bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Professionsutveckling i matematikundervisning
Authors: Samuelsson Joakim
Published: January 2022

Hur lärare planerar, genomför och utvärderar sin undervisning är centralt för att elever ska få den bästa undervisningen, en undervisning som optimerar deras chanser att lära sig skolmatematiken. Genom att ständigt arbeta med att förbättra undervisning kommer läraren att kunna erbjuda en undervisning som blir tydligare avseende hur kunnandet synliggörs för eleven. I nedanstående artikel beskrivs ett forsknings- och utvecklingsprojekt där vi studerade effekten av ett kompetensutvecklingsprogram med fokus på matematikdidaktik.
Alteraciones Estructurales y Funcionales del Sistema Estomatognático: Manejo fonoaudiológico [estudio biliográfico]
Authors: Fuenzalida Cabezas Rodrigo Waldo , Hernández Mosqueira Claudio , Perez Serey Jazmin
Published: January 2022

El objetivo del  presente trabajo es realizar una revisión bibliográfica de las alteraciones estructurales y funcionales del Sistema Estomatognático y cómo la Fonoaudiología participa de su tratamiento. Se realizó una revisión de las bases de datos SCIELO, EBSCO y PubMed entre los años 2009 y 2014, utilizando los descriptores disponibles en DECS, se precisaron las palabras claves, realizando la búsqueda de documentos según criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Se encontraron 40 artículos afines, de ellos 10 relacionados con “Sistema Estomatognático”, 21 con “Respiración Bucal” y 9 con “Terapia Miofuncional”, los resultados indican relaciones entre los conceptos,  necesidad de  intervención temprana y multidisciplinaria e  interés entre odontólogos y fonoaudiólogos por las Alteraciones del Sistema Estomatognático y la Terapia Miofuncional. La literatura refiere que el desarrollo normal del Sistema Estomatognático desarrolla funciones deseables, pero las alteraciones de este Sistema  afectan la Respiración, Succión, Deglución, Masticación, Habla y elementos Sociales, Emocionales, Estéticos y Cognitivos. La efectividad terapéutica aumentará cuanto más temprano se intervenga. La eficacia del tratamiento estará relacionada con la terapia combinada miofuncional y odontológica. En Chile no existen Programas de Salud para estos pacientes, se realizan consultas tardías, resultando tratamientos complejos, largos y costosos. La Terapia Miofuncional es la estrategia  principal para el tratamiento de estas Alteraciones, pero falta precisar instrumentos y/o procedimientos terapéuticos en Chile.  Nace la necesidad del trabajo multidisciplinario, junto con estrategias de difusión a la comunidad y a otros especialistas de la importancia de pesquisar posibles alteraciones y dar a conocer la labor del Fonoaudiólogo sobre ellas.
Características Vocales de un Grupo Docente: Universidad Metropolitana de Barranquilla
Authors: Vargas Garcia Miguel Antonio , Muñoz Hernández Monica Patricia
Published: January 2022

Objetivo: establecer los parámetros de voz normal en un grupo de profesionales de la salud vinculados a la Universidad Metropolitana de Barranquilla. Método: El diseño muestral planteado fue no probabilístico por disposición; desde la metodología procedimental el grupo docente seleccionado fue filtrado a través de una primera evaluación anatómica y funcional realizada por otorrinolaringología. No fueron aceptados como participantes sujetos con cirugía de cuello. Resultados: el 73.3% de los evaluados presentan características de mal uso de la voz, dado que los resultados de la energía están disminuidos, factor que puede causar enfermedades ocupacionales. Estos docentes que presentan la particularidad de energía disminuida, están generando a partir del ataque vocal un esfuerzo cuando inician la fonación. Conclusiones: los resultados indica que el cuerpo docente evaluado, presenta serios factores de mal uso y abuso vocal, aspecto de relevancia teniendo en cuenta la labor docente y la voz como herramienta para su desempeño. Los factores evidenciados permiten concluir que los docentes no están haciendo uso de técnicas de manejo de la voz, quizás por desconocimiento. Es imprescindible que como estructura organizativa, la Universidad Metropolitana inicie procesos de capacitación en el manejo de la voz y del uso saludable de su instrumento de trabajo.
Militares de Chillán.Parámetros vocales y características sociodemográficas
Authors: Pérez Serey Jazmín Sarita , Sandoval Zúñiga María Soledad , Villegas Kevin
Published: January 2022

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio es describir los parámetros vocales de 49 militares de la ciudad de Chillán y relacionarlos con sus características sociodemográficas. Lo anterior fue realizado mediante el instrumento Voice Handicap Index (VHI, Núñez-Batalla et al., 2007), la Escala GRBAS (Hirano y Mc Cormick, 1998) y el Software que permite realizar el análisis acústico de la voz PRAAT (Boersma y Weenink, 2018). La metodología es cuantitativa, descriptiva y correlacional, con un diseño no experimental transversal y con una muestra probabilística aleatoria simple. Los resultados indican que más de la mitad de los militares evaluados presentan variación de los parámetros, principalmente en la intensidad de la voz, no así en la frecuencia. No obstante, existe solo correlación entre el tiempo máximo de fonación y la Edad y los Años de Servicio de los militares. En la evaluación perceptual, la afectación se da principalmente en Aspereza y Tensión en más del 73% de la muestra. Estos parámetros también se relacionan principalmente con la Edad y los Años de servicio. Aunque todos los militares perciben su voz alterada, esta afectación es más bien leve. Se concluye que la totalidad de los militares evaluados presentan alteración en uno o más de los parámetros vocales, ya sean perceptuales, acústicos o ambos, existiendo variación de ellos en base a los factores sociodemográficos como edad y años de servicio. La función laboral, el tiempo de exposición vocal y condiciones ambientales son características que en este estudio no se relacionan con la afectación de los parámetros acústicos ni perceptuales de los militares.
Medidas Aerodinámicas de la Fonación:
Authors: Guzman Marco , Calvache Mora Carlos Alberto
Published: January 2022

El presente artículo da cuenta de un método clínico de evaluación objetiva, funcional y no invasiva para obtener información acerca de la función vocal: las medidas aerodinámicas de la fonación. Estudio bibliográfico retrospectivo y observacional, se tuvieron en cuenta investigaciones, publicaciones de libros, tesis y monografías en inglés; fueron consultadas las bases de datos PubMed, Web of Sciences y Scopus, además de revistas especializadas de Voz, Fonoaudiología, Logopedia, Foniatría y Patología de Habla y Lenguaje. El análisis de la información se realizó bajo tres constructos semánticos: a) bases físicas de las medidas aerodinámicas; b) Medidas aerodinámicas de la fonación: flujo, presión y resistencia; y c) aplicaciones clínicas de las medidas aerodinámicas. Cada constructo presenta los aspectos relevantes de la búsqueda realizada, resaltando autores y gráficas explicativas que demuestran las bases teóricas y aplicaciones clínicas de las medidas aerodinámicas de la fonación. El conocimiento de estas medidas permite un entendimiento más profundo de aspectos fisiológicos y fisiopatológicos relacionados con la voz humana; la presión, el flujo y la resistencia se constituyen en medidas objetivas para valorarla.
Peligros ocupacionales que Aportan a la Presencia de Síntomas de Disfonía en Docentes
Authors: Fajardo Dayan Fannery
Published: January 2022

El objetivo de este artículo es describir los peligros ocupacionales que aportan a la presencia de síntomas de disfonía en docentes, a partir de un ejercicio de recopilación y organización de la información reportada a través de artículos indexados en las Bases de datos disponibles en la Universidad Santiago de Cali – Valle, desde el año 2012 al 2018. Se pretende que esta recopilación sirva como referencia para posteriores estudios. En total se tomaron en cuenta 50 publicaciones según los criterios metodológicos; a partir de estas se da cuenta de las particularidades de la voz del docente en el trabajo, incluyendo la sintomatología que reflejan los afectados por la disfonía y los principales peligros ocupaciones que influyen en la misma
Prevención de Alteraciones Vocales con Ejercicios de Tubos de Resonancia en un Grupo de Docentes
Authors: Muñoz Hernández Monica Patricia , Vargas García Miguel Antonio Antonio , Caballero Ospino Yesenia Esmeralda , Vidal Jiménez Wendys Loraine
Published: January 2022

En múltiples estudios se ha determinado la importancia de la voz en aquellos profesionales que la utilizan como su herramienta principal de trabajo. Dentro de este grupo se encuentran locutores, agentes de call center, profesores, entre otros; la población objeto de estudio en esta investigación son los profesores universitarios, ellos trabajan durante varias horas al día usando su voz para transmitir el conocimiento dentro del aula de clase, muchas veces en condiciones poco óptimas para un desempeño laboral efectivo. Además, están expuestos a diversos factores de riesgos ambientales y organizacionales lo cual los predispone y genera diversidad de patologías laríngeas propias de su ocupación. Los participantes pertenecen a un programa de conservación de la voz. El diseño de investigación pre experimental, cuantitativo, utilizando pre-test y pos-test en una misma población, descriptivo transversal, bajo un enfoque epidemiológico. Se aplicó una encuesta de autopercepción vocal como pre-test, con el fin de identificar la percepción que tenían estos profesionales acerca de sus características vocales. Posterior a esto, se les realizó una serie de ejercicios con tubos de resonancia basados en la técnica de Tracto Vocal Semi Ocluido (TVSO) y finalmente, se le reaplicó la encuesta de autopercepción vocal como post-test para determinar los efectos y cambios fisiológicos de estos ejercicios sobre los parámetros acústicos de la voz y las características del habla tales como: inteligibilidad, naturalidad y audibilidad; logrando un efecto fisiológico terapéutico inmediato y una percepción subjetiva de mejoría posterior a la terapia, generando un cambio en el patrón vibratorio de sus pliegues vocales, minimizando el abuso y mal uso vocal, creando conciencia del cuidado que se debe tener con la voz cuando se utiliza de manera profesional por ser la herramienta principal de su trabajo.
Hipoacusia Neurosensorial Súbita y COVID 19:
Authors: Gómez Avila Niyireth , Rodriguez Montoya Silvia Raquel , Ramirez Fajardo Claudia , Paredes Aguirre Dunia Ximena , Rojas Giron Nataly Esmeralda
Published: January 2022

La enfermedad por COVID 19 es una infección viral causada por el agente etiológico SARS Cov 2; presenta una gama de características clínicas incluyendo síntomas neurológicos, afectando neuronas, células gliales y nervios; formando parte del grupo de etiología de la hipoacusia neurosensorial. Se realiza este reporte de caso de hipoacusia súbita neurosensorial unilateral acompañada de tinnitus en paciente con antecedente de SARSCov2 Positivo, describiendo los principales hallazgos otológicos y audiológicos en el proceso de evaluación diagnóstico. La afectación por el virus nCoV-19 tiene incidencia en la pérdida auditiva, como se describe en estudios de casos reportados internacionales.
Presbifagia: Una Mirada a los Procesos de Alimentación y Deglución en los Adultos Mayores
Authors: Ambiado Lillo Manuel matias , Borjas Galvis Jennifer , Borjas Galvis Jennifer
Published: January 2022

El proceso de envejecimiento, al igual que en todo el organismo, genera una serie de cambios en las estructuras estomatognáticas, y estos cambios morfológicos, característicos en el mecanismo de la deglución en sujetos sanos de edad avanzada caracterizan a la Presbifagia. Una interesante discusión se genera en torno a la presbifagia y los parámetros de seguridad, efectividad, competencia y confortabilidad, dado que los cambios neurológicos-estructurales son frecuentes en la tercera edad, los cuales acarrean diversas consecuencias, desde grados leves a severos, que impactan de forma diferenciada en los indicadores que habitualmente se describen en la clínica. Sin embargo, la conceptualización utilizada no es clara al realizar una distinción entre un estado transicional o de afección. Por este motivo, se analiza si existen factores claves que permitan dilucidar la concepción contemporánea para crear un lenguaje unificado en pro de dirigir las acciones fonoaudiológicas hacia las áreas de promoción de la salud de la función deglutoria y prevención de la disfagia esta población.
La Valoración De La Percepción De Padres/Cuidadores Sobre Manual De Estimulación Del Movimiento Y Lenguaje
Authors: Guajardo Saez Claudia Pamela , Isla Grandon Araceli , Zuñiga Lagos Evelyn Natalia , Figueroa Saavedra Carla
Published: January 2022

El lenguaje es una función cognitiva, esta es muy importante ya que nos permite compartir y organizar nuestra vida cotidiana; al mismo tiempo es un pilar fundamental de las relaciones humanas. Sin embargo, no todos los menores desarrollan el lenguaje de manera adecuada. En Chile es posible observar una alta prevalencia del Trastorno Específico del Lenguaje (TEL), siendo necesaria la creación de Manuales para la estimulación de los niños en el hogar, donde Padres/Cuidadores actúan como agentes principales en esta tarea, complementando lo entregado en los establecimientos a los cuales asisten estos menores. El objetivo del presente estudio fue valorar la percepción de padres/cuidadores sobre el Manual de Estimulación del Movimiento y Lenguaje, para niños con Trastorno específico del Lenguaje (TEL) entre 3 a 4 años de edad. El estudio fue abordado bajo un alcance descriptivo, donde participaron 109 padres.  Dentro de los resultados fue posible observar que más del 50% de ellos consideró que el contenido, la forma de presentación y los ejercicios eran adecuados seleccionando la opción muy de acuerdo.  De lo anterior, es posible concluir que la percepción que presentan los padres/cuidadores sobre el Manual de Estimulación del Movimiento y Lenguaje, es favorable para su difusión. Esto representa una oportunidad de utilizar este manual como una herramienta de entrenamiento para cuidadores de niños con diagnóstico de trastornos específicos del lenguaje y posteriormente evaluar la efectividad del mismo en el progreso de los menores.
Conocimiento Y Adaptación De Válvulas De Habla A Traqueostomía Por Parte De Fonoaudiólogos Colombianos
Authors: Aguirre Fernando Delprado , Correa Agudelo Jenifer , Nieto Correa Catalina , Soto Ruiz María Paulina
Published: January 2022

El propósito de este estudio fue describir el uso que los fonoaudiólogos colombianos le dan a las válvulas de habla como parte del manejo de usuarios con traqueostomía. Para ello, se distribuyó un formulario digital a los fonoaudiólogos egresados en Colombia. Las preguntas se agruparon en cinco categorías y se analizaron de forma descriptiva para observar patrones de respuesta. Se ajustaron varios modelos lineales generalizados para determinar la influencia de variables como la ciudad, la experiencia profesional, los posgrados, la población, el escenario de atención y la presencia de equipos de traqueostomía en la adaptación de las válvulas. Las preguntas abiertas se analizaron a partir de categorías de análisis identificadas en las respuestas de los participantes. El cuestionario fue respondido por 27 fonoaudiólogos de distintas latitudes con variedad en el nivel posgradual. Los usuarios más atendidos con traqueostomía fueron los adultos en unidades de cuidado intensivo. 66.66% de los profesionales manifestó haber adaptado válvulas y, de estos, solo un 33.33% indica que el proceso administrativo para ordenar el insumo fue sencillo. Ninguna de las variables predictoras fue significativa para explicar la adaptación de válvulas de habla (p>0.05). Este estudio plantea que los fonoaudiólogos conocen las válvulas de habla y sus beneficios. Adicionalmente, advierte que las variables estudiadas no tienen efecto significativo en la adaptación del dispositivo. Por último, ratifica que los procesos administrativos relacionados con órdenes médicas y autorizaciones pueden tener un rol desfavorable para lograr acceder a estos insumos.
Preparation, Characterization and Dielectric Properties of Alginate-Based Composite Films Containing Lithium Silver Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Giriyappa Thimmaiah Padma , Mudinepalli Venkata Ramana , Thota Subba Rao , Obireddy Sreekanth Reddy , Lai Wing-Fu
Published: January 2022

Polymer composites have found applications in diverse areas, ranging from the manufacturing of portable electronic devices to the fabrication of bioactive agent carriers. This article reports the preparation of composite films consisting of sodium alginate (SA) and lithium silver oxide (LAO) nanoparticles. The films are generated by solution casting; whereas the nanoparticles are fabricated by using the hydrothermal method. The effects of the nanoparticles on the morphological, thermal, and dielectric properties of the films are examined by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrical measurements are also performed to determine the dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), AC conductivity (σac), electrical moduli (M′ and M″), and impedance (Z'and Z″). The composite films are shown to be crystalline in nature, with nanoparticles having a diameter of 30–45 nm effectively disseminated in the polymer matrix. They also display good dielectric properties. Our results suggest that the films warrant further exploration for possible use in microelectronic applications.
Phosphoproteomic Analysis of Haemaphysalis longicornis Saliva Reveals the Influential Contributions of Phosphoproteins to Blood-Feeding Success
Authors: Agwunobi Desmond O. , Wang Ningmei , Huang Lei , Zhang Yefei , Chang Guomin , Wang Kuang , Li Mengxue , Wang Hui , Liu Jingze
Published: January 2022

Tick saliva, an essential chemical secretion of the tick salivary gland, is indispensable for tick survival owing to the physiological influence it exerts on the host defence mechanisms via the instrumentality of its cocktail of pharmacologically active molecules (proteins and peptides). Much research about tick salivary proteome has been performed, but how most of the individual salivary proteins are utilized by ticks to facilitate blood acquisition and pathogen transmission is not yet fully understood. In addition, the phosphorylation of some proteins plays a decisive role in their function. However, due to the low phosphorylation level of protein, especially for a small amount of protein, it is more difficult to study phosphorylation. Maybe, for this reason, the scarcity of works on the phosphorylated tick salivary proteomes still abound. Here, we performed a phosphoproteomic analysis of Haemaphysalis longicornis tick saliva via TiO2 enrichment and the most advanced Thermo Fisher Orbitrap Exploris 480 mass spectrometer for identification. A total of 262 phosphorylated tick saliva proteins were identified and were subjected to functional annotation/enrichment analysis. Cellular and metabolic process terms accounted for the largest proportion of the saliva proteins, with the participation of these proteins in vital intracellular and extracellular transport-oriented processes such as vesicle-mediated transport, exocytic process, cell adhesion, and movement of cell/subcellular component. “Endocytosis”, “Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum”, and “Purine metabolism” were the most significantly enriched pathways. The knockdown (RNAi) of Tudor domain-containing protein (TCP), actin-depolymerizing factors (ADF), programmed cell death protein (PD), and serine/threonine-protein kinase (SPK) resulted in the dissociation of collagen fibers and the pilosebaceous unit, increased inflammatory infiltrates/granulocytes (possibly heterophiles), and the depletion of the epithelium. Ticks injected with SPK dsRNA engorged normally but with a change in skin colour (possibly an autoimmune reaction) and the failure to produce eggs pointing to a possible role of SPK in reproduction and host immune modulation. Ticks injected with ADF dsRNA failed to acquire blood, underscoring the role of ADF in facilitating tick feeding. The results of this study showed the presence of phosphorylation in tick saliva and highlight the roles of salivary phosphoproteins in facilitating tick feeding.
Single-Cell Monitoring of Activated Innate Immune Signaling by a d2eGFP-Based Reporter Mimicking Time-Restricted Activation of IFNB1 Expression
Authors: Thomsen Emil Aagaard , Andersen Sofie , Marqvorsen Mikkel Haarslev Schröder , Skipper Kristian Alsbjerg , Paludan Søren R. , Mikkelsen Jacob Giehm
Published: January 2022

The innate immune system represents a balanced first line of defense against infection. Type I interferons (IFNs) are key regulators of the response to viral infections with an essential early wave of IFN-β expression, which is conditional, time-restricted, and stochastic in its nature. The possibility to precisely monitor individual cells with active IFNB1 transcription during innate signaling requires a robust reporter system that mimics the endogenous IFN-β signal. Here, we present a reporter system based on expression of a destabilized version of eGFP (d2eGFP) from a stably integrated reporter cassette containing the IFNB1 promoter and 3’-untranslated region, enabling both spatial and temporal detection of regulated IFNB1 expression. Specifically, this reporter permits detection, quantification, and isolation of cells actively producing d2eGFP in a manner that fully mimics IFN-β production allowing tracking of IFNB1 gene activation and repression in monocytic cells and keratinocytes. Using induced d2eGFP expression as a readout for activated immune signaling at the single-cell level, we demonstrate the application of the reporter for FACS-based selection of cells with genotypes supporting cGAS-STING signaling. Our studies provide a novel approach for monitoring on/off-switching of innate immune signaling and form the basis for investigating genotypes affecting immune regulation at the single-cell level.
Clodronate Treatment Prevents Vaginal Hypersensitivity in a Mouse Model of Vestibulodynia
Authors: Castro Joel , Harrington Andrea M. , Chegini Fariba , Matusica Dusan , Spencer Nick J. , Brierley Stuart M. , Haberberger Rainer V. , Barry Christine M.
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Improved understanding of vestibulodynia pathophysiology is required to develop appropriately targeted treatments. Established features include vulvovaginal hyperinnervation, increased nociceptive signalling and hypersensitivity. Emerging evidence indicates macrophage-neuron signalling contributes to chronic pain pathophysiology. Macrophages are broadly classified as M1 or M2, demonstrating pro-nociceptive or anti-nociceptive effects respectively. This study investigates the impact of clodronate liposomes, a macrophage depleting agent, on nociceptive signalling in a mouse model of vestibulodynia.

Methods

Microinjection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) at the vaginal introitus induced mild chronic inflammation in C57Bl/6J mice. A subgroup was treated with the macrophage depleting agent clodronate. Control mice received saline. After 7 days, immunolabelling for PGP9.5, F4/80+CD11c+ and F4/80+CD206+ was used to compare innervation density and presence of M1 and M2 macrophages respectively in experimental groups. Nociceptive signalling evoked by vaginal distension was assessed using immunolabelling for phosphorylated MAP extracellular signal-related kinase (pERK) in spinal cord sections. Hyperalgesia was assessed by visceromotor response to graded vaginal distension.

Results

CFA led to increased vaginal innervation (p < 0.05), increased pERK-immunoreactive spinal cord dorsal horn neurons evoked by vaginal-distension (p < 0.01) and enhanced visceromotor responses compared control mice (p < 0.01). Clodronate did not reduce vaginal hyperinnervation but significantly reduced the abundance of M1 and M2 vaginal macrophages and restored vaginal nociceptive signalling and vaginal sensitivity to that of healthy control animals.

Conclusions

We have developed a robust mouse model of vestibulodynia that demonstrates vaginal hyperinnervation, enhanced nociceptive signalling, hyperalgesia and allodynia. Macrophages contribute to hypersensitivity in this model. Macrophage-sensory neuron signalling pathways may present useful pathophysiological targets.
Evaluation of the Liberty16 Mobile Real Time PCR Device for Use With the SalivaDirect Assay for SARS-CoV-2 Testing
Authors: Yolda-Carr Devyn , Thammavongsa Darani A. , Vega Noel , Turner Susan J. , Pickering Paul J. , Wyllie Anne L.
Published: January 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need and benefits for all communities to be permitted timely access to on-demand screening for infectious respiratory diseases. This can be achieved with simplified testing approaches and affordable access to core resources. While RT-qPCR-based tests remain the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 detection due to their high sensitivity, implementation of testing requires high upfront costs to obtain the necessary instrumentation. This is particularly restrictive in low-resource settings. The Ubiquitome Liberty16 system was developed as an inexpensive, portable, battery-operated single-channel RT-qPCR device with an associated iPhone app to simplify assay set-up and data reporting. When coupled with the SalivaDirect protocol for testing saliva samples for SARS-CoV-2, the Liberty16 device yielded a limit of detection (LOD) of 12 SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies/µL, comparable to the upper end of the LOD range for the standard SalivaDirect protocol when performed on larger RT-qPCR instruments. While further optimization may deliver even greater sensitivity and assay speed, findings from this study indicate that small portable devices such as the Liberty16 can deliver reliable results and provide the opportunity to further increase access to gold standard SARS-CoV-2 testing.
Epicardium-Derived Tbx18+ CDCs Transplantation Improve Heart Function in Infarcted Mice
Authors: Guo Zhenglong , Geng Mengyuan , Qin Litao , Hao Bingtao , Liao Shixiu
Published: January 2022

Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) constitute a cardiac stem cell pool, a promising therapeutics in treating myocardial infarction (MI). However, the cell source of CDCs remains unclear. In this study, we isolated CDCs directly from adult mouse heart epicardium named primary epicardium-derived CDCs (pECDCs), which showed a different expression profile compared with primary epicardial cells (pEpiCs). Interestingly, pECDCs highly expressed T-box transcription factor 18 (Tbx18) and showed multipotent differentiation ability in vitro. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) transduction could inhibit aging-induced pECDCs apoptosis and differentiation, thus keeping a better proliferation capacity. Furthermore, immortalized epicardium CDCs (iECDCs) transplantation extensively promote cardiogenesis in the infracted mouse heart. This study demonstrated epicardium-derived CDCs that may derive from Tbx18+ EpiCs, which possess the therapeutic potential to be applied to cardiac repair and regeneration and suggest a new kind of CDCs with identified origination that may be followed in the developing and injured heart.
Empowering Current and Future Educators: Using a Scalable Action Research Module as a Mechanism to Promote High-Quality Teaching and Learning in STEM
Authors: Esparza David , Lynch-Arroyo Ruby L. , Olimpo Jeffrey T.
Published: January 2022

Professional development in action research methods can increase educators’ dispositions toward the adoption of evidence-based practices and data-based decision making. However, an in-depth review of the literature revealed that extant forms of action research professional development (ARPD) may not be accessible to all educators as they are often relegated to full-semester undergraduate and/or graduate courses, internships, and teacher education programs. To address this issue, we designed, implemented, and assessed a scalable active-learning module on action research to strengthen the cognitive and affective outcomes of prospective and in-service STEM teachers (N = 26) enrolled in a cross-listed Scientific Teaching course, all of whom had not previously conducted action research. This three-session module integrated case studies, collaborative practice, group discussions, and instruction on action research theory and data collection methodologies. Analysis of pre-/post-intervention survey responses revealed that participants expressed greater self-efficacy related to their ability to design and conduct action research, strengthened knowledge of the process of action research, and greater awareness of the utility of data to inform research and teaching. When asked about the benefits of engaging in action research, participants suggested it could enhance their pedagogical content knowledge and reflectivity. However, participants identified logistical issues such as time constraints and resource availability, lack of institutional support, and possible student resistance to data collection as potential barriers to future action research practice. Overall, our module provides a scaffold to enculturate in-service educators to inquiry dispositions while offering a scalable approach to help prospective teachers in their transition to in-service practice.
Face-to-Face Versus Remote: Effects of an Intervention in Reading Fluency During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Cruz Joana , Mendes Sofia Abreu , Marques Sofia , Alves Diana , Cadime Irene
Published: January 2022

Fluency is a central skill for successful reading. Research has provided evidence that systematic reading fluency interventions can be effective. However, research is scarce on the effects of interventions delivered remotely versus face-to-face. This study investigated the efficacy of a systematic and standardized intervention for promoting reading fluency in third-grade students (N= 207) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study had a pretest, posttest, and follow-up design, with two intervention groups (remote vs face-to-face) and a control group. The intervention groups experienced 20 intervention sessions (2 sessions per week), each lasting approximately 50 min. Word reading accuracy, text reading accuracy, and fluency were measured in the three rounds of assessment. In both intervention groups, all measures of reading showed gains from pretest to posttest. The results also suggested that the efficacy of the intervention was similar in the remote and face-to-face modalities. These findings highlight the relevance of systematic interventions in increasing reading fluency and support the use of remote interventions as an adequate alternative to face-to-face interventions.
Exploring the Multi-Tissue Crosstalk Relevant to Insulin Resistance Through Network-Based Analysis
Authors: Yang Linlin , Yang Linquan , Wang Xing , Xing Hanying , Zhao Hang , Xing Yuling , Zhou Fei , Wang Chao , Song Guangyao , Ma Huijuan
Published: January 2022

Insulin resistance (IR) is a precursor event that occurs in multiple organs and underpins many metabolic disorders. However, due to the lack of effective means to systematically explore and interpret disease-related tissue crosstalk, the tissue communication mechanism in pathogenesis of IR has not been elucidated yet. To solve this issue, we profiled all proteins in white adipose tissue (WAT), liver, and skeletal muscle of a high fat diet induced IR mouse model via proteomics. A network-based approach was proposed to explore IR related tissue communications. The cross-tissue interface was constructed, in which the inter-tissue connections and also their up and downstream processes were particularly inspected. By functional quantification, liver was recognized as the only organ that can output abnormal carbohydrate metabolic signals, clearly highlighting its central role in regulation of glucose homeostasis. Especially, the CD36–PPAR axis in liver and WAT was identified and verified as a potential bridge that links cross-tissue signals with intracellular metabolism, thereby promoting the progression of IR through a PCK1-mediated lipotoxicity mechanism. The cross-tissue mechanism unraveled in this study not only provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of IR, but also is conducive to development of precision therapies against various IR associated diseases. With further improvement, our network-based cross-tissue analytic method would facilitate other disease-related tissue crosstalk study in the near future.
Research on the Orderliness Synergy Between Conventional and Nonconventional for Energy Transition in China
Authors: Liu Pingkuo , Lu Cunyu , Zhao Ruiqi
Published: January 2022

Many industrialized countries are pursuing energy transition, but their focuses are different. The orderliness synergy as a unique aspiration of the current energy transition is emphasized in this article by constructing an orderliness-synergy evaluation model and selecting a dataset covering the period of 2011–2018 from Industrial Scale, Economic Benefit, Social Contribution, and Growth Potential of China to calculate the comprehensive development level and the orderliness-synergy degree of both the conventional energy industry and the nonconventional one. A novel evaluation model with stock-increment attributes is built to measure the resource storage and the growth rate systematically and to further analyze their driving forces. The results reveal that 1) the overall orderliness-synergy degree of these two sub-industries shows an upward trend year by year; however, there are some significant differences among them. 2) China’s energy transition has shown a dramatic promotion in the structural upgrading, while the momentums of these two sub-industries show a shift from the stock–resource–contribution advantage to the increment–resource–contribution advantage. 3) The actual stock-increment contribution coefficient values of these two sub-industries have not reached the development expectations of industrial performances, and there is still reasonable space for the structural optimization. Finally, policy implications are discussed.
Estimation of China’s Green Investment Efficiency in Belt and Road Countries -Based on SBM-Undesirable Model and Malmquist Index Model
Authors: Lan Qingxin , Tang Wan , Hu Qiao
Published: January 2022

Green and low-carbon development is an important element of the Belt and Road Initiative, and a reasonable and objective evaluation of China’s green investment efficiency in B&R countries is of great significance to promote the sustainable development of those area. This paper applies the Slack-based measure model that considers undesirable outputs and Malmquist total factor productivity index to measure the efficiency of China’s green investment in B&R countries from 2011 to 2018 from both static and dynamic perspectives, as well as provides an in-depth analysis of the differences, changes, and influential factors. The empirical results reveal that the overall efficiency of China’s green investment in B&R countries is relatively low, showing a distinctly uneven trend and the main driving force of the decline in total factor productivity comes from technical change. Some significant differences have also been reported amongst these countries in terms of their industrial development and income levels. These findings provide a valuable reference for B&R countries to identify unique strategies that can promote their green total productivity factor.
Operation Risk Assessment of Hydroelectric Energy Storage Based on Data Visualization and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Lu Sheng , Wei Wei , Zhu Zhongshan , Liang Yifan , Liu Hui
Published: January 2022

Hydroelectric energy storage, that is, pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is considered as the essential solution for grid reliability with high penetration of renewable power, due to its advantages of cost-effectiveness for grid energy storage as well as supporting ancillary services. However, the operation modes of the main transformer unit in PSH are way more complex than the conventional power transformer, which makes the condition monitoring and fault detection of PSH becoming a technical challenge. In this article, an operation status recognition model of main transformers in PSH based on artificial visualization of mechanical vibration signals and deep learning is proposed. The vibration signals on a series of 500 kV/360 MVA main transformers of PSH are monitored periodically by contacting sensor arrays. These vibration signals are processed into nephograms by using linear interpolation fitting and 1D to 2D data mapping. A deep learning method based on the convolutional neural network (CNN) is used to classify nephograms obtained under different operation modes, that is, no load, full load, DC bias, and short circuit. The proposed status prediction algorithm was trained and tested through 150 sets of vibration nephogram samples, which ensures the feasibility of the nephogram generation method and the performance of the classifier. The testing results show that the overall status prediction accuracy for the proposed algorithm achieves 89.7% when the network structure is optimized. It is indicated that the mechanical vibration of the main transformer has a pattern matching relationship with the operating state of PSH. In practice, the operating status of PSH can be diagnosed remotely by embedded IoT sensors; the health index of PSH can also be estimated by weighed analysis of the changing trend of vibration data obtained in the life cycle.
Fetal Congenital Heart Disease Caused by Compound Heterozygous Mutations in the DNAH9 Gene: A Case Report
Authors: Zhang Tao , Yuan Hua , Zhu Hongdan , Ying Yuyi , Ding Jinlong , Ding Haigang , Shi Xiaoliang , He Yao , Pan Haitao , Zhong Yongxing
Published: January 2022

Background: Fetal congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital defect, with an incidence of 0.6–0.8%, accounting for 30–50% of infant congenital disease deaths. The pathogenesis of CHD is still unclear, so an active and effective prenatal diagnosis is very important for the prevention and control of CHD. Herein, a Chinese CHD patient with rare compound heterozygous mutations in the DNAH9 gene was reported, and the 3D structure and functional changes of DNAH9 protein were predicted.

Case presentation: A 23-year-old pregnant woman came to our hospital for prenatal diagnosis at 27 weeks of gestation. Both she and her partner were unaffected. Fetal CHD was detected by ultrasound screening. Copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) revealed an 81 kb deletion at chr17p12 (11,486,795–11,568,385), including exons 1–15 of DNAH9 gene, which plays a key role in cardiac development. Then, whole exome sequencing (WES) was used and identified a nonsense mutation (c.10975C>T) in DNAH9, which resulted in the mutation of amino acid 3,659 from glutamine to termination. The 3D mutant protein structures were predicted using SWISS-MODEL and showed structural changes from functional β-sheet and α-helix to termination, respectively.

Conclusion: We describe a case of fetal CHD caused by DNAH9 mutations and provide an effective diagnostic technique for identifying intragenic deletions. This diagnostic process can be implicated in prenatal diagnosis of CHD.
Analysis of N6-Methyladenosine Methylome in Adenocarcinoma of Esophagogastric Junction
Authors: Huang Jia-Bin , Hu Bin-Bin , He Rong , He Lian , Zou Chen , Man Chang-Feng , Fan Yu
Published: January 2022

Background: From previous studies, we found that there are more than 100 types of RNA modifications in RNA molecules. m6A methylation is the most common. The incidence rate of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) at home and abroad has increased faster than that of stomach cancer at other sites in recent years. Here, we systematically analyze the modification pattern of m6A mRNA in adenocarcinoma at the esophagogastric junction.

Methods: m6A sequencing, RNA sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis were used to describe the m6A modification pattern in adenocarcinoma and normal tissues at the esophagogastric junction.

Results: In AEG samples, a total of 4,775 new m6A peaks appeared, and 3,054 peaks disappeared. The unique m6A-related genes in AEG are related to cancer-related pathways. There are hypermethylated or hypomethylated m6A peaks in AEG in differentially expressed mRNA transcripts.

Conclusion: This study preliminarily constructed the first m6A full transcriptome map of human AEG. This has a guiding role in revealing the mechanism of m6A-mediated gene expression regulation.
Computational Prediction of the Pathogenic Status of Cancer-Specific Somatic Variants
Authors: Feizi Nikta , Liu Qian , Murphy Leigh , Hu Pingzhao
Published: January 2022

In-silico classification of the pathogenic status of somatic variants is shown to be promising in promoting the clinical utilization of genetic tests. Majority of the available classification tools are designed based on the characteristics of germline variants or the combination of germline and somatic variants. Significance of somatic variants in cancer initiation and progression urges for development of classifiers specialized for classifying pathogenic status of cancer somatic variants based on the model trained on cancer somatic variants. We established a gold standard exclusively for cancer somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) collected from the catalogue of somatic mutations in cancer. We developed two support vector machine (SVM) classifiers based on genomic features of cancer somatic SNVs located in coding and non-coding regions of the genome, respectively. The SVM classifiers achieved the area under the ROC curve of 0.94 and 0.89 regarding the classification of the pathogenic status of coding and non-coding cancer somatic SNVs, respectively. Our models outperform two well-known classification tools including FATHMM-FX and CScape in classifying both coding and non-coding cancer somatic variants. Furthermore, we applied our models to predict the pathogenic status of somatic variants identified in young breast cancer patients from METABRIC and TCGA-BRCA studies. The results indicated that using the classification threshold of 0.8 our “coding” model predicted 1853 positive SNVs (out of 6,910) from the TCGA-BRCA dataset, and 500 positive SNVs (out of 1882) from the METABRIC dataset. Interestingly, through comparative survival analysis of the positive predictions from our models, we identified a young-specific pathogenic somatic variant with potential for the prognosis of early onset of breast cancer in young women.
Everolimus Alleviates Renal Allograft Interstitial Fibrosis by Inhibiting Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Not Only via Inducing Autophagy but Also via Stabilizing IκB-α
Authors: Gui Zeping , Suo Chuanjian , Tao Jun , Wang Zijie , Zheng Ming , Fei Shuang , Chen Hao , Sun Li , Han Zhijian , Ju Xiaobing , Zhang Hengcheng , Gu Min , Tan Ruoyun
Published: January 2022

Chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) is the major cause of late graft loss in long-term renal transplantation. In our previous study, we found that epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a significant event in the progression of renal allograft tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and impaired autophagic flux plays a critical role in renal allograft fibrosis. Everolimus (EVR) has been reported to be widely used to prevent the progression of organ fibrosis and graft rejection. However, the pharmacological mechanism of EVR in kidney transplantation remains to be determined. We used CAD rat model and the human kidney 2 (HK2) cell line treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and EVR to examine the role of EVR on TNF-α-induced EMT and transplanted renal interstitial fibrosis. Here, we found that EVR could attenuate the progression of EMT and renal allograft interstitial fibrosis, and also activate autophagy in vivo. To explore the mechanism behind it, we detected the relationship among EVR, autophagy level, and TNF-α-induced EMT in HK2 cells. Our results showed that autophagy was upregulated upon mTOR pathway inhibition by EVR, which could significantly reduce expression of TNF-α-induced EMT. However, the inhibition of EVR on TNF-α-induced EMT was partly reversed following the addition of autophagy inhibitor chloroquine. In addition, we found that TNF-α activated EMT through protein kinase B (Akt) as well as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway according to the RNA sequencing, and EVR’s effect on the EMT was only associated with IκB-α stabilization instead of the Akt pathway. Together, our findings suggest that EVR may retard impaired autophagic flux and block NF-κB pathway activation, and thereby prevent progression of TNF-α-induced EMT and renal allograft interstitial fibrosis.
Humanized Mouse Models of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Chen Jiaxuan , Liao Shuzhen , Zhou Huimin , Yang Lawei , Guo Fengbiao , Chen Shuxian , Li Aifen , Pan Quanren , Yang Chen , Liu Hua-feng , Pan Qingjun
Published: January 2022

Animal models have played a crucial role in the understanding of the mechanisms and treatments of human diseases; however, owing to the large differences in genetic background and disease-specific characteristics, animal models cannot fully simulate the occurrence and progression of human diseases. Recently, humanized immune system mice, based on immunodeficient mice, have been developed that allow for the partial reconstruction of the human immune system and mimic the humanin vivomicroenvironment. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex disease characterized by the loss of tolerance to autoantigens, overproduction of autoantibodies, and inflammation in multiple organ systems. The detailed immunological events that trigger the onset of clinical manifestations in patients with SLE are still not well known. Two methods have been adopted for the development of humanized SLE mice. They include transferring peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with SLE to immunodeficient mice or transferring human hematopoietic stem cells to immunodeficient mice followed by intraperitoneal injection with pristane to induce lupus. However, there are still several challenges to be overcome, such as how to improve the efficiency of reconstruction of the human B cell immune response, how to extend the lifespan and improve the survival rate of mice to extend the observation period, and how to improve the development of standardized commercialized models and use them. In summary, there are opportunities and challenges for the development of humanized mouse models of SLE, which will provide novel strategies for understanding the mechanisms and treatments of SLE.