ Â Â  memiliki potensi tumbuhan obat yang cukup banyak, akan tetapi informasi dan pengetahuan masyarakat terhadap mafaat tumbuhan obat itu masih sangat kurang.Â  Oleh sebab itu dianggap penting untuk memberikan informasi, pengetahuan, dan pengalaman tentang jenis-jenis tumbuhan berkhasiat obat, cara pengolahan dan penyiapannya dalam bentuk siap pakai.Â  Kegiatan pengabdian ini dilakukan dalam bentuk sosialisai dan penyuluhan kepada masyarakat terutama ibu-ibu, pemuda dan remaja.
Model Pengembangan Taman Wisata Alam Mooi Park Di Kota Sorong
Authors: Lindiani Tunik , Pua Rawi Rais Dera , Wijiastuti Retno Dewi , Bintari Wisang Candra , Jamil Ahmad , Lestari Bekti Wiji
Published: June 2021

Pengembangan kepariwisataan mempunyai pengaruh yang positif bagi masyarakat terhadap perkembangan wilayah didaerah sekitar obyek wisata. Sama halnya dengan pariwisata di Kota Sorong, Sektor pariwisata bertindak sebagai sector utama, yaitu sector unggulan yang mampu meningkatkan perekonomian masyarakat. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Obyek Taman WisataAlam MOOI Park.Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu mendeskripsikan Model Pengembangan Taman Wisata Alam MOOI Park di Kota Sorong. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah penelitian deskriptif dengan pendekatan kualitatif dan metode pengumpulan data menggunakan wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Model Pengembangan Taman Wisata Alam MOOI Park di Kota Sorong, memiliki potensi dan daya Tarik untuk menjadi salah satu destinasi yang wajib di kunjungi oleh pengunjung. Objek wisata inimemiliki pepohonan yang indah dan halaman yang luas serta pemandangan tarian ombak yang dahsyat di sepanjang pesisir MOOI Park dengan di suguhkan ukiran patung tangan manusia yang sangat unik. Beberapa fasilitas yang memadai Sehingga wisatawan dapat melakukan berbagai macam pilihan aktifitas wisata di objek wisata ini dan selalu ada perubahan atau pembaharuan yang dilakukan oleh pemilik usaha pariwisata ini agar lebih menarik setiap saat berkunjung.
Effect of Glibenclamide on Motor and Behavioral Activity of Animals with Traumatic Brain Injury in the Highlands
Authors: Shuvalova M. , Shidakov Yu. , Shanazarov A.
Published: June 2021

Human activity is associated with the risk of injury. The rate of cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in high-altitude conditions is high. It should be assumed that exogenous hypoxia will have a significant impact on the development of the clinical consequences of TBI. However, information about the behavior of animals on the background of TBI in the highlands is scarce. The search for means of correcting brain injuries remains an urgent issue. To date, glibenclamide has been proposed for this purpose, but its effect in the highlands has not been studied. Objective: to evaluate the effect of glibenclamide on the behavioral activity of animals with TBI in the highlands. The object of the study is 82 white male rats weighing 250–310 g. The low-mountain series of the experiment was carried out at an altitude of 760 m above sea level (Bishkek). The high-altitude series was modeled on the Tuya-Ashu pass — 3200 m above sea level (Kyrgyzstan). TBI was reproduced according to the method of Y. Tang (1997). Correction with glibenclamide at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg per os. Behavioral activity was evaluated using the Open Field method, and muscle strength was evaluated using the S. V. Speransky method on the 3rd day of the experiment. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out in the SPSS 16.0 program. TBI in the low mountains resulted in a decrease in locomotor activity by 67% (P<0.001), and efficiency — by 43% (P<0.001). In the group of rats with TBI in the highlands, compared with the data of healthy animals that visited the same altitude, locomotor activity decreased by 44% (P<0.001), racks — by 60% (P<0.001), minks — by 76% (P< 0.01), grooming — by 55% (P<0.01), the number of boluses of defecation increases by 37% (P<0.05). Correction of TBI with glibenclamide in the highlands led to an increase in locomotion by 2 times (P<0.001), standing — by 2.3 times, peering into minks — by 4 times (P<0.01), working capacity — by 2.04 times (P<0.001). The level of defecation decreased by 70% (P<0.001). Violations of the behavior of rats in the highlands with TBI without the use of glibenclamide are more pronounced than in experiments in the foothills. Correction of TBI that occurred in the highlands demonstrates a positive neurotropic effect of glibenclamide.
Assessment of the Content of Oil Products in Soil Samples in Kudashevo (Bashkortostan)
Authors: Bakhtegareeva Z. , Onina S.
Published: June 2021

The article deals with the content of petroleum products in the soil. Currently, the problem of soil contamination by oil products is relevant in connection with the development of industry. Bashkortostan is an oil-producing region. The content of petroleum products in the soil was determined by the fluorimetric method. The studied soil belongs to the low-polluted one.
Drop Field Results Irrigation of Tomatoes Conducted by Experiment Section of Guba-Khachmaz Zone
Authors: Adygozalov M.
Published: June 2021

The article reflects the results of experimental research carried out with the aim of studying the water-physical properties of the soils of the experimental site selected for drip irrigation of tomatoes in the Guba-Khachmaz zone. The soil cover of the experimental site in terms of the granulometric composition consists of layer-by-layer alternating light, medium and heavy loams, the volumetric mass of the meter layer of soil is 1.40 g/cm3, the density is 2.69 g/cm3, the porosity is 47.9%, the lowest moisture capacity is 19.65%. The rate of moisture absorption of the soil varies within 6.47–7.74 cm/h and therefore the soil cover of the experimental site is included in the group of soils with average moisture absorption.
Case Report: Diabetes in Chinese Bloom Syndrome
Authors: Deng Mingqun , Yu Miao , Jiajue Ruizhi , Feng Kai , Xiao Xinhua
Published: June 2021

Bloom syndrome (BS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that causes several endocrine abnormalities. So far, only one BS pedigree, without diabetes, has been reported in the Chinese population. We presented the first case of BS with diabetes in the Chinese population and explored the clinical spectrum associated with endocrine. Possible molecular mechanisms were also investigated. Our study indicated that BS may be one rare cause of diabetes in the Chinese population. We also found a new pathogenic sequence variant in BLM (BLM RecQ like helicase gene)(NM_000057.4) c.692T>G, which may expand the spectrum of BLM variants.
GnRHa/Stanozolol Combined Therapy Maintains Normal Bone Growth in Central Precocious Puberty
Authors: Zhu Shunye , Long Lingli , Hu Yue , Tuo Ying , Li Yubin , Yu Zhenhua
Published: June 2021

Background

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) is the gold standard in the treatment of Central Precocious Puberty (CPP) with progressive puberty and accelerative growth. However, GnRHa treatment is reported to result in growth deceleration and prevents growth plate development which leads to a reduction in height velocity. Stanozolol (ST) has been used to stimulate growth in patients with delayed growth and puberty, nevertheless, the effects and mechanisms of ST on CPP with GnRHa treatment are currently unclear.

Methods and Results

In the current study, we recorded the following vital observations that provided insights into ST induced chondrogenic differentiation and the maintenance of normal growth plate development: (1) ST efficiently prevented growth deceleration and maintained normal growth plate development in rats undergoing GnRHa treatment; (2) ST suppressed the inhibitory effect of GnRHa to promote chondrogenic differentiation; (3) ST induced chondrogenic differentiation through the activation of the JNK/c-Jun/Sox9 signaling pathway; (4) ST promoted chondrogenic differentiation and growth plate development through the JNK/Sox9 signaling pathway in vivo.

Conclusions

ST mitigated the inhibitory effects of GnRHa and promoted growth plate development in rats. ST induced the differentiation of chondrocytes and maintained normal growth plate development through the activation of JNK/c-Jun/Sox9 signaling. These novel findings indicated that ST could be a potential agent for maintaining normal bone growth in cases of CPP undergoing GnRHa treatment.
Whole Transcriptome Data Analysis Reveals Prognostic Signature Genes for Overall Survival Prediction in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Pan Mengmeng , Yang Pingping , Wang Fangce , Luo Xiu , Li Bing , Ding Yi , Lu Huina , Dong Yan , Zhang Wenjun , Xiu Bing , Liang Aibin
Published: June 2021

Background

With the improvement of clinical treatment outcomes in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the high rate of relapse in DLBCL patients is still an established barrier, as the therapeutic strategy selection based on potential targets remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, there is an urgent need in further exploration of prognostic biomarkers so as to improve the prognosis of DLBCL.

Methods

The univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were employed to screen out gene signatures for DLBCL overall survival (OS) prediction. The differential expression analysis was used to identify representative genes in high-risk and low-risk groups, respectively, where student t test and fold change were implemented. The functional difference between the high-risk and low-risk groups was identified by the gene set enrichment analysis.

Results

We conducted a systematic data analysis to screen the candidate genes significantly associated with OS of DLBCL in three NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. To construct a prognostic model, five genes (CEBPA, CYP27A1, LST1, MREG, and TARP) were then screened and tested using the multivariable Cox model and the stepwise regression method. Kaplan–Meier curve confirmed the good predictive performance of this five-gene Cox model. Thereafter, the prognostic model and the expression levels of the five genes were validated by means of an independent dataset. High expression levels of these five genes were significantly associated with favorable prognosis in DLBCL, both in training and validation datasets. Additionally, further analysis revealed the independent value and superiority of this prognostic model in risk prediction. Functional enrichment analysis revealed some vital pathways responsible for unfavorable outcome and potential therapeutic targets in DLBCL.

Conclusion

We developed a five-gene Cox model for the clinical outcome prediction of DLBCL patients. Meanwhile, potential drug selection using this model can help clinicians to improve the clinical practice for the benefit of patients.
Instrumental Heterogeneity in Sex-Specific Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization: Empirical Results From the Relationship Between Anthropometric Traits and Breast/Prostate Cancer
Authors: Gao Yixin , Zhang Jinhui , Zhao Huashuo , Guan Fengjun , Zeng Ping
Published: June 2021

Background

In two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) studies, sex instrumental heterogeneity is an important problem needed to address carefully, which however is often overlooked and may lead to misleading causal inference.

Methods

We first employed cross-trait linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), Pearson’s correlation analysis, and the Cochran’s Q test to examine sex genetic similarity and heterogeneity in instrumental variables (IVs) of exposures. Simulation was further performed to explore the influence of sex instrumental heterogeneity on causal effect estimation in sex-specific two-sample MR analyses. Furthermore, we chose breast/prostate cancer as outcome and four anthropometric traits as exposures as an illustrative example to illustrate the importance of taking sex heterogeneity of instruments into account in MR studies.

Results

The simulation definitively demonstrated that sex-combined IVs can lead to biased causal effect estimates in sex-specific two-sample MR studies. In our real applications, both LDSC and Pearson’s correlation analyses showed high genetic correlation between sex-combined and sex-specific IVs of the four anthropometric traits, while nearly all the correlation coefficients were larger than zero but less than one. The Cochran’s Q test also displayed sex heterogeneity for some instruments. When applying sex-specific instruments, significant discrepancies in the magnitude of estimated causal effects were detected for body mass index (BMI) on breast cancer (P = 1.63E-6), for hip circumference (HIP) on breast cancer (P = 1.25E-20), and for waist circumference (WC) on prostate cancer (P = 0.007) compared with those generated with sex-combined instruments.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that the sex instrumental heterogeneity has non-ignorable impact on sex-specific two-sample MR studies and the causal effects of anthropometric traits on breast/prostate cancer would be biased if sex-combined IVs are incorrectly employed.
Using Structural Equation Modeling to Understand Interactions Between Bacterial and Archaeal Populations and Volatile Fatty Acid Proportions in the Rumen
Authors: Kaplan-Shabtai Veronica , Indugu Nagaraju , Hennessy Meagan Leslie , Vecchiarelli Bonnie , Bender Joseph Samuel , Stefanovski Darko , De Assis Lage Camila Flavia , Räisänen Susanna Elisabeth , Melgar Audino , Nedelkov Krum , Fetter Molly Elizabeth , Fernandez Andrea , Spitzer Addison , Hristov Alexander Nikolov , Pitta Dipti Wilhelmina
Published: June 2021

Microbial syntrophy (obligate metabolic mutualism) is the hallmark of energy-constrained anaerobic microbial ecosystems. For example, methanogenic archaea and fermenting bacteria coexist by interspecies hydrogen transfer in the complex microbial ecosystem in the foregut of ruminants; however, these synergistic interactions between different microbes in the rumen are seldom investigated. We hypothesized that certain bacteria and archaea interact and form specific microbial cohorts in the rumen. To this end, we examined the total (DNA-based) and potentially metabolically active (cDNA-based) bacterial and archaeal communities in rumen samples of dairy cows collected at different times in a 24 h period. Notably, we found the presence of distinct bacterial and archaeal networks showing potential metabolic interactions that were correlated with molar proportions of specific volatile fatty acids (VFAs). We employed hypothesis-driven structural equation modeling to test the significance of and to quantify the extent of these relationships between bacteria-archaea-VFAs in the rumen. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these distinct microbial networks were host-specific and differed between cows indicating a natural variation in specific microbial networks in the rumen of dairy cows. This study provides new insights on potential microbial metabolic interactions in anoxic environments that have broader applications in methane mitigation, energy conservation, and agricultural production.
Predicting Selective RNA Processing and Stabilization Operons in Clostridium spp.
Authors: Bhaskar Yogendra , Su Xiaoquan , Xu Chenggang , Xu Jian
Published: June 2021

In selective RNA processing and stabilization (SRPS) operons, stem–loops (SLs) located at the 3′-UTR region of selected genes can control the stability of the corresponding transcripts and determine the stoichiometry of the operon. Here, for such operons, we developed a computational approach named SLOFE (stem–loop free energy) that identifies the SRPS operons and predicts their transcript- and protein-level stoichiometry at the whole-genome scale using only the genome sequence via the minimum free energy (ΔG) of specific SLs in the intergenic regions within operons. As validated by the experimental approach of differential RNA-Seq, SLOFE identifies genome-wide SRPS operons in Clostridium cellulolyticum with 80% accuracy and reveals that the SRPS mechanism contributes to diverse cellular activities. Moreover, in the identified SRPS operons, SLOFE predicts the transcript- and protein-level stoichiometry, including those encoding cellulosome complexes, ATP synthases, ABC transporter family proteins, and ribosomal proteins. Its accuracy exceeds those of existing in silico approaches in C. cellulolyticum, Clostridium acetobutylicum, Clostridium thermocellum, and Bacillus subtilis. The ability to identify genome-wide SRPS operons and predict their stoichiometry via DNA sequence in silico should facilitate studying the function and evolution of SRPS operons in bacteria.
Impact of Alcohol Abuse on Susceptibility to Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Araujo Iskra , Henriksen Amy , Gamsby Joshua , Gulick Danielle
Published: June 2021

Despite the prevalence and well-recognized adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and alcohol use disorder in the causation of numerous diseases, their potential roles in the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases remain poorly characterized. This is especially true of the rare neurodegenerative diseases, for which small population sizes make it difficult to conduct broad studies of specific etiological factors. Nonetheless, alcohol has potent and long-lasting effects on neurodegenerative substrates, at both the cellular and systems levels. This review highlights the general effects of alcohol in the brain that contribute to neurodegeneration across diseases, and then focuses on specific diseases in which alcohol exposure is likely to play a major role. These specific diseases include dementias (alcohol-induced, frontotemporal, and Korsakoff syndrome), ataxias (cerebellar and frontal), and Niemann-Pick disease (primarily a Type B variant and Type C). We conclude that there is ample evidence to support a role of alcohol abuse in the etiology of these diseases, but more work is needed to identify the primary mechanisms of alcohol’s effects.
MicroRNAs Regulating Tumor Immune Response in the Prediction of the Outcome in Patients With Breast Cancer
Authors: Thomopoulou Konstantina , Papadaki Chara , Monastirioti Alexia , Koronakis George , Mala Anastasia , Kalapanida Despoina , Mavroudis Dimitrios , Agelaki Sofia
Published: June 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in immune surveillance and immune escape as well as modulators in the metastatic process of breast cancer cells. We evaluated the differential expression of plasma miR-10b, miR-19a, miR-20a, miR-126 and miR-155, which regulate immune response in breast cancer progression and we investigated their clinical relevance in the outcomes of breast cancer patients. Plasma samples were obtained from early (eBC; n = 140) and metastatic (mBC; n = 64) breast cancer patients before adjuvant or first-line chemotherapy, respectively. Plasma miRNA expression levels were assessed by qRT-PCR. We revealed a 4-miRNA panel consisted of miR-19a, miR-20a, miR-126, and miR-155 able to discriminate eBC from mBC patients with an AUC of 0.802 (p < 0.001). Survival analysis in eBC patients revealed that low miR-10b and miR-155 expression was associated with shorter disease free survival (disease free survival; p = 0.012 and p = 0.04, respectively) compared to high expression. Furthermore, miR-126 expression was associated with shorter overall survival (overall survival; p = 0.045). In multivariate analysis the number of infiltrated axillary lymph nodes and low miR-10b expression independently predicted for shorter DFS (HR: 2.538; p = 0.002 and HR: 1.943; p = 0.033, respectively) and axillary lymph nodes and low miR-126 for shorter OS (HR: 3.537; p = 0.001 and HR: 2.558; p = 0.018). In the subgroup of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients, low miR-155 expression independently predicted for shorter DFS (HR: 5.056; p = 0.037). Accordingly in mBC, patients with low miR-10b expression had shorter progression free survival and OS compared to patients with high expression (p = 0.0017 and p = 0.042, respectively). In multivariate analysis, recurrent disease and low miR-10b expression independently predicted for shorter PFS (HR: 2.657; p = 0.001 and HR: 1.920; p = 0.017, respectively), whereas performance status two independently predicted for shorter OS (HR: 2.031; p = 0.03). In summary, deregulated expression of circulating miRNAs involved in tumor and immune cell interactions evaluated before adjuvant and 1st-line chemotherapy can distinguish disease status and emerge as independent predictors for outcomes of breast cancer patients.
Dominant Optic Atrophy (DOA): Modeling the Kaleidoscopic Roles of OPA1 in Mitochondrial Homeostasis
Authors: Del Dotto Valentina , Carelli Valerio
Published: June 2021

In the year 2000, the discovery of OPA1 mutations as causative for dominant optic atrophy (DOA) was pivotal to rapidly expand the field of mitochondrial dynamics and describe the complex machinery governing this pathway, with a multitude of other genes and encoded proteins involved in neurodegenerative disorders of the optic nerve. OPA1 turned out to be a much more complex protein than initially envisaged, connecting multiple pathways beyond its strict role in mitochondrial fusion, such as sensing of OXPHOS needs and mitochondrial DNA maintenance. As a consequence, an increasing need to investigate OPA1 functions at multiple levels has imposed the development of multiple tools and models that are here reviewed. Translational mitochondrial medicine, with the ultimate objective of translating basic science necessary to understand pathogenic mechanisms into therapeutic strategies, requires disease modeling at multiple levels: from the simplest, like in yeast, to cell models, including the increasing use of reprogrammed stem cells (iPSCs) from patients, to animal models. In the present review, we thoroughly examine and provide the state of the art of all these approaches.
Electro-Haptic Stimulation: A New Approach for Improving Cochlear-Implant Listening
Authors: Fletcher Mark D. , Verschuur Carl A.
Published: June 2021

Cochlear implants (CIs) have been remarkably successful at restoring speech perception for severely to profoundly deaf individuals. Despite their success, several limitations remain, particularly in CI users’ ability to understand speech in noisy environments, locate sound sources, and enjoy music. A new multimodal approach has been proposed that uses haptic stimulation to provide sound information that is poorly transmitted by the implant. This augmenting of the electrical CI signal with haptic stimulation (electro-haptic stimulation; EHS) has been shown to improve speech-in-noise performance and sound localization in CI users. There is also evidence that it could enhance music perception. We review the evidence of EHS enhancement of CI listening and discuss key areas where further research is required. These include understanding the neural basis of EHS enhancement, understanding the effectiveness of EHS across different clinical populations, and the optimization of signal-processing strategies. We also discuss the significant potential for a new generation of haptic neuroprosthetic devices to aid those who cannot access hearing-assistive technology, either because of biomedical or healthcare-access issues. While significant further research and development is required, we conclude that EHS represents a promising new approach that could, in the near future, offer a non-invasive, inexpensive means of substantially improving clinical outcomes for hearing-impaired individuals.
Chlorogenic Acid Ameliorates Damage Induced by Fluorene-9-Bisphenol in Porcine Sertoli Cells
Authors: Zhang Shaoxuan , Sun Boxing , Wang Dali , Liu Ying , Li Jing , Qi Jiajia , Zhang Yonghong , Bai Chunyan , Liang Shuang
Published: June 2021

4,4′-(9-Fluorenylidene) diphenol (BPFL, also known as BHPF and fluorene-9-bisphenol) is a novel bisphenol A substitute that is used in the plastics industry as an organic synthesis intermediate and is a potential endocrine disruptor. However, the deleterious effects of BPFL on porcine Sertoli cells (SCs) and the possible underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Chlorogenic acid (CA) is a free radical scavenger in the cellular antioxidant system that prevents oxidative damage and apoptosis. In the present research, we found that BPFL induced impairments in porcine SCs in a dose-dependent manner and that CA protected porcine SCs against BPFL exposure-induced impairments. Cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis assay results revealed that BPFL exposure could inhibit porcine SC proliferation and induce apoptosis, while CA supplementation ameliorated the effects of BPFL. Further analysis revealed that BPFL exposure induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential dysfunction and DNA damage accumulation. Transcriptome analysis and further real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot results showed that BPFL exposure induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis. Supplementation with CA dramatically ameliorated these phenotypes in BPFL-exposed porcine SCs. Overall, the present research reveals the possible underlying mechanisms by which BPFL exposure induced impairments and CA supplementation protected against these impairments in porcine SCs.
Error Propagation of Capon’s Minimum Variance Estimator
Authors: Toepfer S. , Narita Y. , Heyner D. , Motschmann U.
Published: June 2021

The error propagation of Capon’s minimum variance estimator resulting from measurement errors and position errors is derived within a linear approximation. It turns out, that Capon’s estimator provides the same error propagation as the conventionally used least square fit method. The shape matrix which describes the location depence of the measurement positions is the key parameter for the error propagation, since the condition number of the shape matrix determines how the errors are amplified. Furthermore, the error resulting from a finite number of data samples is derived by regarding Capon’s estimator as a special case of the maximum likelihood estimator.
Cuff-Method Thigh Arterial Occlusion Counteracts Cerebral Hypoperfusion Against the Push–Pull Effect in Humans
Authors: Xing Changyang , Gao Yuan , Wang Xinpei , Xing Wenjuan , Liu Yunnan , Lei Yujia , Zhang Xing , Zhang Shu , Yuan Lijun , Gao Feng
Published: June 2021

Exposure to acute transition from negative (−Gz) to positive (+ Gz) gravity significantly impairs cerebral perfusion in pilots of high-performance aircraft during push—pull maneuver. This push—pull effect may raise the risk for loss of vision or consciousness. The aim of the present study was to explore effective countermeasures against cerebral hypoperfusion induced by the push—pull effect. Twenty healthy young volunteers (male, 21 ± 1 year old) were tested during the simulated push–pull maneuver by tilting. A thigh cuff (TC) pressure of 200 mmHg was applied before and during simulated push—pull maneuver (−0.87 to + 1.00 Gz). Beat-to-beat cerebral and systemic hemodynamics were measured continuously. During rapid −Gz to + Gz transition, mean cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) was decreased, but to a lesser extent, in the TC bout compared with the control bout (−3.1 ± 4.9 vs. −7.8 ± 4.4 cm/s, P < 0.001). Similarly, brain-level mean blood pressure showed smaller reduction in the TC bout than in the control bout (−46 ± 12 vs. −61 ± 13 mmHg, P < 0.001). The systolic CBFV was lower but diastolic CBFV was higher in the TC bout. The systemic blood pressure response was blunted in the TC bout, along with similar heart rate increase, smaller decrease, and earlier recovery of total peripheral resistance index than control during the gravitational transition. These data demonstrated that restricting thigh blood flow can effectively mitigate the transient cerebral hypoperfusion induced by rapid shift from −Gz to + Gz, characterized by remarkable improvement of cerebral diastolic flow.
Exogenous Application of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Promotes Coloration and Improves the Quality of Tomato Fruit by Regulating Carotenoid Metabolism
Authors: Wang Junwen , Zhang Jing , Li Jing , Dawuda Mohammed Mujitaba , Ali Basharat , Wu Yue , Yu Jihua , Tang Zhongqi , Lyu Jian , Xiao Xuemei , Hu Linli , Xie Jianming
Published: June 2021

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) plays an important role in plant growth and development. It can also be used to enhance crop resistance to environmental stresses and improve the color and internal quality of fruits. However, there are limited reports regarding the effects of ALA on tomato fruit color and its regulatory mechanisms. Therefore, in this study, the effects of exogenous ALA on the quality and coloration of tomato fruits were examined. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum “Yuanwei No. 1”) fruit surfaces were treated with different concentrations of ALA (0, 100, and 200 mg⋅L–1) on the 24th day after fruit setting (mature green fruit stage), and the content of soluble sugar, titratable acid, soluble protein, vitamin C, and total free amino acids, as well as amino acid components, intermediates of lycopene synthetic and metabolic pathways, and ALA metabolic pathway derivatives were determined during fruit ripening. The relative expression levels of genes involved in lycopene synthesis and metabolism and those involved in ALA metabolism were also analyzed. The results indicated that exogenous ALA (200 mg⋅L–1) increased the contents of soluble sugars, soluble proteins, total free amino acids, and vitamin C as well as 11 kinds of amino acid components in tomato fruits and reduced the content of titratable acids, thus improving the quality of tomato fruits harvested 4 days earlier than those of the control plants. In addition, exogenous ALA markedly improved carotenoid biosynthesis by upregulating the gene expression levels of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, phytoene synthase 1, phytoene desaturase, and lycopene β-cyclase. Furthermore, exogenous ALA inhibited chlorophyll synthesis by downregulating the genes expression levels of Mg-chelatase and protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase. These findings suggest that supplementation with 200 mg⋅L–1 ALA not only enhances the nutritional quality and color of the fruit but also promotes early fruit maturation in tomato.
Temporal Discounting of Money and Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Hoarding Level
Authors: Cannito Loreta , Anzani Stefano , Bortolotti Alessandro , Palumbo Rocco , Ceccato Irene , Di Crosta Adolfo , Di Domenico Alberto , Palumbo Riccardo
Published: June 2021

The current study examines the association of individual hoarding levels with temporal discounting of different commodities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on their hoarding level, participants were assigned to the Hoarding Group (HG) or the Non-Hoarding Group (NHG). Participants performed two delay discounting tasks: a traditional task with monetary options and a modified task, where money was replaced with disposable surgical masks, a needed commodity during the pandemic. Results revealed a stronger preference for immediate commodity, therefore a higher discount rate, when evaluating surgical masks compared to money in the whole sample, and an overall higher tendency in discounting both type of rewards in the NHG compared to the HG. Moreover, non-hoarders discounted money significantly more than hoarders, while no significant differences were detected in the surgical mask version of the task. Possible explanations for this result are discussed in the light of a situational frame that makes salient the notion of scarcity, like the one induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The hoarding dimension of cluttering was found to be the only dimension to significantly correlate with the discount rate on surgical masks. Altogether, these findings shed light on the role of general hoarding level and specific hoarding dimensions on intertemporal preferences with different commodities by contributing to the theoretical debate about impulsivity in hoarders' behavior. Furthermore, the present results help to understand the general population's preferences during times of crisis, thus contributing to the investigation of the effects of COVID-19 on consumers' behavior.
What Makes an Elite Shooter and Archer? The Critical Role of Interoceptive Attention
Authors: Li Pengli , Lu Quanyu , Wu Qiong , Liu Xinghua , Wu Yanhong
Published: June 2021

It is well-acknowledged that attention is important for expert performance in sports. However, the role of interoceptive attention, i.e., the attentional mechanism of awareness and conscious focus of bodily somatic and visceral signals, in self-paced and far-aiming sports remains to be explored. This study aims to investigate the relationship of expertise level and interoceptive attention ability in shooting and archery, and to examine if interoceptive attention can be improved by mindfulness training in elite athletes of shooting and archery. We tested the performance differences of 41 elite athletes from the Chinese national team of shooting and archery and 43 non-elite athletes from a provincial team in breath detection task (BDT) and dot flash detection task (DDT), which were designed to measure interoceptive and exteroceptive attention (i.e., attention toward information input of primary sensory), respectively. Furthermore, we applied mindfulness training to the 41 elite athletes for 5–8 weeks and remeasured their performances of BDT and DDT. Results showed that elite athletes outperformed non-elite athletes in BDT (but not in DDT) both in accuracy (DiffBDT = 11.50%, p = 0.004) and in discrimination sensitivity (d′, DiffBDT = 1.159, p = 0.002). Difference in accuracy and d′ reached significant level only in BDT (accuracy: DiffBDT = −8.50%, p = 0.001; d′: DiffBDT = −0.822, p = 0.003) before and after mindfulness training. These results indicate that elite athletes of shooting and archery (i.e., relative to non-elite athletes) can better perceive the somatic and visceral responses or changes and discriminate these signals from noises. Moreover, interoceptive attention can be improved by mindfulness training. These results have important implications for the selection and training of athletes of shooting and archery.
The Mediating Role of Fatigue Between Mental Health and Its Associated Factors: Evidence From Chinese Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Peng Rong , Zhou Wensu , Zhou Dexin , Chu Muyang , Ling Li
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the mediating role of fatigue between mental health and its associated factors, including workload, social support, and occupational protection, among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. A national cross-sectional survey was performed to collect data from healthcare workers who have attended to patients with COVID-19. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test the mediating effect of fatigue. The results indicated that fatigue was a significant mediator of mental health. The proportion of indirect effect with regards to the total effect of workload on mental health was 54.2%, significantly greater than other factors such as social support (19.7%) and occupational protection (23.4%). The findings confirmed that workload, social support, and occupational protection both had indirect and direct effects on mental health status through fatigue. To some extent, potential interventions designed to alleviate fatigue would reduce mental health problems among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Survey of Graphical Page Object Detection with Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Bhatt Jwalin , Hashmi Khurram Azeem , Afzal Muhammad Zeshan , Stricker Didier
Published: June 2021

In any document, graphical elements like tables, figures, and formulas contain essential information. The processing and interpretation of such information require specialized algorithms. Off-the-shelf OCR components cannot process this information reliably. Therefore, an essential step in document analysis pipelines is to detect these graphical components. It leads to a high-level conceptual understanding of the documents that make the digitization of documents viable. Since the advent of deep learning, deep learning-based object detection performance has improved many folds. This work outlines and summarizes the deep learning approaches for detecting graphical page objects in document images. Therefore, we discuss the most relevant deep learning-based approaches and state-of-the-art graphical page object detection in document images. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of the current state-of-the-art and related challenges. Furthermore, we discuss leading datasets along with the quantitative evaluation. Moreover, it discusses briefly the promising directions that can be utilized for further improvements.