bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 in malaria exposure and pregnancy
Authors: Mancebo-Pérez Cristina , Vidal Marta , Aguilar Ruth , Barrios Diana , Bardají Azucena , Ome-Kaius Maria , Menéndez Clara , Rogerson Stephen J. , Dobaño Carlota , Moncunill Gemma , Requena Pilar
Published: November 2022

Background

Eotaxin-1 concentrations in plasma have been inversely associated with malaria exposure, malaria infection and pregnancy, but the effect of these conditions on the levels of the related chemokines eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 remains unknown.

Methods

Eotaxin-2 and -3 concentrations were measured in 310 peripheral or placental plasma samples from pregnant and non-pregnant individuals from Papua New Guinea (malaria-endemic country) and Spain (malaria-naïve individuals) with previous data on eotaxin-1 concentrations. Correlations between eotaxin concentrations were examined with the Spearman’s test. Differences in eotaxin concentrations among groups were evaluated with the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann Whitney tests. The pairwise Wilcoxon test was performed to compare eotaxin-2 concentration between peripheral and placental matched plasmas. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models were estimated to assess the association between eotaxins andPlasmodiuminfection or gestational age.

Results

Eotaxin-2 concentrations in plasma showed a weak positive correlation with eotaxin-3 (rho = 0.35, p < 0.05) concentrations. Eotaxin-2 concentrations in the malaria-exposed non-pregnant group were significantly lower than the in the malaria-naive non-pregnant and the malaria-exposed pregnant groups. Eotaxin-3 plasma concentrations were lower in malaria-exposed than in non-exposed groups (p < 0.05), but no differences were found associated to pregnancy. Eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 plasma concentrations were negatively correlated with anti-PlasmodiumIgG levels: PfDBL5ε-IgG (rhoEo2 = − 0.35, p = 0.005; rhoEo3 =− 0.37, p = 0.011), and eotaxin-3 was negatively correlated with PfDBL3x-IgG levels (rhoEo3 =− 0.36; p = 0.011). Negative correlations of eotaxin-2 and 3 in plasma were also observed with atypical memory B cells (rhoEo2 = − 0.37, p < 0.001; rhoEo3=− 0.28, p = 0.006), a B cell subset expanded in malaria-exposed individuals. In addition, a borderline negative association was observed between eotaxin-3 concentrations andPlasmodiuminfection (adjusted effect estimate, β = − 0.279, 95% CI − 0.605; 0.047, p = 0.091). Moreover, eotaxin-2 placental concentrations were significantly increased compared to peripheral concentrations in the malaria-exposed pregnant group whereas the contrary was observed in the non-exposed pregnant group (p < 0.005).

Conclusion

Although a clear epidemiological negative association is observed between eotaxins concentrations and malaria exposure and/or infection, pregnancy may alter this association for eotaxin-2. Further research is required to understand the role of these chemokines in this disease and in combination with pregnancy.
Multicohort transcriptome analysis of whole blood identifies robust human response signatures in Plasmodium falciparum infections
Authors: Zhang Yan-hui , Su Xin-zhuan , Li Jian , Shi Jia-jian , Xie Li-hua
Published: November 2022

Background

To understand how Plasmodium falciparum malaria is controlled, it is essential to elucidate the transcriptomic responses of the human host in naturally-exposed populations. Various individual studies of the human transcriptomic responses to naturally transmitted P. falciparum infections have been reported with varying results. Multicohort gene expression analysis by aggregating data from diverse populations into a single analysis will increase the reproducibility and reliability of the results.

Methods

In this study, discovery cohorts GSE1124-GPL96, GSE34404, GSE117613, and validation cohort GSE35858 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. A meta-analysis using data from the multicohort studies was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between malaria-infected and noninfected individuals using the MetaIntegrator R package. Subsequently, the protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of the DEGs were constructed using Cytoscape software. Significant modules were selected, and the hub genes were identified using the CytoHubba and MCODE plug-ins. Multicohort WGCNA was conducted to find a correlation between modules and malaria infection. Furthermore, the immune cell profile of the peripheral blood in different groups was identified using ssGSEA.

Results

These analyses reveal that neutrophil activation, neutrophil-mediated immunity, and neutrophil degranulation are involved in the human response to natural malaria infection. However, neutrophil cell enrichment and activation were not significantly different between mild malaria and severe malaria groups. Malaria infection also downregulates host genes in ribosome synthesis and protein translation and upregulates host cell division-related genes. Furthermore, immune cell profiling analysis shows that activated dendritic cells and type 2 T helper cells are upregulated, while activated B cells, immature B cells, and monocytes are downregulated in the malaria-infected patients relative to the noninfected individuals. Significantly higher enrichment of activated dendritic cell-related genes and significantly lower enrichment of monocyte-related genes are also observed in the peripheral blood of the severe malaria group than in the mild malaria group.

Conclusion

These results reveal important molecular signatures of host responses to malaria infections, providing some bases for developing malaria control strategies and protective vaccines.
Spatial effects of air pollution on the economic burden of disease: implications of health and environment crisis in a post-COVID-19 world
Authors: Zhang Xiyu , Xia Qi , Lai Yongqiang , Wu Bing , Tian Wanxin , Miao Wenqing , Feng Xinglin , Xin Ling , Miao Jingying , Wang Nianshi , Wu Qunhong , Jiao Mingli , Shan Linghan , Du Jianzhao , Li Ye , Shi Baoguo
Published: November 2022

Background

Air pollution has been identified as related to the diseases of susceptible population, but the spatial heterogeneity of its economic burden and its determinants are rarely investigated. The issue is of great policy significance, especially after the epidemic of COVID-19, when human are facing the joint crisis of health and environment, and some areas is prone to falling into poverty.

Methods

The geographical detector was adopted to study the spatial distribution characteristics of the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure (ICHE) for older adults in 100 rural areas in China at the prefecture-city level. The health factors, sociological factors, policy factors and environmental factors and their interactions are identified.

Results

First, most health service factors had strong explanatory power for ICHE whether it interacts with air pollution. Second, 50 single-factor high-risk areas of ICHE were found in the study, but at the same time, there were 21 areas dominated by multiple factors.

Conclusion

The different contributions and synergy among the factors constitute the complex mechanism of factors and catastrophic health expenditure. Moreover, during this process, air pollution aggravates the contribution of health service factors toward ICHE. In addition, the leading factors of ICHE are different among regions. At the end, this paper also puts forward some policy suggestions from the perspective of health and environment crisis in the post-COVID-19 world: environmental protection policies should be combined with the prevention of infectious diseases; advanced health investment is the most cost-effective policy for the inverse health sequences of air pollution and infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); integrating environmental protection policy into healthy development policy, different regions take targeted measures to cope with the intertwined crisis.
Immunosenescence in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Kim Sieun S. , Sohn Jooyeon , Lee Seung-Jae V.
Published: November 2022

Immunosenescence is an age-dependent decline in immune functions and hallmark of aging in diverse species, ranging from invertebrates to mammals. However, identifying the factors responsible for immunosenescence is challenging because of the complexity of immune systems and aging in mammals. The roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans is suitable for understanding immunosenescence because of its simple immune system and rapid aging process. In this review, we discuss the advances in our understanding of immunosenescence in C. elegans. PMK-1/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), SKN-1/NRF, and ZIP-10/bZIP transcription factor regulate immunosenescence through p38 MAPK and insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways. Because these factors and pathways are evolutionarily conserved, the findings discussed in this review may help understand the mechanisms underlying immunosenescence and develop new treatment therapy for immunosenescence in humans.
Predicting viral load suppression by self-reported adherence, pharmacy refill counts and real time medication monitoring among people living with HIV in Tanzania
Authors: Ngowi Kennedy M. , Minja Linda , Boer I. Marion Sumari-de , Aarnoutse Rob E. , Masika Lyidia , Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , Pima Francis M. , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Reiss Peter , Nieuwkerk Pythia T.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Monitoring of adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is of utmost importance to prevent treatment failure. Several measures to monitor adherence have been applied in low-resource settings and they all have pros and cons. Our objective was to examine whether any of the following adherence measures is a better predictor of participants’ viral load suppression: (1) self-report, (2) pharmacy refill count, (3) Real Time Medication Monitoring (RTMM), (4) a combination of self-report and pharmacy refill count or (5) all three adherence assessment methods combined.

Methodology

This was a post-hoc analysis of data from our 48-week REMIND-HIV randomized controlled trial in which adherence to ART was measured using self-report, pharmacy refill counts and RTMM among ART-experienced adults living with HIV subjectively judged to be nonadherent to ART. For each adherence measure, we calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for predicting virological failure defined as a viral load (VL) of > 20 copies/mL. To determine at which percentage of adherence the prediction was strongest, we evaluated adherence cut-offs of 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% and 100% using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. VL data were obtained after 48 weeks of follow-up in the trial.

Results

A total of 233 people living with HIV (PLHIV) were included in this analysis. When comparing the ability of self-reported adherence with pharmacy refill count and RTMM adherence to predict viral load > 20 copies/ml, self-reported adherence had the lowest sensitivity, ranging from 6 to 17%, but the highest specificity, ranging from 100 to 86%, depending on cut-off values from 80 to 100%. Area under the ROC curves (AUC) were 0.54 for RTMM, 0.56 for pharmacy refill count and 0.52 for self-report, indicating low discriminatory capacity for each of the adherence measures. When we combined the self-report and pharmacy refill count measures, sensitivity increased, ranging from 28 to 57% but specificity decreased, ranging from 83 to 53%. When all three measures were combined, we observed the highest value of sensitivity, ranging from 46 to 92%, and PPV, ranging from 32 to 36%, at high cut-offs ranging from 80 to 100%. Upon combination of three adherence measures, the AUC increased to 0.59.

Conclusion

Our results show that adherence assessed exclusively by self-report, pharmacy refill count or RTMM were insufficiently sensitive to predict virologic failure. Sensitivity markedly improved by combining all three measures, but the practical feasibility of such an approach would need to be studied.
ΔNp63α transcriptionally represses p53 target genes involved in the radiation-induced DNA damage response
Authors: Kudo Ken-ichi , Tsuyama Naohiro , Nagata Kento , Imaoka Tatsuhiko , Iizuka Daisuke , Sugai-Takahashi Misaki , Muramatsu Moe , Sakai Akira
Published: November 2022

Background

The DNA damage response (DDR) is a mechanism that protects cells against radiation-induced oxidative DNA damage by causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. TP63 is a member of the tumour suppressor TP53 gene family, and ΔNp63α, a TP63 splicing variant, is constitutively expressed in the stem cell-containing basal layer of stratified epithelial tissues, including the mammary gland, where it plays a critical role in stemness and tissue development. ΔNp63α has been reported to transcriptionally inhibit the tumour suppression protein p53. This p53-repressive activity may cause genomic instability in epithelial stem cells exposed to radiation. In this study, we analysed the inhibitory effect of ΔNp63α on radiation-induced DDR.

Methods

To elucidate the role of the p53-repressive effect of ΔNp63α in radiation response, we performed a p63-siRNA knockdown experiment using human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) expressing ΔNp63α and then performed ectopic and entopic expression experiments using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). After irradiation, the expression of DDR-related genes and proteins in ΔNp63α-expressing and control cells was analysed by RT–qPCR, Western blotting, and flow cytometry.

Results

The mRNA/protein expression levels of BAX and p21 were significantly increased in p63-siRNA-treated HMECs (sip63) after X-ray irradiation (4 Gy, 0.7 Gy/min) but not in scramble-siRNA treated HMECs (scr). Transcriptomic analysis showed decreased RNA expression of cell cycle-related genes and increased expression of programmed cell death-related genes in sip63 cells compared to scr cells. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis revealed an increase in apoptotic cells and a decrease in 5-ethynyl-2´-deoxyuridine uptake in sip63 cells compared to scr cells. On the other hand, both the ectopic and entopic expression of ΔNp63α in apoptosis-sensitive hiPSCs reduced the expression levels of BAX after irradiation and significantly decreased the number of apoptotic cells induced by radiation.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results indicate that ΔNp63α represses p53-related radiation-induced DDR, thereby potentially causing genomic instability in epithelial stem cells.
Trends in survival during the pandemic in patients with critical COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation with or without ECMO: analysis of the Japanese national registry data
Authors: Ohshimo Shinichiro , Liu Keibun , Ogura Takayuki , Iwashita Yoshiaki , Kushimoto Shigeki , Shime Nobuaki , Hashimoto Satoru , Fujino Yuji , Takeda Shinhiro ,   on behalf of the Japan ECMO Network
Published: November 2022

Background

The survival rate of patients with critical coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) over time is inconsistent in different settings. In Japan, a national database was organized to monitor and share the patient generation across the country in an immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate changes in survival over time and the prognostic factors in critical COVID-19 patients receiving mechanical ventilation with/without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) using the largest database in Japan.

Methods

This is a prospective observational cohort study of patients admitted to intensive care units in Japan with fatal COVID-19 pneumonia receiving mechanical ventilation and/or ECMO. We developed a prospective nationwide registry covering > 80% of intensive care units in Japan, and analyzed the association between patients’ backgrounds, institutional ECMO experience, and timing of treatment initiation and prognosis between February 2020 and November 2021. Prognostic factors were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Results

A total of 9418 patients were ventilated, of whom 1214 (13%) received ECMO. The overall survival rate for ventilated patients was 79%, 65% for those receiving ECMO. There have been five outbreaks in Japan to date. The survival rate of ventilated patients increased from 76% in the first outbreak to 84% in the fifth outbreak (p < 0.001). The survival rate of ECMO patients remained unchanged at 60–68% from the first to fifth outbreaks (p = 0.084). Age of ≥ 59 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76–2.68), ventilator days of ≥ 3 before starting ECMO (HR 1.91; 95% CI 1.57–2.32), and institutional ECMO experiences of ≥ 11 (HR 0.70; 95% CI 0.58–0.85) were independent prognostic factors for ECMO.

Conclusions

During five COVID-19 outbreaks in Japan, the survival rate of ventilated patients tended to have gradually improved, and that of ECMO patients did not deteriorate. Older age, longer ventilator days before starting ECMO, and fewer institutional ECMO experiences may be independent prognostic factors for critical COVID-19 patients receiving ECMO.
High-yield production and purification of prebiotic inulin-type fructooligosaccharides
Authors: Wienberg Franziska , Hövels Marcel , Deppenmeier Uwe
Published: November 2022

Due to the health-promoting effects and functional properties of inulin-type fructooligosaccharides (I-FOS), the global market for I-FOS is constantly growing. Hence, there is a continuing demand for new, efficient biotechnological approaches for I-FOS production. In this work, crude inulosucrase InuGB-V3 from Lactobacillus gasseri DSM 20604 was used to synthesize I-FOS from sucrose. Supplementation with 1 mM CaCl2, a pH of 3.5–5.5, and an incubation temperature of 40 °C were found to be optimal production parameters at which crude inulosucrase showed high conversion rates, low sucrose hydrolysis, and excellent stability over 4 days. The optimal process conditions were employed in cell-free bioconversion reactions. By elevating the substrate concentration from 570 to 800 g L−1, the I-FOS concentration and the synthesis of products with a low degree of polymerization (DP) could be increased, while sucrose hydrolysis was decreased. Bioconversion of 800 g L−1 sucrose for 20 h resulted in an I-FOS-rich syrup with an I-FOS concentration of 401 ± 7 g L−1 and an I-FOS purity of 53 ± 1% [w/w]. I-FOS with a DP of 3–11 were synthesized, with 1,1-kestotetraose (DP4) being the predominant transfructosylation product. The high-calorie sugars glucose, sucrose, and fructose were removed from the generated I-FOS-rich syrup using activated charcoal. Thus, 81 ± 5% of the initially applied I-FOS were recovered with a purity of 89 ± 1%.
Systems biology approach reveals a common molecular basis for COVID-19 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Authors: Jiang Shi-Tao , Liu Yao-Ge , Zhang Lei , Sang Xin-Ting , Xu Yi-Yao , Lu Xin
Published: November 2022

Background

Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may be more susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and even more likely to suffer from severe COVID-19. Whether there is a common molecular pathological basis for COVID-19 and NAFLD remains to be identified. The present study aimed to elucidate the transcriptional alterations shared by COVID-19 and NAFLD and to identify potential compounds targeting both diseases.

Methods

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for COVID-19 and NAFLD were extracted from the GSE147507 and GSE89632 datasets, and common DEGs were identified using the Venn diagram. Subsequently, we constructed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network based on the common DEGs and extracted hub genes. Then, we performed gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis of common DEGs. In addition, transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs regulatory networks were constructed, and drug candidates were identified.

Results

We identified a total of 62 common DEGs for COVID-19 and NAFLD. The 10 hub genes extracted based on the PPI network were IL6, IL1B, PTGS2, JUN, FOS, ATF3, SOCS3, CSF3, NFKB2, and HBEGF. In addition, we also constructed TFs–DEGs, miRNAs–DEGs, and protein–drug interaction networks, demonstrating the complex regulatory relationships of common DEGs.

Conclusion

We successfully extracted 10 hub genes that could be used as novel therapeutic targets for COVID-19 and NAFLD. In addition, based on common DEGs, we propose some potential drugs that may benefit patients with COVID-19 and NAFLD.
Examining socio-cognitive factors and beliefs about mindful eating in healthy adults with differing practice experience: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Preissner Christian Erik , Oenema Anke , de Vries Hein
Published: November 2022

Background

Mindful eating (ME), defined as a “non-judgmental awareness of bodily and emotional sensations regarding food consumption”, may be a promising strategy to promote healthy eating behaviors. However, little is known about the psychosocial factors and underlying beliefs that explain ME adoption.

Methods

Participants (N = 282; Mage = 43.2) responded to an online questionnaire based on the I-Change Model. Groups with different frequencies of prior engagement in ME, i.e., low (n = 82; LME), medium (n = 96), and high (n = 104), were compared via (M)ANOVAs on factors and individual beliefs regarding predisposing (i.e., habits, experience with mindfulness, emotional eating, facets of ME), pre-motivational (i.e., knowledge, behavioral cognizance, risk perception, cues to action), and motivational factors (i.e., attitudes, self-efficacy, social influence) as well as their intentions and action planning. Bivariate correlations and a forward-stepwise regression with ICM constructs were conducted to examine model fit.

Results

LME had a greater habit of mindless eating and significantly lower internal awareness, cognizance, cues, and less favorable attitudes, self-efficacy, engagement and support by their social environment, intention, and action plans about engaging in ME than the other two groups. Less habitual mindless eating, and greater experience, internal awareness, cognizance, susceptibility, support, and intention explained 54% of the variance in ME.

Discussion and conclusion

Results indicate that individuals need to be treated differently when promoting ME with respect to their psychosocial characteristics, rather than as a single group with homogenous baseline beliefs, abilities, support, and motivation. Future longitudinal research should examine which determinants are predictors of ME to better tailor program contents.
Prospective associations between working alliance, basic psychological need satisfaction, and coaching outcome indicators: a two-wave survey study among 181 Dutch coaching clients
Authors: Vermeiden Margriet , Reijnders Jennifer , van Duin Eva , Simons Marianne , Janssens Mayke , Peeters Sanne , Jacobs Nele , Lataster Johan
Published: November 2022

Background

The coach-coachee working alliance and coachee motivation seem important factors for achieving positive coaching results. Self-determination theory, specifically basic psychological need theory, has been proposed as a relevant framework for understanding these relationships. The current longitudinal survey study therefore investigates prospective associations between coachees’ appraisal of the working alliance, basic psychological need satisfaction, and the coaching outcome indicators goal attainment, wellbeing, absence of psychopathology, and personal growth initiative.

Methods

The sample (N = 181) consisted of Dutch coachees that were recruited across a range of coaching settings and contexts. Online self-report questionnaires were administered twice (T0and T1), with an intervening time of 3 weeks, assessing working alliance, basic psychological need satisfaction, goal attainment, wellbeing, absence of psychopathology, and personal growth initiative. Parallel analysis with Monte Carlo simulations and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the dimensionality of working alliance and basic psychological need satisfaction scores. Multiple regression analyses (stepwise) were used to examine prospective (T0to T1) associations between working alliance and basic psychological need satisfaction, and their association with outcome indicators.

Results

The coachees’ perception of the working alliance was positively and reciprocally, although modestly, associated with basic psychological need satisfaction. In addition, both working alliance and basic psychological need satisfaction were prospectively associated with goal attainment, but not with other outcome indicators.

Conclusions

Results provide tentative support for a role of basic psychological need satisfaction in facilitating the establishment of a good working alliance. Additionally, the perception of a good quality, need supportive relationship with the coach appears to be associated with better goal achievement, but not with other outcome indicators. Associations were generally modest, and more research is needed to better measure and comprehend the unique contributions of specific relational and motivational factors to outcomes in coaching and assess the robustness of the current study findings.
Bioinformatics tools and data resources for assay development of fluid protein biomarkers
Authors: Waury Katharina , Willemse Eline A. J. , Vanmechelen Eugeen , Zetterberg Henrik , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Abeln Sanne
Published: November 2022

Fluid protein biomarkers are important tools in clinical research and health care to support diagnosis and to monitor patients. Especially within the field of dementia, novel biomarkers could address the current challenges of providing an early diagnosis and of selecting trial participants. While the great potential of fluid biomarkers is recognized, their implementation in routine clinical use has been slow. One major obstacle is the often unsuccessful translation of biomarker candidates from explorative high-throughput techniques to sensitive antibody-based immunoassays. In this review, we propose the incorporation of bioinformatics into the workflow of novel immunoassay development to overcome this bottleneck and thus facilitate the development of novel biomarkers towards clinical laboratory practice. Due to the rapid progress within the field of bioinformatics many freely available and easy-to-use tools and data resources exist which can aid the researcher at various stages. Current prediction methods and databases can support the selection of suitable biomarker candidates, as well as the choice of appropriate commercial affinity reagents. Additionally, we examine methods that can determine or predict the epitope - an antibody’s binding region on its antigen - and can help to make an informed choice on the immunogenic peptide used for novel antibody production. Selected use cases for biomarker candidates help illustrate the application and interpretation of the introduced tools.
Eight years of development in welcoming and engaging diverse scholars to share and promote STEM education research worldwide
Authors: Li Yeping
Published: November 2022

The International Journal of STEM Education went through eight publication cycle years from August 2014 to July 2022. The journal continues its growth trends in terms of multiple performance measures, reflecting on-going development of STEM education research and the journal’s international leadership. In this editorial, I share the journal’s development up to and including its eighth publication cycle year (August 2021–July 2022), and discuss the diversity trends in multiple dimensions including authorship and research topics reflected in the journal’s publications.
Analysis of driving forces of 3D knitted shape memory textile actuators using scale-up finite element method
Authors: Kim SangUn , Kim Jooyong
Published: November 2022

The shape memory textile actuator uses a shape memory alloy that changes its crystal structure according to temperature and then returns to its initial shape, which is suitable for wearable applications that value wearing and portability. The shape memory effect of returning to the initial shape and the complex fabric structure influence each other, and accordingly, various drives have been measured in many studies. Therefore, in this study, the driving force, which is the most important physical property of the shape memory textile actuator, was analyzed through a scale-up finite element analysis. In the wire scale, a shape memory alloy wire was obtained for an analysis of the mechanical and thermal properties through tensile tests and DSC, and in the unit cell scale, a 3D knit structure was modeled using the Texgen and Weftknit programs. Finally, a supercell of size 5 × 5 was subjected to external deformation by displacement and heating conditions using disposition through the ANSYS program. The driving force was measured through microanalysis. Subsequently, the driving force of the manufactured shape memory textile actuator was compared and analyzed to determine the suitability of this method. Furthermore, the direction of subsequent studies was mapped based on the analysis presented on the differences in the maximum driving force and error rate.
A comprehensive assessment of fungal communities in various habitats from an ice-free area of maritime Antarctica: diversity, distribution, and ecological trait
Authors: Zhang Tao , Yan Dong , Ji Zhongqiang , Chen Xiufei , Yu Liyan
Published: November 2022

Background

In the ice-free area of maritime Antarctica, fungi are the essential functioning group in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Until now, no study has been conducted to comprehensively assess fungal communities in various habitats in Antarctica. We aimed to characterize fungal communities in the eleven habitats (i.e., soil, seawater, vascular plant, dung, moss, marine alga, lichen, green alga, freshwater, feather) in the Fildes Region (maritime Antarctica) using next-generation sequencing.

Results

A total of 12 known phyla, 37 known classes, 85 known orders, 164 known families, 313 known genera, and 320 known species were detected. Habitat specificity rather than habitat overlap determined the composition of fungal communities, suggesting that, although fungal communities were connected by dispersal at the local scale, the environmental filter is a key factor driving fungal assemblages in the ice-free Antarctica. Furthermore, 20 fungal guilds and 6 growth forms were detected. Many significant differences in the functional guild (e.g., lichenized, algal parasite, litter saprotroph) and growth form (e.g., yeast, filamentous mycelium, thallus photosynthetic) existed among different habitat types.

Conclusion

The present study reveals the high diversity of fungal communities in the eleven ice-free Antarctic habitats and elucidates the ecological traits of fungal communities in this unique ice-free area of maritime Antarctica. The findings will help advance our understanding of fungal diversity and their ecological roles with respect to habitats on a neighbourhood scale in the ice-free area of maritime Antarctica.
Munchausen syndrome with factitious hypoglycemia due to deliberate insulin analog administration and factitious hyperglycemia in a patient with hypothyroidism
Authors: Yukina Marina , Katsobashvili Ilana , Platonova Nadezhda , Troshina Ekaterina , Mel’nichenko Galina
Published: November 2022

Background

Hypoglycemic syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to the disruption of brain and internal organ functions, and in severe cases to irreparable consequences or death. Factitious hypoglycemia (FH) is the deliberate use of insulin preparations or oral hypoglycemic drugs with the aim of lowering blood glucose levels into the pathologically-hypoglycemic range. Deliberate administration of insulin analogs may be difficult to prove because they might not have epitopes or containing low affinity epitopes that are the targets of antibodies used in particular assay kits.

Case presentation

A 34 years old woman was admitted to the Endocrinology Research Centre in September 2021 with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus. Upon admission she complained of high glycemia indexes up to a maximum of 34 mmol/l ( 612 mg/dl), high TSH and low free T4 ( fT4) concentrations, despite reporting regular levothyroxine administration at a dose of 200 mcg per day. Under nursing supervision, her fT4 was rapidly normalized suggesting non-compliance as the cause of low thyroid hormone milieu. Glycemic fluctuations from 33 to 2.1 mmol/l (594 to 38 mg/dl) according to glucometer measurements were observed against the background of Lis-Pro insulin therapy, while no hyperglycemia was registered in venous blood and in the interstitial fluid concomitantly with the values found by glucometer. It was assumed that the patient’s fingers were intentionally contaminated with glucose solution. Factitious hypo- and hyperglycemia were suspected. During yet another episode of hypoglycemia (1.86 mmol/L, 33 mg/dl) venous blood was drawn. Low to low-normal insulin and C-peptide values were found: 2.2 µU/ml (Roche kit) and 1.18 ng/ml, respectively. Therefore, insulin concentration in the same sample was re-tested with another kit (Abbott) and a significantly elevated value of 89.9 µU/ml was detected. Based on these results, FH was confirmed due to exogenous administration of an insulin analog undetectable by the Roche kit.

Conclusion

This clinical example illustrates to draw attention to multiple manipulations employed by subjects with Munchhausen Syndrome. In addition, this diagnosis may be further complicated by the laboratory use of immunoassay kits incapable of detecting some insulin analogs.
Association between blood pressure and parameters related to sleep disorders in Tabari cohort population
Authors: Rezapour Maryam , Moosazadeh Mahmood , Hessami Amirhossein , Khademloo Mohammad , Hosseini Seyed Hamzeh
Published: November 2022

Background

Insomnia and other sleep disorders can cause an increase in blood pressure, thereby resulting in premature death. Regarding this, the present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between hypertension and parameters related to sleep disorders in Tabari cohort population.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, the data from the enrollment phase of the Tabari cohort study were adopted. Tabari cohort is a part of the PERSIAN (Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran) cohort study. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

Out of 10,255 patients enrolled in the Tabari cohort, 2,281 patients (22.2%) had hypertension. According to the results of univariable logistic regression test, the odds ratio of high blood pressure in patients with insomnia and hypersomnia is 1.22 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.40) and 1.22 (95% CI, 1.01–1.47) times higher than normal sleep. This odds ratio was not significant after adjusting the effect of sex, age, body mass index, waist circumference, area residence, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and total cholesterol variables with multivariable logistic regression. Frequency of routine hypnotic medication usage (14.6% vs. 5.7%, P < 0.001), involuntary napping (25.3% vs. 19%, P < 0.001), and leg restlessness during sleep (14.8% vs. 11.7%, P < 0.001) was higher in hypertensive individuals than in nonhypertensive cases.

Conclusions

This study showed that sleep disorders prevalence are higher in hypertensive patients than nonhypertensive patients. Also, routine use of hypnotics was significantly higher medication in patients with hypertension compared to that in the nonhypertensive patients.
Ambulatory hypertension diagnosed by 24-h mean ambulatory versus day and night ambulatory blood pressure thresholds in children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sharma Ajay P. , Altamirano-Diaz Luis , Ali Mohamed Mohamed , Stronks Katryna , Kirpalani Amrit , Filler Guido , Norozi Kambiz
Published: November 2022

Background

The agreement between the commonly used ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) thresholds to diagnose ambulatory hypertension in children (patient’s 24-h mean ABP classified by 24-h 95th ABP percentile threshold, American Heart Association [AHA] threshold, or patient’s day and night mean ABP classified by day-night 95th ABP percentile thresholds) is not known. We evaluated the agreement among 24-h ABP threshold, AHA threshold, and day-night ABP thresholds to diagnose ambulatory hypertension, white coat hypertension (WCH) and masked hypertension (MH).

Methods

In a cross-sectional study design, we analyzed ABP recordings from 450 participants with suspected hypertension from a tertiary care outpatient hypertension clinic. The American Academy of Pediatrics thresholds were used to diagnose office hypertension.

Results

The 24-h ABP threshold and day-night ABP thresholds classified 19% ABP (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15–0.23) differently into ambulatory normotension/hypertension (kappa [κ], 0.58; 95% CI, 0.51–0.66). Ambulatory hypertension diagnosed by 24-h ABP threshold in 27% participants (95% CI, 0.22–0.32) was significantly lower than that by day-night ABP thresholds in 44% participants (95% CI, 0.37–0.50; P < 0.001). The AHA threshold had a stronger agreement with 24-h ABP threshold than with day-night ABP thresholds for classifying ABP into ambulatory normotension/hypertension (k 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.98 vs. k 0.59, 95% CI 0.52–0.66). The diagnosis of ambulatory hypertension by the AHA threshold (26%; 95% CI, 0.21–0.31) was closer to that by 24-h ABP threshold (27%, P = 0.73) than by day-night ABP thresholds (44%, P < 0.001). Similar agreement pattern persisted among these ABP thresholds for diagnosing WCH and MH.

Conclusions

The 24-h ABP threshold classifies a lower proportion of ABP as ambulatory hypertension than day-night ABP thresholds. The AHA threshold exhibits a stronger agreement with 24-h ABP than with day-night ABP thresholds for diagnosing ambulatory hypertension, WCH and MH. Our findings are relevant for a consistent interpretation of hypertension by these ABP thresholds in clinical practice.
Determinants of self-reported hypertension among women in South Africa: evidence from the population-based survey
Authors: Ntenda Peter Austin Morton , El-Meidany Walaa Mamdouh Reyad , Tiruneh Fentanesh Nibret , Motsa Mfundi President Sebenele , Nyirongo Joyce , Chirwa Gowokani Chijere , Kapachika Arnold , Nkoka Owen
Published: November 2022

Background

Hypertension (HTN), characterized by an elevation of blood pressure, is a serious public health chronic condition that significantly raises the risks of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases. In South Africa, the prevalence of HTN (measured objectively) was reported at 46.0% in females, nonetheless little is known regarding the prevalence and risks factors of self-reported HTN among the same population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine determinants of self-reported HTN among women in South Africa.

Methods

The study used data obtained from the 2016 South African Demographic and Health Survey. In total, 6,027 women aged ≥ 20 years were analyzed in this study. Self-reported HTN was defined as a case in which an individual has not been clinically diagnosed with this chronic condition by a medical doctor, nurse, or health worker. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to examine the independent factors of self-reported HTN while considering the complex survey design.

Results

Overall, self-reported HTN was reported in 23.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.1–24.1) of South African women. Being younger (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.04; 95% CI, 0.03–0.06), never married (aOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56–0.85), and not covered by health insurance (aOR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58–0.95) reduced the odds of self-reported HTN. On the other hand, being black/African (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.17–2.54), perception of being overweight (aOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.40–2.11), and perception of having poor health status (aOR, 3.53; 95% CI, 2.53–5.21) and the presence of other comorbidities (aOR, 7.92; 95% CI, 3.63–17.29) increased the odds of self-reported HTN.

Conclusions

Self-reported HTN was largely associated with multiple sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors and the presence of other chronic conditions. Health promotion and services aiming at reducing the burden of HTN in South Africa should consider the associated factors reported in this study to ensure healthy aging and quality of life among women.
Spreading the word: pediatric pain education from treatment to prevention
Authors: Ickmans Kelly , Rheel Emma , Rezende Juliana , Reis Felipe José Jandre
Published: November 2022

Pain affects everyone hence one can argue that it is in each individual’s interest to understand pain in order to hold correct and adaptive beliefs and attitudes about pain. In addition, chronic pain is reaching pandemic proportions and it is now well known that people living with chronic pain have a reduced life expectancy. To address and to prevent the growth of this public health disaster, we must start looking beyond adulthood. How children view pain has an impact on their behavioral coping responses which in turn predict persistent pain early in the lifespan. In addition, children who suffer from chronic pain and who are not (properly) treated for it before adolescence have an increased risk of having chronic pain during their adult life. Explaining pain to children and youth may have a tremendous impact not only on the individual child suffering from chronic pain but also on society, since the key to stop the pain pandemic may well lie in the first two decades of life. In order to facilitate the acquisition of adaptive behavioral coping responses, pain education aims to shift people’s view on pain from being an apparent threat towards being a compelling perceptual experience generated by the brain that will only arise whenever the conceivable proof of danger to the body is greater than the conceivable proof of safety to the body. Nowadays a lot of pain education material is available for adults, but it is not adapted to children’s developmental stage and therefore little or not suitable for them. An overview of the state-of-the-art pain education material for children and youth is provided here, along with its current and future areas of application as well as challenges to its development and delivery. Research on pediatric pain education is still in its infancy and many questions remain to be answered within this emerging field of investigation.
The effects of an SPM-enriched marine oil and bioavailable curcumin combination on inflammation-associated discomfort in generally healthy individuals: a virtual open-label pilot study
Authors: Jaja-Chimedza Asha , Hirsh Steven , Bruce Dainian , Bou-Sliman Tony , Joyal Steven , Swick Andrew G.
Published: November 2022

Background

Acute inflammation is the body’s immediate and well-coordinated response to injury, which if not resolved can lead to a state of chronic inflammation and is an important component of aging-associated pathologies and chronic diseases. Resolution of inflammation has been shown to be highly regulated by several endogenous specialized pro-resolving mediators which are metabolized from dietary omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. The aim of this pilot study was to validate the use of a combination of a specialized pro-resolving (SPM) enriched marine oil supplement and a highly bioavailable curcumin supplement to reduce pain/discomfort in healthy adults.

Methods

This was a virtual (remote), single-arm open-label study in healthy adults with mild to moderate pain. Twenty-nine individuals were provided with an SPM-enriched marine oil supplement (enriched for three SPM precursors) and a highly bioavailable curcumin supplement to be taken daily for 60 days. The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey and Medical Symptoms Questionnaire (MSQ) were used to evaluate safety, tolerability and efficacy in reducing pain/discomfort of inflammation.

Results

The SF-MPQ showed significant improvement in all aspects of the questionnaire, especially in total pain, pain intensity and pain severity within 30 days of supplementation. Significant improvements were also observed in the physical health domain of the SF-36 health survey, particularly in the areas of pain and physical functioning at both days 30 and 60. No adverse events related to the study materials were reported during the study.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the combination of anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving supplements may provide a complementary approach for targeting pain/discomfort associated with inflammation.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04819646. Registered 29 March 2021 – Retrospectively registered.
The impact of a virtual teaching assistant (chatbot) on students' learning in Ghanaian higher education
Authors: Essel Harry Barton , Vlachopoulos Dimitrios , Tachie-Menson Akosua , Johnson Esi Eduafua , Baah Papa Kwame
Published: November 2022

Chatbot usage is evolving rapidly in various fields, including higher education. The present study’s purpose is to discuss the effect of a virtual teaching assistant (chatbot) that automatically responds to a student’s question. A pretest–posttest design was implemented, with the 68 participating undergraduate students being randomly allocated to scenarios representing a 2 × 2 design (experimental and control cohorts). Data was garnered utilizing an academic achievement test and focus groups, which allowed more in depth analysis of the students’ experience with the chatbot. The results of the study demonstrated that the students who interacted with the chatbot performed better academically comparing to those who interacted with the course instructor. Besides, the focus group data garnered from the experimental cohort illustrated that they were confident about the chatbot’s integration into the course. The present study essentially focused on the learning of the experimental cohort and their view regarding interaction with the chatbot. This study contributes the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot literature to improve student academic performance. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Ghana to integrate a chatbot to engage undergraduate students. This study provides critical information on the use and development of virtual teaching assistants using a zero-coding technique, which is the most suitable approach for organizations with limited financial and human resources.
(In)efficiencies of current financial market infrastructures: an empirical assessment
Authors: Guggenheim Basil , Kraenzlin Sébastien , Meyer Christoph
Published: November 2022

We use unique individual bank-to-bank repo transaction data to empirically assess the efficiency of the existing Swiss financial market infrastructure (FMI) for executing delivery versus payment transactions. This approach enables us to identify its current benefits and drawbacks as well as where new technologies, such as distributed ledger technology, could provide a remedy. We find that the fastest settlement time for repo transactions is 12 s, but that settlements are often delayed by more than 10 min due to the lack of collateral availability. We conclude that the cross-border availability of securities needs to be addressed by either improving interoperability of existing infrastructures or using new technologies.