bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O uso de microRNAs como biomarcadores do câncer cervical
Authors: Silva Priscila Magna do Nascimento
Published: January 2022

Esse trabalho pretendeu descrever o papel dos miRNAs na regulação gênica do câncer cervical. Para esta revisão integrativa de literatura, utilizou-se artigos encontrados nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs e Sciencedirect, selecionando trabalhos publicados entre 2011 e 2021, na língua portuguesa e inglesa, considerando-se os seguintes descritores: “microRNAs”, “regulação da expressão gênica”, “câncer de colo do útero” e “biomarcadores”. Encontrou-se um total de 156 trabalhos, sendo, por fim, selecionados 17 trabalhos para estudo. Estudos apontaram uma relação direta entre miRNAs e os estágios de desenvolvimento do câncer cervical. Diversos miRNAs, como miR-21 e miR-135a, têm sua expressão aumentada em células de câncer cervical quando comparada a seus níveis em indivíduos normais. Outros miRNAs, como miRNA-20a, miR-1246, miR-2392, miR-3147, miR-3162-5p e miR-4484, foram identificados como promissores biomarcadores para detecção de metástase em pacientes com neoplasia cervical. Já variação nos níveis de expressão de miRNAs pode interferir na sensibilidade à quimioterapia, como o miR-155 que aumenta a quimiossensibilidade à cisplatina, agente antineoplásico. Dessa forma, a análise das assinaturas de miRNAs em pacientes como câncer cervical surge como promissora ferramenta para o seu diagnóstico, prognóstico e tratamento, sendo necessária a associação desses aos métodos usuais para um melhor manejo clínico.
Caracterização da farinha do sabugo de milho e sua utilização como alternativa para enriquecimento de produtos alimentícios
Authors: Viroli Sérgio Luis Melo , Silva Liliane Garcia da Silva , Vaz Alessandra Vespúcio , Viroli Sérgio Guimarães , Carvalho Nelson Pereira , Duarte Henrique Avelino , Sousa Alex da Silva , Leite Lucas Torres , Veloso Cláudia , Gomes Naylon Barroso , Costa Fernanda Alves , Sales Paulo Victor Gomes
Published: January 2022

A farinha de sabugo de milho é constituída basicamente por hemicelulose, celulose, lignina, proteínas, açúcares simples, lipídeos, amido e água. O seu baixo custo favorece a produção de alimentos acessíveis, proporcionando à população acesso a esses com custos atrativos e competitivos, aliado com alto valor nutritivo essenciais e funcionais. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo teve como objetivo produzir e caracterizar uma farinha de sabugo de milho como alternativa de aplicabilidade no preparo ou enriquecimento de produtos alimentícios. Foram realizadas análises para determinação das propriedades funcionais e composição centesimal. Os valores médios obtidos foram: 0,49% (ácido fítico), 0,03% (ácido oxálico), 2,36% (capacidade de retenção de água), 72,82% (carboidratos), 1,82% (cinzas), 8,91% (fibras), 5,0% (índice de absorção de água), 1,32% (lipídios), 6,37% (potencial hidrogeniônico), 2,37% (proteínas) e 4,36% (umidade). Os resultados físico-químicos da farinha do sabugo de milho demostram baixo valor para umidade, altos valores de fibra e cinzas quando comparados com as farinhas convencionais como: trigo, milho e mandioca, nessa perspectiva esta farinha pode apresentar potencial segurança no consumo humano. Quanto ao processo de produção da farinha do sabugo de milho, os resultados microbiológicos atenderam a legislação vigente demostrando aptidão para o consumo. A farinha de sabugo de milho produzida e analisada tem grande prisma para ser incorporada ou utilizada para enriquecer alimentos, pois contribui para um benefício fisiológico devido ao seu teor de Fibras e baixos teores de Ácidos Oxálicos e Fítico, além de minimizar e mitigar os impactos da disposição inadequada se este for disposto no ambiente sem o manejo apropriado.
Gestão compartilhada em áreas não metropolitanas: microrregiões
Authors: Batista Marinalva dos Reis , Endlich Angela Maria
Published: January 2022

Este trabalho apresenta uma breve explanação sobre o uso exagerado da figura da Região Metropolitana no Brasil. Esse uso apenas figurativo, pois de fato poucas devem ser consideradas como tal. Inclusive, tendo chances de ser revisto a formalização como Região Metropolitana. O próprio Estatuto da Metrópole traz opções como as aglomerações urbanas e as microrregiões como formas de gestão em detrimento as Região Metropolitanas. Esse fato deixa lacunas a serem preenchidas como a possibilidade de as microrregiões tornarem-se escala de gestão. Como muito aportes no Estatuto da Metrópole não vem esclarecido, toma-se como intuito investigar se as microrregiões atuais correspondem a proposta do Estatuto da Metrópole. Para a elaboração do presente trabalho realizou-se pesquisa bibliográfica e coleta de dados secundários sobre as comarcas na Espanha e sobra as microrregiões no estado do Paraná-Brasil. A gestão compartilhada pode preencher as lacunas da política territorial no Paraná e no Brasil, desde que bem estruturados priorizando as demandas de cada município ou de cada associação de municípios.
Share portfolio advisory: Use of the Markowitz method to optimize the risk/return ratio in individual investor shares portfolio
Authors: Melo Neto João José de , Fontgalland Isabel Lausanne
Published: January 2022

With the growing development of the Brazilian financial market, the interest of small investors was visible, from the year 2019 and until june 2020 the entry of individual investors in the stock exchange had a growth of 174.7% reaching 2,824,239 people according to B3. Despite this significant number, only 3% of the population that has some investment product owns shares of publicly traded companies, given this information is really the niche market that can be exploited. In most cases this small percentage is due to the profile of the Brazilian investor, which can be termed as conservative. Even investors who own a stock portfolio have a low value intended for this type of capital market product. This fear can be attributed to the lack of time to study the market and even by not having knowledge of it, another point that we have to take into account is the emotional and psychological insecurity of gains and losses in the small investor's portfolio, tied to poor risk management. Given the scenario, we advise some stock portfolios by reducing their risks or optimizing their returns by Markowitz's method that uses statistical and rational methods. It became apparent during the study the cost benefit and assertiveness of the same. For the development of this work, the Design Thinking method was used.
PETA PIKIRAN SEBAGAI APERSEPSI DARI ABSTRAK KE KONKRET MENUJU KEBERMAKNAAN BELAJAR
Authors: Mahfud Aly
Published: January 2022

Abstract: Bringing meaning to learning is one of the core of teaching. To achieve that, it is necessary to bring meaningfulness in learning, namely to associate learning materials with natural reality by learners and to focus on usefulness. That way, learning can be accepted by students. One of the things Ausabel emphasizes is to give a firm hook in learning to turn abstracts into concrete. A mind map as an aperception is an idea that qualifies for the benefits of learning. This study uses the design of literature research to answer (1) how important is the aperception in meaningful learning? and (2) how is the mind map used as the main activity in aperception when starting learning to realize meaningful learning? with the design of literature research, the research answer is obtained as follows: (1) The aperception is important in the initial learning activities as a hook between new topics and the experience of previous learners. as well as the usefulness of the topic with real life. (2) the mind map as an aperception facilitates learners to relate their experiences and get an explanation of material usefulness for themselves. These two main points are in accordance with Ausabel's goal of developing meaningful learning theory. Keywords: mind map, aperception,, abstract, concrete, meaningful learning
ELECTROREDUCTION OF DITUNGSTATE AND CARBONATE ANIONS IN CHLORIDE MELT
Authors: Novoselova Inessa , Kuleshov Serhii , Omel’chuk Anatoliy , Bykov Valerii , Fesenko Olena
Published: January 2022

Electrocatalysis is one of the actively developing fields of application of tungsten carbides. For the synthesis of catalytically active carbides (materials with a large specific surface area, small particle size and structural defects) a large number of different technologies are being developed in the world. The method of high-temperature electrochemical synthesis is promising one. For its successful realization, it is necessary to study in detail the electrochemical behavior of each carbide component (tungsten and carbon) and the features of their partial and joint discharge. The aim of this paper is a voltammetric study of the partial and joint electroreduction of Na2W2O7 and Li2CO3 in molten NaCl–KCl electrolyte under CO2 pressure at a temperature of 750 °C.

As a result of research, it was found that in the system Na,K|Cl–Na2W2O7–Li2CO3–CO2 joint reduction of tungsten carbide synthesis components occurs from lithium complexes of tungstate (LixWO4)2-x and carbonate- (LixCO3)2-x anions at potentials -1.65 – -1.8 V. Introduction of СО2 into the system (creation of its excess pressure in the cell) is necessary for the binding of oxide anions O2-, released during the discharge of anionic complexes, into a carbonate complex. The released oxide anion in the near-electrode layer inhibits the cathodic process. Also, a necessary condition for the sustainability production of tungsten monocarbide WC is the presence of free carbon, which is formed during the decomposition of CO2.

Nanosized composites of tungsten carbides with free carbon WC/C (5 wt%) were obtained by potentiostatic electrolysis at a potential of -1.8 V as a cathode product. The properties of the obtained compounds were analyzed by XRD, SEM, BET, and Raman spectroscopy. Tungsten carbide has a particle size of ~ 10 nm and consists of hollow spherical structures. The synthesized composite is mesoporous material with a specific surface area of ~ 140 m2/g.

The properties of the synthesized compo­site, namely: structural defects, the presence of free carbon, spherical morphology, nanometer size and high specific surface area, make it possible to use it as an effective electrocatalyst, for example, in the reaction of hydrogen evolution in acidic aqueous solutions.
A Green Route for High-Yield Production of Tetramethylpyrazine From Non-Food Raw Materials
Authors: Li Jing , Lu Jian , Ma Zhilin , Li Jianxiu , Chen Xianrui , Diao Mengxue , Xie Nengzhong
Published: January 2022

2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is an active pharmaceutical ingredient originally isolated from Ligusticum wallichii for curing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and is widely used as a popular flavoring additive in the food industry. Hence, there is a great interest in developing new strategies to produce this high-value compound in an ecological and economical way. Herein, a cost-competitive combinational approach was proposed to accomplish green and high-efficiency production of TMP. First, microbial cell factories were constructed to produce acetoin (3-hydroxy-2-butanone, AC), an endogenous precursor of TMP, by introducing a biosynthesis pathway coupled with an intracellular NAD+ regeneration system to the wild-type Escherichia coli. To further improve the production of (R)-AC, the metabolic pathways of by-products were impaired or blocked stepwise by gene manipulation, resulting in 40.84 g/L (R)-AC with a high optical purity of 99.42% in shake flasks. Thereafter, an optimal strain designated GXASR11 was used to convert the hydrolysates of inexpensive feedstocks into (R)-AC and achieved a titer of 86.04 g/L within 48 h in a 5-L fermenter under optimized fermentation conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest (R)-AC production with high optical purity (≥98%) produced from non-food raw materials using recombinant E. coli. The supernatant of fermentation broth was mixed with diammonium phosphate (DAP) to make a total volume of 20 ml and transferred to a high-pressure microreactor. Finally, 56.72 g/L TMP was obtained in 3 h via the condensation reaction with a high conversion rate (85.30%) under optimal reaction conditions. These results demonstrated a green and sustainable approach to efficiently produce high-valued TMP, which realized value addition of low-cost renewables.
A Review on the Design of Hydrogels With Different Stiffness and Their Effects on Tissue Repair
Authors: Luo Tianyi , Tan Bowen , Zhu Lengjing , Wang Yating , Liao Jinfeng
Published: January 2022

Tissue repair after trauma and infection has always been a difficult problem in regenerative medicine. Hydrogels have become one of the most important scaffolds for tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and water solubility. Especially, the stiffness of hydrogels is a key factor, which influence the morphology of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their differentiation. The researches on this point are meaningful to the field of tissue engineering. Herein, this review focus on the design of hydrogels with different stiffness and their effects on the behavior of MSCs. In addition, the effect of hydrogel stiffness on the phenotype of macrophages is introduced, and then the relationship between the phenotype changes of macrophages on inflammatory response and tissue repair is discussed. Finally, the future application of hydrogels with a certain stiffness in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering has been prospected.
Metabolic Engineering of Escherichia coli for Ectoine Production With a Fermentation Strategy of Supplementing the Amino Donor
Authors: Zhang Hao , Liang Zhong , Zhao Ming , Ma Yanqin , Luo Zhengshan , Li Sha , Xu Hong
Published: January 2022

Ectoine, an osmotic pressure-compensated solute, is used in the food, agriculture, medicine, and cosmetics industries due to its ability to protect macromolecules. In this study, an ectoine-producing variant of Escherichia coli, ET08, was genetically constructed by introducing the ectABC gene cluster and eliminating metabolic pathways involving lysine and pyruvate. Medium optimization enhanced ectoine production from 1.87 to 10.2 g/L. Analysis of the transcriptional levels revealed that supplementation with ammonium sulfate enhanced the metabolic flux towards the biosynthesis of ectoine. Furthermore, by optimizing the copy number of ectA, ectB, and ectC, the recombinant E. coli ET11 (ectA:ectB:ectC = 1:2:1) produced 12.9 g/L ectoine in the shake flask and 53.2 g/L ectoine in a fed-batch fermenter, representing the highest ectoine titer produced by E. coli, which has great industrial prospects.
Bioinformatic Approach to Unveil Key Differentially Expressed Proteins in Human Sperm After Slow and Rapid Cryopreservation
Authors: Corda Pedro O. , Silva Joana Vieira , Pereira Sara C. , Barros Alberto , Alves Marco G. , Fardilha Margarida
Published: January 2022

Currently, two conventional freezing techniques are used in sperm cryopreservation: slow freezing (SF) and rapid freezing (RF). Despite the protocolar improvements, cryopreservation still induces significant alterations in spermatozoon that are poorly understood. Here, available proteomic data from human cryopreserved sperm was analyzed through bioinformatic tools to unveil key differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) that can be used as modulation targets or quality markers. From the included proteomic studies, 160 and 555 DEPs were collected for SF and RF groups, respectively. For each group, an integrative network was constructed using gene ontology and protein-protein interaction data to identify key DEPs. Among them, arylsulfatase A (ARSA) was highlighted in both freezing networks, and low ARSA levels have been associated with poor-sperm quality. Thus, ARSA was selected for further experimental investigation and its levels were assessed in cryopreserved samples by western blot. ARSA levels were significantly decreased in RF and SF samples (∼31.97 and ∼39.28%, respectively). The bioinformatic analysis also revealed that the DEPs were strongly associated with proteasomal and translation pathways. The purposed bioinformatic approach allowed the identification of potential key DEPs in freeze-thawed human spermatozoa. ARSA has the potential to be used as a marker to assess sperm quality after cryopreservation.
Silver(I)-Tazobactam Frameworks with Improved Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Ferreira Daniela R. , Alves Paula C. , Kirillov Alexander M. , Rijo Patrícia , André Vânia
Published: January 2022

Tazobactam (TazoH) is a penicillinate sulfone β-lactamase inhibitor with negligible antimicrobial activity, commonly used with other antibiotics to provide an effective combination against many susceptible organisms expressing β-lactamases. Two novel Ag(I)-tazobactam frameworks ([Ag(I)-Tazo] and [Ag(I)-Tazo2]) prepared by mechanochemistry are presented herein as alternative forms to improve the antimicrobial activity of tazobactam by exploring synergistic effects with silver, being the first crystal structures reported of tazobactam coordinating to a metal site. The topological analysis of the 3D ([Ag(I)-Tazo]) and 2D+1D ([Ag(I)-Tazo2]) frameworks revealed underlying nets with the cbs (CrB self-dual) and decorated sql topologies, respectively. These novel frameworks are stable and show an enhanced antimicrobial activity when compared to tazobactam alone. Amongst the tested microorganisms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most sensitive to tazobactam and the new compounds. This study thus unveils novel facets of tazobactam chemistry and opens up its application as a multifunctional linker for the design of antibiotic coordination frameworks and related materials.
Recent Progress in Luminescent Cu(I) Halide Complexes: A Mini-Review
Authors: Mensah Abraham , Shao Juan-Juan , Ni Jian-Ling , Li Guang-Jun , Wang Fang-Ming , Chen Li-Zhuang
Published: January 2022

Copper(I) halide complexes are well sought-after materials due to their rich structural diversities and photophysical properties. Profoundly, there is a direct relationship between each structural variation and luminescence of these complexes, for a purported use. In this review, recent publications within the last 2 years about copper(I) halide complexes, centering on their structural dimensionalities with derivatives of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur ligands, have been considered alongside their effects on luminescence.
Potassium Titanate Assembled Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Arrays Endow Titanium Implants Excellent Osseointegration Performance and Nerve Formation Potential
Authors: Zhao Hang , Liu Feng , Yin Yixin , Wang Shuhua
Published: January 2022

Titanium based materials have been widely applied in bone-tissue engineering. However, inefficient bone repair remains to be solved due to the lack of neural network reconstruction at the bone-implant interface. Herein, we propose a functional surface modification approach to promote neurogenesis. Using an electrochemical technique and a hydrothermal approach, a potassium titanate nanorod-decorated titanium oxide (K2Ti6O13-TiO2) nanotube array is constructed on the surface of titanium implants. The K2Ti6O13-TiO2 hybrid nanotube array on titanium implants can enhance the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells due to the special nanostructures of titanium oxide nanorods. Meanwhile, the release of potassium ions is able to accelerate the neural differentiation of neural stem cells. This study provides a new approach to promote neuralization on the surface of implants, which is promising for future applications in constructing a fully functional interface in bone repair.
Epitaxial Growth of Bi2Se3 Infrared Transparent Conductive Film and Heterojunction Diode by Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Chuai Ya-Hui , Zhu Chao , Yue Dan , Bai Yu
Published: January 2022

Epitaxial n-type infrared transparent conductive Bi2Se3 thin film was cultivated by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) method on Al2O3 (001) substrate. The orientation between Bi2Se3 and the substrate is Bi2Se3(001)//Al2O3(1 2¯ 10). Conducting mechanism ensued the small-polaron hopping mechanism, with an activation energy of 34 meV. The film demonstrates conductivity of n-type, and the resistivity is 7 × 10−4 Ωcm at room temperature. The Film exhibits an excellent carrier mobility of 1,015 cm2/Vs at room temperature and retains optical transparency in the near-infrared (>70%) and far-infrared (>85%) ranges. To the best of our knowledge, the Bi2Se3 film yields the best result in the realm of n-type Infrared transparent conductive thin films generated through either physical or chemical methods. To demonstrate the application of such films, we produced N-Bi2Se3/P-CuScO2 heterojunction diode device, the ∼3.3 V threshold voltage of which conformed fairly well with the CuScO2 bandgap value. The high optical transparency and conductivity of Bi2Se3 film make it very promising for optoelectronic applications, where a wide wavelength range from near-infrared to far-infrared is required.
Integrated Analyses of Gut Microbiome and Host Metabolome in Children With Henoch-Schönlein Purpura
Authors: Wen Min , Dang Xiqiang , Feng Shipin , He Qingnan , Li Xiaoyan , Liu Taohua , He Xiaojie
Published: January 2022

Recent studies have shown that intestinal microbes and metabolites are involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases. However, whether and how they are related to Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP) has yet to be understood. This work is designed to detect gut microbes, intestinal and serum metabolites in children with HSP, trying to discover the etiology and pathogenesis of HSP. A total of 86 children were recruited in this study, namely, 58 children with HSP (HSP group) and 28 healthy children as control groups (CON group). 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing technology and UPLC-QTOF/MS non-targeted metabolomics analysis were used to detect the intestinal microbes and metabolites, and also multi-reaction monitoring technology for detecting serum arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites. Then, correlation analysis was performed to explore the possible interaction between the differential gut microbes and metabolites. As a result, at the microbiota family level, the CON group had an advantage of Coriobacteriaceae while the HSP group had a dominant Bacteroidaceae. Five kinds of bacteria in the HSP group were significantly enriched at the genus level, and seven kinds of bacteria were significantly enriched in the CON group. A total of 59 kinds of gut metabolites significantly differ between the two groups, in which most are lipids and peptides. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Bacteroides, Dialister, and Agathobacter were associated with unsaturated fatty acids, especially AA metabolism. Then, we tested the AA related metabolites in serum and found thromboxane B2, leukotriene B4, prostaglandin D2, 9S-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, and 13S-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid significantly changed. In conclusion, children with HSP had dominant Bacteroidaceae and decreased Coriobacteriaceae in the family level of gut microbes, and also lipids and peptides changed most in the gut metabolites. Our data suggested that the biosynthesis and metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids, especially AA and its metabolites, might participate in the occurrence and development of HSP.
NLRP3 in the Cerebrospinal Fluid as a Potential Biomarker for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Community-Acquired Bacterial Meningitis in Adults
Authors: Gong Zhe , Zhang Chaopeng , Li Yanfei , Jing Lijun , Duan Ranran , Yao Yaobing , Teng Junfang , Jia Yanjie
Published: January 2022

Objective

To discover the levels of NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from adult patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM).

Methods

We enrolled 34 patients with CABM, 20 patients with viral meningitis (VM), and 25 patients with non-inflammatory neurological disease. Data on standard clinical parameters, scores, and outcomes were obtained from clinical records, and inflammasome levels in the CSF were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to quantify the diagnostic and prognostic performance of CSF NLRP3 as a biomarker of CABM.

Results

The levels of NLRP3 were elevated in the CSF of patients with CABM, but levels for ASC, caspase-1, or other inflammasomes did not vary significantly. CSF NLRP3 was positively correlated with clinical severity and with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte count, albumin quotient (Qalb), and immunoglobulin G quotient (QIgG). Patients with unfavorable outcomes had higher levels of NLRP3 in the CSF, which were correlated with several blood indicators, including NLR, PLR, and lymphocyte and monocyte counts.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that the level of CSF NLRP3 could represent the severity of CABM in adults. CSF NLRP3 may be a good biomarker for the diagnosis of CABM and for the discrimination between CABM and VM. It may also be a better biomarker for predicting the prognosis of adult patients with CABM when compared to the NLR or the lymphocyte and monocyte counts.
Extracellular Vesicles Generated by Gram-Positive Bacteria Protect Human Tissues Ex Vivo From HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Costantini Paolo E. , Vanpouille Christophe , Firrincieli Andrea , Cappelletti Martina , Margolis Leonid , Ñahui Palomino Rogers A.
Published: January 2022

Vaginal microbiota dominated by lactobacilli protects women from sexually transmitted infection, in particular HIV-1. This protection is, in part, mediated by Lactobacillus-released extracellular vesicles (EVs). Here, we investigated whether EVs derived from other Gram-positive bacteria also present in healthy vaginas, in particular Staphylococcus aureus, Gardnerella vaginalis, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterococcus faecalis, can affect vaginal HIV-1 infection. We found that EVs released by these bacteria protect human cervico-vaginal tissues ex vivo and isolated cells from HIV-1 infection by inhibiting HIV-1-cell receptor interactions. This inhibition was associated with a diminished exposure of viral Env by steric hindrance of gp120 or gp120 modification evidenced by the failure of EV-treated virions to bind to nanoparticle-coupled anti-Env antibodies. Furthermore, we found that protein components associated with EV’s outer surface are critical for EV-mediated protection from HIV-1 infection since treatment of bacteria-released EVs with proteinase K abolished their anti-HIV-1 effect. We identified numerous EV-associated proteins that may be involved in this protection. The identification of EVs with specific proteins that suppress HIV-1 may lead to the development of novel strategies for the prevention of HIV-1 transmission.
Comparative Study of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens X030 on the Intestinal Flora and Antibacterial Activity Against Aeromonas of Grass Carp
Authors: Zhou Pengji , Chen Wenhui , Zhu Zirong , Zhou Kexuan , Luo Sisi , Hu Shengbiao , Xia Liqiu , Ding Xuezhi
Published: January 2022

Beneficial microorganisms to control bacterial diseases has been widely used in aquaculture, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BaX030) as a probiotic feed additive was a commonly biological control method. Added sucrose promoted the growth of BaX030, and the yield of its antibacterial substance macrolactin A was enhanced by 1.46-fold. A total of 2055 proteins were screened through proteomics, with 143 upregulated and 307 downregulated. Differential protein expression analysis and qRT-PCR verification showed that the pentose phosphate pathway and the fatty acid synthesis pathway were upregulated, thereby providing sufficient energy and precursors for the synthesis of macrolactin A. The influence of some potential regulatory factors (SecG, LiaI, MecG and ComG) on macrolactin A was discovered. After grass carp were fed with BaX030, the abundance of probiotics (Fusobacterium, Proteobacteria, Gemmobacter) were higher than the control group, and the abundance of potential pathogenic bacteria (Planctomycetes, Aeromonas) were significantly lower than the control group. The cell and challenge experiments showed that BaX030 can significantly increase the expression of C3 and IL8 in the liver and kidney, which decreases the risk of immune organ disease. Moreover, BaX030 effectively reduced the mortality of grass carp. The results revealed that BaX030 can significantly improve the structure of the intestinal flora, enhance immunity and it is beneficial to the control of grass carp Aeromonas.
Cross-Cohort Microbiome Analysis of Salivary Biomarkers in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Gao Chuqi , Guo Ying , Chen Feng
Published: January 2022

Several studies have ascertained differences in salivary microbiota between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy populations. However, the predictive accuracy and reproducibility of these 16S rRNA sequencing analyses when applied to other cohorts remain enigmatic. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on the included 470 samples from five researches in publicly available databases. The discrepancy and predictive accuracy of salivary microbiota between T2DM patients and healthy populations were evaluated from multiple perspectives, followed by the identification of salivary biomarkers for DM. Next, a classification model (areas under the curves = 0.92) was developed based on a large sample. The model could be used for clinical diagnosis and prognostic monitoring and as a basis for hypothesis-driven mechanistic researches. Furthermore, the research heterogeneity across geographic regions suggested that microbiological markers might not become a uniform clinical standard in human beings. They rather identify abnormal alterations under the microbiological characteristics of a specific population.
Case Report: Coronary-Pulmonary Fistula Closure by Percutaneous Approach: Learning From Mistakes
Authors: Rubimbura Vladimir , Girod Grégoire , Delabays Alain , Meier David , Rotzinger David C. , Muller Olivier , Qanadli Salah D. , Eeckhout Éric
Published: January 2022

Coronary-pulmonary artery fistulas (CPAF) are congenital vascular anomalies detected incidentally in most cases. When a significant left-right shunt exists, surgical, or percutaneous treatment is indicated. We describe a challenging case of CPAF closure, by percutaneous approach, in a patient symptomatic for dyspnea and evidence of a significant left-right shunt. A first attempt to close the fistula was performed implanting a vascular plug but it quickly embolized. The plug was successfully retrieved. In a second attempt, we deployed several coils before implanting the vascular plug with total closure of the fistula. The combination of plugs and coils is associated with a higher success rate of closure.
Prescreening-Based Subset Selection for Improving Predictions of Earth System Models With Application to Regional Prediction of Red Tide
Authors: Elshall Ahmed S. , Ye Ming , Kranz Sven A. , Harrington Julie , Yang Xiaojuan , Wan Yongshan , Maltrud Mathew
Published: January 2022

We present the ensemble method of prescreening-based subset selection to improve ensemble predictions of Earth system models (ESMs). In the prescreening step, the independent ensemble members are categorized based on their ability to reproduce physically-interpretable features of interest that are regional and problem-specific. The ensemble size is then updated by selecting the subsets that improve the performance of the ensemble prediction using decision relevant metrics. We apply the method to improve the prediction of red tide along the West Florida Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico, which affects coastal water quality and has substantial environmental and socioeconomic impacts on the State of Florida. Red tide is a common name for harmful algal blooms that occur worldwide, which result from large concentrations of aquatic microorganisms, such as dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, a toxic single celled protist. We present ensemble method for improving red tide prediction using the high resolution ESMs of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and reanalysis data. The study results highlight the importance of prescreening-based subset selection with decision relevant metrics in identifying non-representative models, understanding their impact on ensemble prediction, and improving the ensemble prediction. These findings are pertinent to other regional environmental management applications and climate services. Additionally, our analysis follows the FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship such that data and analysis tools are findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. As such, the interactive Colab notebooks developed for data analysis are annotated in the paper. This allows for efficient and transparent testing of the results’ sensitivity to different modeling assumptions. Moreover, this research serves as a starting point to build upon for red tide management, using the publicly available CMIP, Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), and reanalysis data.
Experimental Study on Creep Characteristics of Saturated Q2 Loess
Authors: Liu Xiaowei , Zhang Xudong , Fu Xiaogang , Yang Tianxiang , Su Zisong
Published: January 2022

Catastrophic failures often occur to engineered infrastructure in areas underlain by saturated loess due to its high moisture content (degree of saturation >85%), low shear strength, and large deformation. Time effect (rheological property) and water are the most important factors affecting the mechanical properties of saturated loess. The rheological mechanism and characteristics of saturated loess are vital to understanding the interaction between infrastructure and foundation and the trigger of failures. Based on step-load testing, this study obtains the displacement-time relationship of saturated Q2 loess to analyze its creep behavior. Experimental results show that the creep strength of saturated Q2 loess is 75–80% of its unconfined compression strength, and the creep behavior can be simulated by the Burgers model. Additionally, the rheological parameters under different load conditions are obtained using the improved Marquardt iterative method. All these parameters can be used for numerical analysis of the rheological behavior of saturated Q2 loess.
Evolution of Glacial Lake Cochrane During the Last Glacial Termination, Central Chilean Patagonia (∼47°S)
Authors: Vásquez Alicia , Flores-Aqueveque Valentina , Sagredo Esteban , Hevia Rodrigo , Villa-Martínez Rodrigo , Moreno Patricio I. , Antinao Jose L.
Published: January 2022

Large ice-dammed lakes developed along the eastern margin of the Patagonian Ice Sheet (PIS) during the Last Glacial Termination (T1). Their spatial/temporal evolution, however, remains poorly constrained despite their importance for deciphering fluctuations of the shrinking PIS, isostatic adjustments, and climate forcing. Here we examine the distribution and age of shoreline features deposited or sculpted by Glacial Lake Cochrane (GLC) in the Lago Cochrane/Pueyrredón (LCP) basin, Central Patagonia, following recession of the LCP glacier lobe from its final Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) moraines. GLC drained initially toward the Atlantic Ocean and continuing ice shrinking opened new drainage routes allowing the discharge toward the Pacific Ocean. We identify five clusters of lake terraces, shorelines, and deltas between elevations ∼600–500 (N5), ∼470–400 (N4), ∼360–300 (N3), ∼230–220 (N2), and ∼180–170 masl (N1) throughout the LCP basin. The distribution of these clusters and associated glaciolacustrine deposits provide constraints for the evolving position of the damming glacier bodies. Elevation gradients within the landform clusters reveal glacio-isostatic adjustments that enable us to quantify the magnitude of deglacial rebound and construct isostatically corrected surfaces for the different phases in the evolution of GLC. Our chronology, based principally on radiocarbon dates from lake sediment cores and new OSL dating, suggests that these phases developed between ∼20.7–19.3 ka (N5), ∼19.3–14.8 ka (N4), ∼14.8–11.3 ka (N3), and shortly thereafter (N2 and N1). The N3 landforms are the most ubiquitous, well-preserved, and voluminous, attributes that resulted from a ∼3,500-year long period of glacial stability, enhanced sediment supply by peak precipitation regime, and profuse snow and ice melting during the most recent half of T1. This scenario differs from the cold and dry conditions that prevailed during the brief N5 phase and the moderate amount of precipitation during the N4 phase. We interpret the limited development of the N2 and N1 landforms as ephemeral stabilization events following the final and irreversible disappearance of GLC after N3. This event commenced shortly after the onset of an early Holocene westerly minimum at pan-Patagonian scale at ∼11.7 ka, contemporaneous with peak atmospheric and oceanic temperatures in the middle and high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere.
Wind Tunnel Studies on the Prevention of Particle Accumulation Onto the Bogie of High-Speed Train
Authors: Liu Yusheng , Li Guang , Zhang Jie
Published: January 2022

When high-speed train runs in the environment with a large number of airborne particles, these particles may accumulate on the bogie of the train, which will further challenge the normal operation of the bogie and reduce the riding comfort and train safety. In order to prevent particles entering into the bogie area, different protective devices around the bogie are used. However, up to present, the systematical analysis on the protective effects of diverse protective measures against different types of particles are still very limited. In this study, with the widely-used shirt boards and spoilers as protective devices, the airborne particle transport processes around the bogie were simulated in the wind tunnel Lab. Three kinds of typical particles, including artificial snow particle, wheat bran (substitute of snowflake) and sieved soil, were chosen to represent different airborne particles under real conditions. Three evolution indexes, including the relative reduction ratio of artificial snow particles, the relative particle flux reduction ratio of fine wheat bran, and the relative concentration reduction ratio of fine sieve soil particles, were used to assess their protective effects. Results showed that the combination of short-skirt board and straight triangular spoiler (i.e., in A5 case, the straight triangle spoilers installed at the front and rear ends of the train bogie, and the short-skirt boards installed on both sides of the train bogie) was the best protection with the studied three particles. The relative reduction ratio of the average snow mass in this case was 75.59%, the relative reduction ratio of the flux in the level of fine wheat bran exceeded 78%, and the relative reduction ratio of the fine soil particle concentration was more than 96%.
Effects of an SEL Program in a Diverse Population of Low Achieving Secondary Education Students
Authors: Van De Sande Marion C. , Fekkes Minne , Diekstra René F. , Gravesteijn Carolien , Reis Ria , Kocken Paul L.
Published: January 2022

Adolescents’ social-emotional skills are associated with positive outcomes in psychosocial health and success in education and work. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of Skills4Life, a Social Emotional Learning program for preparatory vocational secondary education aimed at enhancing self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. Low-achieving students with additional educational needs participated in a quasi-experimental study, with an intervention (N = 465) and a control group (N = 274). We assessed the outcomes on social-emotional skills and psychosocial health using self-report questionnaires at pre-test (T0), after finishing the basic module (T1), and after finishing the internship module (T2). Multi-level regression analyses indicated no overall effects on the outcomes at T1 and T2. After completing the entire program at T2, students from non-western backgrounds had significantly unfavorable lower scores on social awareness and relationship skills. Positive effects were found on self-management and preparation for internships in students taught by experienced professional trainers compared to students taught by regular classroom teachers at T2. Alterations in the socio-cultural approach of the Skills4Life program and teacher training are needed to support all students in developing the social-emotional skills that they need for success at school and the workplace.
The Influence of Professional Engineering Organizations on Women and Underrepresented Minority Students’ Fit
Authors: Campbell-Montalvo Rebecca , Kersaint Gladis , Smith Chrystal A. S. , Puccia Ellen , Sidorova Oxana , Cooke Hannah , Wao Hesborn , Martin Julie P. , Skvoretz John , MacDonald George , Lee Reginald
Published: January 2022

Our work focuses on women and underrepresented minority (URM) students’ cultural models of engineering success (CMES) or beliefs about doing well in engineering. Because of its consequential effect on persistence, we pay special attention to the fit domain of CMES—student feelings of belonging in their engineering program. We examine 1) how student fit is affected by participatory social capital (i.e., participation in professional engineering organizations [PEOs] that have as part of their mission a goal to assist students in their STEM education and careers), as well as 2) the factors that affect students’ decisions to participate in PEOs. Due to the traditional prioritization of majority norms in engineering programs, women and URM students’ CMES may conflict with the cultures manifested in engineering departments. Analysis of interviews with 55 women and URM engineering students shows that PEOs, particularly gender- and race-focused PEOs, affect students’ feelings of fit. PEOs affect student fit positively and primarily through expressive social capital—emotional support wherein students feel they fit in because PEOs provide a sense of community and opportunities to be around successful women and URM engineers. PEOs also allow students to build instrumental social capital, such as academic and professional skills, including networking and knowledge development. Encouragement from others and their desire to be around people like themselves played a central role in students joining PEOs. However, students identified time, financial, and fit issues that discouraged them from participating in PEOs. This investigation illuminates how socially distant others from PEOs affect student fit, extending previous work which uncovered how more proximal others affect fit as well as previous work finding that URM students participating in PEOs were more likely to persist in their engineering program. Research, theory, and practice applications are presented.
Influence of Teaching and the Teacher’s Feedback Perceived on the Didactic Performance of Peruvian Postgraduate Students Attending Virtual Classes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bazán-Ramírez Aldo , Capa-Luque Walter , Bello-Vidal Catalina , Quispe-Morales Rolando
Published: January 2022

Educational researchers have become interested in the study of teaching and feedback processes as important factors for learning and realizing achievements in the teaching–learning context at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The main objective of this research was to assess the effect of five variables of the teacher’s didactic performance (two from teaching and three from feedback) on students’ variable of evaluation and application, mediated by their performances in participation, pertinent practice, and improvement. Participants were 309 Peruvian masters and doctoral students of an in-person postgraduate course in educational sciences who, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were attending classes and submitting assignments and exercises online. The students were asked to fill two online questionnaires in Google Forms format regarding didactic performance; the first questionnaire comprehended five dimensions of teacher performance: explicitness of criteria, illustration, supervision of learning activities, feedback, and evaluation, whereas the second one encompassed four dimensions of student performance: illustration–participation, pertinent practice (adjustment to supervision of practices), feedback–improvement, and evaluation–application. When tested, two structural regression models showed (with good goodness-of-fit values) that the evaluation–application student performance factor was significantly and similarly predicted by the illustration–participation and feedback–improvement student performance variables, and, to a lesser extent, yet significantly, by the pertinent practice student performance. Moreover, teacher performances had a significant effect with high regression coefficients on the three student performance variables included as mediators, both when the five teacher performance variables were included as predictor variables, and when arranged into two second-order factors (teaching and feedback).
Applying Learning Analytics in Online Environments: Measuring Learners’ Engagement Unobtrusively
Authors: Caspari-Sadeghi Sima
Published: January 2022

Prior to the emergence of Big Data and technologies such as Learning Analytics (LA), classroom research focused mainly on measuring learning outcomes of a small sample through tests. Research on online environments shows that learners’ engagement is a critical precondition for successful learning and lack of engagement is associated with failure and dropout. LA helps instructors to track, measure and visualize students’ online behavior and use such digital traces to improve instruction and provide individualized support, i.e., feedback. This paper examines 1) metrics or indicators of learners’ engagement as extracted and displayed by LA, 2) their relationship with academic achievement and performance, and 3) some freely available LA tools for instructors and their usability. The paper concludes with making recommendations for practice and further research by considering challenges associated with using LA in classrooms.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Fetal Growth
Authors: Yang Meng-Nan , Huang Rong , Liu Xin , Xu Ya-Jie , Wang Wen-Juan , He Hua , Zhang Guang-Hui , Zheng Tao , Fang Fang , Fan Jian-Gao , Li Fei , Zhang Jun , Li Jiong , Ouyang Fengxiu , Luo Zhong-Cheng
Published: January 2022

Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) has been implicated in glucose homeostasis. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) enhances fetal insulin secretion and fetal growth. Girls weigh less and are more insulin resistant than boys at birth. We sought to assess whether FGF19 is associated with GDM and fetal growth and explore potential sex dimorphic associations. This was a nested case-control study in the Shanghai Birth Cohort, including 153 pairs of newborns of GDM versus euglycemic mothers matched by infant’s sex and gestational age at birth. Cord plasma FGF19, insulin, C-peptide, proinsulin, IGF-I and IGF-II concentrations were measured. Cord plasma FGF19 concentrations were similar in GDM versus euglycemic pregnancies (mean ± SD: 43.5 ± 28.2 versus 44.5 ± 30.2 pg/mL, P=0.38). FGF19 was not correlated with IGF-I or IGF-II. FGF19 concentrations were positively correlated with birth weight (r=0.23, P=0.01) and length (r=0.21, P=0.02) z scores, C-peptide (r=0.27, P=0.002) and proinsulin (r=0.27, P=0.002) concentrations in females. Each SD increment in cord plasma FGF19 was associated with a 0.25 (0.07-0.43) increase in birth weight z score in females. In contrast, FGF19 was not correlated with birth weight or length in males. These sex dimorphic associations remained after adjusting for maternal and neonatal characteristics. The study is the first to demonstrate that GDM does not matter for cord blood FGF19 concentrations. The female specific positive correlation between FGF19 and birth weight is suggestive of a sex-dimorphic role of FGF19 in fetal growth. The observations call for more studies to validate the novel findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.