bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-agent game analysis on standardized discretion of environmental administrative penalty
Authors: Ma Xiaohong , Xin Baogui , Wu Gaobo
Published: January 2023

An environmental administrative penalty is a powerful tool to regulate environmental pollution and ecological destruction by punishing intentional violations. Still, unchecked discretion may lead to excessively low or high penalties, breaking our balance of desire for uniformity with the need for discretion. To achieve the balance, regulators may use standardized discretion to achieve greater compliance by punishing intentional violations in a standardized way. However, policymakers and scholars have different attitudes on understanding whether standardized discretion helps enforcement. For this purpose, we construct a muti-agent dynamic game under the standardized discretion of environmental administrative penalty (SDEAP). The results show that: i) SDEAP can positively affect firms’ output and emission reduction efforts but negatively affect environmental quality; ii) The lower limit of SDEAP can positively affect environmental quality but negatively affects firms’ output and emission reduction efforts; iii) The upper limit of SDEAP can positively affect firms’ output, emission reduction efforts, and environmental quality; iv) SDEAP can restrict law enforcement and improve firms’ efforts to reduce emissions. This work can be helpful both to firms and the government as the basis for developing and implementing SDEAP.
Nutrient recovery technologies for management of blackwater: A review
Authors: Wang Xuemei , Chen Jinxin , Li Zifu , Cheng Shikun , Mang Heinz-Peter , Zheng Lei , Jan Inayatullah , Harada Hidenori
Published: January 2023

Nutrient recovery and recycling are of great importance in sustainable development. Blackwater (BW) refers to wastewater from toilets, which contains feces, urine, water, and toilet paper from flush toilets. The highly concentrated nutrients of blackwater could be collected through source separation and treated adequately to recover nutrients efficiently and economically. The review intends to give an overview of the characteristics of BW and different techniques to recover nutrients and other valuable products. A number of these technologies are currently under development or being tested at laboratory or pilot scale. The perspective for blackwater nutrient recovery technologies is very positive due to their great potential. For application of source-oriented sanitation infrastructure and systems, there is still a long way to go for development of commercial technologies and valuable products.
Mesh-shelters provide more effective long-term protection than tube-shelters or mulching for restoration of Pinus halepensis in a Mediterranean arid ecosystem
Authors: Oliet Juan A. , Planelles Rosa , Artero Francisco , Jacobs Douglass F.
Published: January 2023

Forest restoration is challenging in arid and semiarid lands. Research has identified ecotechnologies that may alleviate stressful conditions of planted seedlings, but studies are often limited to the first few years of regeneration establishment. Over 20 years, we tested the effects of tree shelters (mesh- and tube-shelters) and competition suppression (two types of synthetic mulch and manual weeding) on soil water content and development of Pinus halepensis on an arid site in southeastern Spain. Competition suppression increased soil water content at shallow depths only using a polyethylene sheet, with no effect on survival. Tree shelters had a much greater effect than competition suppression on tree responses. Survival was mostly affected by shelter type, with lower survival in tube-shelters compared to mesh-shelters and non-protected seedlings; differences began after the first year, but became more pronounced following an intense drought at 3 years. Survival for pines protected by mesh-shelters was significantly higher than for non-protected seedlings beginning at 6 years, and mortality did not stabilize until 15 years. After 20 years, survival ranked in order of mesh-shelters (57.5%), non-sheltered (46%), and tube-shelters (29.5%). Effects of shelter type on growth response over time followed an opposite pattern, with differences declining when pines outgrew the height of the shelter after 3 years. The response of pines to tube-shelters could be explained by the microenvironmal differences among vertical protection and its effects on a shade intolerant species such as Pinus halepensis: survival depletion is provoked probably by a reduction in root growth under the shaded conditions of tubes. On the other side, growth and morphology response could be partially explained by differences in light, but response of pines in mesh also points towards a reduction of wind pressure that precludes stem growth in thickness. Competition suppression had no effect on pine growth. Lack of response to main effects of competition suppression treatments can be attributed to the minimum changes of soil water content to mulching or weeding under arid conditions. Thus, 20 years after planting, tube-shelters and competition suppression treatments were relatively ineffective at improving survival or growth of P. halepensis. Mesh-shelters are recommended as the most effective protection method for restoration under arid site conditions.
Genetic parameters estimation and genome molecular marker identification for gestation length in pigs
Authors: Shi Lijun , Li Huihui , Wang Lixian
Published: January 2023

Gestation length (GL) plays an important role in piglet maturation of major organs and development of body, while the genetic molecular markers of GL have not been extensively identified. In this study, according to the 5,662 effective records of 3,072 sows, the heritability and repeatability of GL were estimated through the dmuai of DMU Version 6.5.1 with a repeatability model, namely,h2= 0.1594 andre2= 0.2437. Among these sows, 906 individuals were genotyped with the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP) Porcine 50K Chip and imputed to the genome-wide level (9,212,179 SNPs) by the online software PHARP v1 for subsequent quality control and GWAS analyses. Further, the Fst was also performed to measure whether the actual frequency of genotypes in different GL phenotypes deviated from the theoretical proportion of genetic balance. We observed the highest degree of differentiation (average Fst value = 0.0376) in the group of 114 and 118 days, and identified a total of 1,002 SNPs strongly associated with GL. Through screening the genes located within a 500 kb distance on either side of the significant SNPs, we proposed 4,588 candidate genes. By the functional annotation, these candidates were found to be mainly involved in multicellular organism metabolism, early endosome, embryo implantation and development, and body and organ signaling pathway. Because of the simultaneous confirmation by GWAS and Fst analyses, there were 20 genes replied to be the most promising candidates includingHUNK,ARHGDIB,ERP27,RERG,NEDD9,TMEM170B,SCAF4,SOD1,TIAM1,ENSSSCG00000048838,ENSSSCG00000047227,EDN1,HIVEP1,ENSSSCG00000043944,LRATD1,ENSSSCG00000048577,ENSSSCG00000042932,ENSSSCG00000041405,ENSSSCG00000045589, andADTRP. This study provided effective molecular information for the genetic improvement of GL in pigs.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the ZF-HD gene family in pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Authors: Shi Bowen , Haq Inzamam Ul , Fiaz Sajid , Alharthi Badr , Xu Ming-Long , Wang Jian-Lin , Hou Wei-Hai , Feng Xi-Bo
Published: January 2023

Pea is a conventional grain-feed-grass crop in Tibet and the only high-protein legume in the region; therefore, it plays an important role in Tibetan food and grass security. Zinc finger-homeodomain (ZF-HD) belongs to a family of homozygous heterotypic cassette genes, which play an important role in plant growth, development, and response to adversity stress. Using a bioinformatics approach, 18 PsZF-HD family members were identified. These genes were distributed across seven chromosomes and two scaffold fragments, and evolutionary analysis classified them into two subgroups, MIF and ZHD. The MIF subgroup was subdivided into three subclasses (PsMIFⅠ–III), and the ZHD subgroup was subdivided into five subclasses (ZHDⅠ–V). The PsZF-HD members were named PsMIF1–PsMIF4 and PsZHD1–PsZHD14. Twelve conserved motifs and four conserved domains were identified from PsZF-HD family, of which MIF subgroup only contained one domain, while ZHD subgroup contained two types of domains. In addition, there were significant differences in the three-dimensional structures of the protein members of the two subgroups. Most PsZF-HD genes had no introns (13/18), and only five genes had one intron. Forty-five cis-acting elements were predicted and screened, involving four categories: light response, stress, hormone, and growth and development. Transcriptome analysis of different tissues during pea growth and development showed that PsZHD11, 8, 13, 14 and MIF4 were not expressed or were individually expressed in low amounts in the tissues, while the other 13 PsZF-HDs genes were differentially expressed and showed tissue preference, as seen in aboveground reproductive organs, where PsZHD6, 2, 10 and MIF1 (except immature seeds) were highly expressed. In the aerial vegetative organs, PsZHD6, 1, and 10 were significantly overexpressed, while in the underground root system, PsMIF3 was specifically overexpressed. The leaf transcriptome under a low-nitrogen environment showed that the expression levels of 17 PsZF-HDs members were upregulated in shoot organs. The leaf transcriptome analysis under a low-temperature environment showed stress-induced upregulation of PsZHD10 and one genes and down-regulation of PsZHD6 gene. These results laid the foundation for deeper exploration of the functions of the PsZF-HD genes and also improved the reference for molecular breeding for stress resistance in peas.
CD25 as a unique marker on human basophils in stable-mildly symptomatic allergic asthma
Authors: Iype Joseena , Rohner Lionel , Bachmann Sofia , Hermann Tanja Rahel , Pavlov Nikolay , von Garnier Christophe , Fux Michaela
Published: January 2023

Background

Basophils in acute asthma exacerbation are activated as evidenced by their increased expression levels of activation markers such as CD203c and CD63. However, whether basophils of allergic asthmatics who are in stable phase and have no asthma exacerbations display a specific and distinctive phenotype from those of healthy individuals has yet to be well characterized.

Objective

We aimed to identify the phenotype of basophils from allergic asthmatics in the stable phase and investigate whether such a phenotype is affected by ex vivo allergen stimulation.

Methods

We determined by flow cytometry, the expression of surface proteins such as CD25, CD32, CD63, CD69, CD203c, and CD300a and intracellular anti-apoptotic proteins BCL-2, BCL-xL, and MCL-1. We investigated these markers in blood basophils obtained from well-characterized patients with stable-mildly symptomatic form of allergic asthma with no asthma exacerbation and from healthy individuals. Moreover, we determined ex vivo CD63, CD69, and CD25 on blood basophils from stable-mildly symptomatic allergic asthmatics upon allergen stimulation.

Results

In contrast to all tested markers, CD25 was significantly increased on circulating basophils in the patient cohort with stable-mildly symptomatic allergic asthma than in healthy controls. The expression levels of CD25 on blood basophils showed a tendency to positively correlate with FeNO levels. Notably, CD25 expression was not affected by ex vivo allergen stimulation of blood basophils from stable-mildly symptomatic allergic asthma patients.

Conclusion

Our data identifies CD25 as a unique marker on blood basophils of the stable phase of allergic asthma but not of asthma exacerbation as mimicked by ex vivo allergen stimulation.
Role for the metalloproteinase ADAM28 in the control of airway inflammation, remodelling and responsiveness in asthma
Authors: Bendavid Guillaume , Hubeau Céline , Perin Fabienne , Gillard Alison , Nokin Marie-Julie , Carnet Oriane , Gerard Catherine , Noel Agnès , Lefebvre Philippe , Rocks Natacha , Cataldo Didier
Published: January 2023

Background

Asthma is characterized by morphological modifications of the airways (inflammation and remodelling) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Mechanisms linking these two key features of asthma are still poorly understood. ADAM28 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 28) might play a role in asthma pathophysiology. ADAM28 exists as membrane-bound and soluble forms and is mainly expressed by lymphocytes and epithelial cells.

Methods

ADAM28-/- mice and ADAM28+/+ counterparts were sensitized and exposed to ovalbumin (OVA). Airway responsiveness was measured using the flexiVent® system. After sacrifice, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed and lungs were collected for analysis of airway inflammation and remodelling.

Results

The expression of the soluble form of ADAM28 was lower in the lungs of OVA-exposed mice (as compared to PBS-exposed mice) and progressively increased in correlation with the duration of allergen exposure. In lungs of ADAM28-/- mice exposed to allergens, the proportion of Th2 cells among CD4+ cells and the number of B cells were decreased. Bronchial responsiveness was lower in ADAM28-/- mice exposed to allergens and similar to the responsiveness of sham-challenged mice. Similarly, features of airway remodelling (collagen deposition, smooth muscle hyperplasia, mucous hyperplasia) were significantly less developed in OVA-exposed ADAM28-/- animals in sharp contrasts to ADAM28+/+. In addition, we report the first evidence of ADAM28 RNA expression by lung fibroblasts and we unveil a decreased capacity of lung fibroblasts extracted from OVA-exposed ADAM28-/- mice to proliferate as compared to those extracted from OVA-exposed ADAM28+/+ suggesting a direct contribution of this enzyme to the modulation of airway remodelling.

Conclusion

These results suggest that ADAM28 might be a key contributor to the pathophysiology of asthma.
Breakthrough of glycobiology in the 21st century
Authors: Mahara Gehendra , Tian Cuihong , Xu Xiaojia , Zhu Jinxiu
Published: January 2023

As modern medicine began to emerge at the turn of the 20th century, glycan-based therapies advanced. DNA- and protein-centered therapies became widely available. The research and development of structurally defined carbohydrates have led to new tools and methods that have sparked interest in the therapeutic applications of glycans. One of the latest omics disciplines to emerge in the contemporary post-genomics age is glycomics. In addition, to providing hope for patients and people with different health conditions through a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of common complex diseases, this new specialty in system sciences has much to offer to communities involved in the development of diagnostics and therapeutics in medicine and life sciences.This review focuses on recent developments that have pushed glycan-based therapies into the spotlight in medicine and the technologies powering these initiatives, which we can take as the most significant success of the 21st century.
Comprehensive bulk and single-cell transcriptome profiling give useful insights into the characteristics of osteoarthritis associated synovial macrophages
Authors: Liao Shengyou , Yang Ming , Li Dandan , Wu Ye , Sun Hong , Lu Jingxiao , Liu Xinying , Deng Tingting , Wang Yujie , Xie Ni , Tang Donge , Nie Guohui , Fan Xiaoqin
Published: January 2023

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint disease, but the association between molecular and cellular events and the pathogenic process of OA remains unclear.

Objective

The study aimed to identify key molecular and cellular events in the processes of immune infiltration of the synovium in OA and to provide potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Methods

To identify the common differential expression genes and function analysis in OA, we compared the expression between normal and OA samples and analyzed the protein–protein interaction (PPI). Additionally, immune infiltration analysis was used to explore the differences in common immune cell types, and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) analysis was applied to analyze the status of pathways between OA and normal groups. Furthermore, the optimal diagnostic biomarkers for OA were identified by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) models. Finally, the key role of biomarkers in OA synovitis microenvironment was discussed through single cell and Scissor analysis.

Results

A total of 172 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) associated with osteoarticular synovitis were identified, and these genes mainly enriched eight functional categories. In addition, immune infiltration analysis found that four immune cell types, including Macrophage, B cell memory, B cell, and Mast cell were significantly correlated with OA, and LASSO analysis showed that Macrophage were the best diagnostic biomarkers of immune infiltration in OA. Furthermore, using scRNA-seq dataset, we also analyzed the cell communication patterns of Macrophage in the OA synovial inflammatory microenvironment and found that CCL, MIF, and TNF signaling pathways were the mainly cellular communication pathways. Finally, Scissor analysis identified a population of M2-like Macrophages with high expression of CD163 and LYVE1, which has strong anti-inflammatory ability and showed that the TNF gene may play an important role in the synovial microenvironment of OA.

Conclusion

Overall, Macrophage is the best diagnostic marker of immune infiltration in osteoarticular synovitis, and it can communicate with other cells mainly through CCL, TNF, and MIF signaling pathways in microenvironment. In addition, TNF gene may play an important role in the development of synovitis.
The diverse roles of miRNAs in HIV pathogenesis: Current understanding and future perspectives
Authors: Rashid Farooq , Zaongo Silvere D. , Song Fangzhou , Chen Yaokai
Published: January 2023

Despite noteworthy progress made in the management and treatment of HIV/AIDS-related disease, including the introduction of the now almost ubiquitous HAART, there remains much to understand with respect to HIV infection. Although some roles that miRNAs play in some diseases have become more obvious of late, the roles of miRNAs in the context of HIV pathogenesis have not, as yet, been elucidated, and require further investigations. miRNAs can either be beneficial or harmful to the host, depending upon the genes they target. Some miRNAs target the 3′ UTR of viral mRNAs to accomplish restriction of viral infection. However, upon HIV-1 infection, there are several dysregulated host miRNAs which target their respective host factors to either facilitate or abrogate viral infection. In this review, we discuss the miRNAs which play roles in various aspects of viral pathogenesis. We describe in detail the various mechanisms thereby miRNAs either directly or indirectly regulate HIV-1 infection. Moreover, the predictive roles of miRNAs in various aspects of the HIV viral life cycle are also discussed. Contemporary antiretroviral therapeutic drugs have received much attention recently, due to their success in the treatment of HIV/AIDS; therefore, miRNA involvement in various aspects of antiretroviral therapeutics are also elaborated upon herein. The therapeutic potential of miRNAs are discussed, and we also propose herein that the therapeutic potential of one specific miRNA, miR-34a, warrants further exploration, as this miRNA is known to target three host proteins to promote HIV-1 pathogenesis. Finally, future perspectives and some controversy around the expression of miRNAs by HIV-1 are also discussed.
A bibliometric study on Marburg virus research with prevention and control strategies
Authors: Islam Md. Aminul , Adeiza Shuaibu Suleiman , Amin Mohammad Ruhul , Kaifa Fatema Hasan , Lorenzo Jose M. , Bhattacharya Prosun , Dhama Kuldeep
Published: January 2023

Marburg virus (MARV) is a pathogenic zoonotic RNA virus etiologic for Marburg virus disease (MVD), a severe hemorrhagic fever. This is a rare disease, with a high fatality rate, that spreads via infected blood or body fluids or indirectly via fomites (contaminated objects and substances such as clothed, beds, personal protective equipment, or medical equipments). A few vaccines to protect against MARV are undergoing clinical trials, but there is not yet an approved vaccine against this disease. Eventually, prevention and control guidelines should be adhered to rigorously to alleviate this infection. This bibliometric analysis aimed to harness narrative evaluation, emphasizing the significance of quantitative approaches and delineating the most thought-provoking concerns for researchers using VOSviewer software (Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, the Netherlands). “Marburg Virus” OR “MARV” AND “Diseases” search criteria were used for the analysis of articles published between 1962 and 2022. Co-occurrence analysis was carried out, which characterized different thematic clusters. From this analysis, we found that 1688 published articles, and the number of publications increased across that period annually, with a growth rate of 8.78%. It is also conspicuous that the number of publications in the United States reached its acme during this period (i.e., 714 publications, accounting for 42.29% of the total), and the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases published the most literature (i.e., 146 papers). Our study found that the three pre-eminent authors of Marburg virus papers were “FELDMANN, HEINZ“ of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, United States, “BECKER, STEPHAN” of the Philipps University of Marburg, Germany, and “GEISBERT, THOMAS W” of the University of Texas Medical Branch, United States. In this study we found that “JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY” has published the most pertinent literature, totaling 88 articles, followed by “The journal of Infectious Diseases”, which published 76 relevant papers, and “VIRUSES”, which published 52 corresponding papers. The most cited paper on the Marburg virus was published in Nature Medicine, with 522 total citations and 29 citations/year. Studies of the changing epidemiology and evolving nature of the virus and its ecological niche are required; breakthrough and implementation of the efficacious vaccine candidate(s), prophylaxis and therapeutic alternatives and supervision strategies, unveiling awareness-raising programs, and developing apposite and timely preparedness, prevention, and proactive control strategies are of utmost importance.
Environmental particle rebound/deposition modeling in engine hot sections
Authors: Jiang Lei-Yong , Trembath Patrick , Patnaik Prakash , Capurro Michele
Published: January 2023

The aircraft engine hot section is most vulnerable and failure prone to environmental particle ingestion, which, particularly for helicopters, can cause detrimental effects ranging from reduced performance to complete engine failure. The objective of this work is to develop an analytical tool to assess environmental particle impact on engine hot sections. The current state of the art in experimental and analytical research on environmental particle ingestion related to engine hot sections was reviewed, with emphasis on sand particles. From these efforts, the available experimental data for model calibration were identified, and an innovative particle rebound/deposition model has been developed. A semi-empirical approach is selected to model particles bouncing off metal surfaces, where the coefficients of restitution measured in a temperature range of 297–1323 K are used to calculate particle bounce-back velocity components. The developed deposition model is based on non-dimensional parameter analysis over more than seventy experiments related to particle deposition in engine hot sections. The metal surface temperature, one of two critical parameters in particle deposition, is also included in the model. The model was successfully implemented into commercial software and checked step by step. It was calibrated by two cases: sand [Arizona road dust (ARD)] particle impingement on a circular plate and Mt. St. Helens volcanic ash impinging on a first-stage air-cooled nozzle guide vane (NGV). For the former case, the calibrated model predicts fairly well the variation of particle deposition rate with flow/particle temperature. The latter case indicates that the particle deposition rate at engine operating conditions can be assessed by the developed model. Due to the lack of experimental data that would permit a full calibration/validation, for the time being the model can be only used under limited conditions. As additional relevant experimental data appears, the model will be continuously improved.
Monocyte subtype expression patterns in septic patients with diabetes are distinct from patterns observed in obese patients
Authors: Ning Dan , Garg Kunal , Mayer Benjamin , Schick Benedikt , Bracht Hendrik , Barth Eberhard , Weiss Manfred , Li Chen , Schneider Julian , Schneider E. Marion
Published: January 2023

Background

Sepsis causes a high rate of mortality and long-term morbidity, associated with an imbalance of innate immunity against infections and inflammation. Obesity and diabetes increase the risk for disease severity. Monocyte dysfunction plays a major role and justify further investigations.

Objective

To investigate the distribution and inflammatory phenotypes in circulating monocyte subsets in patients manifesting with sepsis including septic shock with and without obesity and diabetes.

Methods

A total of 235 blood samples were tested from critically ill adult patients registered at the intensive care unit (ICU). The cohorts were divided into non-diabetic groups with or without obesity and diabetic groups with or without obesity, suffering from sepsis or septic shock. We determined frequencies of total monocytes and of monocyte subsets in the circulation and density expression levels of functional markers, including CD14, CD16, HLA-DR, CD33, CD163, CD206, and arginase-1 by flow cytometric analysis.

Results

When progressing to septic shock in non-diabetic and diabetic patients, the percentages of total monocytes among the leukocyte population and of CD33+ and CD14+ monocytes among the monocyte population were consistently down-regulated compared to non-sepsis in non-diabetic and diabetic patients, respectively. Non-diabetic sepsis patients further presented with decreased CD33 and up-regulated CD163 expression density, which was absent in diabetic patients. We subsequently addressed obesity-related changes of monocytes in non-diabetic and diabetic septic patients. Obese septic patients with diabetes were unique in displaying increased monocytic CD16 and CD163 expression. However, obese septic patients without diabetes solely presented with lower amounts of non-classical monocytes. Body mass index (BMI) dependent changes were restricted to diabetic septic patients, with a significantly higher diminution of the classical monocyte subset and concomitantly increased CD16 expression densities.

Conclusion

Distribution and phenotypes of monocyte subsets were differentially modulated in critically ill patients with and without metabolic disease when progressing to sepsis or septic shock. Only diabetic septic patients displayed decline of classical monocytes and increase of CD16 expression densities. Therefore, diabetes but not obesity appears to promote the inflammatory phenotype of circulating monocytes in critically ill patients.
Enrichment of dementia caregiving relationships through psychosocial interventions: A scoping review
Authors: Hoel Viktoria , Koh Wei Qi , Sezgin Duygu
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Enrichment, defined as “the process of endowing caregiving with meaning or pleasure for both the caregiver and care recipient” can support relationships between people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers. This study aims to explore (1) the types of psychosocial interventions that may enrich relationships between dementia caregiving dyads, and (2) the components within these psychosocial interventions that may contribute to enrichment.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted based on the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. We operationalized and contextualized core elements from Cartwright and colleagues’ enrichment model, which was also used to guide the review. Five electronic databases were searched. Psychosocial intervention components contributing to enrichment were identified and grouped within each core element.

Results

Thirty-four studies were included. Psychosocial interventions generating enrichment among dyads mainly involved supporting dyadic engagement in shared activities, carer education or training, or structural change to the environment around PLWD. Intervention components contributing to the enrichment of dyadic relationships were identified within “acquired symbolic meaning”, “performing activity”, and “fine tuning”. Dyadic communication support and skill-building were common contributors to enrichment.

Conclusion

Our findings may inform the planning and development of interventions to enrich dyadic relationships in the context of dementia. In formal caregiving contexts, future interventions may consider dedicating space for relationships to build and grow through positive interactions. In informal caregiving contexts, existing relationships should be considered to better support dyads engage in positive interactions.
Continual Decline in Azole Susceptibility Rates in Candida tropicalis Over a 9-Year Period in China
Authors: Wang Yao , Fan Xin , Wang He , Kudinha Timothy , Mei Ya-Ning , Ni Fang , Pan Yu-Hong , Gao Lan-Mei , Xu Hui , Kong Hai-Shen , Yang Qing , Wang Wei-Ping , Xi Hai-Yan , Luo Yan-Ping , Ye Li-Yan , Xiao Meng ,   China Hospital Invasive Fungal Surveillance Net (CHIF-NET) Study Group
Published: January 2023

Background

There have been reports of increasing azole resistance in Candida tropicalis, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Here we report on the epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of C. tropicalis causing invasive candidiasis in China, from a 9-year surveillance study.

Methods

From August 2009 to July 2018, C. tropicalis isolates (n = 3702) were collected from 87 hospitals across China. Species identification was carried out by mass spectrometry or rDNA sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility was determined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute disk diffusion (CHIF-NET10–14, n = 1510) or Sensititre YeastOne (CHIF-NET15–18, n = 2192) methods.

Results

Overall, 22.2% (823/3702) of the isolates were resistant to fluconazole, with 90.4% (744/823) being cross-resistant to voriconazole. In addition, 16.9 (370/2192) and 71.7% (1572/2192) of the isolates were of non-wild-type phenotype to itraconazole and posaconazole, respectively. Over the 9 years of surveillance, the fluconazole resistance rate continued to increase, rising from 5.7 (7/122) to 31.8% (236/741), while that for voriconazole was almost the same, rising from 5.7 (7/122) to 29.1% (216/741), with no significant statistical differences across the geographic regions. However, significant difference in fluconazole resistance rate was noted between isolates cultured from blood (27.2%, 489/1799) and those from non-blood (17.6%, 334/1903) specimens (P-value < 0.05), and amongst isolates collected from medical wards (28.1%, 312/1110) versus intensive care units (19.6%, 214/1092) and surgical wards (17.9%, 194/1086) (Bonferroni adjusted P-value < 0.05). Although echinocandin resistance remained low (0.8%, 18/2192) during the surveillance period, it was observed in most administrative regions, and one-third (6/18) of these isolates were simultaneously resistant to fluconazole.

Conclusion

The continual decrease in the rate of azole susceptibility among C. tropicalis strains has become a nationwide challenge in China, and the emergence of multi-drug resistance could pose further threats. These phenomena call for effective efforts in future interventions.
Antimicrobial resistance among canine enterococci in the northeastern United States, 2007–2020
Authors: Osman Marwan , Altier Craig , Cazer Casey
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing and complex One Health concern worldwide, threatening the practice of human and veterinary medicine. Although dogs are a potential reservoir of multidrug-resistant bacteria, there are very few surveillance studies on AMR from the canine population in the United States. Here, we assessed the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, identified temporal resistance and minimum inhibitory concentration trends, and described associations between resistance phenotypes among canine clinical enterococci in the northeastern United States.

Methods

Through a large-scale retrospective study design, we collected species identification, minimum inhibitory concentration, and clinical data from 3,659 canine enterococci isolated at the Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center between 2007 and 2020. We used the Mann-Kendall test, Sen’s slope, multivariable logistic regression, and survival analysis models to detect the presence of a significant trend in resistance over the study period.

Results

Enterococcus faecalis was the most prevalent species (67.1% of isolates), followed by Enterococcus faecium (20.4%). We found high levels of AMR among enterococci to almost all the tested antimicrobials, particularly E. faecium. The lowest percentage of resistance was to vancomycin and chloramphenicol. Multidrug resistance was common (80% of E. faecium and 33% of E. faecalis) and 31 isolates were extensively drug resistant. Multidrug resistance among E. faecium increased over time, but not in E. faecalis. Resistance to penicillins, enrofloxacin, and rifampin increased during the study period, but resistance to tetracyclines is on a downward trajectory compared to AMR data from the last decade. Emerging vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis (0.3%) and E. faecium (0.8%) infections in the canine population are of great concern to both human and animal health. One E. faecium isolate with acquired vancomycin resistance was identified in 2017 and four vancomycin-resistant enterococci isolates were identified in 2020.

Conclusion

There is a crucial need to make rational prescribing decisions on the prudent use of antimicrobials and improve the quality of care for patients, especially when empirical antimicrobial treatment for enterococcal infection is common.
Video frame prediction of microbial growth with a recurrent neural network
Authors: Robertson Connor , Wilmoth Jared L. , Retterer Scott , Fuentes-Cabrera Miguel
Published: January 2023

The recent explosion of interest and advances in machine learning technologies has opened the door to new analytical capabilities in microbiology. Using experimental data such as images or videos, machine learning, in particular deep learning with neural networks, can be harnessed to provide insights and predictions for microbial populations. This paper presents such an application in which a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) was used to perform prediction of microbial growth for a population of two Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants. The RNN was trained on videos that were acquired previously using fluorescence microscopy and microfluidics. Of the 20 frames that make up each video, 10 were used as inputs to the network which outputs a prediction for the next 10 frames of the video. The accuracy of the network was evaluated by comparing the predicted frames to the original frames, as well as population curves and the number and size of individual colonies extracted from these frames. Overall, the growth predictions are found to be accurate in metrics such as image comparison, colony size, and total population. Yet, limitations exist due to the scarcity of available and comparable data in the literature, indicating a need for more studies. Both the successes and challenges of our approach are discussed.
Combination of structure-based virtual screening, molecular docking and molecular dynamics approaches for the discovery of anti-prion fibril flavonoids
Authors: Jheng Cheng-Ping , Lee Cheng-I
Published: January 2023

Prion diseases are a group of rare neurodegenerative diseases caused by the structural conversion of cellular prion into Scrapie prion resulting aggregated fibrils. Therapy of prion diseases has been developed for several decades, especially drug designs based on the structure of prion monomers. Unfortunately, none of the designed anti-prion drugs function well clinically. To fight against prion fibrils, a drug design based on the precise structure of mammalian prion fibrils is highly required. Fortunately, based on the advantage of newly advanced cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) in the deconvolution of large complexes, three prion fibril structures were resolved in the last 2 years. Based on the cryo-EM solved prion fibril structures, we are able to find some molecules fighting against prion fibrils. Quercetin, one flavonoid molecule in the polyphenol group, has been found to disaggregate the prion fibrils in vitro. In this study, we performed the molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation on quercetin-like molecules possessing pharmacological properties to evaluate the anti-prion ability of tested molecules. As a result, four quercetin-like molecules interact with prion fibril and decrease the β-strand content by converting some β-strands into loop and helical structures to disintegrate the existing fibril structure. The results of this study are significant in the treatment of prion diseases, and the approaches used in this study are applicable to other amyloid diseases.
Perioperative probiotics attenuates postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Hu Lin , Luo Manli , Huang Huifan , Wu Lanping , Ouyang Wen , Tong Jianbin , Le Yuan
Published: January 2023

Background

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication in elderly patients following surgery. The preventive and/or treatment strategies for the incidence remain limited.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of perioperative probiotic treatment on POCD in elderly patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty.

Methods

After obtaining ethical approval and written informed consent, 106 patients (age ≥60 years) were recruited, who scheduled elective hip or knee arthroplasty, from 16 March 2021 to 25 February 2022 for this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. They were randomly assigned with a 1:1 ratio to receive either probiotics or placebo treatment (four capsules, twice/day) from hospital admission until discharge. Cognitive function was assessed with a battery of 11 neuropsychological tests on the admission day and the seventh day after surgery, respectively.

Results

A total of 96 of 106 patients completed the study, and their data were finally analyzed. POCD occurred in 12 (26.7%) of 45 patients in the probiotic group and 29 (56.9%) of 51 patients in the placebo group (relative risk [RR], 0.47 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.81]; P = 0.003). Among them, mild POCD occurred in 11 (24.4%) in the probiotic group and 24 (47.1%) in the placebo group (RR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.29 to 0.94]; P = 0.022). No significant difference in severe POCD incidence was found between the two groups (P = 0.209). Compared with the placebo group, the verbal memory domain cognitive function was mainly improved in the probiotic group.

Conclusion

Probiotics may be used perioperatively to prevent POCD development and improve verbal memory performance in elderly patients receiving hip or knee arthroplasty.

Clinical trial registration

www.chictr.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR2100045620.
The association between stress hyperglycemia and unfavorable outcomes in patients with anterior circulation stroke after mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Zhang Junrun , Dong Dawei , Zeng You , Yang Bing , Li Fangze , Chen Xuefang , Lu Jingchong , Guan Min , He Niu , Qiao Hongyu , Li Keshen , Xu Anding , Huang Li’an , Zhu Huili
Published: January 2023

Background and purpose

Stress hyperglycemia is common in critical and severe diseases. However, few studies have examined the association between stress hyperglycemia and the functional outcomes of patients with anterior circulation stroke, after mechanical thrombectomy (MT), in different diabetes status. This study therefore aimed to determine the relationship between stress hyperglycemia and the risk of adverse neurological functional outcomes in anterior circulation stroke patients with and without diabetes after MT.

Methods

Data of 408 patients with acute anterior circulation stroke treated with MT through the green-channel treatment system for emergency stroke at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University between January 2016 and December 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) was calculated as fasting plasma glucose (mmol/L) divided by glycosylated hemoglobin (%). The patients were stratified into four groups by quartiles of SHR (Q1-Q4). The primary outcome was an excellent (nondisabled) functional outcome at 3 months after admission (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–1). The relationship between stress hyperglycemia and neurological outcome after stroke was assessed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounders, compared with patients in Q1, those in Q4 were less likely to have an excellent outcome at 3 months (odds ratio [OR], 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14–0.66, p = 0.003), a good outcome at 3 months (OR, 0.41, 95% CI, 0.20–0.84, p = 0.020), and major neurological improvement (OR, 0.38, 95% CI, 0.19–0.73, p = 0.004). Severe stress hyperglycemia increased risks of 3-months all-cause mortality (OR, 2.82, 95% CI, 1.09–8.29, p = 0.041) and ICH (OR, 2.54, 95% CI, 1.21–5.50, p = 0.015).

Conclusion

Stress hyperglycemia was associated with a reduced rate of excellent neurological outcomes, and increased mortality and ICH risks in patients with anterior circulation stroke after MT regardless of diabetes status.
Electroacupuncture ameliorates inflammatory response induced by retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury and protects the retina through the DOR-BDNF/Trkb pathway
Authors: Guo Runjie , Zhang Yongjie , Geng Yue , Chen Ping , Fu Tiantian , Xia Yong , Zhang Ren , Zhu Yuan , Jin Jingling , Jin Nange , Xu Hong , Tian Xuesong
Published: January 2023

Objectives: Retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) is the common pathological basis of many ophthalmic diseases in the later stages, and inflammation is the primary damage mechanism of RIRI. Our study aimed to assess whether electroacupuncture (EA) has a protective effect against RIRI and to elucidate its related mechanisms.

Methods: A high-intraocular pressure (HIOP) model was used to simulate RIRI in Wistar rats. EA was applied to the EA1 group [Jingming (BL1) + Shuigou (GV26)] and the EA2 group [Jingming (BL1) + Hegu (LI4)] respectively for 30 min starting immediately after the onset of reperfusion and repeated (30 min/time) at 12 h and then every 24 h until days 7 after reperfusion. The pathological changes in the retina were observed by H and E staining after HIOP. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was utilized to observe retinal cell apoptosis. The mRNA expression of IL1-β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, δ-opioid receptor (DOR), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) in the retina was measured by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results: HIOP caused structural disorders of the retina, decreased RGCs, and increased retinal cell apoptosis. At 1 and 3 days of RIRI, retinal apoptotic cells in the EA group were significantly reduced, while there was no distinct difference in the EA group compared with the HIOP group at 7 days of RIRI. Compared with that in the HIOP group, the expression of anti-inflammatory factors, DOR and TrkB was increased, and the expression of pro-inflammatory factors was decreased in the EA group. In contrast, HIOP had no appreciable effect on BDNF expression.

Conclusion: EA at Jingming (BL1) and Shuigou (GV26) or at Jingming (BL1) and Hegu (LI4) may inhibit RIRI induced inflammation through activating the DOR-BDNF/TrkB pathway to protect the retina, especially the pair of Jingming (BL1) and Shuigou (GV26) has better inhibitory effects on inflammation.
Neuroepidemiology study of headache in the region of Jammu of north Indian population: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Sudershan Amrit , Pushap Agar Chander , Younis Mohd , Sudershan Srishty , Bhagat Sheetal , Kumar Hardeep , Panjalyia Rakesh K. , Kumar Parvinder
Published: January 2023

Background

Headache disorders now represent a major public health problem globally. It is more prevalent in developing countries with the rising trends of headache disorders observed in young adults affecting their quality of life negatively. Very little information is available on the epidemiology of headache disorders in the Jammu Division of the north Indian population.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to find out the prevalence of headache and its two major types, i.e., migraine and tension-type headache (TTH), in the population of the Jammu Division.

Methods

The present study was conducted in two phases: (Phase I: face-to-face interview and Phase II: E-based sampling) and the sufferers of headaches were incorporated into the study based on the International Classification of Headache Disorder-3 (ICHD-3) criteria for a representative sample. Frequency distribution and mean ± standard deviation were used in descriptive statistics to describe the data sets, while a t-test, chi-square test, multiple logistic regression, and prevalence ratio were used in inferential statistics.

Results

In the present study, a total of 3,148 patients were recruited, with an overall prevalence of headache of 53.84%, with a majority of females (38.18%) over males (15.66%). As regards the type of headache, migraine was found to be of the more prevalent (33.25%) type than the TTH (20.58%). Females suffering from migraine showed the highest prevalence (25.28%), in contrast to females suffering from the TTH (12.89%). Sociodemographic variables, such as gender [female; AOR = 2.46, 95% CI (2.12–2.85), p-value < 0.0001] and marital status [married; AOR: 1.46, 95% CI (1.11–1.92) p-value = 0.006], showed a significant association with the headache.

Conclusion

The present study shows that the prevalence of headache is high in the Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) India, with migraine being the highly prevalent type.